tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post863265537871513886..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: The UnexpectedHelen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-29606408551769309952010-05-26T10:32:29.192-05:002010-05-26T10:32:29.192-05:00Foreshadowing is always important.
I never served...Foreshadowing is always important.<br /><br />I never served on a jury for a murder trial but covered a few as a news reporter. Watching the defendent's reactions to evidence is always enlightening, especially if you've studied body language.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-25097941874040678252010-05-26T00:58:41.538-05:002010-05-26T00:58:41.538-05:00I love the unexpected. Otherwise, it's like re...I love the unexpected. Otherwise, it's like reading textbook.<br /><br /><a href="http://steamydarcy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> Steamy Darcy</a>Enid Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12248877161249788607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-68980082624755236372010-05-25T22:26:59.421-05:002010-05-25T22:26:59.421-05:00I always enjoy your blogs - the perfect blend of t...I always enjoy your blogs - the perfect blend of teaching with real life experience. <br /><br />I have been on a jury once. Talk about unexpected...there were juries being picked for three cases: a rape, a murder, and a drunk driver. I ended up on the drunk driver case which I thoroughly expected to be boring and quick - it was the longest of the three trials and had the most obscure testimony and twists and turns one could imagine. Who knew?!<br /><br /><a href="http://nasharpe.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow"> Nancy, from Realms of Thought…</a>N A Sharpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535316802416841336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-22953998475174473172010-05-25T21:23:20.694-05:002010-05-25T21:23:20.694-05:00In my first book, The Power of Thirteen, my protag...In my first book, The Power of Thirteen, my protagonist was abused by her boyfriend. My editor said it was unbelievable because it happened so suddenly and without cause or hints. I had to reconsider my original plan to trace Sarah's naive view exactly, go back in my ms and add some groundwork. Otherwise, the incongruity just took the readers out of the story.Jenn McKayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08096584277185808602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-87935252061657390472010-05-25T21:18:10.638-05:002010-05-25T21:18:10.638-05:00As the saying goes, "We make plans and God la...As the saying goes, "We make plans and God laughs." :-)Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02086101058759923788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-11903286014323907412010-05-25T20:16:04.642-05:002010-05-25T20:16:04.642-05:00Now, that's an idea!Now, that's an idea!Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-28362769332086108992010-05-25T18:44:08.753-05:002010-05-25T18:44:08.753-05:00In a book, I really prefer the unexpected to stop ...In a book, I really prefer the unexpected to stop at about the halfway mark... after that it annoys me if the reader is not given some warning that it is coming. Though were we reading your book, we would have gotten a peek at the forgotten envelope or some such thing (at least once you rewrite it).<br /><br />I suggest going into that courtroom and TELLING this tale you are writing about the rigged jury and the bribery or the juror #3. They will send you right home and you will never be called again.Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-9691365489961939482010-05-25T18:00:52.105-05:002010-05-25T18:00:52.105-05:00Thank you for letting your readers know about sair...Thank you for letting your readers know about saira and myself. I am taking some advise and making a weekly plan for my blog. A little more structure and a vision of what I want for my blog.Cheryl Eklundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08789513406820063538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-6616590267487962912010-05-25T17:20:01.542-05:002010-05-25T17:20:01.542-05:00At least some times the unexpected is undesired, i...At least some times the unexpected is undesired, if the nice guy that you really like in the story turns out to be the biggest villain >:)<br /><br /><a href="http://cold-as-heaven.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Cold As Heaven </a>CA Heavenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07558100567878233142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-60421105018805053422010-05-25T14:17:54.197-05:002010-05-25T14:17:54.197-05:00A couple of my characters got zapped with an unpla...A couple of my characters got zapped with an unplanned family member - that's always fun!<br /><br />I hope I never get jury duty again!L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-42947804371753505702010-05-25T13:12:28.361-05:002010-05-25T13:12:28.361-05:00Jury duty always... sucks. No two ways about it.
