Smokin' Seventeen question

I am very disappointed about the casting, especially Katherine Heigl as Stephanie. In other movies she has not portrayed the spunk that Stephanie exhibits in every book. But she is an actress, so we'll just have to wait and see.

I'm not a fan of the romance genre, nor mystery, but I absolutely love your Stephanie Plum series. Your humor is unique and mixed in equal parts with romance and drama, I can't get enough. I'm especially partial to Lula and grandma Mazur. What was it like for you when you started to write, or desired to write, OFTM? Did it begin as a romance novel? Did Stephanie Plum come to you and write herself?

I've been reading the thread of peoples questions and comments on the Plum Series and I must say that it has really caught me by surprise that some people can't keep up with the humor of the series and Stephanie in general. The humor is probably the main reason I always look for the next book! It's guaranteed to be a side-splitting, breath taking, laugh out loud experience! My question for you would be will you do something with Stephanie's Mom? She's branching out into more than just Stephanie's "Mom", maybe her going to work in the office with Vinnie! It's guaranteed to be good for a few hundred laughs. At least until she has mercy on Frank and her mother.

I love reading the books, but it gets confusing sometimes with the romantic interest. Is Stephanie going to end up with Ranger or Morelli? Can you maybe clear it up my confusion, why doesn't she have a steady love interest?

Well I read all the other questions and I think I came up with a new one. I assume (always dangerous) that you write each book so that people new to Stephanie can start on any book and enjoy it. How hard is it to keep on creating new ways to explain why Grandma Mazur is living with Stephanie's Mom and Dad? I'd guess for you it probably isn't difficult because you always, in each book use a different phrase and they are fabulously funny. Do those tiny recaps drive you nuts or are they one of the joys of writing a long running series? By the way your books are very rereadable (word?)and one reason is the fun way you limit recaps and add a twist each book. Thank you for making me laugh out loud more than any 100 other writers combined!

I love all your & Charlotte Hughes's characters set in Beaumont. Will you be doing any other books set in this area? or co-authored any other's with Charlotte Hughes or Leanne Banks? (Just read Hot Stuff and laughed out-loud at Pug - my co-workers thought I was nuts.) They are such light-hearted fun books that makes reading them a joy.

I just have to say that your books for me are a guilty pleasure. I laugh so hard and long after I have read your books. From the farting noises to all the things that always seem to happen to her.

I know that some say that you should choose one or the other for Stephanie's love interest but I would not know how to choose. I would miss the other if that were to happen. Of course I am more of a Ranger fan cause the mystery of him is definitely a turn on, but Morelli has his fine points too.

How did you develope the characters, especially Lula? I am laughing just thinking about her character.

Also if you have any power with the casting, we need a hotter Morelli. Who they picked for ranger is perfect.

Thank you so much for this opportunity. I love your books. I have read all of the series and most of the others. Thanks for making me laugh, A LOT!!!!!

I am curious as to what prompted Janet to switch from writing romance novels, to other types of fiction, ie: mysteries & comedic pieces?

I'm guessing that Stephanie will marry Morelli at some point, but will have a "special bond" with Ranger which keeps the suspense in the books and makes them interesting. Do you have plans to mature Stephanie? It would be fun to see her juggle childcare and her bounty hunter duties with the help of her zany friends and family. Love your books!

How much fun do you have writing these books? I can see you laughing out loud as you type Lula's and Stephanie's adventures. Just wondering if it feels like work to write these books.

My question is similar to a couple previous ones - will any of your novels possibly be turned into a movie? I think of Stephanie Plum as similar to Sandra Bullock's character in Miss Congeniality - lots of humor and fun - but always trouble :)

I am ready for Steph to make a decision as to whom she will spend her life with. Just because she picks one steady relationship doesn't mean. The series will stop being sexy. I want to know more aboutDiesel.

When I need a fast, fun read, I inevitably pick up a Stephanie Plum book...especially when it features Carl the Monkey. I laugh out loud every time I read a scene he's in, so I was thrilled to see him show up in "Wicked Appetites" (BIG GRIN! :)) Who are some of your favorite go-to authors?

Dear Janet,
I love Stephanie Plum as well as all the books you have written. My question is, with writing about characters for as long as you have with Stephanie and co., you must form an emotional attachment to them. Have you ever come to a point in the books where you felt you needed to take a character in a certain direction, but emotionally, wished you didn't have to.

Do you choose the reader or does the company choose the person? I noticed that you switched readers in your series towards the middle. It took me some time to adjust to the new reader, but I still enjoy all the Stephanie books. I love listening to every book in every series that you have written.

