Q&A with Susan Wittig Albert discussion

I know that several of you have Nightshade on your TBR lists. Anybody finished it yet? Notice anything different about this book? What did you like/not like about it? (Honestly, now.)

I finished Nightshade last weekend and loved it! I really liked having McQuaid's point of view. The mystery was good and I liked that China was able to find out more about her father's life and death. I was surprised at what happened to Miles(I'm trying not to give anything away here). The only thing I would like to have added is more of China and Mike together.I like the way they relate to each other. I'm already anxious to read Wormwood and have a suspicion about what happens in the one after that. The next time you want to take China on an out of town trip if might be fun to have her and McQuaid go together and have to solve a mystery without the usual cast of law enforcement types to assist.Good job!

When I reread that I realized that'a kind of what happened in this book in that Bubba, Blackie and Sheila were not really involved in this mystery. I was thinking of them being away from their home turf.

The difference? I'd say having McQuaid's POV. A good thing.

I have mixed feelings about continuing a storyline over three books - it allows for more in depth characterization, that's a good part. I also appreciate the way you handled delicately sneaking in important plot points from the previous books so that Nightshade actually could stand alone for those who started with it. I feel frustrated, though, that I don't recall more of the predecessors and wonder what I may have missed. I enjoyed (vicariously) the spa. AAAHH, yes! Really nice recipes.

I've already posted my positive review -- and waiting for the next installment. Thanks for writing them. And thanks for asking for input from readers.

Well, my copy just arrived today from the library!! I guess that means that you are popular, as it took this long to get to me!!

I've only just begun to read it and I am LOVING it so far. (I'm about 1/3 to 1/2 way through.)

Sometime this past winter, I saw that Nightshade was coming out in April and right away put a hold on a copy with my library system. Once in my hands I devoured it, as I have every title since I first met China last year.
I did enjoy your giving more time to McQuaid, but wonder if you would consider his chapters being in the first person. I think I'd prefer that, getting into the male mind and seeing China from his eyes instead of some unknown third person narrator's.
Did I read that you're considering giving Sheila more voice too? I would look forward to that.

Glad you were finally able to get Nightshade, Sharon--it's nice to know that China has so many friends in your library.

Your question about point of view is a good one. But I decided against first person for McQuaid's POV because I felt (and still feel)strongly that two different first-person narratives in one book would be confusing. I chose third-person present tense so that it would be almost as inner/intimate/immediate as first-person past (the POV I use for China). Speaking for myself, I don't feel that the narrator is intrusive. (If you want an example of a deliberately intrusive, up-front, "I'll tell you what I think" narrator, read Books 3 and 4 in my Cottage Tale series, and the forthcoming Book 5.)

I'd be interested in what others think about the POV question. The people who don't like McQuaid's voice usually don't like it because it is present tense, and they "hate, hate, HATE" present tense, always, no exceptions. One reader says she skipped all the McQ chapters (wondering here why she bothered to read the book). My view: present tense makes the reader work harder, think deeper, because it's different. If a reader is looking for a book she can gobble like candy, maybe the China series is not for her. (I realize that thiis has nothing to do with Sharon's question!)

But to answer your other question, Sharon--yes, there's a book about Sheila in the works, but it's a few years off. Wormwood next, then Holly Blues (China), then the Sheila book.

It didn't end exactly how I anticipated that's for sure! I was expecting China and McQuaid to have a new addition to the family household, and am expecting it in the future, LOL. Especially with all the angst that China felt thru this book.

I loved the dual perspectives! More of McQuaid would be welcome here! (Actually, anything you write is probably going to be welcome here, LOL. I think I own a majority of your books, but only one of the Robin Paige books...need to stock up on them as well.)

I have the first 2 of the Cottage Mysteries, and hope to get them read sometime soon so that buying the next few will soon be happening.

Thanks for sharing your talent with us. I get distressed when I can't find anything to read!

Question though, where can one get some of the less common "herbs" used in the recipes? I cannot find bulk herbs here in N.E. Alabama in any store.

Michelle

Michelle, you might try Penzeys online. They have many culinary herbs.

I'm glad you enjoyed McQuaid's POV. I'm at that time in the series when I (as an author) need to stay challenged by finding new ways into the story. Some readers have asked if I'm "bored"--that's not it, not at all. Personally, I've never even known what that word means--not in my vocabulary! There's too much going on in life to be "bored."

But it is true that a long-running series can become formulaic if the author doesn't try to create new environments, new character configurations, new story-telling methods. I don't ever want people to say, "Here comes another China Bayles book--they're all the same." So keep watching for different stuff from me.

Susan

Susan

I can't imagine you being bored, Susan, with all your varied interests and endeavors. I feel the same way about boredom. Anyone who knows how to read should never be bored! (And if you quilt, as I do, there's just not enough time to explore all the possibilities.) But there are popular authors that I don't read because it seems that if you've read one book you've read them all and you know the outcome after the first page. So thanks for the creativity of your work. It's what keeps us coming back.
Jinni

Thanks for the comment, Jinni!

