The Author's Study - Leave your questions for LRK in this thread.

[vicki]

If you have a question for LRK, please leave it in this thread. She'll try to address as many as she can when she gets back in. Thanks!

[katfisher]

Hi Ms. King! Any chance you plan to continue Rae's jouney on the island? Folly is such a well written book I can actually visualize the hue of the rocks on the towers at sunset, catch a wiff of salt water along the banks in the lavender dawn. This book lived and breathed for my like no other book I have ever read. I would be so thrilled to peek into Rae's world again.

[Carlina]

Hello again Ms. King,

My condolences again on your loss and I hope your family, husband included, are healing and doing well.

Here's one I am curious to know...Will Holmes take up the needle again? I find it difficult to believe that a man that has done cocaine for 30 years will stop suddenly...just because a challenging apprentice comes his way. Its like saying he's going to stop smoking. It seems like you left the door open in Letter of Mary when Russell says he had stopped the cocaine, or so she thought...Then again I could be wrong...reader's intepretation.

Thanks again for your time!

[AmyLizzie]

Hi,

I know you recently visited England, what do you really think of the English? :) Thanks,

AmyLizzie xx

[vicki]

Elsethread, docwatson asked the following question:


I loved [Califia's Daughters] and was wondering if there will be a sequel?


Some in the thread were also curious about whether you'll continue to use a pseudonym for your SF titles. Speaking of which, why was CD published under a pseudonym? I'm sure there are some good marketing reasons, but then again, I can think of similar instances where authors writing out of their usual genre published under their own names. So it would be interesting to know how those kinds of decisions come about.
http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/images/misc/progress.gif

[Hypatia]

We know that before Holmes and Russell appeared in San Francisco they spent three weeks in Japan. There also a reference to time previously spent in France. Will there be novels covering these periods?

[sherrie221]

Thank you for many hours of reading pleasure. My copies of your novels are getting quite worn out.

I am new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has been asked and answered many times before.

Do you plan to tell us any more about the son referred to in "A Monstrous Regiment of Women"? Especially, Holmes' relationship to his son, who the mother was, and how he died?

I realize that what you already revealed is very much in keeping with how Holmes has always handled his personal history - in that he allows so few people to know anything - but personal details about the man are all the more prized because they are so rarely revealed.

And you have tantalized us with a tidbit, so your readers can't help but beg for more!

Sherrie

[vicki]

Welcome, Sherrie! And welcome to any of you that I may not have already greeted elsethread!


Do you plan to tell us any more about the son referred to in "A Monstrous Regiment of Women"?


I've also long wondered about Holmes's "lovely, lost son."

[Carlina]

Welcome, Sherrie! And welcome to any of you that I may not have already greeted elsethread!



I've also long wondered about Holmes's "lovely, lost son."

I know LRK has said previously on her blog that this would be a most depressing book to write...I can almost imagine knowing Holmes...dear me..

[sherrie221]

Somehow, I think it might take an illness, in which Holmes is caught up in fever dreams and relives various parts of his troubled past. Perhaps we would even be granted a glimpse of his own tragic childhood, since Russell has so recently reconciled herself with her own.

And I would be extremely flattered (and flabbergasted) if it actually came about that way. When I read similar ideas in a fandom, I chalk it up to something like the Force... we are all so invested in these characters that we seem to tap into a "shared consciousness" when we think or write about them. I think it's a wonderful thing.

I did have another question. I know Russell refers to the son as "lost", but did anyone actually say he was dead? After all there are many ways, short of death, that someone can become lost to us.

Sherrie

[wsmvgn]

I'm a totally in the tank fan of Mary Russell and Kate Martinelli.

One thing I've not been able to figure out was why Holmes needed two kinds of paint for the bees in the opening scene of Beekeeper. Seems like you'd only need that if you already had the answer to the question you were working on. Or maybe Holmes and Russell are smarter than I am.

[Carlina]

So how does it feel to have won a Lamda? Inquiring minds want to know! You have to be over the moon! Congrats again :D !

[irish]

How does it feel to be known as LRK by all of us?

For five years, I was only called by my last name-- it's still off to be called by my first name. Is LRK or Laurie more familiar to you? (or maybe Mom?!)

Irish

[Vilian]

Hello Ms.King and greetings from Poland!

While I'm still during the process of gathering all the Russells (which is not easy in that crazy country where I live), I'm already very very curious about many things, some already mentioned by other inquiring minds ;)
First, yes, I'd love to know everything about the "lost son" of Holmes. When and from whom did Russell learn about that mysterious person? Who was his mother? I can't imagine Holmes having intimate relationship with random lady he did not truly care for, and since in his whole life Holmes seemed to care for two women only - Russell and Irene Adler - I'd assume it was Irene who was the mother. I'd also assume it was probably why she "sent him away" after she "had loved him for a time", because pregnancy limited her freedom even more that relationship with Holmes being such independant creature as she was. But how does it fit into story told us by ACD, especially Irene's marriage and quick runaway? And how Holmes learned that he has a son, and why come the child is "lost"? Please, please drop us some shreds of info Ms.King, either here or in 9th Russell novel, please :)
Another thing that bothers me is also children-themed. We know that Holmes was "as energetic and scrupulously attentive to detail in the physical aspects of marriage as ever he was in an investigation or laboratory experiment". Can we expect a child someday then? A brilliant offspring to two amazing people? Birth control is one thing, especially that Holmes is not getting any younger, but on the other hand nothing can stop a couple that wants to have a baby... (I'm truly sorry if this was already somehow covered in later Russells, I've read three first ones only, still waiting for three more to fill-in the gaps between those I've read and two more I have but are out of reading order for now)
Sad thing is, that Holmes had to meet his end someday, as even such vital people can't live for 150 years. My another question is, have you ever thought about it? I mean, after all that would bring an end to the series. Do you already have your own vision of such horrible novel to read for us, Russell-Holmes fans? (sorry again if this was again covered somehow in interviews or something like that, as such materials are mostly out of my reach here)
Hope to get at least partial answers to my questions, sooner or later, and thank you in advance for them :D

Good luck for the future to you and yours
Justyna Chodzinska a.k.a Vilian

[sherrie221]

I have many of the same questions as Vilian. Perhaps, as she says, in the next Russell, LRK could give us some of the answers... ;)

Miss Laurie (now I'm showing my GRITS) I'd love to know if you will give us a follow-up to Folly and Keeping Watch, telling Rae and Allen's combined story. Also, I would love to see more from your universe of A Darker Place. Anne Waverly is a fascinating character who deserves to have more of her story told.

I know I asked some of these questions already, but I just keep thinking of more things I want to know!

Sherrie

p.s. For anyone wondering, GRITS = Girl Raised In The South :D

[Carlina]

Building on what Vilian has asked...about Holmes' possible death...

God no...I can't imagine Holmes dead! *proceeds to have a nervous breakdown* Don't let it be cancer...don't...don't...no...let him die in action....if he's to die at all...let him die vital...*crawls in corner to pull self together*

[vicki]

In reading Miss Russell's MySpace page, I get the impression that Holmes is with us still. And if any team were capable of finding the fountain of youth, it would be those two. :)

[wsmvgn]

At the end of Monstrous, Holmes knocks Russell out with a blow to the head. This action trouble me, and a number of other readers. I'd have prefered that he'd used some sort of kung foo pressure point to render her unconscous. Why a blow to the head? Not nice!

[vicki]

Yah, Holmes definitely could have used Mr. Spock's Vulcan nerve-pinch in that scene. But maybe he had studied that exact placement and pressure of cranial strikes so as to stun the strikee (is that a word?) without actually causing injury. :)

I was glad that Russell slapped him silly afterwards. He had it coming, in spite of his noble intentions.

[M. Diane]

wherefore art tho...the VBC is indeed a daft substitute, yet and still a substitute.

are you well, overbusy with rewrites, family affairs?

I miss so your pithy observations on life.

M. Diane

[Kerry]

At the end of Monstrous, Holmes knocks Russell out with a blow to the head. This action trouble me, and a number of other readers. I'd have prefered that he'd used some sort of kung foo pressure point to render her unconscous. Why a blow to the head? Not nice!

I don't have the exact scene handy, so I can't place all this in as much context as I'd like. However, I can testify to the fact that there really aren't any magic pressure points that (1) can be administered quickly and accurately (2) work reliably (responses to pressure points vary enormously among individuals) and (3) render someone instantly unconscious. You can use a choke hold to cut off the flow of blood to the brain via the carotid arteries (the "sleeper hold"), but that obviously takes a while. All in all, if Russell is in danger and knocking her out is the only way to save her, a blow to the head is probably the least of the possible evils . . .

[The Grey Badger]

What? He doesn't know the Vulcan Nerve Pinch?:confused:

[vicki]

What? He doesn't know the Vulcan Nerve Pinch?:confused:


Bwahahahaha! Badger funny.

