Tuesday, October 8, 2024

What We're Writing: Hank is SERIOUSLY wondering

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  WHY does it always happen? Here’s what I mean. 


I know I told you the good news about my book being finished… It is in, it is approved. It is exciting. And my editor says “pencils down”. Until the copy, edit, of course, but that’s all fine. I’m incredibly thrilled about it and more about that to come. 


And then, what do I see advertised somewhere? A new book. Coming soon.  That’s kind of like my new book. Kind of. Not exactly, and the main character s nothing like mine, nothing at all, but it is in the same universe.


 Why why why does that happen? So.  I did what I always do. When these things happen, I just… Ignore it. I ignored it! I pretended  that book does not exist. My book does not come out until next September, and, whatever.  Que sera, sera.


And if that wasn’t enough.  Seriously. Not 10 minutes after we got the email, accepting and approving the delivery of the manuscript for ALL THIS COULD BE YOURS,  my agent emailed me and said, “Can you real-fast send me a couple of paragraphs about your next book? I need it for foreign sales.”


“Sure!” I wrote back, but not after spewing out (to myself) some unintelligible gibberish along the lines of how the heck can I send you two paragraphs about something I have no idea what it is, not to shred of an idea not a bit, not one tiny little morsel?“


Okay, tantrum over, and thing is,  that wasn’t entirely true. I do have one shred, one tiny little morsel, one element that I am clinging to like a barnacle on a… Whatever barnacles cling to.


And then what do I see? I am not kidding you, an advertisement for a thing that is in the same ballpark in the same room as that idea– not exactly the same idea but certainly close enough to make me gasp. 


What is going on in the universe? Is there a universal consciousness? Where some chunk of people think of the same thing at the same time? 


And again, I did what I had to do – – I just ignored it. I forgot about it. That thing does not exist in my mind, so don’t bring it up.


It’s frustrating, though, thinking of an idea for a new book. I banged out a two page synopsis, and it sounds really great!


But.  It’s just that if someone says: what? What did you mean by “if she doesn’t find out the truth “and “ when she realizes what really happened “and “she realizes that someone knows some thing that could change her  life” – – what do you actually mean by those things? 


For that –I have no answer.  I don’t know, something cool and interesting will happen, but how am I supposed to know what it is?


And if you think about it, musing now,  I write domestic psychological suspense, so how many things can happen?


Wife, wife, husband, husband, kids kids. Husband/wife. Husband/Wife/Paramour. Husband wife kids. Husband, wife, husband, kids. A nanny.  At house. Add an insurance plan. Addd  a secret baby.  A  secret past. A  treacherous and duplicitous relative/friend/boss/girlfriend/boyfriend/mysterious stranger.  Murder, murder murder. Or not.


Stranger comes to town. Someone goes on a journey.


And there you have it. All the plots. 


That said, there are an awful lot of books. And yes, some of them are similar, some of them are crazy-similar actually, which is a blog for another time. 


So, all the good news: I have a book in the works, which comes out next year. I have two pages, also, of an imaginary novel. And around this time next year, I will know what it is. That is a magic that never ceases to amaze me. 


What do you think Reds and Readers, is there a kind of zeitgeist collective thinking universal mind where there are ideas out there and it’s just a question of who takes them or recognizes them? 


Meanwhile, you will find me at the drawing board.


100 comments:

  1. Oh, Hank, I hear your frustration. In a popular genre such as yours, perhaps there are a finite number of ideas/plots and so there are bound to be some similarities??? Perhaps our limited life experiences limits the plot ideas??? Maybe it's just happenstance . . . .
    All I know for certain is that, if you write it, I will happily read it . . . .

