Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

carol, barry, and i went to mohegan sun yesterday to hear lee child talk about reacher. carol took great notes so i'll let her fill you in on all the details, but i'll just say he was very entertaining to listen to. after the talk, we hit the slots where barry and i both proceeded to lose money in no time, and carol managed to win $297.50! very exciting!! that slot maching was just chinging and chinging.. we didn't know when it would stop. we had dinner at bubba's bbq after. it's been a fun week- pelecanos, connelly, child.. and spending time with board friends!

Darn, I was actually at the Mohegan Sun last Sunday, but we ate at the Buffet...and lost a few dollars while we were there :) I'm not sure if we are talking about the same Mohegan Sun though....

Susie in KS wrote: "Darn, I was actually at the Mohegan Sun last Sunday, but we ate at the Buffet...and lost a few dollars while we were there :) I'm not sure if we are talking about the same Mohegan Sun though...."

in CT, susie?
too bad we didn't know you were there- i live about 25 min from mohegan, barry lives about 15 min away.

I have met Lee several times now. He is at most of the book conferences. He will be at Bouchercon this fall and is a guest of honor at LCC in LA next spring.

I am always amazed at how laid back he is. I expect a different personality.

Cheryl wrote: "I have met Lee several times now. He is at most of the book conferences. He will be at Bouchercon this fall and is a guest of honor at LCC in LA next spring.

I am always amazed at how laid bac..."

I've met him and heard him speak a number of times too, Cheryl, and some of the stories/answers were familiar. I almost wanted to ask him how he kept himself engaged in these events when he probably got asked the same questions time and time again. But given how grateful he is to be doing this job (producing Reacher books) and how seriously he takes his responsibility to his readers, he'd probably say "it's easier than being a ditchdigger."

Lee Child Signing Report -- Part One


PART ONE

As Sherry mentioned above, she, Barry and I went to see Lee Child on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Cabaret in CT. He was interviewed by a local print journalist; here's what was said as best as I can recall.

When asked why these books are so addictive (like crack cocaine, the journalist said) Lee said that it was always in the plan to make Reacher into a series character, so he knew he had to create a character that was compelling and made readers want to return for more. One of the things about these books is that if you like one you'll like them all, because they have been built around a strong central character.

What was Lee's inspiration for the character? He said that you can't design a character to appeal to demographics in order to make it a hit, you'll lose if you try to do that. He just sat down and wrote about a character who appealed to him. He didn't think Reacher would appeal to woman -- ("..that just shows you how much I know about women....").

Why an American character when you're British? Lee quoted the bank robber who when asked why he robbed banks said "because that's where the money is." There are an enormous number of readers in the US. He talked a bit about how the UK readership is pretty unadventurous when it comes to reading, don't like to try new things. He said the US has a distorted view of the UK, thinks they are more literate than they are, imagine that the majority have read the classics, Shakespeare, etc. when it really isn't true. The idea that a reader would go into the local bookseller and ask for advice on authors, then go back and ask for more suggestions based on what they've enjoyed, just wouldn't happen in the UK. Brits would be horrified at the notion that someone would go out and spend money based on their recommendation!

He also liked the wide open spaces in the US that opened up plot opportunities for Reacher. The notion of someone being kidnapped and transported 2000 miles to another state obviously couldn't happen in the UK. So the US works better for the wanderer that Reacher is.

Reminiscent of the answers from Pelecanos and Connelly at their signing last week, Child also doesn't have a clue about plot when he starts a book. He tries to dream up a strong first paragraph and take it from there. People are drawn to books by the dustjacket blurb, and if they like that they'll open the book and read a few sentences. If you haven't hooked them they won't buy the book. He mentioned a book, I don't remember which it was, out a few years ago, where the buzz on the book was it was great but you had to give it 100 pages. That kind of book won't take off with today's reading public.

The interviewer asked how similar he is to Reacher and Lee said "I AM Jack Reacher... in my dreams." He went on to talk about how writing fiction is the opportunity to spin out scenarios we would like to have happen to us but that don't and won't. "I can get in my books what I can't get in real life." If your car is stolen you probably won't ever find out who did it, or have it returned. In a book you can have it turn out differently -- not only do you find who did it and get the car back, but you kick the thieves' butts.

The interviewer asked what the appeal was about being able to live off the grid, all cash, no mortgage, etc. Lee said people write him all the time about how they would like to live like Reacher, be like Reacher, have Reacher show up in their lives to fix their problems.

