Ask Lisa Lutz! discussion
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The Spellman Files
Ask Lisa about The Spellmans
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Patrick
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Aug 22, 2011 04:31PM
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I see that a Spellman movie is in the works. Who would you like to see playing Izzy?
Hi Melki,Actually that is not true. It's old information. Spellman was originally optioned by Paramount, but that lapsed and then we tried to bring it to ABC, but that didn't work out. So in December the rights revert back to me and I'll try another avenue.
As for casting. I have to admit that I see the characters as unique individuals and it's hard for me to connect them to any particular actor.
Thanks for the question!
Can you tell us anything about what happens in the new Spellman book that's coming out next year? I can't wait!
The only possible questions are: Can you please write lots more Spellman books? And can you do that quickly?
Rachael wrote: "Can you tell us anything about what happens in the new Spellman book that's coming out next year? I can't wait!"Sure. Here's the flap copy for TRAIL:
For the first time in Spellman history, Isabel Spellman, Private Eye, might be the most normal member of her family. As always, the Spellman clan has yet to settle into any kind of status quo. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities—with no apparent motive. Dad has a secret. Izzy’s brother and sister are at war—for no apparent reason. And her niece keeps saying banana even though she hates bananas.
That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry's mother.
As for the business side of things … First, a couple hires the firm to follow their own daughter. Rae is assigned the case—only to fake the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unknots like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers — even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family.
Jhg wrote: "The only possible questions are: Can you please write lots more Spellman books? And can you do that quickly?"Thanks, Jhg.
I'm writing as fast as I can and do plan to continue the series. But, in the interest of full disclosure, I still have to try other projects as well. However, I will try to pick up the pace a bit. Thanks!
In the next book, do we get to read Henry's opinion of Matt Smith as The Doctor?
Now a more on topic question, any method to the amount time that passes between books? Some gaps make a lot of sense (the time Izzy had to finish her court appointed counciling as an example) and I wondered if you let the plot help you decide the time period?
Jesse wrote: "In the next book, do we get to read Henry's opinion of Matt Smith as The Doctor?"I'm afraid not. I think Document #5 is a Doctor Who free book!
Jesse wrote: "Now a more on topic question, any method to the amount time that passes between books? Some gaps make a lot of sense (the time Izzy had to finish her court appointed counciling as an example) and ..."For whatever reason and it might be about pretending that the characters are real, the time lapse tends to be close to real time. So, with the next book, 2 years will have passed. I'm not sure I'll always stick to that, but it makes their progression more real for me.
Hi Lisa,Love your books. Is there any chance of a book tour with the release of the next book? More specifically a tour that hits some of the Southern states? ;)
Thanks!
Rae wrote: "Hi Lisa,Love your books. Is there any chance of a book tour with the release of the next book? More specifically a tour that hits some of the Southern states? ;)
Thanks!"
Hi Rae (great name),
There will definitely be a tour for TRAIL. And I would love to go to more southern states. But I never know where they'll send me. It always helps if a specific bookstore makes a request.
Thanks!
Lisa,I am a huge fan of the Spellman series. I think that your style is absolute genius and really sets you apart from other authors in your genre. I have so many questions, but I'll try to control myself.
How did you originally come up with the idea for the first Spellman book? Did you ever work as a P.I.? If not, how did you do your research into P.I. life?
So excited about The Trail!
Tiffany wrote: "Lisa,I am a huge fan of the Spellman series. I think that your style is absolute genius and really sets you apart from other authors in your genre. I have so many questions, but I'll try to contr..."
Thanks, Tiffany.
I did work at a family run PI firm for a few years. They were definitely the inspiration for the story--but all of the characters are pure fiction. They do not reflect my workmates or my family in any way. One of the the things I wanted to convey, having worked at a PI firm, was that the traditional mysteries--with murder, and danger, etc.--that are the major tropes of the genre don't have anything to do with the life of your average PI.
That said, it's been great having my old coworkers to consult on PI matters.
But ultimately when I wrote the first Spellman book, I was much more interested in writing about family dynamics than mystery or PI work, etc. My books are shelved in the mystery or crime section, but I don't think of them that way.
Please let Isabel and Henry have their happily ever after! OK, I realize that is a request, not a question...I can't wait to read #5! Thanks for one of my most fav series, ever!
That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry's mother. Ha! I'm sure Henry loooooves that. :)
Henry and Isabel are such great characters and together they're just fantastic. You could write about Henry and Isabel doing the most mundane thing together, like picking out toilet paper or flossing, and it would be hilarious.
I read an interview with you once when you talked about Henry and how he was never supposed to be such an important character but he just developed into one after the first book. Can you talk about how you knew you wanted to explore Henry more? When did you see his potential as more of a main character?
I think that any minor character has the potential or should have the potential to be more than that. As I was revising the first book, I was trying to give Henry Stone more humanity and I ended up seeing where his character might go in future books.When people read my books what I hope for the most is for them to go along for the journey and not anticipate and want a certain outcome. When I start a book, I don't always know how it's going to play out. But I write what seems appropriate for the characters and I have to leave room for the characters to grow and for new plots to develop.
I would just caution readers against expecting a certain trajectory in the novels. The only way I can keep these books fresh enough for me to continue is in finding new directions to take the characters.
I just wanted to comment on a couple of things.1. If you do a book tour, come back to Portland, OR!
