Special chat with Charles Todd, Alan Bradley, and Tasha Alexander discussion
Questions for the authors?
date
newest »
newest »
Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"Hi, Jae,
A book I never tire of pressing upo..."
Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"
Hi, Jae,
A book I never tire of pressing upo..."
Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"
Hi, Jae,
A book I never tire of pressing upo..."
LOL--When I was in college ( a Catholic girls' school ) we had an annual three day retreat during which we were to read spiritual reading and pray etc. I secreted The Once and Future King in my notebook and read it for the three days! Best Spiritual reading of my entire four years!!!
Good Morning, Tasha! I am currently reading Tears of Pearl and it made me wonder if you have visited the places you write about in your books. My Dad was in Constantinople on his 1921 US Naval Mediterranean Cruise and I have post cards he brought back of the Sophia and other scenes in the city. I remember him speaking of the Golden Horn and the beauty of the mosque. The cards are black and white of course but the size and grandeur of the interior comes through nevertheless.
Tasha wrote: "Mariah wrote: "Tasha.What are your thoughts about Lady Emily coming to big screen? Do you see the series becoming movies? If so, who is your ideal duo?"
Movies are such a different medium from bo..."
One of the biggest difficulties for me when I go to see a book that has been put on the screen is losing the mental image I have of the characters--they are supplanted for all time by the actors who play them--Orson Welles will forever be Mr Rochester in my mind and Colin Firth, Mr Darcy. Alas!
Tegan Mae wrote: "Alan Bradley, I absolutely love Flavia's stories! Anytime I pick a book up I can't put it down until I'm done with it! I'm looking forward to the upcoming release! I love learning about the history..."Hi, Tegan Mae,
I'm delighted to hear you're enjoying the Flavia books so much. I think you're the ideal kind of reader - the reader we writers have in mind as we write.
I can assure you that you'll be hearing more about Harriet. All I can say at this point is "Stay tuned!"
Alan
Katherine wrote: "Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"Hi, Jae,
A book I never tir..."
I entirely agree with you Katherine. Although I must admit that the first time I read it, I didn't really like it much. I think I started several times before I finally got through it and realized what an overwhelmingly great book (or series of books) it was.
I was thrilled to discover later that most of the books in the trilogy existed in different forms. That the original publication of "The Sword In the Stone" was very different from the version that appeared in TOAFK. And that "The Queen of Air and Darkness" had originally been a different book, "The Witch In the Wood" which White rewrote completely on demand from his publishers.
All of these are still available, and well worth seeking out. There are also many other fine books by White: "The Elephant and the Kangaroo", The Godstone and the "Blackymoor".
Anyone to whom I have ever recommended them has become a devoted and passionate White fan.
Oh, and there's also Sylvia Townsend Warner's biography of White: surely one of the most interesting biographies in the English language. I hope you'll be able to seek them out and enjoy them as much as I did.
With best wishes,
Alan
Katherine wrote: "Tasha wrote: "Mariah wrote: "Tasha.What are your thoughts about Lady Emily coming to big screen? Do you see the series becoming movies? If so, who is your ideal duo?"
Movies are such a differe..."
That's the real problem, isn't it? Once you get an image in your head, it's so hard to get out....
Hi, Katherine!I try to visit the settings of my books whenever possible and am now fortunate enough to be in a position to do that. Books, pictures, maps, etc. can provide lots of information about a place, but it's not the same as visiting. I don't like to rely entirely on the observations of others.
When I was working on TEARS, I read everything I could get my hands on and I thought I had a really good sense of the city--until I went to Istanbul for a research trip. Understanding a place in an academic sense isn't the same as experiencing it. From then on, I've made a point of spending as much time as I can in the settings of my books. I wrote most of DANGEROUS TO KNOW while housesitting in Normandy, I spent the better part of last year in England while working on A CRIMSON WARNING and I've just returned from Venice, where I wrote next year's book. I hope it helps me to better imbue the books with a sense of place.
I love the sound of your father's postcards. Black and white pictures of old Constantinople are so very evocative. Lovely!
Flavia's sisters are so mean and vile. Did your own sister's turn out to be supportive and kind with age and experience?
Alan wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"Hi, Jae,
A bo..."
Thank you, Alan--I'm going to print out your White list and look for them.
Yes they did, Mary - although when I was much younger, they tortured me with excruciatingly good humour. We had a lot of laughs about it in later years. I think I've now forgiven them.
Katherine wrote: "Alan wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"..."
Good luck, Katherine. Let me know how you make out.