I'm not sure what fiction would even look like without the reliable old head-whack literary device. Writers have been whacking heads for a long time. In fact, I imagine that every mystery and thriller writer has whacked a character's head (or otherwise rendered him/her conveniently unconscious) at one time or another.

[Carlina]

...and I thought he was related to Spock somehow...tut tut tut....

[AtypicalSororityGirl]

Dear Ms. King,
I've noticed that into the Russell books you put loosely some elements of your own life:
--CA
--spectacles
--reading
--theology in college
--older husband
So, I was wondering if the decision to make Russell Jewish was from any background of your own? It fascinates me ...I'm technically speaking Jewish on my mother's side, removed from it by two generations though. Russell's musings on the extent of her Jewishness make for good reading. I love and admire your books.......found Beekeeper when I was 14, and they've followed me halfway through college at this point. Keep up the writing! One more question before I go.....
--Any movie plans for Beekeeper? I would be SO excited.

[laurierking]

I'd sure like to do another in the "San Juans Cycle" that links with Folly and Keeping Watch--and maybe even manages to tie in "Darker Place" as well. Life just doesn't seem to give a person any extra hours in the day, does it?

[jtb1951]

I'd sure like to do another in the "San Juans Cycle" that links with Folly and Keeping Watch--and maybe even manages to tie in "Darker Place" as well. Life just doesn't seem to give a person any extra hours in the day, does it?

I, for one, will patiently wait for that book!! Thanks for making this all possible; we love you!!:)

John.

[laurierking]

Hello again Ms. King,

My condolences again on your loss and I hope your family, husband included, are healing and doing well.

Here's one I am curious to know...Will Holmes take up the needle again? I find it difficult to believe that a man that has done cocaine for 30 years will stop suddenly...just because a challenging apprentice comes his way. Its like saying he's going to stop smoking. It seems like you left the door open in Letter of Mary when Russell says he had stopped the cocaine, or so she thought...Then again I could be wrong...reader's intepretation.

Thanks again for your time!
Well, Holmes used the needle primarily from boredom. Can you see him bored around Russell?

[laurierking]

Hi,

I know you recently visited England, what do you really think of the English? :) Thanks,

AmyLizzie xx
I haven't been to England for nearly two years, and I'm writing a guest blog for Rhys Bowen's group blog (grog??) about my fantasy trip there, which I'll post about on Mutterings when she puts it up.

What do I think about the English? Jolly good, all of them.

[laurierking]

Elsethread, docwatson asked the following question:



Some in the thread were also curious about whether you'll continue to use a pseudonym for your SF titles. Speaking of which, why was CD published under a pseudonym? I'm sure there are some good marketing reasons, but then again, I can think of similar instances where authors writing out of their usual genre published under their own names. So it would be interesting to know how those kinds of decisions come about.
http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/images/misc/progress.gif
Random House published Califia's Daughters from the goodness of their corporate hearts, not that they expected to make any money from it. As indeed, they probably have not. But because the economic realities of the trade include the fact that the big booksellers' orders are based on the numbers of the author's previous book sold, it's a risk to publish something out of the ordinary, for the author and the publisher alike.

Publishing it as a paperback original, under a pseudonym, allowed me to have it in print without stepping on anyone's toes, including my own.

I'm glad you've enjoyed it, and I look forward to next year's discussion of the book.

[laurierking]

We know that before Holmes and Russell appeared in San Francisco they spent three weeks in Japan. There also a reference to time previously spent in France. Will there be novels covering these periods?
Yes. If I live long enough...

[laurierking]

Thank you for many hours of reading pleasure. My copies of your novels are getting quite worn out.

I am new to the forum, so I apologize if this question has been asked and answered many times before.

Do you plan to tell us any more about the son referred to in "A Monstrous Regiment of Women"? Especially, Holmes' relationship to his son, who the mother was, and how he died?

I realize that what you already revealed is very much in keeping with how Holmes has always handled his personal history - in that he allows so few people to know anything - but personal details about the man are all the more prized because they are so rarely revealed.

And you have tantalized us with a tidbit, so your readers can't help but beg for more!

Sherrie
Again, yes, insh'Allah.

[laurierking]

I'm a totally in the tank fan of Mary Russell and Kate Martinelli.

One thing I've not been able to figure out was why Holmes needed two kinds of paint for the bees in the opening scene of Beekeeper. Seems like you'd only need that if you already had the answer to the question you were working on. Or maybe Holmes and Russell are smarter than I am.
Can we throw this into the discussion of the book itself, next month?

[laurierking]

How does it feel to be known as LRK by all of us?

For five years, I was only called by my last name-- it's still off to be called by my first name. Is LRK or Laurie more familiar to you? (or maybe Mom?!)

Irish
The only person who calls me Lurk to my face is Barbara Peters of the Poisoned Pen, and she's allowed. Otherwise I'm Laurie, or Ms. King if you insist on formality. Never Mrs. King, that would be my mother in law who died a long time ago.

[laurierking]

Hello Ms.King and greetings from Poland!

While I'm still during the process of gathering all the Russells (which is not easy in that crazy country where I live), I'm already very very curious about many things, some already mentioned by other inquiring minds ;)
First, yes, I'd love to know everything about the "lost son" of Holmes. When and from whom did Russell learn about that mysterious person? Who was his mother? I can't imagine Holmes having intimate relationship with random lady he did not truly care for, and since in his whole life Holmes seemed to care for two women only - Russell and Irene Adler - I'd assume it was Irene who was the mother. I'd also assume it was probably why she "sent him away" after she "had loved him for a time", because pregnancy limited her freedom even more that relationship with Holmes being such independant creature as she was. But how does it fit into story told us by ACD, especially Irene's marriage and quick runaway? And how Holmes learned that he has a son, and why come the child is "lost"? Please, please drop us some shreds of info Ms.King, either here or in 9th Russell novel, please :)
Another thing that bothers me is also children-themed. We know that Holmes was "as energetic and scrupulously attentive to detail in the physical aspects of marriage as ever he was in an investigation or laboratory experiment". Can we expect a child someday then? A brilliant offspring to two amazing people? Birth control is one thing, especially that Holmes is not getting any younger, but on the other hand nothing can stop a couple that wants to have a baby... (I'm truly sorry if this was already somehow covered in later Russells, I've read three first ones only, still waiting for three more to fill-in the gaps between those I've read and two more I have but are out of reading order for now)
Sad thing is, that Holmes had to meet his end someday, as even such vital people can't live for 150 years. My another question is, have you ever thought about it? I mean, after all that would bring an end to the series. Do you already have your own vision of such horrible novel to read for us, Russell-Holmes fans? (sorry again if this was again covered somehow in interviews or something like that, as such materials are mostly out of my reach here)
Hope to get at least partial answers to my questions, sooner or later, and thank you in advance for them :D

Good luck for the future to you and yours
Justyna Chodzinska a.k.a Vilian
I'd suggest this lost son thing is best devoted to a discussion when we come to that book, if you don't mind.

As for offspring, God, what a terrifying thought. If I can't even manage to incorporate a decent Watson into the books, how on earth would I manage a kid?

[laurierking]

I have many of the same questions as Vilian. Perhaps, as she says, in the next Russell, LRK could give us some of the answers... ;)

Miss Laurie (now I'm showing my GRITS) I'd love to know if you will give us a follow-up to Folly and Keeping Watch, telling Rae and Allen's combined story. Also, I would love to see more from your universe of A Darker Place. Anne Waverly is a fascinating character who deserves to have more of her story told.

I know I asked some of these questions already, but I just keep thinking of more things I want to know!

Sherrie

p.s. For anyone wondering, GRITS = Girl Raised In The South :D
I've answered this, above.

Remind me to bring it up when we get to the discussion for A Darker Place, tentatively in October.

[laurierking]

Building on what Vilian has asked...about Holmes' possible death...

God no...I can't imagine Holmes dead! *proceeds to have a nervous breakdown* Don't let it be cancer...don't...don't...no...let him die in action....if he's to die at all...let him die vital...*crawls in corner to pull self together*
My dear, if his obituary hasn't appeared in The Times of London, clearly he has not yet passed on to that great investigation of the Beyond.

[laurierking]

wherefore art tho...the VBC is indeed a daft substitute, yet and still a substitute.

are you well, overbusy with rewrites, family affairs?

I miss so your pithy observations on life.

M. Diane
My pithy observations are still chuntering away at the blog. Maybe you haven't signed up for the new one? The syndications option should work now.