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    1. Awwww you are such a treasured friend. Xxxx That is a great question, and I can’t help but believe there are an infinite number of possibilities, right? Because otherwise, how can there be so many books? There are also, with the infinite possibilities, an infinite number of people to put them together in an infinite number of ways. Or, at least, a lot. :-) The excitement has to come from seeing how one finally realizes what work… And it will happen, I totally believe it. And I thank you thank you thank you so much. Xxxx

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  2. Hank, I do believe there are as many different plots as there are human beings.Even with identical twins, there are differences of opinions, of interests, etc.

    DebRo

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    1. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 8:59 AM

      You are so right! It’s just a Passing The finding the magical right combination, right?

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    2. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:01 AM

      Whoa. Talk about proofreading. I hit the wrong button In the midst of it. What I meant to say, was you are so right! It’s just a question of finding the right magical combination, right?

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    3. Second attempt to reply!

      Yes, Hank; All you need is the magic!

      DebRo

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  3. Yours will stand out among them all and I will holding my own copy.

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    1. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:02 AM

      Awwwwww I am so touched by your believe in me! And hooray hooray hooray for winning the Macavity for your short survey with Kristopher! Yaayyy!

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  4. I believe there are a finite number of plots floating around. But each of us puts them together in a unique way. I remember when I was part of a quilt guild, we would do this thing where we each received a bundle of the same fabrics, which we HAD to use in our quilt. There were no other guidelines. We could add other fabrics and use whatever patterns we wanted. Ten quilts. Same fabrics. You know what happened? EVERY QUILT ended up totally different, totally unique, totally beautiful. Because we took those same materials and added our individual talents and creativity. I've always felt the same about writing. Don't worry about anyone else's book. Yours will be yours and it will be beautiful.

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    1. As a sometime quilter, Annette, I totally get this! So true!

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    2. Great story, Annette!. The same type of thing can happen even when people follow the same recipe. And that is something you hear about all the time.

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    3. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:02 AM

      Oh, that is such a perfect story! Thank you!

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  5. Dear Hank! Dear, dear Hank. I read what you wrote there and thought, there are genres that are just stuffed now. Stuffed. But your work will still be totally original and will stand out. It will be uniquely yours. To paraphrase a famous quote, "Write it and they will read."

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    1. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:03 AM

      Yes, stuffed! :-) But thank you for your enthusiasm! I rely on it! Xx

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  6. Those super early requests drive me nuts, too! I got the cover for the book I just finished writing back when I'd barely begun writing it. Come to think of it, I'm surprised my editor hasn't asked for a synopsis for the book that isn't even due until May.

    I love that there are finite plots and infinite books that we spin out of them, as Annette described also happens in the quilting world. You know you'll find your original spin on one of those plots, Hank, and you'll be brilliant at it, as always.

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    1. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:04 AM

      You got the cover before you had begun writing the book? That is so interesting! Wow. Was that… helpful?

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    2. It's a Halloween cozy, and I was able to slide something from the cover into the story. So, yes, helpful.

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    3. Ys, I wondered if that might happen.

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  7. Hank, I, too, hear your frustration, but I can't help loving the humorous way you vent!

    I do believe that some kind of universal consciousness can be at work - thus the phrase, "an idea whose time has come," and other sayings llike "great minds run in the same channels," etc. But no matter how similar the ideas, the books that occur are never going to be the same, and it may be to your advantage if your idea has echoes in other books coming out. In one way, that's being "onto something."

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    1. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:05 AM

      You know, I so agree. Being “onto something..” looking at it like a trend of things that people will love. Perfect!

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    2. Was not here yesterday. Thank you for saying this for me, and phrasing it better.

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  8. We're all fishing in the same cultural pool, so lines are liable to catch each other. All the choices we make of what type of fishing pole we use--line, bait, our spot on the shore--they're our individual choices. For writers, it's voice, setting, experience, and viewpoint. Hey, you've got this. :) It's just too soon for you to see which selections you'll make from your fishing gear and expertise, but I'm sure they'll be amazing and will keep us all up at night reading.