Best wishes,
Alan
Dear Ann:Yes e-mail texting and instant messager are critical. We do not divide the MS by sections where one writes one area and the other etc. WE BELIEVE THAT A BOOK IS A MOVIE OF THE MIND. one of us will write the first scene or both of will write the first scene. Then we send it to wach other. E-mail is important for this. I can read the e-mail and jump up and down because my first impression is that Caroline is confused and doesn't get the point. Then I re read the e-mail with an open mind and see where Caroline is going and how it fits. We will send the scene back and forth until we are convinced we have completed this scene and are ready to move on to the next. We work hard to have a book that has the flow of one writer. I think the reader does not care when they are reading "oh that is charles's writing or vice cersa" they wamt to read a compelling story that flows toward the conclusion as the psychological thriller progresses.
Charles
Ann wrote: "Charles Todd -- how do the two of you cooperate? Do you e-mail back and forth, write separate chapters, scenes?
Alan Bradley -- how much research is involved writing in this time period. Your hero..."
Charles Todd - Your side/supporting characters are all so different and add so much to the story. How do you think up such strong personalities? How do you depict them without digressing from the story or taking the attention away from the main character?
Dear Ron:Rutledge has PTSD for several reasons. First is the social stigma of beeing seen as a coward and ungrateful. You came hime alive and have all your limbs etc. So Rutledge has to hide his afliction as many veterans have done (It is still and issue today). Mental illness was a weakness that only the lazy snivvling patients we have all look down on. It is Rutledge's tenacity that helps him deal with PTSD through Hamish and solve horrific (all murders are horrific in their own way),urders through his wits and understanding of human behavior and the rational for commiting a crime.
Lastly, Hamish serves as Rutledge's "side kick". Hamish never tells Rutledge anything Rutlege does not know but may have overllooked in the process. Hamish allows us to describe the way Rutlede uses his mind to solve the crime while hiding his own emotions.
Ron wrote: "For Charles Todd:
I very much enjoy the Inspector Rutledge series. How did you come up with the idea of choosing a mentally damaged WWI soldier for the Rutledge background?"
Dear Harvee:It the case of Rutledge no one asks how Caroline is able to describe a man's poing of view. We use the same process with Bess. We write scene by scene eeach contributing. To be honest. Caroline offers a unique perception of a male character. She knows that type of mawho is a character.n and what makes him tick.I have to admit that Bess has been a challenge from A Duty to the Dead on. But All writers face the difficulty of ealing across genders. Olivia Manning and Mrs. Channing were importnt in the Rutledge books. I am certain the other fine authors Alan and Tasha will have similar experiences writing and devloping all types of characters. We are very glad you liked A Bitter Truth and felt the characters in the book. In my opinion characters make the book,
Charles
Harvee wrote: "Charles Todd: Is it fair to say that A Bitter Truth was written primarily by the female member of the writing duo? I enjoy reading mysteries by women and the portrayal of the main character seemed ..."
Charles Todd - How do you decide which series to work on when you write a new book? Do you just alternate one and then the other, do you have a method to choose the series, or do you go with your feelings?
For Alan Bradeley I too have really enjoyed the Flavia books. It's so fun to see what Flavia will do next. Most of my questions have been answered but I am really curious why the second book had a paper cover and not that fabulous feel good hardback printed cover as the original Sweetness and most recent Red Herring book. Karen
Alan...picked up Red Herring, because the title/cover peeked my interest. Realized it was the 3rd of a series. So, started with the first and read all three. Really enjoy Flavia's life exploration/development. She is a remarkable character...can't wait for the next books release. Thank you for a most enjoyable read!
Alan wrote: "Tegan Mae wrote: "Alan Bradley, I absolutely love Flavia's stories! Anytime I pick a book up I can't put it down until I'm done with it! I'm looking forward to the upcoming release! I love learning..."Thank you Alan! I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Alan wrote: "Luana wrote: "For Alan Bradley,Hi Mr. Bradley, The descriptions of mixing chemicals, their reactions, the various poisons, are fascinating - please describe your background in chemistry.
Some f..."
Hi Mr. Bradley,
Thank you very much for answering my questions. This is inspiring - read, write, ask questions - one good thing leads to many others!
Thank you to all the authors!
Dear Breezy:Caroline here for a bit. About the side characters. One of the things that can make each book in a series appear fresh and exciting is the way the author uses the bit players, so to speak. And so when we are doing research for each book, we also take into account the sort of people in the setting we use. Each character has to be unique, whether it is the the first book or the 13th. A lot of work goes into this, and the result is what you see. Thanks for noticing--and it's a great question!
Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"Hi, Jae,
A book I never tire of pressing upo..."
Advice to aspiring writers--this from Caroline--is to make sure you listen to your characters! If you don't, it's your book and not theirs. If it is your book, then they reflect what you want to say and not what they themselves want to say in the real life of the page. Puppets--or people. That's the choice. Work at this early on and soon it will seem natural.
Sue wrote: "Charles Todd - Do you plan any more 'stand-alone' novels like The Murder Stone?"Sue--I don't know that we have time for another stand alone. But when a terrific plot idea comes along, we just might change our minds. We really loved doing THE MURDER STONE. The opening scene in that is still one of our favorites. A complicated book to write, but Francesca really paid up back in satisfaction!
emma wrote: "Alan Bradley - I'm so captivated by Flavia and I've chosen her as one of my "Awesome Female Characters" for an online magazine I'm on the staff of which we're working on this month. She's such a st..."
Charles wrote: "Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"Hi, Jae,
A book I never tir..."
Karen wrote: "For Alan Bradeley I too have really enjoyed the Flavia books. It's so fun to see what Flavia will do next. Most of my questions have been answered but I am really curious why the second book had..."
Hi, Karen,
The second book was issued with a dust jacket because Random House was receiving complaints from readers that, when booksellers attached stickers to the cover, and they were peeled off, they were taking part of the underlying cover with them. Book three returned to a jacket less hardcover. Which shows how carefully Random House pays attention to reader's comments!
Alan
Charles wrote: "Alan wrote: "Jae wrote: "To all the authors: What are their favorite books and which books/authors influence them? What advice do they have for aspiring writers?"Hi, Jae,
A book I never tir..."
Amen!
Alan
Harvee wrote: "Charles Todd: Is it fair to say that A Bitter Truth was written primarily by the female member of the writing duo? I enjoy reading mysteries by women and the portrayal of the main character seemed ..." Harvee, I think Charles has already answered this, but I'd like to add my own thoughts. If you are a good writer, you write male and female characters equally well, because you know people. And I think that's the key. Another author answered this question years ago with "Everyone had a mother and a father, so what's so surprising?" He was joking, but there is some truth to that. People of both sexes are all around us, in the grocery store, the Mall, an airport, a cruise ship, a dinner party. Happy, sad, angry, sullen, secretive, lying, cruel--a writer never lacks for examples of how people think or react. If you can only write well about one half of the human race, then your book is likely to have a limited point of view. Caroline
Alan wrote: "Bev wrote: "For Alan Bradley - Have you chosen the titles for each book before you began writing them, or after, and do you have any criteria to guide you in choosing them? I, too, am a great Flavi..."
RuthG wrote: "Charles Todd - How do you decide which series to work on when you write a new book? Do you just alternate one and then the other, do you have a method to choose the series, or do you go with your ..."Ruth--the contracts decide for us! Just kidding, but it is true. By contract we have a Rutledge every January and a Bess every August, so when we finish one it is time to start the other. Sounds a little confusing, but when you write THE END, you have to let go, send it off to editors and production folks, and so on. You take a week off to read or sleep or go somewhere, and all of a sudden you're swamped with ideas for the next book and can't wait to get back to work. Then the cycle repeats itself. So far it has worked wonderfully well, and we really enjoy switching off from Rutledge to Bess and then back to Rutledge. Once you are published, your contract tells you when the next ms. is due, and it is important to make those deadlines or you shift all the plans and arrangements that are made by your publisher. A day or two, no problem, but much more than a week and you can lose your slot. Established writers have a little more leeway,but for your first several books as a new author, staying with your deadlines keeps everyone happy, and an happy publishing house is something you want going for you.
I would just like to thank Mr. Bradley for creating a strong young female main character for his series. I love that Flavia is interested in math and science over chasing boys and dressing up. She is not afraid to have adventures and get dirty. Our culture desperately needs more role models like Flavia De Luce for our girls and women.
Caroline Todd here: I'd like to turn tables and ask all the GoodReads people here today a question. What attracts you to a book? A great jacket? Characters you know and like? An author you're familiar with? What's written inside the front flap? Something I haven't thought of? :-)
Charles and Caroline; I am so glad to be able to send you personally my thanks for creating a series that I have enjoyed so much. I have all the books, and have re-read all of them. Ian Rutledge is such a great character, flawed and tragic, yet refusing to buckle under the strain put on him hy his mental condition...and his sleazy boss. I feel that by now he is almost a family member...I rejoice in his success and almost find myself praying for his healing. I also like the other series, and enjoyed The Murder Stone. Where do all these crime ideas come from? I think your series go onto such great detail as to the "why" of the situation, as well as "who" and "how."