[laurierking]

I don't have the exact scene handy, so I can't place all this in as much context as I'd like. However, I can testify to the fact that there really aren't any magic pressure points that (1) can be administered quickly and accurately (2) work reliably (responses to pressure points vary enormously among individuals) and (3) render someone instantly unconscious. You can use a choke hold to cut off the flow of blood to the brain via the carotid arteries (the "sleeper hold"), but that obviously takes a while. All in all, if Russell is in danger and knocking her out is the only way to save her, a blow to the head is probably the least of the possible evils . . .
Now, I expect this all to repeat when we come to the book in August, okay?

[Carlina]

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for the time for responses as always!

Well, Holmes used the needle primarily from boredom. Can you see him bored around Russell?

um...*casts naughty thoughts from mind* no...I guess not. He does run circles around her...and why on earth are images of hives and bees buzzing around them popping in my head now....

My dear, if his obituary hasn't appeared in The Times of London, clearly he has not yet passed on to that great investigation of the Beyond.

Thank goodness!!! *Lets out huge sigh of relief* I feel so relieved! The thought of Holmes...*shudders* dead..horrible. I love that by the way...the great investigation of the Beyond! Quite witty! You never cease to make me laugh!

Thanks again for the time as always.

[laurierking]

Dear Ms. King,
I've noticed that into the Russell books you put loosely some elements of your own life:
--CA
--spectacles
--reading
--theology in college
--older husband
So, I was wondering if the decision to make Russell Jewish was from any background of your own? It fascinates me ...I'm technically speaking Jewish on my mother's side, removed from it by two generations though. Russell's musings on the extent of her Jewishness make for good reading. I love and admire your books.......found Beekeeper when I was 14, and they've followed me halfway through college at this point. Keep up the writing! One more question before I go.....
--Any movie plans for Beekeeper? I would be SO excited.


As I say when asked this question during a reading, the similarities are more apparent than actual. I am not Mary Russell, and sure as shooting my husband isn't Sherlock Holmes.

I'd suggest you take a look at the Really Complete Laurie King Autobiography, a ridiculously long document at http://www.laurierking.com/autobiography.php that gives you an idea of where I come from and what I am, and am not.

Not Jewish, although a student of the Hebrew Bible. Not lesbian, although some of my good friends/family/etc...


As for movies, Hollywood is constantly on the verge of making a Russell film. Just any minute now. In the meantime, you can make a film in your own head. Probably much more satisfying.

[leah_s]

He will live forever despite his own wishes. "The material, the sensual, the wordly would all prolong their worthless lives. The spiritual would not avoid the call to something higher..." (Creeping Man)
Ah, well- this reader would be very sorry to read that Mr. Holmes has begun that great investigation of the Beyond.

[wsmvgn]

Will Holmes take up the needle again? I find it difficult to believe that a man that has done cocaine for 30 years will stop suddenly...just because a challenging apprentice comes his way.

Hard to know. You're never sure you're over an addiction until you die. I'm 32 years sober in AA, but I've been working with a guy who'd been coming to AA for a decade and still doesn't have a year put together. I'm hoping he's turned the corner.

I want to believe that the moment Holmes meets Russell, he gives up cocaine, but who knows.

[kitmarlowescot2]

I was wondering since their are so many TV shows that feature Sherlock Holmes like characters, do any in their in characterizations, ever annoy you Ms. King ? Such as Adrian Monk or Gregory House ?

Also I know in the beginning of the first novel, Mary talked about how many stories have taken Sherlock Holmes put him in impossible situations, have any ever just amused her ?

Personally I always thought Sherlock being related to Dracula was among the funniest.

[vicki]

this reader would be very sorry to read that Mr. Holmes has begun that great investigation of the Beyond


As would this reader! Hi, Leah, and welcome to the VBC!


I want to believe that the moment Holmes meets Russell, he gives up cocaine, but who knows.


I sort of wonder if he used cocaine during his time with Irene Adler. I suspect he wasn't bored with her, although there were likely other issues.

I always thought Sherlock being related to Dracula was among the funniest.

Welcome to you, too, kitmarlowescot! I seem to recall that Russell herself compared Holmes to a "Byronic vampire" or something to that effect in the scene in MREG where he startles her one night by materializing in a shadowy doorway.

[kitmarlowescot2]

Yes I could very well see Holmes as a vampire, I think he would love modern CSI tools. I wonder what would be his favorite. DNA sequencer perhaps ?
You know I forgot to mention Gil Grissom, but I always thought his personality was very much more subdued than Holmes.
I did love the short story book dealing with a Lovecraft/Holmes type of crossover, thought something like that would drive Russell's Holmes crazy. Does Holmes in the Mary Russell books ever want to make you smack him ? I did especially in "A Monstrous Regiment of Women", somehow I think Holmes learned young to run away quickly when dealing with woman he might have angered intentionally.

[Ruthie]

Ms King,
how well are you able to control your characters? - do you ever have difficulties in making them tread the path you wish, or does a "quick" rewrite sort them out? and if you do have problems is it with the quieter or less developed characters rather than with the stronger, more dynamic ones such as Russell and Holmes?

and also - do you mind the pressure to keep writing that we all put you under. Our problem is that you will probably never write as fast as we can read, and whilst your books have a very high re-readability index we do crave more from you.

Ruthie

[laurierking]

Some Qs for and As from LRK--

I was wondering since their are so many TV shows that feature Sherlock Holmes like characters, do any in their in characterizations, ever annoy you Ms. King ? Such as Adrian Monk or Gregory House ?

Also I know in the beginning of the first novel, Mary talked about how many stories have taken Sherlock Holmes put him in impossible situations, have any ever just amused her ?

Personally I always thought Sherlock being related to Dracula was among the funniest.

I missed the one linking Holmes to the Count, although I'm sure my friend Les Klinger, who wrote the three volume Annotated Sherlock Holmes and is now working on the Dracula story, is an expert on this one.

And who am I to complain that people draw on Holmes in creating their characters? It's irritating when they just seize on the surface quirks, but making a RENT out of LA BOHEME? I have no problem with that, it's part of the dialogue of art.


Does Holmes in the Mary Russell books ever want to make you smack him ? I did especially in "A Monstrous Regiment of Women", somehow I think Holmes learned young to run away quickly when dealing with woman he might have angered intentionally.

The term bitch-slap comes to mind.

how well are you able to control your characters? - do you ever have difficulties in making them tread the path you wish, or does a "quick" rewrite sort them out? and if you do have problems is it with the quieter or less developed characters rather than with the stronger, more dynamic ones such as Russell and Holmes?

I'm not sure I ever do control the characters. It's more exploring them, and choosing what parts of that exploration go onto the page and what parts are boring or distracting. Major characters are not generally a problem, as they and their interactions carry the story. The problems tend to come with the supporting actors, when I find I've overlooked a character, and my editor will point out that the shallow treatment makes the story the less. THAT can be tough, because often adding weight to a character throws the balance of the story off, which takes a lot of small tweaking to restore.

and also - do you mind the pressure to keep writing that we all put you under. Our problem is that you will probably never write as fast as we can read, and whilst your books have a very high re-readability index we do crave more from you.

I am grateful that you want my words enough to shell out hard cash for them. That I can't write more of them can be a disappointment, for me as much as you (no book in 2007 is a tough one, believe me) but it takes me a certain length of time to write a book, and I've never found a way to hurry the process. I'd also like to be able fly a small plane, or speak Japanese, or do karate. If I rearranged my life enough I could manage any of those, but choices have to be made, and I go for a balanced life every time.

Thanks for reading.

Laurie

[library_student]

Some Qs for and As from LRK--
I missed the one linking Holmes to the Count, although I'm sure my friend Les Klinger, who wrote the three volume Annotated Sherlock Holmes and is now working on the Dracula story, is an expert on this one.

Laurie

Here's the books: Saberhagen, Fred. (1978). The Holmes-Dracula File. New York: TOR Horror, Tom Doherty Associates.

Saberhagen, Fred. (1994). Seance for a Vampire. New York: TOR Horror, Tom Doherty Associates.

Fred Saberhagen was co-author of the Bram Stoker's Dracula movie novelization.

LRK, you have my sympathy for your mother's death. My mother died after an extended bout with stomach cancer last August. I, too, wrote my mother's obituary, on the unanimous decision of the rest of my family. My mom liked anything Dracula and was also rather appreciative of your books as well. My copies of the above books had been a gift from my mother, after she finished reading them.

My mother had gotten me my hardcover copies of LETT and MOOR, and I only wish she had inscribed them as such. Since my mother was a historian, any books either written in the Victorian era or before, or were well written for time and place, my mother considered as good writing. LRK, your writing passed my mother's standards easily!

Could you please add some sort of bibliography to your works? I would like to have a list "For Further Reading" about the time period or setting for reference (see my username!). :-) Since there are some references within the books, I can look those up, but for BEEK, for instance: what would Mary Russell recommend as good references for more information about the "Great War", land girls, or Oxford University for women or during the War? Many thanks!