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  9. Reds, we had this synopsis discussion the other day behind the scenes. Most of us would rather write a whole book than a synopsis, LOL. But imagine, Hank, if you were just starting out--a similar idea would be devastating if you were trying to pitch it. Whereas you have an amazing track record and we all know to expect something entirely fresh and captivating!

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    1. Well, thank you for the confidence. Truly, I know I feel this way every time, so I am powering through it and having faith in the process.

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  10. HANK: Needing to write a 2-page synopsis before even starting to write your next book sounds like a bizarre process! But you will use that Hank magic to write another compelling book that we can't wait to read.

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    1. Bizarre is EXACTLY right! My brain is not happy working that way. But we will get there!

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  11. Yes, we're all thinking about the same issues and what ifs...but the books we write are all completely different. I just read a FB post about a made-up holiday, "big sandwich night." I'm running with it, wondering where it will go.

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    1. I went to pick up my two-year-old at family daycare one day decades ago, and Beth (the caretaker) had invented National Tiny Sandwich Day. The kids were eating peanut butter or cheese sandwiched between small crackers like Cheezits. I still remember her fun creativity!

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    2. Yes, you never know what tiny (or big) tidbit will make the difference...

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  12. I think there IS something in the air, the water, a general universal consciousness, because there are times when books come out one after the other--and you think, whoa! These sound very similar--who's copying who? BUT, Hank, dear, that similarity always turns out to be superficial. Give me two books that appear to be the same in terms of subject, plot, whatever, and I will tell you every time which one is the Hank Phillippi Ryan book. Or a Jenn book, or a Deborah, or a Lucy, or Hallie, or Julia, or Rhys (remember all those books with Paris in the title?).

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    1. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:08 AM

      Oh, and that is one of the most fascinating things in the universe. Agreed. We all know books where the plot is exactly like another one, and that there could have been nothing involved except coincidence. And I think the key may be to— if there is such a thing – – tap into it. Or at least be open to it.

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  13. I feel your frustration, Hank, but still, you are very wise to just ignore all those other 'similar' things and just go about your business and do what you do best! Remember, you are the original, so those others will be measured against yours, not the other way around! You got this.

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  14. We are watching Ron Santos this morning telling people to get out of Florida, because this upcoming storm is going to be horrendous. We are also getting pictures of the incredibly crowded exit routes. Then we got a clip with a voice over of all that would be available now and through the time of the storm and it included that the land fill sites (also known as the dump) would be open to all who wanted to bring refuse.
    It is early, and my eggs are not digested yet, and my coffee still has not been spilled over me (and the keyboard) by the racing kitten, so as you can see, my brain is not quite in gear.
    Then the flash occurred and I said – that would be a great murder!
    I will leave you my plot points – yours for the taking. I am only giving plot points, as you need to make up your own two paragraphs.
    Hurricane. Massive. Evacuation. Dead person. Free dump with no one watching. Escape route.
    You are on your own.
    I hope everyone keeps safe (and not murdered) in Florida.

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    1. Good one! Free dump with no one watching...hmmm. ANd did you see The Flood on BritBox? Someone gets murdered, and the police assume they were killed in the massive flood. But..NO!

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  15. Yes, there are ideas that are floating around but there's usually a way to twist it. Give it the inimitable HANK pizzazz. Because, after all, what the "market" really wants is "the same but different."

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    1. The same but different is SO true. SO TRUE! It's such a tightrope... But the key is to come up with the thing that everyone wants to be like.

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  16. There is so a universal consciousness. I remember the time a friend talked about a new kind of pasta he wanted to invent. A year later, Spaghetti-Os came out, but not by him. Just one of many instances where an idea came to someone that later became reality completely separate from the one with the idea that I knew of. I distinctly remember telling a friend, in the 1990s, that one day we would be able to have that portable music player, personal data assistant like Blackberry, and phone, all in one device. Of course, that was just logic.

    Maybe that also explains human civilization, spontaneously, it seems, developing in similar ways, across continents long before any kind of communication beyond face to face.

