Single Digit Alert!
Note from Suz: Chat with me tonight at www.Writerspace.com from 9:00 - 11:00 p.m. eastern time! If you've never chatted at Writerspace before, you need to go over and register in advance. (It's free -- registration just helps keep out the spammers and trolls.)
The chat tonight will be using "protocol," which means that there will be a moderator, and an organized format for asking questions. If you have a questions, you type a question mark: ? The moderator will put your screen name into the line up -- which she'll announce every now and then. She'll let you know when you're on deck, and then again when it's your turn to ask your question.
If you've never chatted at writerspace before, here's a head's up -- instead of loading your question into the little slot that you use to send text to the chat room, you should use some kind of computer notepad or word processing window to compose and hold your question while you wait your turn. The text slot for their chat room has this automatic firing feature. LOL! If you cue up your question there, after a certain amount of time, it will be automatically sent to the chat room. And then you'll send a second message that will be something like, "Ohmigod, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to send that question and cut ahead of everyone! It just launched! What the heck...?"
If it happens, it's no big deal. It's actually kind of funny -- one of these days, I'll keep score of all the "I didn't mean to send that yet!!!" messages during a chat!
Now that I've said all that, I must also say that I really do love the Writerspace chat room. Lots of people can fit in there, and there's an extra "room" for folks who just want to watch. And the moderators are goddesses!
I hope to see many of you over there tonight!
And now, our feature for today...
The Reader's Interview!
Iyesha asks: Which character(s) were the most difficult to write and why?
Suz: That would be Mitch, my hero from Identity: Unknown. (The 8th book in my TDD series about SEAL Team Ten for Silhouette/Mira Books!) I thought it would be cool to write an "amnesia" book -- you know, the hero wakes up in a homeless shelter, pretty darn beat up, with a gun, a big wad of money, and directions to some vacation ranch in his boot. He has no clue who he is or how he got there. Cool, right? Hah! Getting inside of this character’s head every day for a few months was torture! Dude was outrageously depressed -- I mean, wouldn’t you be if you were in his shoes?
That was a difficult book to write, no doubt about it!
Iyesha also asks: How hard is it for you to write a death of a character?
Suz: It’s a balancing act, and it depends upon the character. For example, take the character of Charles Ashton in THE UNSUNG HERO. His entire journey throughout the book leads to his death at the end. It was inevitable. I knew it was coming, so when I wrote those scenes, it wasn’t difficult to do. I felt an emotional impact, but that was more having to do with the sense of peace Charles was able to find right before his death.
On the other hand, when I created Gina in OVER THE EDGE... Well, first let me explain that Gina was a second thought character. She wasn’t in my original outline for the book. (I’m an outliner -- I usually know everything that’s going to happen throughout the book before I sit down to write page one chapter one!) But as I started to write OTE, I realized that, in order to give the readers an emotional connection to the hijacking of the plane, I had to write part of the story from the point of view of someone who was on that plane, being hijacked.
Of course, this new character’s story was going to have to intertwine with the stories I’d already outlined -- those of Stan and Teri and Sam & Alyssa, and Jules, and the WWII subplot... (At this point, Max was only a minor player in the book -- he was there, but his role was much smaller.) As I was thinking about all of this, I considered the possibility of creating a character on board the plane who would be murdered by the terrorists late in the book. Dark, I know, but all too possible in such a terrorist/hostage situation.
Anyway, as I was pondering all this, Gina sprang to life. It was interesting, she climbed out of my head, fully formed. Like, "Hey, here I am, ready to go!"
And so I wove her story into the book, thinking, well, we’ll see what happens when we get closer to the end. She, of course, knew what I was thinking, and got in my face: "Kill me off??? Oh, no you don’t!" LOL!
So obviously, in the case of Gina, it was SO hard to kill off a character, that it didn’t happen.
Iyesha also asks: What is your favorite color?
Suz: Blue -- the color of the sky and the ocean. And if you can throw in white and green, too, that would make it just perfect.
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Len from Virginia writes: You’ve written characters of all different races, and portray them very positively. You even tackle a couple of interracial relationships, which is still somewhat of a taboo (sadly). Why did you choose to write about such ethnically diverse characters? And did a lot of research go into writing them?
Suz: The world I live in (a fairly urban, blue collar-ish suburb of Boston) is ethnically diverse. I chose to live here, on a busy street with buses running past my house, and neighbors and friends of all different colors, shapes, lifestyles and sizes, because I love diversity. I believe it’s what makes American great. (Differences of opinions, too, are so important to a true democracy!)
I love meeting people who, on the surface, appear to be different from me. But it never takes long for me to recognize that our similarities far outweigh those superficial differences. Bottom line -- people are people. We all tend to want the same big things -- love, security, adventure, success, peace of mind...