[Kerry]

Now, I expect this all to repeat when we come to the book in August, okay?

The pleasure will be all mine, I'm sure ;) . Thanks, as always, for taking the time to answer our queries!

[Lady Natalie Bennet]

Ms. King, if you don't mind my asking, do you have a title for Mary Russell's next adventure?

I've been waiting with much anticipation since I finished your last one!

[vicki]

Could you please add some sort of bibliography to your works? I would like to have a list "For Further Reading" about the time period or setting for reference (see my username!).


Hi, library student! You are in luck--Laurie already has a great bibliography on her website--lookee (http://laurierking.com/scholars_corner-recommended.php#frombooks)! It's part of her fun recommended reading page (http://laurierking.com/scholars_corner-recommended.php).

[kitmarlowescot2]

Ms. King and library student, I am so sorry you have both lost your mothers. It can be so tough having to deal with a sick elderly parent or grandparent , and feeling like your in limbo, while waiting in hospital or waiting for treatments to work. But I still can't imagine losing my mother.
I didn't know that about Ms. King, I should read her blog more often. I thought something had happened to your husband. I hope he is doing better.


And yes, Bitch slap would be the word. Or being water ballooned like some my own relatives use to do to people they didn't particularly like. I don't suppose Ms. King you would buy an item because one of your characters would like it ? I have heard of another writer actually doing that.

[Carlina]

The term bitch-slap comes to mind.

Now that, my dear Ms. King, is a classic! I wonder if Russ will ever treat him to one of those? On that note I've always wondered if you ever thought about exploring the darker side of his character? That brooding moodiness? This leads to yet another question. The realm of fanfiction has enjoyed bringing Irene Adler into the life of Russell and Holmes. Have you ever considered that or avoided it like the plague? I guess on the one hand there is more that you could reveal about the characters, but on the other......well....

Best wishes and health.....

[library_student]

library student, I am so sorry you have both lost your mothers. It can be so tough having to deal with a sick elderly parent or grandparent , and feeling like your in limbo, while waiting in hospital or waiting for treatments to work. But I still can't imagine losing my mother.


My mother wasn't elderly, by most people's standards I think. I managed to get her friends and family to help me compile a (memory) scrapbook for her 58th birthday in June 2006, when we knew she probably wasn't going to make it much longer and Mom died in early August. I did get the accolade from her that the scrapbook was "something her mother would have done for her," an extremely high compliment in our family!

Mary Russell was born 1900, and my maternal grandmother in 1902 was a standout for her time period as well. She owned and ran a factory during the Great Depression after her father died. Grandma would talk about taking certain things "and put them in your memory box," but we didn't know what she meant until we found it after her death in 1995. I think of MR's trunk and manuscripts as that "memory box" concept, with as unique an assortment of items!

[spiston]

Also my condolences for the loss of your mother, Ms. King, and yours, library student. I lost my mother in 2003; quite unexpectedly she passed at the age of 51. She was my best friend and I shall always divide my life in my mind to the time before her death and afterwards.

Recently I found some solace and company in grieving by reading Hope Edelman's "Letters from Motherless Daughters." She wrote a book called "Motherless Daughters" which I have not had access to which I intend to read as it might also contain some helpful information.

Should anyone wish to participate in a 'motherless daughters' caucus within this group I would be most amenable to exploring this unique type of grief, growth and renewal with you all.

[redherring]

Ms. King,

My deepest condolences on the loss of your mother, and I wish your husband a continued and speedy recovery.

I am new to the site as well although I have been reading your books for a long time, so like Sherrie, I apologize if you have answered this question before.

In the Kate Martinelli series, you present Kate’s relationship with Lee in such a natural and unselfconscious manner. Since you are not a lesbian yourself (judging by the existence of said husband), I wondered if you had been inspired by friends who are, and what led you to devote the main characters of a series to this somewhat controversial topic?

Thank you for taking the time to connect with your readers via your site and this forum.

redherring

[kitmarlowescot2]

I am sorry library student to have presumed your mother was elderly. My own is 60, and I hope will be around for a long time.

[laurierking]

Ms. King, if you don't mind my asking, do you have a title for Mary Russell's next adventure?


Absolutely not. I think of 18 books I've only had the titles for two or three beforehand, and sometimes it's an endless back and forth with my editor. I do know it'll begin in Sussex.

[laurierking]

I don't suppose Ms. King you would buy an item because one of your characters would like it ? I have heard of another writer actually doing that.

I might if it was something necessary to a plot development and I was not familiar with it. More likely, I'd ask someone who had one to show me how it works, so I get a flavor of how they interact with it and why they like it.

On the other hand, I have definitely been known to travel places a character has gone...

[laurierking]

I've always wondered if you ever thought about exploring the darker side of his character? That brooding moodiness?

Bipolar individuals like Holmes sometimes find that as they age, if their affliction hasn't killed them, it becomes less extreme. Self-medication (see the above questions about his cocaine use) becomes a bit less urgent, the fluctuations are less--the manic side not quite so wild, the depressive side a shade less bleak. Not that it goes away entirely, but perhaps it has something to do with hormones. Anyway, as Russell says, the Holmes she knows is not the Holmes Watson dealt with.

This leads to yet another question. The realm of fanfiction has enjoyed bringing Irene Adler into the life of Russell and Holmes. Have you ever considered that or avoided it like the plague?

The mind boggles. I can't even manage a good Watson adventure, and I'm supposed to mix in Irene?

[laurierking]

In the Kate Martinelli series, you present Kate’s relationship with Lee in such a natural and unselfconscious manner. Since you are not a lesbian yourself (judging by the existence of said husband), I wondered if you had been inspired by friends who are, and what led you to devote the main characters of a series to this somewhat controversial topic?

No, I am proof positive that sexual preference is inborn: Strangers seeing me might assume I am a dyke ("...in practical, that is, male clothing...") but I'm just not wired that way.

I actually didn't think about it being a controversial topic when I started writing a lesbian, any more than I thought about it when Russell and Veronica make disparaging remarks about being a lesbian in MREG. It fitted what Martinelli needed to be, so I just gathered it up and went on.

As a writing technique, i find the less-is-more approach works best, most always. I find it fascinating how often people feel I've "hit it right" when it comes to things that I'm not--being a cop, or a soldier in Vietnam, or a lesbian--and I think that if it's true, if I do manage to capture the experience in ways those on the inside recognize, it's because I leave all the research out, and just put in the voices themselves.

Maybe it's just that I am an effective thief, stealing the good bits and leaving aside the dross.

[Kerry]

Should anyone wish to participate in a 'motherless daughters' caucus within this group I would be most amenable to exploring this unique type of grief, growth and renewal with you all.

I'd enjoy that, too. I lost my mother a year ago, and the last six months I spent with her were a time of tremendous healing for me. I don't miss the mother of my childhood, but I miss the Mom I got to know during her final illness tremendously.

[kitmarlowescot2]

You know Les Klinger was just mentioned in Neil Gaiman's blog, do you know Neil too ?
I was also back reading this thread, and one of the questions mentioned children and birth control, what I am curious about is what is Holmes's opinion about birth control, and a woman's right to reproduction, I know at first he wasn't to keen on women's right in A Monstrous Regiment of Women, but I always thought it was more to annoy Russell than anything else. Would Holmes support birth control, and even abortion ?

Personally, Russell might want to actually try babysitting for a period of time, before maybe actually having one. Maybe a few days with a baby, might make up her mind. And I don't see Holmes doing diapers, though I might be wrong.

And I do think Russell does end up with some type of heir, be they blood or adopted.

[laurierking]

I was also back reading this thread, and one of the questions mentioned children and birth control, what I am curious about is what is Holmes's opinion about birth control, and a woman's right to reproduction, I know at first he wasn't to keen on women's right in A Monstrous Regiment of Women, but I always thought it was more to annoy Russell than anything else. Would Holmes support birth control, and even abortion ?


See, this is why I don't write the book after Monstrous Regiment and before Letter of Mary. By the time you get to Letter of Mary, all that stuff has been hammered out between them, and can remain private.

The emotional aspects of their relationship, that I can handle. The mechanics, I'm sorry, I just can't go very far down that path without looking around for something else to do.

[Strawberry Curls]

See, this is why I don't write the book after Monstrous Regiment and before Letter of Mary. By the time you get to Letter of Mary, all that stuff has been hammered out between them, and can remain private.

The emotional aspects of their relationship, that I can handle. The mechanics, I'm sorry, I just can't go very far down that path without looking around for something else to do.


It does leave lovely hunks of time for the fanfiction writers to fill in. Thank you, Ms. King.