Caroline - In my case, I'm attracted to specific books by a variety of different reasons. The blurb on the jacket and the time period of the story are two of them. More important in a series is a character or characters I truly enjoy and find seem like real people. That's easier to know about with a series but to start a new series or learn about (to me) a new author, I rely a lot on reviews. Goodreads has been a big help to me in that way.
Judy wrote: "Charles and Caroline; I am so glad to be able to send you personally my thanks for creating a series that I have enjoyed so much. I have all the books, and have re-read all of them. Ian Rutledge ..."Thank you, Judy, it's always nice when we hear we've reached a reader. Writing isn't just sitting in a room filling sheets of paper, it's finding an audience and satisfying people you've never met. A two way street! As for how we come up with crimes, once we know the setting and the people who might have populated it, we try to think what would have happened to them and why. In A LONELY DEATH, we were in Hastings (Foyle's country in another war!) and several things there really worked out as our setting, and then seeing a school in a nearby village gave us a feeling for the rest. When your characters seem real to you, you get an insight into what makes them tick and why one of them--an ordinary person--would suddenly turn to murder. Most people don't kill without a reason. That's why we like writing about ordinary people rather than gangs or serial killers as such--there's more depth to them and therefore more options for murder. Make sense?
RuthG wrote: "Caroline - In my case, I'm attracted to specific books by a variety of different reasons. The blurb on the jacket and the time period of the story are two of them. More important in a series is a..."That's interesting, Ruth. Because we have two books a year, we don't have much time to read, and we rely on good sites like this for reviews. Periods are important to us too, so that's something we share. And places. Michael Stanley's books for instance, set in Botswana.Really interesting setting and a really interesting character as the policeman. You feel like you are there. MS knows Africa so well, it's a pleasure to spend a few hours there with him.
Thanks for your post, Charles. Makes a lot of sense. I do hope that Inspector Rutledge continues to enthrall and involve your fans fo. r a long time to come. I know that your bookshelf at my house has room for more adventures.
Judy wrote: "Thanks for your post, Charles. Makes a lot of sense. I do hope that Inspector Rutledge continues to enthrall and involve your fans fo. r a long time to come. I know that your bookshelf at my hou..."We've just cleared the galleys for the next Rutledge--THE CONFESSION. Keep an inch or two handy for that one, Judy!
Charles wrote: "Caroline Todd here: I'd like to turn tables and ask all the GoodReads people here today a question. What attracts you to a book? A great jacket? Characters you know and like? An author you're famil..."Browsing in a book store or even on Amazon, etc., it is a combination of the cover, the title, whether I've read the author before (and want to read them again), what it says on the jacket. A combination of things, in other words. Obviously, I am more likely to pick up one where I am already familiar with the author.
But sometimes I'll just think it is a good title and pick it up based on that.
If it is a new author, I am usually attracted by the cover, then the synopsis. From favorite authors, its just knowing a new book is coming, and I will be first in line to grab a copy. Great to know there is a new Rutledge on the way....now I'm excited to add it to my shelf.
Natlukens wrote: "I would just like to thank Mr. Bradley for creating a strong young female main character for his series. I love that Flavia is interested in math and science over chasing boys and dressing up. She ..."Many thanks for your kind comments. I've heard from many, many readers who feel the same way.
With best wishes,
Alan
Mike wrote: "Alan...picked up Red Herring, because the title/cover peeked my interest. Realized it was the 3rd of a series. So, started with the first and read all three. Really enjoy Flavia's life exploratio..."Thanks so much, Mike. It's always a treat to hear from a happy reader.
With best wishes,
Alan
I've just won a copy of The Bitter Truth from Library Thing so this will be my first Charles Todd foray. Am especially looking forward to it since this chat. Haven't tried any Flavia yet but, again, this chat has made me curious.Which brings me to the question posed earlier --what attracts you to a book? I would have to say many things bring me to a new book. I have several friends who are avid readers and we swap books often. This sometimes brings a new author to my attention and, if the first book is appealing, I will often look for others. And then I become almost fanatical about reading everything they write--Truman by McCullough is an example--and I don't know what I will do when David stops writing.
I usually buy my books at Amazon and so, they always have recommendations for me--which I then look up and read the blurbs to see if there is any appeal.
Through another friend I have found both Goodreads and Library Thing and I have entered for their giveaways--if the setting, plot and characters seem appealing. I also love memoirs and biographies of people current and historical.