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    1. Ooh, perfect example, Edith. Every major religion uses the Golden Rule--do unto others as you wish them to do unto you--as their guiding precept.

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    2. And...dumplings. Just saying. Every culture has them. I mean, if you have dumplings AND the golden rule, that proves it.

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  17. I'm with Annette. There are a finite number of plots, but we all write them differently. Yours will be uniquely "Hank."

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    1. That''s thought-provoking, really. Now I have to figure out what that is. I mean--truly. Hmm.

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  18. I'm a believer in unlimited creativity and infinite possibilities. The limits are supplied by our own pasts and visions of ourselves, and for writers, by the genre and the publishing industry. Even within the genre there are still many options, and different ways of doing the tried and true. I have confidence that you will continue to find sparks that light the fire of imagination and look forward to reading what comes next.

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  19. Hank Phillippi RyanOctober 8, 2024 at 9:24 AM

    Oh, and I forgot to tell you. A dear pal sent me their manuscript to read, the one they are out on submission with. This person has written many many many very successful books.
    And I am telling you, the title of the book was almost exactly the same as the one I have in mind. My title.
    And B A Paris emailed me some years ago, with her blurb for the House Guest, saying that she loved the book, but as a sidenote, her publisher was now changing the title of her upcoming new book. Because it had been the House Guest.

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  20. I think there is often something we hear and see on line, tv, news, social media that becomes popular and people start to think about that - whether it is a story, a comment, that they all hear at some point. Then it becomes a popular idea for authors, musicians, talk show hosts, artists, etc. Each thinking it is their original idea. I think clothing fashions are a great example. Maybe an actor in a movie wears something or has a look that people start to like and suddenly it is everywhere and everyone is wearing it. I think this is true with baby names. When we pick names we might be influenced by our favorite actor and suddenly that is the #1 popular name. We may see a lot of Taylor's and Kelsey's in the future. Each parent thinking it is original to their way of thinking.

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    1. Case in point, Anon: at my recent 1969 high school reunion there were more Karens and Steves (including my husband) than any other name.

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    2. Oh, completely true. I laughed out loud at Taylor and Kelsey!

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  21. HANK: Hallie and Liz said what I was going to say. I think there is something in universal consciousness.

    Your post reminded me of something. When I am reading a novel, I notice a new to me word, then I notice the same word in other novels. Sometimes I read from 2 to 4 novels and I notice the same word. The novels are all by different authors. Perhaps that particular word is popular at that time of writing?


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    1. Oh, my goodness, I SO agree! SO AGREE! Why does everyone use liminal, suddenly? ANd interstitial?

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    2. This is useful for forensic linguists to date a piece of writing, yes?

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  22. I, too, agree about the existence of a universal consciousness. Think about the various trends in genres that seem to begin as one novel, but before you know it there is a new subgenre. I also think this happens when, as a people, we reach the saturation point of a particular mindset or political view and our subconscious says "Enough!" That is when the pendulum of our consciousness swings in the opposite direction to attempt to do a course correction, if you will. That is bound to trickle down in various forms into novels, editorials, etc. Your writing can't help but be influenced by outside factors you aren't even aware of. I'd say trust the Universe and write the book that YOU are meant to produce. It will reach the audience that most needs it. Can't wait to see what you do next! -- Victoria

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    1. Yes, and if we can learn to listen to our subconscious, think of what we could create!

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  23. Definitely a universal consciousness. I notice it in covers and themes all the time. The good news is fifty authors will write fifty very different books to the same writing prompt. Your story is your story, no matter how it began.

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    1. This reminds me that a short story collection I read a few years ago consisted of modern retellings of fairy tales. Authors who retold the same fairy tales wrote very different stories from each other. It was a delight to read!

      DebRo

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    2. Yes, so true. ANd DebRo, absolutely. I think about this all the time.

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  24. I've noticed the same thing about names. It's as if certain names are floating in the air and at a particular time one dips down where more people notice it and choose to name their chiild that name. After some time the name floats back up and isn't seen much.