Janet - I love the character names you use. They fit each character's personality like one of Ranger's t-shirts. =) How do you come up with their names?

I'm so excited for the upcoming One for the Money movie!! Would you have preferred different actors cast for your characters? I always envisioned Sandra Bullock playing Stephanie Plum.

How do you keep each Stephanie Plum novel fresh considering the series has been going along for a long time now? How do you keep the readers' attention when they feel that they know all they should know about each and every character?

I love this series and the hilarious characters in it. One of my favorites is probably Finger Lickin Fifteen...sixteen and seventeen though have left me desiring something more. Maybe they're a little too repetitive or the Ranger/Morelli thing is getting a little old...I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but I'm hoping this discussion will give you some insight and help you revamp the books. I love the humor though and the characters...would love to see Sally Sweet back too. Now to my question. How far do you plan on going with these books or are you going to keep writing until it feels like the right time to stop the series? Is there a specific number you are aiming for to end the series with? I hope its a very long time before you are finished with them. I think I may cry when I hear you have published your last Stephanie Plum novel. Thanks for all the great entertainment.

I've read all the comments and questions so far. I am a 'team Morelli' member, I think Ranger has made it quite clear that he is not up for anything but sex. I think Steph and Morelli are meant to be. I think we do see some character development in 17, a(last?) fling with Ranger, Morelli seeming to ease up a bit on being pushy, Steph actively thinking her man situation over... Maybe she will finally make a choice! I don't see her making a choice as an ending, I see it as a new begining! A whole new aspect to add to the hilarious drama of the series.

I can see this thread is loaded with the Morelli/Ranger dilemma, so I'll skip that, though I agree it's a problem. The question I have is about the in-between the numbers books. What compelled you to divert so radically from your realistic fiction setting to a fantasy series?? It threw me for quite the loop the first time out and I can't say I ever grew to like the novels. Even you seem to ignore them in the main story line, with the exception of adding kids to Valerie's family. And even she and Albert have almost entirely dropped from the real Plum novels. If you wanted to dabble in fantasy, why not do it with an all-new character?

Do you see any part of yourself in Stephanie? Is she based on anyone you know?

First off, I love the books and the characters, having read 1-16. You are one of the funniest writers alive, and if you and Carl Hiaasen ever got together, I would be worried that you might actually come up with "the killing joke" and the nation would laugh itself to death. My question is this: It seems to me that Morelli is a hot character who's cool, while Ranger is a cool character who's hot and Stephanie blows hot and cold. On your part, was this instinctive or calculated?

Now that I live in AZ I get a kick out of reading about NJ. I will aways be a Jersey Girl! My Grandma was also a NJ Mazur. Was your Grandma Mazur base on someone you Knew?

I have read #2,3 and 4 and I want to know whether Stephanie gets her act together in future books before continuing reading about her. Does she remember to recharge her cellular, bring her piece, install a better security system?

Thanks Andrea for so eloquently putting into words the way that I've felt for the last 4 books, although to be honest I've yet to read anything past 13. As far as I'm concerned, the series ended with 12.
Thirteen disappointed me immensely - so much so that I was leery of buying any more until the reviews came in for the next in the series. I'm sorry to say that the reviews for 14-17 so turned me off that I never even sought to read them, much less purchase them. Reviews of monkeys, flatulence jokes and the like showed me I'd be wasting my time as well as my money.
Sorry J.E., but I refuse to give money for nothing, and that's what you seem to be providing.
Fan Fiction become my addiction of choice, and through it I found some unbelievably talented writers that not only wrote stories with depth and emotion, as well as developing the characters to the point that we actually knew and understood them, but also surpassed the past 5 books, IMHO, to the point that I'd rather pay THEM for their stories. They're THAT good.
Unfortunately I don't hold out much hope that 18 will be any better, and that saddens me. What used to be a funny and sometimes touching series has regressed past that of a bad comic book to pure idiocy, I don't think you could PAY me enough to read the crap that's been published under the pseudonym of literature.
Random House/Bantam, I hope you're reading these reviews, because you've lost thousands of fans and money on an author that just doesn't give a rat's butt anymore, and neither do I.

Will Joe be happy with Stephanie if she choses to remain a bounty hunter? Or does he really want a "housewife"? Also...Have you thought about adding in a new lady that could pose a threat to Stephanie and Joe's relationship. A chick Ranger for Joe, so to speak.