How has Reacher changed? Lee is skeptical about change with respect to Reacher. Readers need Reacher to NOT change, to be the same. He referred to Reacher's "evolution" as "he's the same, but different."

Is there anything Lee would like to have Reacher take on as an issue? Lee said he has Reacher address things all the time that bug him -- things that seem trivial but which Reacher just has to speak on. Like people who wear their hats backward make no sense to him, so he had Reacher ask someone why they wore their hat like that. Or regarding the proliferation of coffee shops in England where they serve coffee in "those bowls" that are clunky and heavy and too thick for your lips. He has Reacher commenting on that.

Lee is not tempted to write another series, that would imply that there was something wrong with the Reacher character. Reacher is very flexible -- has no job, no home, he can do lots with that situation. He talked about how readers don't let go of a series character, if an author branches off in a different direction they will read the book but a part of them hates it because what they really want is the series character back. So he feels it's dumb not to give the readers what they want. It's not up to any one writer to try to cover all the literary bases.

(to be continued)

Lee Child Signing -- PART TWO

An audience member commented about all the detail in the novels, and Lee said that was because he is endlessly interested in how people are and how things work. If he were in conversation with any of us he would be asking all about what we did and what we found challenging in our work, the tricks and tips that we know in our work that outsiders wouldn't know, etc.

Lee was asked about the World Trade Center because one of his novels is located in part there, and he went on to tell the story I've heard before, and have recounted elsewhere, about where he was on 9/11. He went on to say how ticked off he still was about 9/11 -- in addition to the loss of 3000 lives (including around 100 Brits) he is still angry about the loss of the buildings in the city. The buildings meant something to him, they defined the NYC skyline, and certain parts of the city you could look out and expect them to be there. He still hasn't gotten over their loss, and while not everyone liked those buildings he always felt connected to them. I have to say that I feel exactly the same way, I can't look at the new NYC skyline without feeling sad, and it was great to have someone voice those thoughts I've had many times.

Lee says there is at least one more prequel to be written about Reacher (maybe more as the last prequel ending about 10 years or so before he got out of the Army). One topic would be the case that had him leave the Army.

Will Reacher fall in love again? Lee says Reacher falls in love all the time, but he is attracted to women who are smart enough to realize that this can't last, and some of them wind up ending the relationship, it's not always because he leaves. Reacher's relationships with women also allow people to live vicariously through him.

Re his work habits: Lee writes one novel a year, has just finished the one that will be released this time next year. He works from September to May, and works just like anyone works a real job -- 5 or 6 hours every day, after that he gets burnt out. Re: "writers' block," he says he doesn't get writers' block any more than people with a regular job get blocked in their work. Sometimes when he wakes up in the morning he doesn't feel like writing, just like many people may not feel like going to work, but he doesn't give in to that any more than they do, he just sits down and starts to write, and sooner or later the juices will start flowing.

Re casting Reacher, he says that there have been many attempts at a film deal but nothing has come through yet. He thinks no matter who is cast, the regular readers will probably not like the person (except the rare person who has imagined exactly that person as Reacher), and those new to the character will accept the person selected, just as has been the case for lots of movies that have been made from books.

He was asked whether he gets royalties from his audio books, and whether he has any say in the selection of the reader. He didn't know about the royalties but was going to find out. With his first audio book he had no clout so no influence in who was chosen. He was very lucky with the selection of Dick Hill, and now he has become the voice of Reacher. When he changed publisher part of the deal was that Dick Hill had to be signed by the new company.

He was asked if Travis McGee (John D. MacDonald's character) influenced him at all and he said very much. In fact, he has said that since MacDonald wrote 21 McGee books he was going to stop at 21 Reachers -- that gives him 8 more to be published.

The End

As usual, a great job, Carol. You always remember so much and I appreciate you taking the time to type it up for us yokels who will never get to a signing by these authors.

But, holy cow, did you write and post this on your lunch hour?

Jan O'Cat

JanOMalleycat wrote: "But, holy cow, did you write and post this on your lunch hour?
u ..."

No way! I actually wrote it up late last night when I couldn't sleep, using the new Google docs application that Barry turned me on to. I didn't want any comments about what time I was posting, so I posted it at a more reasonable hour, during lunch.

Way to avoid comments about what time I was posting...

