Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Lauraadriana wrote: "Merith wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "People hurry up and finish!! I desperate to hear thoughts...Wrote my review and that kinda helped...but now I'm all twitchy to hear other opinions :O)"

You know..."


I can tell you already I just LOVE Rafferty's voice. The vernacular is fantastic.

Lauraadriana wrote: "I'm way too happy after reading delicious perfect Noir, with thin woman and rakish privates dicks to boot...Might leaf through my battered copy of The Maltese Falcon for the rest of the day :O)..."

Thanks so much. I'm delighted you enjoyed it.

Kari wrote: "Got it in the wee hours last night. Been tied up with work (day job, a non-fic project and Plunder -- I don't sleep. ever.), but hoping to clear my virtual desk to savor it later tonight. Something..."

:-D Boy do I know that feeling.

Dan wrote: "Hey Josh!
"This Rough Magic" another great read. Loved it!"

Thanks very much, Dan. I'm glad.

Merith wrote: "You know, if the book had been released last week, or even next week, I'd so be there with you. But, my granddaughter was born on Sunday, and we've been doing the baby thing all day. I am on chapter 3, though. Progress, albeit slow. :)
..."

Hey congratulations!!!! How exciting for you.

Merith wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Merith wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "People hurry up and finish!! I desperate to hear thoughts...Wrote my review and that kinda helped...but now I'm all twitchy to hear other op..."

Rafferty is FANTASTIC...

Merith wrote: "The vernacular is fantastic...."

That's good to hear. I was feeling like maybe I didn't use enough, but then there's always the danger of bogging down the dialog itself by making it sound too artificial. I'm hoping the balance works for most of you.

Josh wrote: "I was feeling like maybe I didn't use enough, but then there's always the danger of bogging down the dialog itself by making it sound too artificial. I'm hoping the balance works for most of you. "

So far so good. I'm not feeling like he's reading a life and times of the 30s dictionary of slang. It feels and reads like the times, like certain movies of the day. I can almost hear the voices as I read. So, yeah, it's all good.


Edit: I was chuckling at one point and had to try to explain to a couple of young 20 somethings about what I was chuckling about. Young kids these days have no clue on what the old magic of detective stories were like.

Josh wrote: "Merith wrote: "The vernacular is fantastic...."

That's good to hear. I was feeling like maybe I didn't use enough, but then there's always the danger of bogging down the dialog itself by making ..."

It was perfect...I kept thinking as I read, these words just glide of the page...and I also thought, shame his books are not in Spanish, because I can think of about 100 people back home who would fall in love with them...

Merith wrote: Young kids these days have no clue on what the old magic of detective stories were like.

True...I was lucky to have a father who was addicted to things Noir...First movie I saw with my dad was Laura *winks* Get it? :O)

Lauraadriana wrote: "Merith wrote: Young kids these days have no clue on what the old magic of detective stories were like.

True...I was lucky to have a father who was addicted to things Noir...First movie I saw wi..."

My daughter appreciates music of all genres (for the most part) and old musicals, but she's not into old movies... which could be anything older than her. But my son? Forget it. I listen to 'that hippy stuff' and watch black & white movies.

Merith wrote:I listen to 'that hippy stuff' and watch black & white movies.


Ohh all the goodness they miss out on...

LOVED IT!!!!!:):)

Everything just fell together perfectly, the dynamics were great, the ambiance was superb, the noir wasn't over done. Just so happy right now!

RL consuming me at the moment, so unfortunately I don't have the time to let all my thinking about this one sit and percolate and write it down in polished form.

But I had to share one thing.

I couldn't resist googling for Vogue Pattern #7313 (having this thing for patterns) and found this amazing picture and god help me if that wasn't EXACTLY what I was picturing a dame in his office to be wearing. The work and attention to detail that the author puts in simply floors me. This one was a truly enjoyable easter egg (appropos, eh?)

"It was always a dame, wasn't it?" -- What a great opening line!

If you start a noir novel, you really have to start with the dame. This reader whole-heartedly approves.

Merith wrote: "You know, if the book had been released last week, or even next week, I'd so be there with you. But, my granddaughter was born on Sunday, and we've been doing the baby thing all day. I am on chapter 3, though. Progress, albeit slow. :)"

Merith, Awww, congratulations! How lovely! You have your hands full there, I imagine!

ns wrote: "It was always a dame, wasn't it?" -- What a great opening line!

If you start a noir novel, you really have to start with the dame. This reader whole-heartedly approves.



Indeed...In my review that was my observation out of all of Josh's books those lines IMO were the best book openers of his I've read...You are too right...Cherchez la femme...Toujours la femme...

It was perfect...I kept thinking as I read, these words just glide of the page...and I also thought, shame his books are not in Spanish, because I can think of about 100 people back home who would fall in love with them...

Yes, one of these days I'm going to have to figure something out for translations.

Lauraadriana wrote: "Merith wrote: Young kids these days have no clue on what the old magic of detective stories were like.

True...I was lucky to have a father who was addicted to things Noir...First movie I saw wi..."

LAURA. What a great film. A perfect intro.

