LUCY BURDETTE: I'm wriggling with delight as I introduce you to today's debut novelist guest. My pal Ang and I have been in the same writing group for close to twenty years. It's simply thrilling to see him publish his first book when he's worked toward that goal for so long! Welcome Ang!
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| Early Reds: Jan, Rosemary, Hank, Lucy, Hallie |
ANG POMPANO: Lucy, I can’t believe I’m here on Jungle Red with all of you amazing writers! I’ve known most of you for a long time but I never thought I’d be above the comment line. Do you remember when Hallie asked me to take this picture of you at Crime Bake in 2010?
The group has changed and grown a bit but you all look just the same. As for me, it just goes to show that if you live long enough good things are bound to happen to you.
ANG: When I wrote the book, it was set on an island off Florida. I knew I wanted to tell a cross genre story that blended traditional mystery and action. I had a scene on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge where Al’s PTSD from a bridge shoot-out kicks in. I also had a scene in the Everglades with alligators.
So, I emailed my agent: “I’ve got this story that’s a mystery inside a mystery, but it’s also got family drama, and action. It has bridges, it has alligators! What do you think?
She wrote back: “I love it. But I can’t sell it. The publishers say they have too many stories set in Florida. Change the setting.”
I said, "but it has bridges! And alligators! Carl Hiaasen writes about Florida.”
She wrote back, “You’re not Carl Hiaasen. In fact, you’re not even Tim Dorsey. Change the setting.”
I said, “Fine I know L.A. It has the Vincent Thomas Bridge. I’ll change the Everglades to the desert. The alligators can become rattlesnakes.”
Her answer, “Too many set in L.A. And before you argue, I remind you, you’re not Michael Connelly."
Then it dawned on me. Savannah, one of my favorite cities, has a huge bridge. And it isn’t far from the Okefenokee Swamp which has alligators. Lots and lots of alligators. It was the best move Al and I ever made.
LUCY: It’s cheating a little to ask this because I know you pretty well. But are there aspects of the story based on your life, or did you make it all up? we’d love to hear about the father-son relationship…
ANG: Sometimes Annette, my wife, will give me a suggestion for a book or story. But usually they come about from an experience that I expand upon. For example, in When It’s Time for Leaving, the protagonist, Al, has a father who has Alzheimer’s. My father also suffered from the disease. But my father was a typical all-American Dad. To write a story about the two of us would probably win me a Nobel Prize for curing insomnia. So, I gave Al and his father, Big Al, a bad relationship, which changes over the course of the book.
LUCY: Your first short story was published in 1990, but this is your first published novel—another overnight sensation! What has surprised you most about the process of getting published?
ANG: An agent once told me getting published was a long, rocky road. She didn’t tell me that after building the road (writing the book) you had to pave it smooth. You can’t have the attitude that once the book is written your job is over. There is plenty of help in our generous writing community, but even then, you have to take the initiative to get your manuscript noticed by agents and publishers.
LUCY: What made you decide you wanted to write mysteries?
I would write my own little books on folded paper. As I learned to read better I moved on to the Toms; Tom Sawyer and Tom Swift, Jr. In high school I wrote for newspaper and literary magazine. I liked to write humor that I patterned after my idol, Mark Twain. My early stories as an adult ran the gamut from humor to literary fiction. Then as a Yale-New Haven Teacher Fellow I had the chance to study Gender, Race, and Milieu in Detective Fiction with Paul Fry, the William Lampson Professor of English at Yale. I was so intrigued that my focus has been on mystery ever since.
LUCY: What do you find most challenging about writing?
ANG: Everything. The biggest challenge is to get myself into the chair and put my fingers on the keyboard. Once I get over that hurtle I spend a lot of time laboring over which words to use, sentence structure, and all of the “rules” of writing mystery. Am I telling too much? Am I playing fair with the reader by giving enough clues? Then when I think it’s halfway decent I send it to my wonderful writing group.
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| Lucy, Ang, and Chris at Ang's book launch |
That would be you, and Chris Falcone. We’ve worked together for 20 years and I can’t begin to tell you how important you guys were to getting this book into the world. Annette, who is a painter, has a saying, “A painting is never finished. It’s abandoned.” I think that applies to writing as well. My problem is that I never know when to “abandon” a manuscript. I know there are authors who write good books in a month. If I finish a manuscript in a year that’s quick.
LUCY: What makes your books different from others in this genre?