[library_student]

Hi, library student! You are in luck--Laurie already has a great bibliography on her website--lookee (http://laurierking.com/scholars_corner-recommended.php#frombooks)! It's part of her fun recommended reading page (http://laurierking.com/scholars_corner-recommended.php).

I did find this. It would just be easier to have such a list in each book, so when I want to check on possible facts being used or author's liberties being taken at the time when reading, it would be right there in the book! :-) So far, LR and Mercedes Lackey's "The Fire Rose" have had me learn the history of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

[library_student]

See, this is why I don't write the book after Monstrous Regiment and before Letter of Mary. By the time you get to Letter of Mary, all that stuff has been hammered out between them, and can remain private.

The emotional aspects of their relationship, that I can handle. The mechanics, I'm sorry, I just can't go very far down that path without looking around for something else to do.

Maybe you can just post an outline sometime of the book in-between? Copyright it enough that if you ever can handle that book, you can write it then!

Otherwise, I suppose you're right; if it's not necessary for the plot or details, it can remain prudently private.

[nkk1969]

It does leave lovely hunks of time for the fanfiction writers to fill in.

You know I'm not in favor the Russell/Holmes union producing children in LRK's books, but not totally opposed to reading some of the "offspring" fanfics. Unless I've missed something though, Mary is not at all worried about the possibility of children. Yes, yes, that can be explained away by saying her accident left her unable to conceive. Would that completely erase the anxiety of a late cycle? I'm not completely convinced.

Have I missed a reference to anything like this in any of the books? Just wondering.

Nikki

[Strawberry Curls]

The emotional aspects of their relationship, that I can handle. The mechanics, I'm sorry, I just can't go very far down that path without looking around for something else to do.

Nikki, I think Ms. King answered your question with the above.

There are no references to cycles, Mary's or anyone else's, for that matter, missed, late or otherwise in Kanon.

Oh, I almost forgot, I'm not a proponent of children for the couple, I don't write them, but if others want to write children, then they should.

[kitmarlowescot2]

Um, sorry didn't mean for it to get that personal for your characters, just meant in a broad scheme of things, Ms. King.

[nkk1969]

SC,

I'm with you on the "if others want to write kids, they should" aspect. In fact, I was thinking of something on The Hive when I posted the other message.

Do you remember the pastiche dealing with Russell's miscarriage, the one where she thinks Holmes didn't know she was pregnant? That was more than 99% emotions and less than 1% mechanics. And, after all, Ms. King said she wouldn't go very far down that road, not that she didn't know where the road was. ;-) Still, it may be even more emotion than Mary is realistically capable of admitting to in her journals.

The fact that the books are from Mary's POV and the bones of the basic manuscripts are supposed to have been written by her limit the scope of what can be done. It's necessary and it keeps the story in check. That's the problem I have with some of the offspring and erotica pastiches. There are many wonderfully written pastiches on both subjects, but somehow I just can't see Mary being so forthcoming with...certain details, if you know what I mean.

As you said, that's why there's fanfiction. It's for things you'd like to know, but wouldn't fit into the Kanon or Canon.

Nikki

[vicki]

A query post and a response from Laurie from late last month wound up in a moderated area, and I've now found them and moved them into this thread. You can see the response (with query quoted) in post #41 upthread (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=660&postcount=41). Sorry for any inconvenience!

[Strawberry Curls]

SC,
As you said, that's why there's fanfiction. It's for things you'd like to know, but wouldn't fit into the Kanon or Canon.Nikki

Yes, I know exactly what you mean and do agree. Beautifully put, Nikki.

[Carlina]

The mind boggles. I can't even manage a good Watson adventure, and I'm supposed to mix in Irene?

THANK GOD!!! Whew...that would be horrid! So many writers, when dealing with characters such as Holmes, are tempted to throw in "the woman." This often makes for a haggled, horrid, or depressing piece of work that truly becomes a patische. I am glad you are avoiding this...and glad the mind boggles...

As for children...I must add my mind boggles at that...The thought of Holmes changing nappies at his age...HA! I have accepted the gap, with some difficulty, between MRW and LoM. I think in LoM though, you see a married couple still growing comfortable in their marriage. I must confess of all your books, that is the most flurty and I love the way you use words to elude to emotion, affection, and actions *wiggles eyebrows*.

[Antigonos]

In discussing just how old Holmes might be in 1915, going by the Canonic evidence, you postulate, Laurie, that he might be either 47 or 54. Why did you opt for the older age? It would have been a bit less May/September for his relationship with Russell. The 40 year gap is a bit much to swallow, really, IMHO.

[laurierking]

In discussing just how old Holmes might be in 1915, going by the Canonic evidence, you postulate, Laurie, that he might be either 47 or 54. Why did you opt for the older age? It would have been a bit less May/September for his relationship with Russell. The 40 year gap is a bit much to swallow, really, IMHO.

Antigonos is referring to an essay in the web site about A Holmes Chronology-
http://www.laurierking.com/whateverholmes.php#chronology
in which I pick my way through the decidedly unhelpful Conan Doyle stories for hard dates. But as the Gospels are meant as Good News, and not as historical documents, facts are thin on the ground.

The older date is, as I say in the essay, also taking into account the dates in A Story in Scarlet, when clearly Holmes is well out of university.

[kitmarlowescot2]

I don't mind the age difference, what I wonder is will Russell get the chance to have the same, when she is 60. Can she have a young lover as well ? If an older man can have a younger lover, then so should have a older woman. Will we see her life come full circle, when she herself is older and takes on a husband like Holmes took on Russell as a young wife ?

And what I think is more ironic is seeing Grandpa Holmes, and possibly a young Bubbie Russell. A course would know what Russell would prefer to call herself if she became a step-grandmother. My own grandmother preferred to be called Bubbie, but then her background was of Russian Jewish descent. Did Russell ever grow learning a German, or Russian type Yiddish dialect ?
I can't see Holmes being called Zadia. (I think I spelled that right, I never learned more than a little bit of Yiddish, but it is a very nice language to cuss in.)

[Vilian]

See, this is why I don't write the book after Monstrous Regiment and before Letter of Mary. By the time you get to Letter of Mary, all that stuff has been hammered out between them, and can remain private.

The emotional aspects of their relationship, that I can handle. The mechanics, I'm sorry, I just can't go very far down that path without looking around for something else to do.

Mechanics, yuck, what an improper name for some quite a beautiful things ;)
Indeed, there's a lot of fanfiction covering more steamy areas - but things can get hot without being too anatomical, mechanical, or whatever one may call it. Famous scene on the pier was the most beautiful and hot at the same time that I've ever encountered in a book. Hand caress scene in Mycroft's apartment in Letter of Mary is so sweet and beautiful and breathtaking too. You do have skills Ms.King, mighty ones, you just refuse to drop some carcass to romantical vultures like myself is :D I'd still would love to see a book covering that time, without "mechanics" but with emotional side of getting used to being married, and of course with the cases that took place back then (Russell mentiones that there were two).

*grabs English-Polish dictionary and goes back to reading Justice Hall*

[KarenB]

What do you think of our responses to your writing? When you read the discussion posts, do you find yourself glad something you wrote came across the way you wanted? do we find things you never intended to write? do you ever feel you must not have written something the way you wanted based on our responses? or do you find yourself removed from the books, more as if someone else wrote them?

[laurierking]

What do you think of our responses to your writing? When you read the discussion posts, do you find yourself glad something you wrote came across the way you wanted? do we find things you never intended to write? do you ever feel you must not have written something the way you wanted based on our responses? or do you find yourself removed from the books, more as if someone else wrote them?

When I read the books themselves (a thing I do rarely, and reluctantly) I don't necessarily remember writing each bit, but they do feel like mine, as if they cause an inner chord to sound. Similarly, when comments are made about the characters, I respond with a nod of the head, as I would if someone made an appreciative remark about one of my kids--not that I take credit for them, but I agree with the remark.

Mostly, it's interesting, and humbling, to have people take what I do seriously enough to spend time talking about it.

[Roxanne]

And we appreciate the opportunity to do so!

[vicki]

<Waves to Roxanne> Howdy, girl--it's good to see your font hereabouts!

[kitmarlowescot2]

I was wondering does Holmes name each of his individual bee hives ? And when he first started, was he ever surprised when one of his hives suddenly swarmed for some strange reason, such as with a first year queen ?
Some hives be as weird as people.

[laurierking]

I was wondering does Holmes name each of his individual bee hives ? And when he first started, was he ever surprised when one of his hives suddenly swarmed for some strange reason, such as with a first year queen ?

I'm just beginning the exploration of Holmes' life among the bees, since the book I'm writing next will find them returning to Sussex in the summer of 1924, when Holmes' bees have been under Mrs. Hudson's unenthusiastic care. If my research takes me into a bee helmet, I'll be sure to take a photo.

One thing about bees and Sherlockians, I always can find someone to ask questions of...

