tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post6833637712491833500..comments2023-10-31T10:59:03.023-04:00Comments on INKSPOT Crime Fiction Blog | A Place for Mystery, Mayhem, Writing and Life: Alexander McCall Smith and the Case of the Helpful ReaderLinda O. Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01512430135042480450noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-16568975554972160152009-04-13T12:40:00.000-04:002009-04-13T12:40:00.000-04:00Morse and John Thaw became inseparable in people's...Morse and John Thaw became inseparable in people's minds. Losing both of them so close together, the character and the actor, was a double blow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-10421879487434945792009-04-07T15:57:00.000-04:002009-04-07T15:57:00.000-04:00Thoughtful post, Gin! I hope I wouldn't bend to th...Thoughtful post, Gin! I hope I wouldn't bend to the whim of others in allowing my characters their own path, but I do know that with May Day, the first book in my series, I reined in my characters' natural flow and made the book less interesting as a result. I was worried about offending "people," and so the book lacks the even tone of the rest in the series. Never again, I hope.<BR/><BR/>Keep me updated on the No #1 Ladies' series. I don't get HBO, but if the series stays strong, I will absolutely buy it when it becomes available. I love those books.Jessica Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-76925390427074211312009-04-07T14:25:00.000-04:002009-04-07T14:25:00.000-04:00I am always interested in what readers say about m...I am always interested in what readers say about my books and if I see the same theme over and over in their comments, I will pay attention. Doesn't mean I will make changes based on their input, but I will at least consider what they are saying. In the end though, I do what the characters tell me.<BR/><BR/>The one time I did follow readers' suggestions was after book #1 when they wrote to say they wanted to see more of Mike Steele (he was only supposed to be a minor character). I complied and was glad I did. He has become one of the most popular characters in the series and a source of great comedy.<BR/><BR/>One thing I hold firm on is Odelia's weight. I receive a lot of comments about her size. Some think she should become a role model for losing weight and others are thrilled she's a big lady. Odelia will never diet. That's a promise I made to myself and to her.Sue Ann Jaffarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984054116933714621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-70146878028723947532009-04-07T12:22:00.000-04:002009-04-07T12:22:00.000-04:00There's a solution for that and it's called fan fi...There's a solution for that and it's called fan fiction.Terri Thayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953154767532970027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-57723888757604911642009-04-07T12:19:00.000-04:002009-04-07T12:19:00.000-04:00Those whom I ask to read the manuscript, yes. Fan...Those whom I ask to read the manuscript, yes. Fans, not so far.Keith Raffelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02926077627965529183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3529128955266044151.post-88529708383278221022009-04-07T11:38:00.000-04:002009-04-07T11:38:00.000-04:00Interesting post! I like to think I'd stick to my ...Interesting post! I like to think I'd stick to my guns under pressure, but it's never come up. <BR/><BR/>As a corollary, I admire when a series author takes a leap and does something big and brave that his character then has to live with for the rest of the series -- for example, killing off a major character. Reader reaction is generally mixed in these situations, but if the author feels it serves the story and overall character arc, then I applaud the bold move.Cricket McRaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786996969148417569noreply@blogger.com