Snowtulip wrote: "LOVED IT!!!!!:):)

Everything just fell together perfectly, the dynamics were great, the ambiance was superb, the noir wasn't over done. Just so happy right now!"

I'm so glad!

ns wrote: "RL consuming me at the moment, so unfortunately I don't have the time to let all my thinking about this one sit and percolate and write it down in polished form.

But I had to share one thing.

I ..."

That's so cool you found that photo!

Josh wrote:LAURA. What a great film. A perfect intro.

Yep, I saw Laura and never looked back, but then again what a title right?...What's in a name? That which we call a LAURA ;O)

Adrien en Espanol would be a very good thing...

I loved it. I'm so hopeless, I even dreamed about it...

Well, I loved a lot of moments in this book (the alley???? amazing), but my favorite (and I don't know why) was when Neil met Brett's family, and he was observing all the family members, their occupation, their demenaour, as if they were a tableau vivant, a Hogarth's painting. In that moment I had the feeling I was there with Neil, that I had the privilege to enter the mind of the character and not only to read his impressions. There are moments in the book that are not only cinematographic, they are almost pictorial.

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: I had the feeling I was there with Neil, that I had the privilege to enter the mind of the character and not only to read his impressions.

Totally with you E, with this book, I was just there. I saw Neil walking into the scene of Brett's family observing them and realizing "this people are crazy"...Like with Snowball in Hell, the imagery was so clear in my head. Very cinematic the descriptions, all of them, specially of emotions...I saw them so clearly (view spoiler)[Like when Brett sees Kitty for the first time after she comes back from getting married and she says "Be happy for me?" I could see them just look at each other with all their emotions on their face (hide spoiler)] And that Alley scene...all I can say is that Neil is made of nothing but toe curling awesomeness...

Toe curling awesomeness!!!! Love it :)

The secondary characters were very good. Kitty made me really sad. I wish I knew what she was thinking. And Justine? $!@&% ;)

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Toe curling awesomeness!!!! Love it :)"

:O) Indeed E, this book was a big happy grin from beginning to end...The characters were so perfectly Noir...obscure and awkward, and with all this potential for mischief...Those Twins...I could just SEE them, with cold calculating eyes, perfectly matched clothes, seeing everyone from their own distant little world...yeah Kitty left me curious as well...and his dad what a twisted character...and the Chinese guy with dubious store and A PET MONKEY!!! Perfection...

I don't know if this makes sense but one of the things I love the most about Josh's couples is this dance that they do with each other "that's what I call it anyways" you know one person is always so certain, and the other is uncertain and a little weak, but then gets a bit braver and comes closer, but dances away, and has to be gentled back in, and they do this thing that is just so amazing to read...keeps me on the edge of my seat every time..

The aunt was pretty funny too (view spoiler)[and I'd like to know what's going on with the letters in Sader's closet and Justine's address book (hide spoiler)].

This is really a great couple. If I try to imagine one without the other, now I can't.

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: This is really a great couple. If I try to imagine one without the other, now I can't.

And doesn't that take some kind of awesome writing skills *sigh*

I guess we'll find out what Aunt was up to :O)...Have you read The Big Sleep?...That family reminded me of the Sternwoods, I dunno if them particularly or Neil's impression of them...

Lauraadriana wrote: "Have you read The Big Sleep?...That family reminded me of the Sternwoods, I dunno if them particularly or Neil's impression of them...."

I think both, but it's almost impossible not to resemble Chandler when you set a book in that period and there is a private eye. It's ingrained in our imagination :)

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Have you read The Big Sleep?...That family reminded me of the Sternwoods, I dunno if them particularly or Neil's impression of them...."

I think both, but it's almost imposs..."

YEEEEPPPP!! *head nod head nod* And Josh has it down like a champ...It's like the books start and...there I am in an awesome whiskey dizzy smoky haze...I love that style all of those guys Hammett, Carroll John Daly, Chandler and Lanyon ;O) Could read over and over

I think both, but it's almost impossible not to resemble Chandler when you set a book in that period and there is a private eye. It's ingrained in our imagination :)

That's probably true. Luckily Chandler is so far ahead of everyone else it's almost moot. Like comparing priests to God. It takes a lot of pressure off the priests knowing they don't actually have to BE God. :-D

So glad you're enjoying the story.

There are moments in the book that are not only cinematographic, they are almost pictorial.

I think that's one of the nicest compliments a writer can get.

Josh wrote: "There are moments in the book that are not only cinematographic, they are almost pictorial.

I think that's one of the nicest compliments a writer can get."

It's all yours! Like my mom says (translating loosely from the Venetian dialect): you can pack it and take it home with you ;)

You are all loving it?? I just got it but have to get some work done today, pesky income concerns!

Finished!!! I read it quite fast and plan to reread it later. My reading style is finishing a book as soon as possible and return to re-read favorite parts later and my favorite books are the ones I can reread over and over again. *coughicecapadecough*.

Josh, I am still wondering how you can capture profound moments, either sadness or joy, in such simple words and sentences while other authors can't even do it with the most flowery language?