And yet at the same time -- people are individuals. It’s important to see people without being burdened by the labels and definitions that our society imposes upon them. (Upon us!) Sure, you can define individuals by the color of their skin: A black man, a white woman. Or you can define them by their religion: A Muslim woman, a Jewish man, a Wiccan woman. There are dozens of labels we throw onto people all the time: Gay, straight, bi. Democrat, Republican, Independent. New Yorker. Mid-Westerner. Texan.
What does this mean? To me, I don’t see a black straight Christian man who’s a Democrat from Chicago.
I see a man.
And that man has dozens upon dozens of individual characteristics -- both those superficial yet easily labeled differences, as well as differences such as his love of mocha ice cream (Mocha Ice Cream Lover! There’s a label!) and his dislike of peanut butter, his ability to do complicated multiplication in his head, his inability to spell, his fear of tornados, his musical talents, his need to check in on his children before he goes to sleep at night even though he knows they’re all right, his undying love for the woman he first met at a party in college that time he was so drunk he threw up on his best friend’s shoes and she wouldn’t have anything to do with him for months but he knew she was the one so he didn’t give up.......
If you take the time to look beneath the labels and generalizations, you will always find a person who is more like you than not. (When Sam sat down and talked to Jules -- really talked to him -- he realized they were more alike than different!)
This is why, to me, things like skin color and age differences aren’t that big a deal in terms of a romantic relationship.
As for your question about research -- my entire life is research. Every conversation I’ve ever had with anyone... (So when you meet me, watch out!) Seriously, though, I read. I read books and articles written by people who are different than me in some way (from other countries or states or neighborhoods) so I can understand their beliefs and values, and so I can get a feel for their writing (and speaking) voice.
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Shelley from Denver writes: Suz, I'm so in love with Kenny Karmody. (Yes, even a LITTLE more than Sam...) Will we see Ken and Savannah again in Flashpoint?
Suz: Alas, no! But you definitely haven’t seen the last of those characters!
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Jenny Horne from Long Beach, CA asks: 1. I was wondering if you planned to possibly put a member of Team 10 in the new Troubleshooters series?
Suz: At this point, I have no plans to do that, no. The biggest issue is that the two series (TDD and TS) are published by two different publishing houses. It makes a merge a little tricky in more than just creative ways.
Jenny also asks: Of course, I can't get enough of Sam and Alyssa. Have you considered doing a new series featuring just them and their escapades as Troubleshooters?
And along those same lines Jodi asks: I love the Sam and Alyssa story line, will you be including them in your upcoming books as more than just hints of the characters? Will you follow up on them?
Suz: Again my answer to Jenny is no -- sorry! As of right now, that's not part of my plan for these books or characters. But Jodi gets a yes! My intention has always been to allow them to return in the TS, Inc. books -- and return as more than just minor secondary characters. (I can see them having a subplot of their own.)
With that said, Sam and Alyssa don’t play any part at all in either FLASHPOINT or HOT TARGET, but... Ballantine has asked me to write another short story featuring S&A, to include in the back of HOT TARGET. So you will be getting another glimpse of them when HOT TARGET is released in November. (That’s just a few months away!) (Oh, and I’m not sure yet if Ballantine will be doing another chapter sampler booklet with the S&A story or if it will just go into the back of the book. I’ll definitely keep you all updated as to those details!)
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Jann asks: Will Jazz ever get his own book? Does he stay with the Trouble Shooters or join Tom's new group? and...
Lynn in San Diego asks: How much longer do we wait for "Jazz's story? and...
Frances writes: I heard a rumor that when you shortened the Sam and Alyssa story arc from 7 to 6 books (of which I am eternally grateful for) that the story you cut out was Jazz. Is this true? And when are you planning to write about him? and...
Ahlaana from Portland,OR asks: Is Jazz going to get his own happy ever after?
Suz: Ah! Lots of interest in Jazz! (Jazz Jacquette was the Executive Officer of SEAL Team Sixteen, back when Tom Paoletti was Commanding Officer.) That’s very cool. First, no, I didn’t have a specific hero in mind for the book that got "cut" when the S&A story line was shortened. (I’d originally envisioned the S&A story arc as seven books, with specific things that happened to these two characters in each of those seven books.)
I can tell you, though, that it wasn’t Jazz. I did (and still do) have plans for Jazz. You will definitely see more of him. Alas, I can’t go into detail -- bad juju, you know, to talk too much about future books before they’re written!
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Nat H. asks: This is not related to the upcoming release.........it's about "Ladies Man." Is it a possibility to release it as an e-book? It's become the "Holy Grail" of Suzanne Brockmann literature. and...
ReginaLM also asks: Will "Ladies Man" be reissued?
Suz: Ooh, I’m glad you asked about LADIES’ MAN. Yes, this book is very hard to find. (It’s the book that never was! LOL!)
