tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post6821538974124174442..comments2024-03-28T13:37:53.397-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: Losing the EdgeLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-10977409164411771642013-05-11T22:12:11.889-04:002013-05-11T22:12:11.889-04:00Just got back. Thanks, folks, for the comments an...Just got back. Thanks, folks, for the comments and insights.<br /><br />Dale, you and Fran are correct. There were a few misfires along the way, in the Kingster's novel output. But I do find comfort in the fact that several of his latest projects turned out pretty darn good.<br /><br />Louis, maybe they DO run out of material. That's one thing I didn't even consider. I like Herschel's response to your question: maybe outside influences, like rapidly advancing technology, make it harder for ANYone to write good mysteries these days.<br /><br />Vicki, one reason I might have so enjoyed the Reacher series is that I didn't bother to read the novels in order, and thus didn't save the latest until last.<br /><br />Anon, I enjoyed your observations about creating your pieces of art. I only wish I had that talent.<br /><br />Terrie, you're right, it is work--but you must admit it's enjoyable too. Ah, play vs. work--I once heard someone say they're interchangeable: Shakespeare's plays were works, and his works were plays.<br /><br />John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-13711834642153213492013-05-11T18:13:00.549-04:002013-05-11T18:13:00.549-04:00Excellent post, John. Lots of food for thought. Yo...Excellent post, John. Lots of food for thought. You are so lucky that you find writing to be therapy and recreation. For me it has always been work, hard work. But I will continue to write until I decide that I am done "working." When that day comes, I'll step away from the keyboard. However I don't think that will happen any time soon.Terrie Farley Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04980849018232866773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-86642669447968405382013-05-11T17:35:33.422-04:002013-05-11T17:35:33.422-04:00It happens in other areas as well. I loved art all...It happens in other areas as well. I loved art all my life until I spent about 10 years doing it for pay, commercially. It was nice to have my work published, but doing it for other people and on a strict deadline changed something. The pleasure in the act of creating turned to ashes. I quit doing it for pay (changed my work) nearly 25 years ago now, and it is only in the last 5 years that the joy has started to seep back into it enough for me to pick up materials and just draw or paint for myself again. It's always made me wonder about the works of writers whose first few books are so good, but whose last few seem unpublishable -- except for the name on the spine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-39317600368805617612013-05-11T16:09:42.144-04:002013-05-11T16:09:42.144-04:00Hi John,
Hope you're having a productive and ...Hi John,<br /><br />Hope you're having a productive and fun day with the book signing. I enjoyed reading your column today. (I actually remembered to read it on the right day.)<br /><br />You mentioned Lee Child staying at the top of his game. I don't agree. A couple of his last few Jack Reacher novels have been a tad flat-just my opinion. It's left me thinking it's time to wish the character well and send him on his way. That's a tough one for me because I've been a huge fan of the series.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18211113589300842194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-44452540719124143532013-05-11T15:33:37.968-04:002013-05-11T15:33:37.968-04:00Louis, I think I qualify, at least in the age depa...Louis, I think I qualify, at least in the age department, to address your comment. Speaking for myself, I have found it difficult in the past few years to come up with ideas that interest me enough to spend time writing about them. And I find that my current writings lack something--I don't know what exactly. Energy? Spontaneity?<br /><br />Changing genres is an option, and I have done that with a modicum of success. Westerns, nostalgia (a good one for seniors), even romance, (although in my case romance is not on the list).<br />To those who continue to be productive and successful in their declining years, I tip my cap. <br /><br />It's not an unwillingness to change with the times, at least not in my case. But I find that writing mysteries is more difficult for me, what with smartphones, computers, and all sorts of crime solving technology that changes the playing field. Ine hass to learn a whole new language and for that matter, a whole new way of life. My way of handling that is to set my stories in the fifties and sixties. I don't know if that is what editors want. <br /><br />I could go on, but I think you get my drift.<br /><br />PS: I have often wondered why my posts always has a trash can under them. Is this site trying to tell me something?Herschel Cozinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06097703750150309319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-42700493209146024622013-05-11T14:42:06.728-04:002013-05-11T14:42:06.728-04:00John, you on a subject that I think about often. I...John, you on a subject that I think about often. I haven’t yet found an answer to how some writers continue to produce entertaining stories into their old age while others just kinda lose their edge. Do their run out of material? But then they could change genres as some of the writers you mentioned. Are they unwilling or unable to change with the times?Louis A. Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16563842429688123421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-36130351382738499762013-05-11T10:17:03.032-04:002013-05-11T10:17:03.032-04:00John -- As you and I have discussed, we are both K...John -- As you and I have discussed, we are both King fans. But I agree with Fran that some of King's middle works are disappointing. Insomnia, for example, I just didn't like. Overblown and not enough story. My theory on this is that King's need to write outstrips his creativity. I think sometimes he writes a novel before he has a great idea for a novel. 11/22/63 is a great example of an idea that just takes off, and becomes a really great read. I am hoping that can be said of the sequel to The Shining, due out this fall! Dale Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553503281187956955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-74270725480785951232013-05-11T07:38:05.946-04:002013-05-11T07:38:05.946-04:00Thanks, Thelma. You and I are probably thinking o...Thanks, Thelma. You and I are probably thinking of some of the same names, right now. Although I do keep reading those folks, and buying their books.<br /><br />Fran, you're right about King's slump, which lasted quite a while. But he came out of it in fine style. And I love the way you make my "book tour" sound more grand than it is. I am having a lot of fun, though--today I'll be driving to a signing about 100 miles south (probably in the rain). Have a great Mother's Day tomorrow! John Floydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04001712728130488485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-54553199121954801582013-05-11T06:19:47.156-04:002013-05-11T06:19:47.156-04:00Good morning, John,
I don't see how you found ...Good morning, John,<br />I don't see how you found time to write this insightful blog while on your book-signing tour, but I agree with what you said. <br /><br />One thing I'd like to point out. Stephen King has been one of my favorite authors since THE STAND, and I agree that 11/22/63 is just as good; however, even King went through a spell when his work wasn't up to the level of those two. In his case, it may well have been personal problems, health, and injury, but it sometimes happens to the best. <br />Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-45691716234006073242013-05-11T04:39:15.032-04:002013-05-11T04:39:15.032-04:00John, I was relieved to read these excellent comme...John, I was relieved to read these excellent comments - as I read a lot of the big "bestsellers" and have found that in the last couple of years many of them simply do not hold my interest!!! This validates what I'd thought - thank you! Thelma Straw in ManhattanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com