ANG: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR LEAVING is a traditional mystery with a male protagonist. Most of the bigger publishers have this notion that women readers (most of the people who read traditional mystery are female) will not read a male protagonist. The publishers (all except mine, the amazing duo of Cynthia Brackett-Vincent and Ed Vincent of Encircle Publications) do not give female readers enough credit for being open minded enough to read a male protagonist.
LUCY: What’s coming next for you?
ANG: I’m still writing short stories. I had one called “Diet of Death” in this year’s Malice Domestic Anthology. I also have a story called “Stringer” in the upcoming Level Best anthology SEASCAPE. Most people don’t know that I sometimes work as a freelance videographer, i.e., a stringer. I thought it would make a good story.
I’m working on a sequel to WHEN IT’S TIME FOR LEAVING called I HOPE YOU’LL UNDERSTAND. Plus, I have two other finished manuscripts with my agent. One is called KILLER VIEW and the other is called THE WESTPORT DIET MURDERS which is a novel that Malice story was based on. I hope to have news about them soon.
Red readers, how do you feel about traditional mysteries that feature male protagonists?
About Ang: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR LEAVING, is Ang Pompano’s debut novel. He has stories in the 2019 Malice Domestic Anthology, and BEST NEW ENGLAND CRIME STORIES 2019. His academic pieces include one on teaching detective fiction. A recipient of the Helen McCloy/MWA Scholarship for a novel in progress, he is on the Crime Bake Planning Committee and is a board member of Sisters in Crime New England. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Annette, and their two rescue dogs.
More about Ang:
Website http://angpompano.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/A.J.Pompano/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AngPompano
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/angpompano/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/A.J.Pompano/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AngPompano
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/angpompano/
***Congratulations to the winners of an e-copy of Eileen Rendahl’s COVER ME IN DARKNESS.
Dena, Grandma Kootie, and Judi
Please email Stephanie Thurwachter at stephanie.thurwachter@
Congratulations on your debut novel, Ang. Could you tell us a bit more about the story?
ReplyDeleteI read a fair number of books that have male protagonists . . . I’m more concerned with the story than with whether or not the central character is a woman or a man. For me, it’s the telling of the tale that makes all the difference . . . .
Thank you and good morning, Joan! WHEN IT’S TIME FOR LEAVING is a story about what happens when things beyond your control change your plans. Al’s father comes back into his life to give him a detective agency but there are strings attached the size of ropes. There’s a mystery within a mystery, some action, and I hope a little humor too.
DeleteYou are on a roll, Ang! I am as excited for you as the rest of your fellow New England writers who have been watching you persist and hone your craft. Your book sits on my coffee table waiting for me to finish the one I'm currently reading - and I can't wait to have you sign it at Malice. Enjoy the ride of a debut author - you earned it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Edith. I’ve learned so much from working with you and the other New England writers in both SinCNE and Crime Bake over the years. I really appreciate all of the support and hope I can pay it forward.
DeleteCongratulations, Ang! I wish you the best with the debut and all the installments to follow.
ReplyDeleteI am particularly impressed in how you recognized that a solid relationship between two characters is a snooze. Conflict and change--you had the key. I hope you enjoy Crime Bake and can flash your book around!
Ramona, I once told you that I was writing this story and you pointed out that it seemed to be about a guy whose traditional values were challenged. Al finds that not only is a female detective his boss, but he has to become the advocate for his father who abandoned him. I may have known that subconsciously, but after you clarified it I was able to fly though the re-write. I don’t think I every thanked you publicly for that, so I’m doing that now. Thanks!
DeleteRamona is the best!
DeleteAng, I remember our exchange. As you say, sometimes another person points out what you already know and it opens up so much. Thank you for the the public acknowledgment! And congrats again on the book.
DeleteCongratulations on your first novel Ang! That's a dream of mine someday so I can imagine that feeling of elation publication of 'When It's Time For Leaving' must bring you.
ReplyDeleteAs for today's question, I do not separate books by the gender of their lead character. I read what I like. If a story grabs me by the back cover synopsis, I don't care if the lead is a male or a female. Tell me a good story and I'm (or at least my money) is yours!
There seems to be far too much fragmentation in every form of entertainment these days just to satisfy some perceived marketing directive. I read plenty of male authors and I read plenty of female authors. Need proof? Ask any of the Reds and more than a few of the respondents here on the page.
I'm more concerned with the fact that I don't have the time to read all the great books I know that I'm missing out on, regardless of a character's gender.
Thanks, Jay. I think we should read what we like and write what we’d like to read. After that don’t give up on getting published no matter how many times you are told it doesn’t fit someone’s “list.” Your dream will come true and I’m sure someday you will be answering comments on Jungle Red too.