Do you ever get bored with your character(Stephanie) and wish you could go back and change the direction you've taken her development?

I have no doubt in my mind that Stephanie is going to end up with Morelli or Ranger (most likely Morelli) but my question is have you given thought to Stephanie and (insert name here) getting pregnant and having a baby?

I love all here books! that stephanie is a hoot and the grandma couldnt be better. when i read i can see each character and what there doing it makes me happy dont stop wring them

After writing such a enjoyable series of books. Do you have a pet project unrelated to the Plum series that you are interested in pursuing. If so, what inspired it? Is there anything keeping you from pursuing it or are you working on it now?

Will Stephanie ever get to see where Ranger really lives, where he has his personal "stuff"--the "Batcave"?

Something that has been nagging at me, Joe and Steph have had the condom conversation lots of times but Ranger and Steph not so much. So is the use of condoms implied or has Ranger been snipped?
He already has a daughter and his lifestyle doesn't allow for a growing family so I think he went ahead and had a vasectomy. am I wrong? or is this under the category of information not needed to further the story. Just wondering.

Have you ever thought about Stephanie getting annoyed with both Ranger and Morelli at the same time, and introducing a new love interest?

Is there an end in sight for the series? I love the books but eventually it seems she would get tired of tripping over the same rock and make some life changes including growing up a bit.

I would be upset if Morelli does not end up with Stephanie.

Hello Janet. I absolutely love the books and all the comical scenes in them. Are any of those scenes based on real comical experiences?

I have heard other authors discuss things they might have done differently such as plots, names or even killing someone off. Looking back at the 17+ books of the Plum Series would you have done anything different? Hindsight is 20/20.

Have you thought of having Joe do something a little off-center to increase his recent sex appeal and danger factor?

In "Ten Big Ones." How did you come up with the Name Roger Banker?

1) Who are you marketing the series to? I was surprised to see stickers inside with I heart Ranger/I heart Morelli, which seem more appropriate for a tween audience.

2) in the first several books you introduced a number of fabulous fun characters, some who stayed on and others that were just passing by. It was a treat to find out who we'd meet in the next book and the enjoy the special flair that they added to the storyline. I don't recall anyone of note in the past few books. Do you have a new set of characters lined up for future sequels?

When is the Movie coming out??? I Can't Wait! ♥♥

I really like Stephanie's dad. He is always there, always disapproving of everyone's behavior. Do you have any plans to a plot with him in it a little more? Maybe he has a secret in his past or maybe he goes on one of Stephanie's escapades with her by some accident.

So I heard through the grapevine (probably just gossip) that Ranger's life might be in danger?

Hell no! Don't you dare kill Ranger off! The man curls my toes. Every girl needs a Ranger on speed dial, just in case. Just sayin'. So many fun scenes with him and Plum. Remember the time he found her naked, cuffed to her shower? Come on! That was classic, babe.

I will never get tired of your humor. I swear, I could be related to the Plum family. Grandma Mazur and my mother could be sisters.

Laughed my way through Smokin' Seventeen the minute it hit Kindle - loved the senior vamp and his fanged dentures ( he'd fit right in with my characters) – and Grandma Bella's vordo curse inspired granny undies. Ha! I'm looking forward to the release of #18 in November.

Seriously - Ranger is invincible –can we keep him that way?

Susan Stec

I love your books I think they are hilarious and have read all the Stephanie Plum ones but it is hard to find some of your earlier work I thought you would know where to look or someone from here might know.

will Stephanie become a better bounty hunter? I know she's not good at it but she's been doing it for a long time and doesn't seem to be getting any better, or will she get a normal job?

Will there be a book 19? Also will there be more with Ranger or will Stephanie settle down with Morelli? Oh and will her mother stop setting her up now that she has hooked her up with a loser and a serial killer?

I agree that Stephanie seems kinda stupid 'cause she doesn't learn from her mistakes and keeps making the same ones over and over again. When is she going to smarten up? I also would like to see a book series on Ranger. That would be awesome!

I am curious to know why the next installment is coming out in november? Usually a new book comes out every june. I'm not complaining.... just curious.

My other question is: Did you have a say as to who was picked to play in the upcoming movie? I thought betty white would have made a better grandma mazur.

I love Grandma Mazur, we need more of her and her gun toting hand bag!

I went to your book signing in Minnesota & was lucky enough to have you sign my Smokin Seventeen book. Thank you~

My question for you is...I love the character Lula. She makes me laugh out loud whenever she speaks. Is she based on someone you know in real life? If yes, I would love to meet your friends!