As I mentioned on the countdown page for March 19th, I’m holding a charity fundraising raffle (all money raised will go to a very good cause!) for one of my last few copies of this book -- to celebrate the release of FLASHPOINT.
As for an e-book release -- sadly, that’s out of my control. I’d love for LADIES’ MAN to be reissued as a book book, though!!! <g> But Bantam Books still holds the rights to LADIES’ MAN -- and to all of my other eight Loveswept titles. I attempted to get the rights reverted, back when Bantam ended the Loveswept line, but they refused. (As was their right to do, according to the contracts I’d signed for these books. At the time, when I tried to get those rights back, my career was really starting to take off, so...)
I’m hoping that in the near future Bantam will begin reissuing these books -- I’d really love for all of them to see the light of day! (And, of course, particularly LADIES’ MAN!)
My hope is that LADIES’ MAN and my other Loveswepts will be reissued in an affordable format, with their original titles, but again, that’s something that’s not in my control. (Readers should always check for a book’s copyright date -- very often publishers reissue older books with a new title, but that copyright page will give you the date that the book was first published. It’s always a bummer to think you’ve found a new book by a favorite author, only to buy the book, bring it home and halfway through chapter one, realize that you read it back in 1995! Please be aware, though, that these reissues are not something the author usually has any control over!!!)
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Mary Jo asks: Your husband Ed is pretty talented ( ie, Gordo ) does he help you at all when, or if, you get writer's block?
Suz: Writer’s block??? What’s that???
Seriously, that’s one phrase I don’t have room for in my working vocabulary. Kind of the way certain cultures don’t have a word for snow.
Ed, however, has helped me from Day One. He’s always read through my first drafts, and he’s been enormously supportive of my career. I bounce story and plot ideas off of him all the time. He’s one of a very few people on this planet that I would allow to read my current WIP (work-in-progress) before it’s finished.
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Enquiring mind wants to know if you helped or critiqued Ed while he was writing his book and do you share office space? Also I think I remember his book sold - can you give us an approximate time for its availability? Thanks.
Suz: Another question about Ed. How cool is that?
For those of you who don’t know, Ed recently sold his first book, a legal thriller called PREMEDITATED MURDER, to Bantam Books. He still doesn’t have an official release date, my best guess would be spring or summer 2005. (But I’ll definitely keep you updated!)
We absolutely do not share office space -- I not only write alone, but with the door closed and sometimes locked! LOL!
I’ve read through (and offered edits) on every draft of his book so far. It’s wicked awesome good! <g>
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Jodie from Dalby, Queensland, AUSTRALIA writes: My question is "As you have many Australian Fan's, will you come and do a book tour here in Australia?" and...
Elle writes: Hey Suz
Just wondering if you have ever thought of including an Aussie (a nice one, not some okka (Trashy) bimbo or guy) in any of your stories. We were part of Past Wars so you could say there are connections. It's just that in the past whenever an Aussie had showed up in anything (written or on film) they are portrayed badly with REALLY BAD Aussie accents (the majority of Australians do not sound like Steve Irwin). So my roundabout question is
Have you ever thought of a Aussie Guy or Gal as a part in your stories?. Maybe you could have an ex-SAS (Aussie one) as part of the Troubleshooters.
PS Any thoughts of coming down here for a visit?
Suz: I’ve always wanted to visit Australia, and do hope to do so in the not too distant future! It seems silly to travel all that way and not dig in and stay for an extended visit, though. So I’m waiting until my teenaged kids are a leetle older! Give me a few years, okay? <G>
And there’s always room for interesting characters in the Troubleshooters universe....
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Jen from WI writes: Hi Suz. I know Harvard's Education is being Reissued in July. Are any of the other Team Ten books going to be reissued?
Suz: My hope is that all of the TDD books will be reissued! IT CAME UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR has been tentatively scheduled for Spring, 2005.
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Diana in Colorado Springs asks: Hi, I was just wondering if you will ever make it out to Colorado (more specifically, Colorado Springs) for one of your future book signings.
Suz: I’m sure I’ll return to Colorado again, one of these days!
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Judy in Leavenworth, KS writes: Hi Suz, all the guy's in SEAL 16 are great, are you going to be putting them in future books so we can see how they are doing now that they are married??
Suz: You bet I will! (And thanks!)
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From Marilyn: "Whose book will be after Max?" (Can I campaign for Jenks or Lopez?)
Suz: You most certainly can campaign all you want! LOL! As far as future books -- I’m not ready to reveal this just yet...
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Ashley H. from Murfreesboro, TN asks: Which, if any, of Team 16's books was your favorite to write? Also, which of Team 10's books was your favorite to write? (Of course the public {me} loved, could not wait for, dying to have, Gone Too Far [yeah!!!] and I loved Every day Average Jones!) Anyway, Thanks!