(view spoiler)[


Brett was just... heartbreaking. It is very easy to sympathize with characters with abusive and terrible background, but to portray loneliness, despair, and pain in someone who was so "ordinary" and even someone many people would think as privileged is not easy. Yet, I can feel his loneliness very keenly and it broke my heart. It hurt to see his thirst for affection and love from another man, to simple be, without his burden. I am glad that he finally found the courage to stop his wedding.

I see his meeting with mom as the turning point. Perhaps he finally realized that he didn't need to sacrifice himself to that extent to save his family. The family will survive, poorer, yes, but they will live. Whereas Brett would die slowly inside if he continued with the wedding. Neil's observation was the sum of the situation, Brett indeed, planned to sell teh most beautiful thing in the family to save the Sheridans, himself.
(hide spoiler)]

Cleon you said it so beautifully :)

Not gonna look, not gonna look...

Lori K wrote: "Not gonna look, not gonna look..."

Don't!!!!!!

Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "The aunt was pretty funny too [spoilers removed].

This is really a great couple. If I try to imagine one without the other, now I can't."


I know!! RE: the spoilers... it's almost as though Josh has left these things open so he'll have a second book to write. And of course Brett's casual question in regards to a 'partner' in the business wouldn't be so casual.

Merith wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "The aunt was pretty funny too [spoilers removed].

This is really a great couple. If I try to imagine one without the other, now I can't."


I know!! RE: the spoilers... it..."


Yep, you're right Merith there is plenty of room for more of Brett and Neil...and that is very good :O)

BTW-Forgot to ask grand-baby's name :O)

Cleon wrote: "Finished!!! ... [Spoiler references removed]"

Very well said! You captured Brett wonderfully. He was so lost, poor thing, and seeing his path out of the dark was one he shouldn't/couldn't take just made it that much more painful.

(view spoiler)[Seeing his mother and then finding out the people he was trying so hard to protect and preserve their way of life for all intents and purposes betrayed him, it was the wake up call he really needed. I'm so glad Brett made his choice. So happy for Neil as well.

Though, there were a couple of times I wish Neil would have push Brett harder. But then, Neil was being so nice and trying to be gentle with Brett - not wanting to cause him any more distress than what he was already under.

I would like to know what happened with the twins. What papa Lennox did, if anything to them. I would have liked for Lord Horn to wind up with the folio, though. :) Would have served that sanctimonious ass right.

Also would have loved for Brett to let his siblings know about mama, and maybe set up a reunion. And hopefully, he'll get over being mad with his mother, now that he understands a little more why she had to leave. (hide spoiler)]

Cleon wrote: "Finished!!! I read it quite fast and plan to reread it later. My reading style is finishing a book as soon as possible and return to re-read favorite parts later and my favorite books are the ones ..."

Cleon...I think you're spot on with Brett...With him the feeling I got the most was resignation...like he had just accepted that he was destined to this awful situation of being with someone he couldn't love, and to ultimately shoulder his family's problems...I think he was at a point were there was not even self pity just quiet resignation and numbness...

It's all yours! Like my mom says (translating loosely from the Venetian dialect): you can pack it and take it home with you ;)

:-D

Lori K wrote: "You are all loving it?? I just got it but have to get some work done today, pesky income concerns!"

How aggravating is that!

Cleon wrote: "Finished!!! I read it quite fast and plan to reread it later. My reading style is finishing a book as soon as possible and return to re-read favorite parts later and my favorite books are the ones ..."

Thank you very much, Cleon. I'm so glad the story resonated with you.

Lori K wrote: "Not gonna look, not gonna look..."

DON'T LOOK, LORI.

Merith wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "The aunt was pretty funny too [spoilers removed].

This is really a great couple. If I try to imagine one without the other, now I can't."


I know!! RE: the spoilers... it..."

Well, yes. I did leave several threads to be followed up in later books. This one was planned as a series from about the midway point of the book.

Merith wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Finished!!! ... [Spoiler references removed]"

Very well said! You captured Brett wonderfully. He was so lost, poor thing, and seeing his path out of the dark was one he shouldn't/co..."

Yes, there will be lots to explore down the line, and Papa Lennox is unlikely to be a good sport about his darling daughter being jilted.

Josh wrote: "I did leave several threads to be followed up in later books. This one was planned as a series from about the midway point of the book. "

Honestly, I don't know where I've been or how I missed it, but I just read your post on facebook where you said TRM was the first in the series... when I got to the end, I was like - Josh never leaves you hanging. Not unless they're threads to another story... but since I'd missed that bulletin, I was greatly perplexed!

Just finished it like 30 seconds ago and I love, love, love it! I want to hug Brett and Neil. I'm still smiling and will be for quite a while. :-)

Merith wrote: "Josh wrote: "I did leave several threads to be followed up in later books. This one was planned as a series from about the midway point of the book. "

Honestly, I don't know where I've been or how..."

It's always tricky with the first book in a series becuase it does always appear like some stuff was forgotten, but if you wrap it all up it limits the possibilities for the next books. That's the way I see it anyway. Of course it depends on the width and length of the threads!