I blog my reviews which has led to other bloggers contacting me with giveaways or recommendations. I also read the newspaper reviews of current books.
My reading is very eclectic and I always have several books going at once so that there is always one that fits my mood at any given time.
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your perspective, this wide ranging exploration and broad field of interest, as well as a husband and a daughter who are also avid readers, has resulted in filled to overflowing bookshelves in every room. Not to mention, piles of books on every available surface, including parts of the floor.
I will say that there will never be a Kindle around here, however!
I know the group is officially over but I do want to say, even if to a void:), that I Love Charles Todd books, just started Tasha's books and looking forward to more and now I can't wait to try Alan's books!As for how I pick a book - aesthetic is a grabber, along with a title, for an author I don't know- then blurb/ setting. For the ones I already know I simply follow the author until I've read every one and then mourn until the next one comes out. Quite ordinary process I think....
Lisa wrote: "I know the group is officially over but I do want to say, even if to a void:), that I Love Charles Todd books, just started Tasha's books and looking forward to more and now I can't wait to try Ala..."Thanks, Lisa,
I think there were about 40 questions that came in after the official ending time,but I'm still checking in to see that everyone is answered.
Happy reading!
Alan
Charles wrote: "Caroline Todd here: I'd like to turn tables and ask all the GoodReads people here today a question. What attracts you to a book? A great jacket? Characters you know and like? An author you're famil..."Hi Caroline,
Everything that you mentioned! Plus, blurbs - if they are by authors established in the genre - can definitely influence me, i.e., the heavy-weight authors that blurbed Robert Jordan's Eye Of The World when it first came out. That cover had everything going for it - balanced color, sense of adventure/the unknown, nighttime, moonlight - and the blurbs were great, the real thing, not generic - and - his opening page sealed it - something catastrophically big had just happened - I still remember ... motes of dust still in the air... the earth still rumbled. Wonderful. (I wasn't even at the bookstore - what a lucky find.)
Charles wrote: "Caroline Todd here: I'd like to turn tables and ask all the GoodReads people here today a question. What attracts you to a book? A great jacket? Characters you know and like? An author you're famil..."Charles wrote: "Caroline Todd here: I'd like to turn tables and ask all the GoodReads people here today a question. What attracts you to a book? A great jacket? Characters you know and like? An author you're famil..."
It's funny that you should ask that question, because I had read for many years how good your books were, but never could motivate myself to read one, until I was browsing in the bookstore and was drawn to the cover of A MATTER OF JUSTICE--I think it reminded me of Andrew Wyeth---and i just decided then and there to read the book and spent the remainder of the year reading the whole series---which also gives you the advantage of seeing the development in Rutledges character from just after the war up until that book--and am a devoted fan ever since---but i love looking at book covers anyway, but i doubt if I had not already known about your reputation or if it were just a book I knew nothing about but the cover and leafed through it and it didn't appeal to me I would have bought it.
Charles wrote: "Caroline Todd here: I'd like to turn tables and ask all the GoodReads people here today a question. What attracts you to a book? A great jacket? Characters you know and like? An author you're famil..."
A good jacket cover is the first selling point. If it is attractive, with an interesting title, then I'll pick it up to read the summary and the "critical praise" on the back. Sometimes, that will be enough for me to buy the book. But, since goodreads, I tend to note the title, go home to check reviews, and then decide to read or not. For a known and well-loved author, an attractive cover is a bonus, but no longer a requirement. Then, it's a case of price vs. aesthetics, and it's a toss-up sometimes.
A good jacket cover is the first selling point. If it is attractive, with an interesting title, then I'll pick it up to read the summary and the "critical praise" on the back. Sometimes, that will be enough for me to buy the book. But, since goodreads, I tend to note the title, go home to check reviews, and then decide to read or not. For a known and well-loved author, an attractive cover is a bonus, but no longer a requirement. Then, it's a case of price vs. aesthetics, and it's a toss-up sometimes.
I love writing about Emily, but that doesn't mean I never want to try something else. I've flirted with the idea of both a stand-alone and a second series. So far, nothing's grabbed me quite enough. I think a lot about time periods--if I did something else, I'd need to decide whether to stay with the Victorian Era or go with something else. I loved researching Elizabethan England when I wrote THE GOLDEN AGE. My son, who is obsessed with Henry V, is desperate for me to write the story of Henry's wife, Catherine of Valois.
For now, though, I'm completely captivated by the Victorians. So much change happening, so much about to be lost. I'm fascinated by the idea that WWI would destroy their way of life but that they had no idea.
New Orleans was wonderful--I'd love to come back for a signing.