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    1. SO true. And, after all this time, it appears Harriet is back. (That's my real name, and it was always so awful and now...it's adorable. Yay!)

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  25. My husband has often told me something he’s thought of (a philosophical approach to something, a “wouldn’t-it-be-a-good-idea-if-there-was-something-that-could-do-thus-and-such” thing, etc.) that later comes to pass. Not by him, but someone else. He always insists that, since he came up with the idea independently of anyone else’s intervention, HE invented it. I suppose he did, in his own way. All of that to mean, Hank, as everyone else has said, there are similar ideas, theories, plots out there. It’s whether you act on it, and if you do, what you make of that idea. (But I can understand your frustration!!) — Pat S

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    1. Yes, I agree with him! he used exactly the same process--although personalized for his own brain--and came up with the idea on his own. As you say, he just didn't do anything about it. I had an idea for a porduct, and it was so good that I tried to patent it. Turns out, someone had already done it, patented it, in the 1950's! ANd the patent had run out. I could have created it, but I...gave up. It was just not what I wanted to do. ANd now that product is everywhere.

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  26. We are all afraid of the Same Things! So, of course we write about them! Some stuff is Similar, still original ! Fear is made small ! Laurie Hernandez

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  27. Hank, you certainly have your own voice that stands out among others. I'm working on my debut thriller and I'm an avid reader. I'll read a novel, and find similar characters, names, settings are sort of like my fictional town, and of course those domestic plots are on repeat. I know my plot and characters are mine because I have over a years worth of notes, outlines, sketches but it still rattles me. I can't imagine what it's like to be published and see all those similarities. I look forward to your next book! Good job on banging out that synopsis.

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    1. Keep writing! I hope you are inspired by this blog--and realize ONLY YOU can write your book!

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  28. Your unique "voice" will shine through, Hank, no matter the plot.

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  29. YES! I hate it when this happens. I turned in a proposal for a book I loved. All systems go. My editor brought it to the team and someone said. I love that story line. We already have a book exactly like it coming out in a few months. I had never heard of the author or the book and was floored at how similar our ideas were. Petty me noticed her book did not do very well and I felt bad about that but I am only human and it was the only solace I could find in not being able to write the book I loved. *sigh*

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    1. WOw. That is absolutely fascinating. (and you could have written it better....)

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    2. Jenn, perhaps you can tweak the story and save that book proposal for another time like ten years from now?

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  30. I have seen and read books with similar plots. It doesn't bother me. Although the books can be similar, they are also different in many other ways. I also find that there are many movies, TV shows and music that have similarities. I can't count the number of times a song has started to play and I think I know what it is only to be wrong and have it be a completely different song.

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  31. Pat D. Saw today’s topic on Facebook. It must be something in the air. Remember the year two Wyatt Earp Tombstone movies came out? I read two ARCs with the same title this year. One Big Happy Family. Both good and couldn’t be more different.

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  32. This is off topic but I have a question for all authors.
    I just finished reading the third book of an author who posts on this blog, The book was very good, but one subplot seemed rather strange snd superfluous!
    In short she had some young men brutally and graphically kill a cat. It was a story not having anything to do with the main plot. Also, it was treated as if it was not a big deal that the kids acted so brutally.
    I cannot recommend the book to many because of this subplot.
    I really liked most of this book. It is very well written.
    Should I mention the subplot problem to the author?



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    1. I am not a reader who will not read a book just because there is brutality to any living thing. If it is logical to the plot and seems like an essential part of the story, then brutality does not deter me from residing the book.
      The subplot in this book is so out of context and handled badly. I have no idea why the author added this subplot to an otherwise excellent book. It seems completely unnecessary to me.

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    2. I;d adore to have you all weigh in. If I were the author--which I could not be!--I'm not sure I would want to hear that. What do you all think?

