tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post2821390540816193259..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: Guest Post, by Susan Wittig AlbertHelen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-15147444084672145752007-11-18T04:38:00.000-06:002007-11-18T04:38:00.000-06:00Susan, Thank you for the very thought-provoking bl...Susan, Thank you for the very thought-provoking blog. I have read, I believe, all the China Bayles, Robin Paige, and Beatrix Potter books to date. This really gives me insight into intelligently reading all fiction of my choice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-39170935402975262802007-11-16T10:09:00.000-06:002007-11-16T10:09:00.000-06:00Susan, thanks for the great description of the nar...Susan, thanks for the great description of the narrative voice you used, and more importantly, why you picked that particular approach! Not all authors are as aware of why we make the choices we do in constructing a story - whether real or imaginary. Your post is a wonderful teaching example. And a great way to introduce The Hawthorn House to new readers. You are a pleasure to read in any format!<BR/><BR/>Susan T<BR/>www.susanjtweit.com<BR/>www.communityoftheland.blogspot.comSusan J Tweithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07672965940786234043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-87514790297098807432007-11-15T13:19:00.000-06:002007-11-15T13:19:00.000-06:00Dani, yes, the double-mother plotting was delibera...Dani, yes, the double-mother plotting was deliberate, although Emily wasn't really bad, just self-engrossed (as was, of course, Jemima!). I had fun playing with that.<BR/><BR/>RE: formulaic structures. That is a serious problem with series, in my experience. As a veteran of the Nancy Drew series (and the Hardy Boys) I've seen the dangers. So I made a conscious effort to make each book different, not just in structure but in tone. In the China series, some are funny (Chile Death, A Dilly of a Death), while some (Love Lies Bleeding) are tragic. I get bored easily--I know readers do, too!<BR/><BR/>And Bobbi (hi!), the letter tone is exactly it. That's how Beatrix began, you know, with picture letters to children. It's a person-to-person tone that assumes a certain familiarity and affection for the reader.<BR/><BR/><BR/>--Susansusanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-37911344231602654792007-11-15T11:55:00.000-06:002007-11-15T11:55:00.000-06:00Hi Susan and Helen!Interesting post about the narr...Hi Susan and Helen!<BR/><BR/>Interesting post about the narrative voice. Funny, I just started a story using that voice, but didn't know what to call it. I'm writing it as a letter to a young friend and in doing that, it's easier to keep in the proper voice.<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to reading the new book and sharing it with my friend, as it is "family friendly."<BR/><BR/>bobbi c.Bobbi A. Chukran, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16678371925926783260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-4227681287283411772007-11-15T11:14:00.001-06:002007-11-15T11:14:00.001-06:00What you and Rhonda were saying about plot and str...What you and Rhonda were saying about plot and structure led me to thoughts of your books, I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all the China Bayles series, two of the Cottage Tales, and three of the Robin Paige. <BR/><BR/>An avid mystery reader, I've read and enjoyed many authors, but for some, after a 3-4 books I have found there to be a kind of formula to the stories. Once I become aware of the formula, the books cease to hold their appeal for me, at least my interest in them lessens. <BR/><BR/>I realize that an outline is helpful to the author and it makes sense to have one, but in my thinking, it is best to vary it or at least complicate it to the extent that it is not easily sensed by the reader. Thus far, you, Susan, continue to intrigue and entertain me with you stories. I eagerly anticipate each new China Bayles story long before its arrival and have equally enjoyed your other offerings.posberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05723602784910711857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-87373249268116553402007-11-15T11:14:00.000-06:002007-11-15T11:14:00.000-06:00I loved the compare/contrast story lines about goo...I loved the compare/contrast story lines about good/bad mothering using Jemima and Emily for the pivot points. It was fascinating watching the two plots barrel to resolution! And I got more than a chuckle or two out of the book, too. That narrator, methinks, had the wry sense of humor of Beatrix herself. Was that intentional?<BR/><BR/>A thoroughly satisfying read! ~ DaniDanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-58347060214867990902007-11-15T10:36:00.000-06:002007-11-15T10:36:00.000-06:00Oh, gosh, Rhonda---plots are everywhere. Plots fil...Oh, gosh, Rhonda---plots are everywhere. Plots fill the airwaves, the newspapers, the Internet. I just keep my eyes and ears open and let the ideas filter in and simmer for a while. Re: outlines. When Bill and I wrote the Robin Paige series (now concluded) we usually storyboarded it, which involved little white cards on a corkboard, with one column per plot. There were always 7-8 plots in each book, and with 2 writers, it's necessary to keep things straight. But with China and the Cottage Tales, I think of an ending (several endings, actually, since these books are multi-plotted, as well), then write toward it. Good questions. Thanks!--Susansusanalberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06593314069397524232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-36930586822353140712007-11-15T08:09:00.000-06:002007-11-15T08:09:00.000-06:00I'm posting this comment on behalf of Rhonda Hedde...I'm posting this comment on behalf of Rhonda Hedderich:<BR/><BR/>I Have two questions for Susan. One is probably asked a lot. "How do you come up with plots for your books?" The next question has to do with construction of the novel. How do you do that? Do you make and outline. I have heard some authors say they have no idea how it will end til they write it and others say they actually plan the ending at the very beginning than all they have to do is fill in the middle. What works best for you? Thanks Rhonda HedderichHelen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com