JanOMalleycat wrote: "As usual, a great job, Carol. You always remember so much and I appreciate you taking the time to type it up for us yokels who will never get to a signing by these authors.
"

It's easy to "remember" when I take pretty detailed notes, at least on the stuff that interests me. I do worry about posting all that detail for all the world to see without their permission, especially as I'm kind of reassembling their points from my notes to the best of my ability (and I am no journalist). But I figure they have better things to do than chase me down and prosecute me for misquoting them, which if done, is inadvertent.

As long as Officer Dan doesn't squeal, I'm okay.

Carole, did you remember the M/T guideline #84 about $$$won while in the midst of other M/T posters? I am trusting that you made a deposit to the bail fund. Come to think of it, I don't think it has been audited in some time. We need the services of impartial Mrs. Dan............

Carol said: "I figure they have better things to do than chase me down and prosecute me for misquoting them, which if done, is inadvertent."

Was it here or on BNC that an author tracked you down and thanked you for saying nice things?

(I bring this up with the hope of shocking Dan to find out that you can say nice things.)

Jan O'Cat

Carol:
Your recall is as always, fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your notes with us so we can vicariously experience the signing event with you! (and Sherry and Barry!)
Lee Child visited Nashville several years ago and I enjoyed meeting him very much - I imagine he would be quite pleased with your comments. I had to laugh at his profession of surprise that Reacher appeals to women. Boy does he!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Lee Child Signing Report --
As Sherry mentioned above, she, Barry and I went to see Lee Child on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Cabaret in CT. He was interviewed by a local print journalist; here's what was said as best as I can recall. ....

What was Lee's inspiration for the character? He said that you can't design a character to appeal to demographics in order to make it a hit, you'll lose if you try to do that. He just sat down and wrote about a character who appealed to him. He didn't think Reacher would appeal to woman -- ("..that just shows you how much I know about women....")...."

Lynne in PA/Lineepinee wrote: "

Carole, did you remember the M/T guideline #84 about $$$won while in the midst of other M/T posters? I am trusting that you made a deposit to the bail fund. Come to think of it, I don't think..."

she definitely made a deposit to the m/t BBQ fund!

Lynne in PA/Lineepinee wrote: "

Carole, did you remember the M/T guideline #84 about $$$won while in the midst of other M/T posters? I am trusting that you made a deposit to the bail fund. Come to think of it, I don't think it has been audited in some time. We need the services of impartial Mrs. Dan..............."

Oh-oh. I see that I need to watch out for that Lynne. Inventing rules for the bail fund! That's my job!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Lynne in PA/Lineepinee wrote: "

Carole, did you remember the M/T guideline #84 about $$$won while in the midst of other M/T posters? I am trusting that you made a deposit to the bail fund. Come to..."

right, like mrs. dan is impartial

JanOMalleycat wrote: "Was it here or on BNC that an author tracked you down and thanked you for saying nice things?

(I bring this up with the hope of shocking Dan to find out that you can say nice things.)

Jan O'Cat .."

What a pleasant shock that was, Jan! It was Dave Cullen, author of the recent Columbine. I'd posted about an interview I saw on Cspan of him talking quite movingly about the subject of his book, the events of Columbine and after. I'd thought I'd had my fill of Columbine talk but he was so engaging, and revealed such interesting facts about how the town processed the tragedy and about the two killers, that I was riveted to my seat. He'd apparently just joined GR and must have done a search for posts related to him and his book. He was surprised at all the great reviews he found, and bothered to stop at BNC and thank me for my post. Amazing.

Am now awaiting posts from Michael Connelly, Lee Child and George Pelecanos. LOL!

Sherry wrote: "Lynne in PA/Lineepinee wrote: "

Carole, did you remember the M/T guideline #84 about $$$won while in the midst of other M/T posters? I am trusting that you made a deposit to the bail fund. Come to think of it, I don't think..."

she definitely made a deposit to the m/t BBQ fund!
..."

That's RIGHT, Sherry! My picking up the tab for dinner counts, I see it right there in the fine print.

Carol prevaricated: "My picking up the tab for dinner counts, I see it right there in the fine print."

Now wait a minute. There's no such fine print in MY copy of the Bail Fund Bylaws. Who made up a new volume and didn't send it to me. And WHY?

Jan O'Cat, trying to add an air of mystery to the M/T

Carol thank you so much for your comments. Reading them makes me fell like I was right there front and center... You have a very eloquent way with words.

Gail/Ladyvolz wrote: "Carol thank you so much for your comments. Reading them makes me fell like I was right there front and center... You have a very eloquent way with words."

Thanks, Gail, that's high praise coming from you. It makes me feel it's worth the effort when people say they enjoy it.