DeleteCongratulations, Ang!
ReplyDeleteOne of my protagonists is male, so obviously I don't have a problem with them. :) Like others, I'm more concerned with the quality of the story than the gender of the protagonist.
That’s so true, Liz. The story is everything. If it’s a good story, it will resonate with everyone.
DeleteAng! This is so wonderful! And you know how much I love this book—and your hilarious origin story. (Bridges! Alligators!).
ReplyDeleteIt’ll be such fun to celebrate you at Malice— And I saw those fabulous photos of your launch party. How did that feel? You’ve been to so many other authors events… What did you think when it was yours? xxxx
Hank, thank you for the kind words. I was humbled by your blurb. The launch was so much fun that I just put it out of my mind that it was for me. Lucy did such a great job of keeping me under control that it was a breeze.
DeleteAw..what a pleasure--I love your book! And so pleased you had fun. xoxoo See you soon!
DeleteCongratulations, Ang! You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI honestly never paid the slightest bit of attention to the gender of either the protagonist of a book or its author, until I started spending so much time interacting with authors, about 15 years ago. It did not occur to me to choose a book on such criteria. I read John LeCarre and James Michener and Andrew Greeley, but also Sara Paretsky and Patricia Cornwell and Faye Kellerman. A good book is a good book, period. My mother is also a big reader, and she is as likely to read a Stuart Little as she is a Fern Michaels.
My biggest preference change in the world of mystery is I can no longer tolerate gratuitous violence, especially against women. For awhile, the "woman in a box" theme was pretty rampant in thrillers and suspense novels, and it just sickened me, so I actively avoid that type of storyline. But I don't pay much attention to gender, and it bothers me that publishers do this sort of generalization of readers, especially female readers.
It's just another form of putting women in a box. Just no.
PS I have wondered this for a long time: Is it Ang, as in "angry", or Ang, as in "Angelo"?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I agree that we shouldn’t pass up a good book because of the gender of the protagonist. That said, I’m glad that more books are showing women as being smart and capable. I don’t believe in censorship, but I certainly do avoid books with gratuitous violence, especially against women. I tried to write a story that was traditional but also had a little action. Something that anyone would read. I have to say though, that finding key words that apply is driving the publisher crazy. BTW, it’s Ang as in Angelo, but it doesn’t bother me when someone gets it wrong.
DeleteBefore I knew Ang but had seen his name, I was pronouncing it like Ang Lee!
DeleteCongratulations on the book release!
ReplyDeleteI get tired of hearing about what publishers think I (an avid mystery reader) want. All I want is solid writing and likable characters I can care about. Shoot, even the strength of the actual mystery isn't a litmus test. I mean, I want it to at least seem like a credible mystery, not so contrived I can see right through it. But really, to me the mystery (or mysteries, it sounds like, in your case) and setting are just the bones upon which the characters' stories hang.
I feel the same way, Susan!
DeleteThanks, Susan. I agree with you. I’m tired of being told what I like. That applies not only to reading, but just about to everything that we consume.
DeleteCongratulations, Ang! How exciting to have a novel coming out and to know that the hard work you've put into creating something will soon be recognized. I read stories with both make and female protagonists and do not choose my books for gender reasons. Compelling characters, original plots, satisfying stories, good language, humor, and often history are the qualities that move me. If I like a character, I am probably going to seek out the next book that continues that character's story. BTW, we live right near Hartford, what part of Connecticut are you from?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the well wishes, Judy. I want likeable characters and a good story too. I don’t think I could write from the point of view of the villain, although many people do it well. We live in Guilford, not that far from you. The Hartford area is beautiful and we love going up that way for day trips.
Deletehi, Entering a wave from New Haven. The shoreline is always lovely this time of year and two weeks ago when I was on my way up to Canada for a vacation I skirted around Hartford and out to MA. So pretty out by UCONN.
DeleteBut back to the character question, any well developed protagonist and his or her surrounding characters work well for me. That said, I just finished the most wonderful audiobook of When Will There Be Good News, by Kate Atkinson. An argument could be made that there were two protagonists, Jackson Brodie and a former love interest of his. But, an argument could also be made that there were at least a dozen protagonists, of both genders. So a wonderful book and I really think that readers seek out good stories, not individual characters in general. Happy reading, all!
-Melanie
If I didn't have a cat on my lap, I'd do a happy dance for you, Ang! I can't even imagine the mix of emotions you must be feeling, but I think you certainly have the right idea--the book is done, you persisted with the publishing merry-go-round, and now you're in full 'push this book' mode! Wishing you every success with this book (which sounds terrific!) and your other novels as well!