Also interesting to me: there are readers who won't continue a series UNLESS the books follow the formula they have come to expect and enjoy. Every time I set a China Bayles book outside of Pecan Springs, I get complaining mail. Many people read for the comfort of familiar settings, familiar people, familiar language. (I think that's one reason why Jan Karon's books have been so popular: they are comfort food.)

I respect this kind of motive for reading, and I do try to include enough of the "comfort" stuff in each book to satisfy those who are looking for that. But as a writer, I have to satisfy my own need for experimentation, change, and growth. As a writer, I should learn from every book. When I stop learning, I'll stop writing.

Also: somebody (I forget who) posted the Penzey link here. I deleted that (thinking it was spam) before I saw that the poster was responding to a previous post. I apologize to whoever-you-are for deleting your link. I reposted Penzey's name after I realized what I had done.

Susan

I actually enjoyed it when China went to visit her relatives in La. Would love more of that kind of trip...
I have your blog and sites linked on my blog so I can keep up with you, LOL. And recommend you to as many as I can. Eagerly awaiting next book, LOL...though need to quit reading them at the library, makes me delay buying them to add to my collection, LOL.

I also meant to mention that I would love to see books from several different characters as "main" person. I just recently discovered Sue Henry's books, and while I was confused for seconds, I like that there are really 3 different characters, and one spun off on her own (Maxie) and the main series still has two different protaganists.
I'd love to see Ruby and Amy and Kate have one too, can you just hear the bickering? (If their anything like my mom and me, that would be a constant! LOL)
Sheila would be great as well as Blackie.

I have yet to start the Cottage series, but have the first two staring at me constantly saying "Read me now, or else!"

But whatever you write, I'll more than likely buy. Right now I'm on the hunt for China Bayles' Book of Days, and the other larger book, can't remember right now. But will have to find a way to order thru Amazon, walmart.com doesn't have it in stock and that's how I usually order. I also want to check out your writing books.

Funny you should mention spinoffs, Michelle. I have a new three-book contract in the China Bayles series, and the middle book (to be written in 2010, published in 2011) is Sheila's book: working title, Hard Line. Whether that will turn into an independent series depends on readers' reactions. If it does well, there'll be more of Sheila--and of course China's books will continue.

Did you know that you can buy signed books from my website? Go to www.abouthyme.com and click on "order form." The profits go to Story Circle Network. So far, the books have raised over $25,000 for SCN! (Many thanks to all who have supported SCN's work in that way. And if you don't know about SCN, check us out: www.storycircle.org.

susan

Okay, I may be the lone dissenter here (I'm just skimming comments) but I really disliked the way McQuaid's parts went. I found them distracting, and the 'voice' didn't seem realistic to me. I agree that two first-person POV would be confusing, but I think third-person past tense might have worked better, but things like "McQuaid drives down the road," and "McQuaid answers his phone" just made it sound like it was being narrated by someone sitting next to him--and yet, not. It's hard to explain, but I found the parts where McQuaid talked about his feelings and what was going through his mind at various times and such to be very "detached" because of the third-person narrative.

I'm sorry, Susan, but this is the only book in the whole series that I really have not liked much--mostly because of the changing POV, but also I found that, by adding in all the McQuaid chapters, some of my favorite parts of the series--the supporting characters (Ruby, Sheila, Brian and his lizards, the shop and the herb garden) had their appearances in the book minimized a lot. I guess those are the 'comfort food' parts of the series that I just found to be a bit lacking in this one. Needs must, I guess. :)

I am glad that China's found out what happened to her father and can now move forward, but I really hope Wormwood is back in 'normal' mode! I won't stop reading the series if it's not, and I certainly respect your right to experiment and branch out--these are YOUR babies after all! :) And may I add that ALL of the recipes in this book sounded wonderful and I've copied them down to try at a later date. I love tomatillos!

I also wanted to also recommend Penzey's spices to anyone who hasn't tried them. I've been ordering online from them for years and when I moved to the Minneapolis area was fortunate enough to have two stores in the area. I love walking in there and taking a big sniff. Their shallot salt is to die for!! And their curry powders are also wonderful for those who like Indian cooking.

Cheryl

Not much I can add here other than I raced through it as usual and will be ready for more before long. I wasn't sure of McQuaid's voice at the start but felt more comfortable with it as the book went on -- so I think it would grow on readers in time. I definitely enjoyed seeing things from his viewpoint and learning a bit more of his own life -- kind of seeing his reasoning as it fits or adjusts with China's also.

I also enjoyed the spa day scenes -- enough so that it got into my review and led me to go searching for my coupon for a massage. It's good to be pampered now and then, right?

I'll be looking forward to the next one and catching up on those I've not yet read in the meanwhile.

Dottie

Hi everyone,

I'm just here trying to figure out how GoodReads works - we have a project over at my Blog Book Tours yahoogroup. Will just stop long enough to say that I LOVE what happened with China's brother - absolutely loved that twist. LOL.

Will be back after I learn some more about GoodReads and how to act over here.

TTFN,

Dani
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com