Suz: Ooh, Ashley, that’s like asking which of your children are you favorite! With that said, I have to admit that OUT OF CONTROL was a blast. Kenny Karmody was such a lot of fun to write (and spend time with! <g>). GONE TOO FAR was also satisfying to write because I’d been carrying around some of those scenes in my head for years! It was such a relief to finally be able to write them!
As for Team Ten... Hmmm. As much as I enjoyed writing Wes Skelly’s book (NIGHT WATCH), and as much as I loved Jake Robinson as a hero (THE ADMIRAL’S BRIDE), I have to confess that HARVARD’S EDUCATION gave me the most amazing experience. I really get inside of my characters’ heads when I write, and likewise, they get inside of mine. I walk around seeing the world from their eyes -- and it was quite an experience seeing the world from the eyes of a six and a half foot tall black man, let me tell you! It was a wonderful experience!
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Allie in SLC write: This question has to do with your actual writing process... Over the years, we've learned that you try to write for a specified amt of time every day [when you are writing and have a deadline]. Do you ever pull all-nighters - writing for hrs and hrs past your self imposed allotment of time - because you just can't let go of a story, or the story can't let go of you? Or are you disciplined enough that you can "pick up where you left off" the next day?
Suz: When I get toward the end of a book, I go into something I call "avalanche" mode. When I’m at this part of the process, I begin to write more and more pages each day, staying at the computer for longer and longer. Finally, I’ll reach a place where I know that the book will be done in a matter of hours. It doesn’t matter what time it is -- it can be two a.m., if I hit that realization, I’ll push on through. I frequently finish my books at 4 a.m. Or 6 a.m. LOL!
It really caught me by surprise when Ed was writing his first book, when he came and knocked on my office door at, like, four o’clock in the afternoon and said, "I finished!" I was like, "Huh?" It seemed just too reasonable a time of day to actually finish writing a book!
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Lisa R from Deville, LA asks: Were you surprised at the response to Sam and Alyssa characters? Who is the most asked about character in the Troubleshooters books?
Suz: It was my intention to create a stir with Sam and Alyssa. I’d hoped that people would connect to them -- I actually had no idea, though, just how strong that connection would be!
The biggest shock -- to me -- came when quite a few readers assumed that Sam and Alyssa’s story ended with OVER THE EDGE. If I could go back in time and do one thing different in terms of this, I would have included a mention of S&A in the excerpt from OUT OF CONTROL that appeared at the end of OTE. Because -- oh my God! -- in my mind it was so clear that their story was FAR from over!
As for the most asked about character: That would be Jules. (Although, interestingly, not many questions came in about him this time around! Maybe that’s because I talk about him in some detail on my FAQ page!?) But when I went on tour for GONE TOO FAR, I did a Q&A session at nearly every signing. And one of the first questions asked -- it didn’t matter where we were -- was "Will we be seeing more of Jules in future books?"
Other characters that get asked about are Molly and Jones (aka Grady) from OUT OF CONTROL.
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Marcia in Kansas writes: I'd like to ask about this persistent rumor I've heard about Cosmo being the illegitimate son of Carl Sagan. Would you care to confirm or deny?
Suz: LOL! Lots of rumors floating around about ol’ Cos. But that’s one that I absolutely can deny! <GGG>
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Bren asks: Are we going to see Molly and Grady Morant again? Is Jules going to get a love interest soon? Oooh that Adam I want to smack him! Are there plans for George to get his own book?
Suz: Yes to all those! But again, I can’t give you any details! (And would you care to define "soon" ???)
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Kas asks: Have you ever been approached to have this (or any of your books) made into a movie? Would you be willing to convert it to the screenplay yourself? Who would you trust to bring it faithfully to the silver screen? (I ask because you mentioned someone needing to recommend an excellent book to Tom Hanks and HBO Why not this one too?)
Suz: The Troubleshooter/Team Sixteen books are too dense (thick -- too much happening to too many characters!) to be made into a feature length movie, IMO. I could see, however, the series translating quite nicely into a cable mini-series. And yes, I would love to write the scripts for that. I’m just waiting for Tom Hanks to call. (Kidding!)
It’s scary for a writer to hand over their story to someone else. I’m not sure I could do it and survive! LOL!
With that in mind, I’ve recently set up a production company called "Small or Large Productions." I have a long term goal to write and produce (see, when you produce, you retain control over the story!!!) and maybe even direct -- everything from short films to feature films to TV films and TV series.
But at the same time, I have no plans to ever stop writing books. As a writer, with a book, you’ve got the ultimate creative control. I’m never giving that up! LOL!
That's all for now! (I was only able to answer way less than half of the questions I received!!! Thanks to all who participated, and if your question wasn't answered here, I'll catch you next time, okay?) Be sure to come back for tomorrow's installment in the Countdown to FLASHPOINT!
See you tomorrow!