[kitmarlowescot2]

Well if you need to visit some bees, and know Neil Gaiman, I recommend his two new hives. He and a friend of his online called the Birdchick have started having bees, and you get to here from them the ups and downs of having bees. The Birdchick's blog is where you get alot of the updates of the bees and she has experienced lots of ups and downs with her two new hives, Kitty and Olga, including having a one year old queen bee swarm. Mr. Neil is trying to convince her write a book on the bee experience.

I have learned more about bees following her blog and Mr. Neil, than anywhere else. And you get a beginner's eye view from them. But they have already gotten I think about 13 boxes of honey. Birdchick has also included mini video's of everything from taking the bees out to introducing the new queen bee, and then having her fly off, only to fly back a few minutes later.

Though they never did find the bees that swarmed, but with the loss of so many wild bees, they decided to just let them go. You will also get a lot of bird information, everything from wild orioles to a hand raised vulture knows how exactly how high the Birdchick is and knows which perch she cannot get him down from.
And that's not including the "Disapproving Rabbit", if Holmes was a rabbit he be a Castor Rex.
Here is the Birdchick's blog, http://birdchick.com/blog.html
Her recent posts deal with bees and balding cardinals.

And this is her disapproving rabbits page, http://www.birdchick.com/adventures/rabbit/index.html

Knowing Cinnamon she disapprove of this post.

[laurierking]

Well if you need to visit some bees, and know Neil Gaiman, I recommend his two new hives. He and a friend of his online called the Birdchick have started having bees, and you get to here from them the ups and downs of having bees.

Sorry, I don't know Neil Gaiman and I think he lives on the other side of the country. But we have a lot of beekeepers in Santa Cruz, no doubt some of whom are also Sherlockians.

Some research is more fun than others...

[kitmarlowescot2]

Ah ok, didn't think of that Ms. King. Sorry. Well if any of Holmes's bees did swarm, at least they would have helped repopulate the wild bee population. But then I don't know if the wild bee population were low in the UK during the 1920's. And I don't know what subspecies or mix of bees Holmes breed either. Knowing Holmes he probably won't have been to happy to lose any bees.

Still Holmes should have known better than leave his hives in Ms. Hudson's care. I would have thought he have several back up bee handlers to take care of his hives. A course him leaving them that way might have at helped bring back the UK wild population of bees, and made several farmers who don't live any where near any bee keepers, happy by having a spread of the wild population. Not to mention any predators that prey on bees either. So unintentionally Holmes might have become an environmentalist.

[Roxanne]

Hmmm. I'm just thinking/hummmming to myself. It would be interesting to read about the bees (in more detail) again as they were such a major part of the first Mary Russell--in fact, they were the reason for Russell and Holmes hooking up in the first place . . . more hmmmmmzzz . . .

http://www.stri.org/english/about_stri/headline_news/thumbnail.php?id=500

[vicki]

I don't know Neil Gaiman and I think he lives on the other side of the country. But we have a lot of beekeepers in Santa Cruz, no doubt some of whom are also Sherlockians.

Here is a Santa Cruz apiary (http://aptosapiaries.com/) and an article (http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/08.18.04/beekeepers-0434.html) featuring two SC beekeepers.

I met Neil Gaiman at BEA once. He's majorly swoon-worthy, and a very nice guy in addition to the whole being-a-brilliant-writer thing.

That disapproving rabbits page is great. I especially like the one saying, "I disapprove of this website." Hehehe!

[kitmarlowescot2]

Yeah Mr. Neil is very a nice man and he is sorta of a Sherlockian, but at least a Sherlockian/Lovecraftian crossover type guy.

I know I love reading about his poor cat Fred, who is a half feral cat that has gotten into so much trouble, you can't imagine, Mr. Neil even wrote a short story about Fred where he was protecting Neil's family from the devil, and that's why Fred gets hurt so much. Personally I would have been the one going after the devil with a shot gun, or frying pan than letting the cat go after it, but then that's my thing.

I am also sure in the next few years, Mr. Neil will also start writing about a white German shepherd he has just adopted, who gets in as much trouble as Fred does. And neither the dog nor the cat like each other. The dog came with Lyme disease, has already gotten skunked, and loves to chase everything. Not to include the dog is scared of thunderstorms.

My favorite bee story is actually a comic book, called clan Apis. It has everything in it, and you can find it any local library. Here is it on Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/Clan-Apis-Jay-Hosler/dp/096772550X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7080726-6271300?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187043342&sr=1-1

Ms. Laura, when you do visit the bee hives, I pick a day that isn't too hot if your going to have to put on a entire bee suit, because they are very hot to wear.

The birdchick's blog is one of the most fascinating sites I have come across, if you ever want to know anything about birds, her site is the thing to go to. Including everything from raptors to sand pipers. Or for rabbits. She has a book coming out in October dealing on Disapproving rabbits, I don't if it is all photo's, or stories too.

[Nara]

I'm also looking forward to more bees... I even got a bee pendant, though I can't decide which color to put on it - red or blue?

I did see a pattern for a bee-themed shawl, so if I find a yarn that suits it perfectly, perhaps I'll make a bee shawl and post it to you!

I do wonder (and perhaps this has been asked; if so, I apologize!) why so many Russellian fan fictions have her get knocked up. As much as I'd like to think there are Sherlock descendants walking around, I can't imagine having children in my 60s, knowing I may well be dead before they ever reach maturity, though no doubt it has happened! It goes without saying that I want them to have many years together, but I just can't picture that particular scenario. Maybe my imagination just isn't flexible enough...

(By the by, I saw Tilda Swinton in a movie recently and thought, "She looks just like I would imagine MR to look like when she's older.")

[kitmarlowescot2]

I do wonder (and perhaps this has been asked; if so, I apologize!) why so many Russellian fan fictions have her get knocked up. As much as I'd like to think there are Sherlock descendants walking around, I can't imagine having children in my 60s, knowing I may well be dead before they ever reach maturity, though no doubt it has happened! It goes without saying that I want them to have many years together, but I just can't picture that particular scenario. Maybe my imagination just isn't flexible enough...

Oh that happens in all fanfiction, it really leads to alot of Mary Sues, in which an author can place a version of herself/or himself to interact with the characters. What's more disturbing is seeing Mpreg fanfiction in which Holmes or Watson ends up pregnant by another male character, or even Russell. How I have no idea.

And their are conferences out their that will discuss fanfiction, including having professors and published papers. But all I really followed were with the Buffy fandom. I can't imagine how many Sherlock Holmes fanfiction papers or stories have been written about, because we are talking about over 100 years of stories just being written about Holmes.

And for those who like to know what a Mary Sue is, or even how mpreg goes, here are some links, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpreg

Yes their are mpreg Holmes stories out their, this is the internet anything and everything does take place.

[Nara]

Well.. er... buddhism teaches me not to judge, but male pregnancy? As a viable storyline? The mind boggles..

I do read some fan fiction, mostly Harry Potter, etc. I did go through a Jonny Quest fan fiction period when I was younger. Can't imagine that I've never heard of mpreg before now!

I thought about it more later, and it seems that most fan fiction has to have some kind of intensely emotional event, in the hopes that it will resonate with the reader (and allow the writer to live out their fantasy, in some cases.) I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here, but it occurs to me that those who "go straight for the jugular" aren't really skilled enough writers to evoke feeling from the reader without something catastrophic or life-changing occuring.

I did read an excellent one centering on R&H during WWII. I felt it stayed true to their characters, and had them both remain vital. The only child-centric one that I thought stood a chance was one in which they had a son who became blind due to illness, but was a bit of a virtuoso with the piano. I may be getting it wrong, but as I was reading, it seemed as though it would work.

[Tara]

I'm also looking forward to more bees... I even got a bee pendant, though I can't decide which color to put on it - red or blue?

I did see a pattern for a bee-themed shawl, so if I find a yarn that suits it perfectly, perhaps I'll make a bee shawl and post it to you!

I do wonder (and perhaps this has been asked; if so, I apologize!) why so many Russellian fan fictions have her get knocked up. As much as I'd like to think there are Sherlock descendants walking around, I can't imagine having children in my 60s, knowing I may well be dead before they ever reach maturity, though no doubt it has happened! ")
Where did you find the pattern? It sounds cool. I made a shawl once, but it didn't turn out that great because I made up a pattern.
~
It's different if you're a man, since they don't actually have to carry the baby. I heard somewhere that a lot of older men are becoming fathers. (Like Clint Eastwood).