...Jury duty always... sucks. No two ways about it.<br /><br />I hit my main character with a life-altering event, but it was very believable.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-6731314285711051702010-05-25T13:04:45.354-05:002010-05-25T13:04:45.354-05:00Jon, perhaps I'll take one of my own and see i...Jon, perhaps I'll take one of my own and see if someone asks me what I'm reading.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-38443183656726720482010-05-25T13:00:39.923-05:002010-05-25T13:00:39.923-05:00Oh joy, two months cut out of your life. I hope yo...Oh joy, two months cut out of your life. I hope you at least get an interesting case, but not so interesting that you have to be sequestered (unless it's in a five start hotel). I've been called for jury duty twice, but have never had to sit on a case. Take a good book!<br />~jonJ. M. Strotherhttp://www.jmstrother.com/MadUtopia/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-50278432548526543962010-05-25T11:50:00.124-05:002010-05-25T11:50:00.124-05:00Yes, Lauri, yes it is. Since you didn't listen...Yes, Lauri, yes it is. Since you didn't listen, I will take a siesta for you.<br /><br />Jury duty is interesting. Wouldn't it be nice, though, if we got to pick our own days to serve? And the case we wanted to sit in on? Not fair to the person on trial, but...Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-73403525420930724842010-05-25T11:00:09.448-05:002010-05-25T11:00:09.448-05:00Life never goes exactly as we plan, does it? I th...Life never goes exactly as we plan, does it? I think you're absolutely right, Helen, about throwing in the unexpected into our writing; as long as it's credible. However, any wrench thrown into a plot has to be there for a reason - not just because the writer needed to add an occurrence.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-73454213924993157072010-05-25T09:47:10.810-05:002010-05-25T09:47:10.810-05:00Missing the conferences is hard, but jury duty sho...Missing the conferences is hard, but jury duty should bring its own area of interest.Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-88537694316179040622010-05-25T08:45:47.108-05:002010-05-25T08:45:47.108-05:00Sorry your plans were messed up Helen. And lovely ...Sorry your plans were messed up Helen. And lovely how you turned it around to teach us a lesson. <br /><br />(My word verification is siesta- is my computer trying to tell me something??)Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-50778695498780703952010-05-25T08:38:14.033-05:002010-05-25T08:38:14.033-05:00I love the unexpected in a book, but a realistic u...I love the unexpected in a book, but a realistic unexpected. If it's something that is too far off, the story loses credibility for me.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-78097696565716833692010-05-25T08:36:59.524-05:002010-05-25T08:36:59.524-05:00Elizabeth, I'm sending in the second form toda...Elizabeth, I'm sending in the second form today - and am listing my occupation(s).<br /><br />Jan, if I didn't have these trips already planned, I'd be excited to be on the jury. I've been on a criminal court jury before (not a Federal Court like this one). I would ask not to be foreman, though. I was last time and found I'm much too democratic and we ran way long as we listened to everyone.<br /><br />Have fun with the new novel, Regan!Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-72922565382744686882010-05-25T08:36:12.450-05:002010-05-25T08:36:12.450-05:00It’s too bad that everything has to happen at once...It’s too bad that everything has to happen at once. You turned the prospect of jury duty into some interesting story ideas - though I hope none of them develop in your case!)Jane Kennedy Suttonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12519340747761460017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-24364069117649356822010-05-25T08:31:28.060-05:002010-05-25T08:31:28.060-05:00Great, real life example! And timely for me too as...Great, real life example! And timely for me too as I've started my next novel today.<br /><br />Regan<br />http://www.reganblack.com<br />http://www.adoptagreyhoundguide.comRegan Blackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15408260827542396423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-74064366385507438712010-05-25T07:14:24.139-05:002010-05-25T07:14:24.139-05:00I love the way you integrated your writing techniq...I love the way you integrated your writing technique and real life experience. You are truly a writer at heart. I am fortunate to always be able to opt out of jury duty as a clinical psychologist, but believe me there are plenty of other "unexpecteds" that come my way. Great blog. God bless.INSIDE THE SHRINKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05847815538742805926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-29421767151221312772010-05-25T06:58:37.450-05:002010-05-25T06:58:37.450-05:00The unexpected is what makes for interesting twist...The unexpected is what makes for interesting twists and turns in a mystery. Sometimes it can seem like too many things going wrong, but if we stop and think - we all have days like that. :) Just as long as they're not too far off the way. <br /><br />Good luck with your trip plans.<br /><br />Mason<br /><a href="http://www.masoncanyon.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Thoughts in Progress</a>Mason Canyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935307400882363560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-36481366312889474322010-05-25T06:44:57.193-05:002010-05-25T06:44:57.193-05:00It's easy to see your mind never stops, Helen....It's easy to see your mind never stops, Helen.<br />Funning, entertaining and helpful. One would think you write for a living! ;>)<br /><br />Maribeth<br /><a href="http://gigglesandguns.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Giggles and Guns</a>Mary@GigglesandGunshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350818228268801008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-29109857504863448872010-05-25T05:51:44.805-05:002010-05-25T05:51:44.805-05:00I've always wanted to be on a jury. Not much c...I've always wanted to be on a jury. Not much chance since I have a business doing murder mysteries and I'm a psychotherapist but hey! I like the idea that it is choiceless and I also like the idea that I can serve one of the main balliwicks of our free and democratic society without going to war! Yes, it is an inconvenience but think of the wonderful details you'll be exposed to.Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.com