2. I hope John Brown comes back. I felt like his story line was unfinished! I work for a DV agency and I think a lot could be done with that.
3. Also, I wanted to say that I LOVE that this series isn't the standard murder mystery and that it's more like ID theft and cons. It's great!
Tara wrote: "I just wanted to comment on a couple of things.1. If you do a book tour, come back to Portland, OR!
2. I hope John Brown comes back. I felt like his story line was unfinished! I work for a DV agen..."
Thanks, Tara!
1. I'd love to come back to Portland. Sometimes I wish I lived there.
2. I've been thinking about John Brown for a while now. Since there are no plans to end the series right away (everyone please take note--that rumor after Document #4 was not started by me)it's something to consider.
3. Thanks.
Dear Lisa,Having a literary crush on Henry Stone I want to know; in all the bars in San Francisco why was Henry at the Philosopher's Club in book 2? And why did Henry show up at Izzy's door at 3 in the morning when he and Maggie broke up? Izzy always knew she had feelings for him, was he totally oblivious?
And lastly, I miss Morty.
I think the reader can answer the questions better than I can. I don't like to tell someone what a character's motivation is. It should all be in the book. You decide. I will say this: Isabel isn't someone who is in touch with her emotions. She may have feelings for someone, but she's pretty good at ignoring her feelings.
I miss Morty too. But in the Spellman books (unlike HEADS YOU LOSE) characters cannot be resurrected. At least I'll wait until the final document for that.
I read your twitters and hear a lot of Izzy (or is it Morty!) coming through. They are (you’re) very clever.I have to admit when I started the Spellman series, I didn’t particularly like many of the characters. However, I did love the writing and story-telling styles of the books so I kept reading them. I'm so glad I did. The more I read, the more the characters grew on me. As you’ve stated, you set out to write a novel about family dynamics. I’m glad they’re shelved with mysteries; I may never have found them if not. I’m hooked and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Though I’m sorry the TV and movie deals fell through, I’m sort of glad, too. The fun of the books is the internal thinking and the language. And, part of the fun of reading is “casting” books as you read them. I’m sure we all picture someone different. It would have to be a pretty great actress to play Izzy and get it right for fans. The writing would have to pretty spectacular, too.
Thanks for the peek into the new story. For Izzy to still be in a relationship with Henry after two years...Wow!! Is Henry’s mother a pseudo replacement for Morty, or will Izzy get another best friend?
I know your books are published worldwide. How are the Spellmans seen around the world? Are they as popular as in the US? Do you get to go on great international book tours?
Thank you for taking the time to discuss your writing with your fans and answering our questions.
Hi Lisa! I have actually emailed you before to tell you that you're hilarious and I love the Spellman books.
Do you know if the same actor will read the new audio book? She has your characters NAILED and it would be a shame to have a different actor read the latest installment. Keep the Spellmans coming!! I see no end to it!
Meredith wrote: "Hi Lisa! I have actually emailed you before to tell you that you're hilarious and I love the Spellman books.
Do you know if the same actor will read the new audio book? She has your character..."
Hi Meredith,
I'm afraid I don't know the answer to the question. I am aware of two readers for the audio books. But not sure about TRAIL at this point. Sorry I can't be more helpful. But I am glad to hear you've enjoyed the audio.
Lisa
Hi Lisa, I'm not sure if this thread is still active... I just wanted to say thank you for writing such a great series of books. Although I love Izzy and think she's a wonderful heroine and narrator, my favourite character has to be Rae! I imagine her, in the future, taking over the business and the family! I love her dynamics with Henry. I have a question about him and Izzy. When Izzy realised she had feelings for him, I was very surprised, almost as much as she seemed to be herself. I thought it was brilliant how you brought that about. Izzy seems totally oblivious of her own feelings and, since she is the narrator, so is the reader up to that point. Did you already know you wanted to create a romance between those two? Or did you decide at the same time as you were writing it?
Thank you so much! Can't wait for the next one!
Hi Julia,Are you talking about the second book? I'm not sure exactly how it played out. But when I write there is often no master plan. Just some story threads that I've decided on ahead of time. What happens with the characters often surprises me. Hope that answers your question. Sorry for the delay.
Lisa
Thanks Lisa! That answers my question perfectly! Yes, I think it happens at the end of the second book... So looking forward to reading the next one, I've pre-ordered it already!
Hello, Lisa!Forget Where's Waldo; where's Henry Stone? According to my Kindle, I'm 37% of the way through Trail of the Spellmans, and he's barely a presence. Please tell me he plays a larger role soon or I may have to swear off this series! He's your best character (well, besides Rae, Uncle Rae, and Izzy).
Please come to NJ to read and sign books; we love your work!
I just finished the 5th book and was wondering (hoping) if there would be another and what kind of time frame we're looking at (sorry, i just read all 5 in about two weeks, so I'm jonesing)
The 6th book won't be until July 2013. Thanks for asking!
Hi Lisa,I adore the Spellmans, and you're such a brilliant writer. But can u please do something about Henry and Isabel in your next book? I felt so sad after reading the 5th book, i was kind of wishing they'll get back together before i reach the end.
All the best!
I know its late but i really love your books...i started the 1st book around 3 days back and i am over with the whole series! Although I am Devastated about Henry an Izzy... I really think they are awesome... Anyways is there a 7th book?