I personally wouldn't want to have any children past the age of 40, but that's because I'm a chick and I'd have to do the actual childbearing thing. It can be really hard on a woman to have children when she's older, and there are more risks for the baby too.
I don't think I'd have the energy to chase after a kid, but I suppose if I was in great shape I'd consider it. If I was a man I don't think I'd want to have kids if I was in my 60's, just because I'd worry if I'd be alive to see them become adults, but it seems like a lot of men who have never been fathers want to go for it. To each his own. :)

What's more disturbing is seeing Mpreg fanfiction in which Holmes or Watson ends up pregnant by another male character, or even Russell. How I have no idea.

Male pregnancy? :eek: Holmes male pregnancy? :eek: *backs away slowly*

I did read an excellent one centering on R&H during WWII. I felt it stayed true to their characters, and had them both remain vital. The only child-centric one that I thought stood a chance was one in which they had a son who became blind due to illness, but was a bit of a virtuoso with the piano. I may be getting it wrong, but as I was reading, it seemed as though it would work.

Do you have the link for the WW2 fic? I think I read the fic where their kid was blind, but I'd have to reread it to remember what I thought of it.

(Heh. Maybe I should think of a question. I'm not that far along in the series, so I don't have any right now.)

[vicki]

I need to mention that if we can keep the details of particular fanfic stories to a minimum, it will make the folks over in the legal department very happy. :) And they've also requested no direct links to particular stories. Sorry!!

Please do carry on, but just keep discussion of particular stories very general, and omit links to the stories themselves. It's fine to use the email or private message function to send direct links, however. It's also fine to include in a forum-post a link to the front page of a fanfic site, with directions to find a title. Sorry for the interruption!

By the way, there is an excellent Russell fanfic community out there, if anyone is interested--Letters of Mary (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Letters_Of_Mary/). They're a good bunch--very welcoming and supportive of new folks. <Waves to all the LoM-folk>

I'm with you on the idea of a Holmes pregnancy, Tara! Eeek! <Runs away>

[Nara]

I'm sorry, I don't have a link.. and it doesn't seem that it would be appropriate to post it if I could find it again. I'm sure I found both stories in an archive somewhere, and there aren't THAT many MR fanfic archives... sorry I can't be more specific.

The bee shawl pattern is from Anne at knitspot.com. It's a $ pattern, not a free one, just so you know. =)

[Tara]

I need to mention that if we can keep the details of particular fanfic stories to a minimum, it will make the folks over in the legal department very happy. :) And they've also requested no direct links to particular stories. Sorry!!

Okey-dokey. :)

[vicki]

Thanks for your understanding! :)

[Tara]

Hi
I'm reading MREG right now. I haven't read much of it, but I was on the discussion thread (maybe this question should be there, but I don't know), and I heard that there is a miracle in the book. So I was just wondering, do you believe in miracles?
By the way, I really love this series. :)

[laurierking]

Do I, personally, believe in miracles?

No, but I know they happen.

Do I believe in the lingering spirits of the dead?

No, although I have seen them.

Do I believe in the personal intervention of the Divine?

No, of course not--why would the God of the Universe meddle in my life?

And yet I have experienced it.

[Strawberry Curls]

Do I, personally, believe in miracles?

No, but I know they happen.

Do I believe in the lingering spirits of the dead?

No, although I have seen them.

Do I believe in the personal intervention of the Divine?

No, of course not--why would the God of the Universe meddle in my life?

And yet I have experienced it.

Beautifully put. There truly are few absolutes in the universe. One must always be open to the possibilities and be ready to acknowledge the Divine when it touches your life.

[kitmarlowescot2]

Would it be rude of me to think you have gone the agnostic route Ms. King ?

[Carlina]

Goodness...you do sound like a certain detective, Ms. King *wink* . That reminds me...there have been some debates in regard to Holmes' religious beliefs. To me it seems the chap was quite aware of god and took him seriously. One can read the canon and find Holmes mentioning god a great deal. Hmm...food for thought. Folks have written about it as well. Perhaps Russell can always throw his words back at him if he derides her chosen field. Of course he could always claim, "Watson's drivel!" and wave his hand. Have you ever thought of incorporating that part of Holmes (his mention of god in his youth) in your work?

[laurierking]

Agnostic? No, I'd say I'm a believer, although with a definition of God that many people would consider agnostic, if not athiest.

I think the same could be said about a certain master detective. Oh, and her husband, too.

[kitmarlowescot2]

Ms King, I am sure you have already heard about this. But I as always do I was reading the Birdchick's blog, and how she is dealing with her bees. And she had a link to this article dealing with Israel and evidence of the first ancient beehives in Near East. So I figured this is something I know you have already touched on, but more with dealing with modern bee keeping in Israel. Apparently this is evidence that suggest that the honey the bible is talking about is actual bee honey. And these hives go back to 10th century BCE, and also metion a inscrioption to a King Nimshi.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070904114558.htm

If I need to move this, just say it and I will.

[KarenB]

How did you work out all the quotes from Brother Erasmus? Do you have that phenomenal a memory? did you ever think you had a quote to fit and then look it up and find you had remembered it wrong?

Do we ever get to hear more about the Raven Morningstar case? It's been quite a while since I read the rest of the Kate books and can't remember if it is mentioned again in more detail.

Is the article "Holy Foolishness Reborn" on pages 108-112 (pb edition) from John Saward's Perfect Fools or did you write it?

And how did you reconcile to yourself the return of David to Brother Erasmus after he has cut his covenant to help Kate and Al?

[laurierking]

Thanks, kitmarlowescot, for the article on beehives. Not sure how I'd work it into the next book, but it's interesting.


How did you work out all the quotes from Brother Erasmus? Do you have that phenomenal a memory? did you ever think you had a quote to fit and then look it up and find you had remembered it wrong?

I wrote a piece on my blog Mutterings (http://laurierking.com/wp.php/?p=388) that may answer this. Some of the quotes I'd remember, either vaguely or in specifics, and hunt down to make sure I had them right, but others I had to go fishing for.


Do we ever get to hear more about the Raven Morningstar case? It's been quite a while since I read the rest of the Kate books and can't remember if it is mentioned again in more detail.

As I've said before, the Morningstar case sounds hugely depressing, and as a novel by itself might prove a major turnoff, more noir than noir. It's possible it might be worked into a story set later, in which Kate returns to the case, but I have no particular plans for it yet.


Is the article "Holy Foolishness Reborn" on pages 108-112 (pb edition) from John Saward's Perfect Fools or did you write it?

It's pure LRK.
But you've given me an idea for a Mutterings post about my husband.

And how did you reconcile to yourself the return of David to Brother Erasmus after he has cut his covenant to help Kate and Al?

I've answered this over at the main discussion thread...

[kitmarlowescot2]

Your Welcome. Just read your new post, just wonders how you didn't go insane. Will also pass on the thanks to the birdchick. If she comes up with anymore intresting articles like that, I will pass them on.

[Younger Son]

Ms. King,

Earlier in this topic you spoke of Holmes as bipolar; I can believe it. Elsewhere you speak of Mary Russell as being what Holmes would be if female, 20th-century, and theological.

Now, you're free to refuse to be reduced to Venn diagrams, but does it follow that Mary Russell might herself suffer bipolarity?

On the one hand, how can one be a mutatis-mutandis Holmes without the disorder? The periods of manic brilliance made him Sherlock Holmes.

On the other, would Holmes tolerate a bipolar as a wife? Some BPs might seek out others, but chaos-seeking doesn't seem to be Holmes's cup of tea. He would want somebody fundamentally steady, provided she was remarkable enough to be interesting in spite of being steady.

You seem to have settled on Russell not being nuts (Locked Rooms shows her in post-traumatic stress [h'm; Keeping Watch touches on that, too], but not in a cyclic mood disorder. And in BEEK, she's an adolescent, but not otherwise crazy.). So maybe I have your answer already.

But if you have a thought on being Holmes without the mood disorder, I'd be interested.

-- F

[kitmarlowescot2]

So would Mycroft have Agoraphobia then ? But also have a more stable personality compared to Holmes.

[laurierking]

Earlier in this topic you spoke of Holmes as bipolar; I can believe it. Elsewhere you speak of Mary Russell as being what Holmes would be if female, 20th-century, and theological.

Now, you're free to refuse to be reduced to Venn diagrams, but does it follow that Mary Russell might herself suffer bipolarity?


Hmm. Maybe in the future I should answer this question by saying that Russell is what Holmes would be if he were female, 20th century, theologically inclined, and sane.

No, I think that although indeed she suffers from PTSD, she is neither manic nor depressive. One can, clearly, be a genius without being unbalanced.

[Carlina]

You know this is something myself and fellow Holmesians have been throwing around. *pause*
God knows you mustn't please the whole ruddy world, but does it ever bother you when the hardcore Holmesians (I confess to being one who can accept Holmes as married) question you about how you have resurrected Sherlock Holmes? He was a man that was moved by his passions in the canon. He also questioned human motives and desires. It wasn't simply about solving the mysteries, but understanding the very nature of mankind. I think that's partially why he retired to study bees; he saw a semblance of our own society within the bees. Sometimes I feel we all forget about this side of his nature and his genius, if you will, has overshadow him in this respect. Just a thought. I was interested in knowing what ya think.