ReplyDeleteI'm sensing a theme here--we don't give a rat's behind about the gender of a protagonist around here--it's all about the quality of the story--characters, setting, plot. Give us solid writing and, as Jay says, we're all yours!
Thanks so much for the kind words. And yes, there certainly is a mix of emotions. Including, “What did I get myself into?” Just kidding, I’m loving every bit of this. Thanks for the thought of the happy dance. Give the cat a little scratch behind the ears for me!
DeleteCongratulations,Ang! Enjoy every moment of this time. You have earned it. And the book already has me intrigued. Alligators and dementia? I have to know more. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Triss. I am having a lot of fun. I think that's because I have such a great support group!
DeleteI read this book and loved it!! Congratulations, Ang! We're all rooting for you. And your book is 'traditional' but it's not cozy. In my opinion. It's more over in the PI/ procedural area.
ReplyDeleteHallie, I’ve learned so much from both your books and from you personally. Thank you! As I said above it seems a little hard to put it in the correct genre. But I think you’re right.
DeleteHooray for you! Your hard work has come to fruition. I think I'm feeling a bit insulted that the publishing industry thinks it knows what readers want to read. Don't they realize a good story is a good story no matter where it takes place? It doesn't usually matter if the lead is male or female as long as the story moves. I look forward to reading about a troubled man in Savannah with bridge issues and alligators!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat. I think the publishers, especially the big ones, only focus on the bottom line. And I can't blame them. They are in business. Change comes very slowly as they realize there is a market for something outside of their target demographic. I hope you like the book!
DeleteI wish there were more traditional mysteries with male protagonists. Then again, I'm a guy, so I might be biased. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the debut!
Mark, I'd read both male and female protagonists, as I'm sure you would. But I think it would be wrong to expect an old geezer like me to write from the point of view of a 26 year old female. Thanks for the well wishes.
DeleteI read almost all female protagonists, and I've got no plans to stop that. I would just like to have a bit more variety.
DeleteAng, welcome to Jungle Reds! You are an excellent photographer. When I was a kid, I also liked to write stories. And I am still writing stories. It is interesting about location changes. Did you keep the same publisher or change publishing houses? I have read too many mysteries set in Florida and Los Angeles. It will be a nice change to read about a mystery set in Savannah. For some people, location does not matter. I am partial to certain locations like London and Edinburgh.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut novel!
Lucy, excellent question about traditional mysteries with a male protagonist. I enjoyed the Hercule Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christie. I find HP to be hilarious. I have read some Sherlock Holmes and Lord Peter Wimsey.
Most of my traditional mysteries have female, not male, protagonists, however.
And who are Jan and Rosemary? I think I started reading Jungle Reds after they left. I remember Susan MacNeal and Ingrid T.
Diana
Hi Diana,
DeleteThanks for the well wishes. It took over a year to change the setting. As you can imagine it involves a lot more than hitting find and replace. By that time so much time had gone by that the manuscript ended up with a different publisher. Although I resisted for several reasons it turned out to be a good move, because as you said, there really are a lot of stories set in Florida or LA.
Diana, Jan Burke and Rosemary Harris.
DeleteHi Ang,
DeleteThanks! I wondered about the publishers.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the names. I cannot recall when I stared following Jungle Reds blog.
Congratulations, Ang! A good mystery is a good mystery and it doesn't matter a bit to me if the protagonist is male or female. I've read and loved both.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judi. I hope you will like Al and Al Sr. too!
DeleteWould someone please let Stephanie Thurwatcher know that the 3 emails I sent to her were rejected (for reasons I do not understand). Thank you. She may contact me at jmpurcel at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book, Ang, and I salute your perseverance. I do not care a bit whether the protagonist is Male or female. (In fact, I write both.) I just want good writing and appealing characters. I know publishers feel they have to categorize everything, but it can be really annoying.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, I really do understand that publishing is a business. I'm sure they have their reasons for what they do. As a new author, I just have to work harder. It was worth it.
DeleteCongratulations, Ang! Getting published is such a tremendous achievement - savor every bit of it! Also, you book sounds right up my alley - you had me at alligators and bridges! - I can't wait to read When It's Time For Leaving.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice of you to say, Jenn!
DeleteMy uncle, a professional artist/illustrator, said it takes two people to paint a painting.
ReplyDeleteOne to paint and one to say "Stop".
Libby, I have to tell Annette that one! I think that could apply to writing as well.
Delete