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    3. I thought maybe the plot was suggested by an editor, agent or someone the author thought they could not refuse. In that case, the author should know it is hurting the overall reception of the book.
      If I were the author I would want to know.


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    4. Well, I'm reading this, and I'm the author of the book under discussion in which three boys 11-12 (not young men) kill a pet cat. Two of the children who are involved are so upset about what they've done that they go to the police to confess. A third is clearly the ringleader, and the police take that very seriously, deciding to keep a careful eye on him in the future. Another boy's mother is almost hysterical in her horror over her son's actions. There is also discussion about his punishments. So I'm surprised you think it's treated as not a big deal.

      I wrote this episode with a lot of thought, and I don't find it gratuitous to the main plot. I think it has a lot to say about bullying and the way children--and adults--will do terrible things to be accepted by ringleaders. I had pet cats all through my childhood, and I love cats, but that doesn't keep me from writing about something I think is important. I'm very sad that you are offended, Anonymous, but I think the cat story is a good illustration of several themes in the book, and I'm not going to apologize for it. I'm not sure you realize how common it is for children to hurt or even kill animals---it's a serious issue that many parents have to deal with. I can see you feel strongly that everyone should have reacted in a different way to what the boys did. If you would like to write me and tell me what you think the parents and police should have done, I'd be very interested to hear. My email is kimhaysbern@gmail.com. To everyone else, sorry for the spoilers. I hope at least some of you will try A FONDNESS FOR TRUTH despite Anonymous's concerns.

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    5. Kim, I will definitely try your book. Thank you for not remaining anonymous and for addressing the comment directly. — Pat S

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    6. Kim, I addressed something similar in one of my books, also with a lot of thought. I did a lot of research on the subject, as I'm sure you did, and that sort of cruelty is very often an indicator of deeper problems. I think it's certainly relevant to a crime novel. And I'm very much looking forward to the book.

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    7. In answer to your question, also, I think you have told the author.

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    8. Thank you, Pat and Debs and an unknown person, for your comments.

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  33. Talent is what separates good writers and their work.

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  34. I think you, Hank, are up for any challenge that comes your way. Coming up with a two-page synopsis, no problem. You really should wear a cape denoting your status as Super Woman. I find inspiration in your work. I don't follow through on it, but, well, baby steps. Oh, and I agree with others that your book with an idea or subject that others may have, too, will stand out in the crowd.

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    1. Ha! You are such a true friend!

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    2. Oh dear, that was me, Hank. Xx

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  35. So what if most books rely on comfortable tropes? I believe that the human imagination is still capable of creating new stories that make great reads. In your books, Hank, you have an amazing ability to surprise even the most experienced reader with your masterful and fresh twists and turns. that's how you keep it fresh.

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    1. Well, truly, that is the nicest thing I’ve ever heard. Thank you. So very very much. Xxxx

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  36. Sorry I didn't answer your question, Hank, but I don't think what I have to say is different from what the others said. We are influenced by our shared culture to come up with similar stories, but we usually handle them in completely different ways based on the unique ways that our minds work.

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    1. So very true, dear friend! And thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  37. My college drama prof. said there were only five plots, and the art is in the execution of them. ;-)
    I told students something like that when they fussed that someone had "stolen my idea."
    -- Storyteller Mary

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    1. You are always wonderful… It is such a high wire act.

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  38. There may be similar books, but they are not YOUR book. I have read some books that were so similar I thought maybe I was rereading the same book over. I still am able to get something new out of each author's telling. Also, I did see this on your facebook post. :)

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  39. Yes, there is a universal consciousness thing. It’s more or less individual depending on your interests and what your brain lights on in the ether. Otherwise we wouldn’t have the expression ‘great minds think alike’.
    You have been down this road before - the what is my next idea and the blank screen! And you always pull the rabbit out of the hat. I’m going with your track record and know that you will produce something I want to read. It doesn’t have to be original (as if there is actually such a thing), it just has to be your best effort at the time. You’ve got this!

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