Hope all is well....

[kitmarlowescot2]

Okay...since this October know, And somewhat in relations to the above question. I know that Holmes has always found the human species one that he could never fully understand, has their ever been a animal species he finds just as hard to relate to as well ?
Or the opposite, an animal species that Holmes has always felt related to, other than bees, one he might have been quite close to as a child, be it cat, dog, bird, etc ?
Or for Mary as well ?
I won't be surprised if Holmes relates to bees, first and possibly cats second.

[Younger Son]

Hmm. Maybe in the future I should answer this question by saying that Russell is what Holmes would be if he were female, 20th century, theologically inclined, and sane.

You're joking, but I can just imagine the color of the faces of Baker Street Irregulars were it suggested that Holmes was not just eccentric, but affirmatively nuts. Surely you've heard enough such reactions?

So don't feel obliged to include "and sane" just on my account.

[laurierking]

I think it's a common suggestion, even among devout Sherlockians, that Holmes was a self-medicating bipolar (in fact, I think I have my psychotherapist Lee say something to that effect in The Art of Detection, don't I?) And yes, "sane" is something of a jest on my part. Like "nuts" and "crazy", it's a blanket condemnation without diagnostic meaning.

As for Holmes and passion, there's a magnificent piece by John D MacDonald about Holmes, in his article on character in the 1984 MWA Mystery Writer's Handbook, that says among other things:

We remember Holmes as a man who, primarily was troubled in spirit, was obsessed with the sense of evil, whose arrogance was defensive.

Holmes didn't become the most recognized fictional figure in the world because he was a thinking machine, but because he was passionate in his quest to restore justice to an unjust world. That is what I aim at showing in the Russell stories, and that is the reason why Sherlockians have (by and large) accepted me to their (predominantly) manly breasts.

[kitmarlowescot2]

Um...since I can't log into comments, for Ms. Laurie's latest post. Personally, I think the woman is mental.
I would think even Holmes would have more sense than her when it came to his children.
If you cannot stand to have children, do not have them. Get a dog.
Like me.
End quote.

[Younger Son]

Um...since I can't log into comments, for Ms. Laurie's latest post. Personally, I think the woman is mental.


"The woman" being (despite the antecedent) Doris Lessing, not Ms. King.

I would think even Holmes would have more sense than her when it came to his children.
If you cannot stand to have children, do not have them. Get a dog.
Like me.

You are fortunate in having a clear insight into your aptitude for child-rearing. It it possible, however, that a woman of 19, of her era; ignorant of her responsibilities and of her full character; believing without thinking that childbearing was simply her inevitable fate as a woman; might later come to a mature judgment that continuing as a mother would be a greater disaster than her parting. It's certainly a tragedy. We may feel she was likelier than not mistaken. But there is still room for charity.

Ms. King's own questions in her posting are poignant, and I wish I could do justice to them in a reply.

[vicki]

What's going on with the login problems? Are y'all registered on the blog so you can leave comments, assuming you can get the login to work?

I find Lessing's actions and her comments about themto be really disturbing. I'll post about it over on the blog later today or tonight.

[Elizabeth]

I do agree with Laurie's comment that having a child means a life-long contract, but let's keep in mind that Lessing was in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1938 when she was the nineteen year old in question, and situations may have been different than what most of us assume.

I am not saying what she did is right, but I also don't think it's my place to say what she did was wrong.

[Kerry]

I've posted my preliminary thoughts on Ms. Lessing over on the blog -- by no means do I condemn her actions, and I think we also would do well to recognize that her brief comments to an interviewer now may not do justice to the full range of what she was experiencing 60 years ago (if I've got my chronology right).

Anyway . . . I posed this question over in the Darker Place forum, but will repeat it here for good measure.

Laurie, do you find that 'listening in' on our discussion of your work gives you insights into your own work and characters? That is, do we sometimes see things (or just read things into your work) that were, perhaps, unconscious on your part?

I guess this is part of a larger question I'm struggling to articulate, which I suppose is the chestnut about who creates meaning in a work -- the author or the reader. If we see things in your symbols, language, themes, etc. that are truly meaningless to you, but meaningful for us, does that add to or detract from your creation? Or is it not a question of adding to/distracting from, but collectively creating something new?

I know I'm not expressing this well; I hope you have an inkling of what I'm getting at.

[kitmarlowescot2]

Doris Lessing or not. She reminds me of my father..who did would have nothing to do with me as a child. So excuse me if something like that comes off as being a bit too personal to me.
Not metion his father, and sister. So family abandonment of children I do not take well too, in any form. Minus any form of abuse, then I definitely think a parent should leave.
Younger son have you considered her children's retrospect ?
And I tried registering to comment and was sent a password, and I think I tried to change it. But then I con't, so know I can't log that in.

[vicki]

kms, what name did you register under? I can go in and try to get it straightened out.

I'm with you on the family abandonment issue. I've been on the left-behind end of that scenario, myself, and it's the kind of devastation that reverberates through generation after generation, with incredibly painful and destructive effects on so many people. I'm not sympathetic to Lessing at all on that count. There were other ways for her to deal with her issues than to just skip out. With the kind of intelligence and creativity she's displayed as a writer, she could have come up with a more responsible and humane alternative if she had really tried.

I'll post something on the blog if I can come up with something halfway dispassionate. That may prove difficult, given what a sore spot this is for me. Grrr.

[kitmarlowescot2]

I registered under kitmarlowescot2, I am sure of that. This has been a tough week I have a sick cat who has a liver infection. And I just saw a mouse in my kitchen. This to the f word sucks.
Sigh...I guess having two cats and a mouse killing dog won't keep them away. Yuck.

[vicki]

Eeek! So sorry about your cat being sick and the mouse sighting on top of that. :( That really does stink. Is your dog is a terrier? They're usually pretty handy with rodents.

Do you have access to pest control folks? They have some sticky-traps and/or poison they can use to get rid of rodents. Warning--our pest-control guy used poison to kill a rat in our house and it died there. and, um, created some odor-issues for a while, as we couldn't determine its location. Blech!

I'll check on the blog situation.

[KarenB]

We get mice in the attic every fall as it gets cool. We have gone for the old-fashioned snap-their-little-neck traps as we don't do cats (allergies) and somehow the quick death seems better than the poison. In any case, it's better than the death I inflicted on a mounse in the compost heap. That one, I accidently impaled on the pitchfork while turning the pile over. Really, really ewwww.

About Doris Lessing . . . while I, like most moms I know, have entertained brief fantasies while in the car alone about how far I could get if I just kept driving. And while it is true that the constant and unfulfillable demands of mothering/parenting can be incredibly draining. And we don't know (at least from that interview) how her husband behaved - controlling? totally distant? intent on having her fulfill a role for which she was not suited? or possibly understanding and helpful? Still, having undertaken the responsibility of bringing a child or children into the world, you can not abandon that responsibility. It is possible to find ways to make it work.

And in Laurie's work, motherhood has added depth and richness. I remember saying to my mother when my daughter was born - the universe has shifted. The impact of that shift takes years to be fully developed and realized, but nothing remains untouched.

[kitmarlowescot2]

He's a papillon and he has caught mice in the past, so I am hoping he will catch this one as well. And we have put down traps down. Morgan has caught and killed mice, moles, two rabbits, and a muskrat.
As for cats, well the two I have know aren't mousers. I had one cat with me in the kitchen when I saw the mouse. I grabbed him and put him on the washing machine to catch it. He just sat their.
My other sick cat might try to catch one, right know she is feeling better. Apparently has a liver infection. It is so much fun trying to give her 2 liquid antibiotics twice a day. Not mention a pill that she has to have on a empty stomach.

I don't hate mice. In fact I have had many pet rodents, from dwarf hamsters to a pet rat. I just don't like feral mice or rats. In fact my pet rat Gabe was one of the best I ever had. Know my cats were afraid of him, but Gabe was a 1 and half pound male rat. Most cats won't hunt rats over half pound. I think their have been studies done, showing feral cats eating side by side with larger feral rats.
We do have a sticky trap down, yes I know it can be very bad, but grandfather put it down, along with a 40 year old killing mouse trap. The sticky ones have never worked before, but you really can't argue with a 86 year old can you ?
His old killing ones have always worked best. He has a mole killing trap that he has had for 50 years that thing has killed I don't how many moles, it's sorta like guillotine.

[vicki]

Oooh--if I ever get a dog, it'll probably be a papillon. They're so cool!


He has a mole killing trap that he has had for 50 years that thing has killed I don't how many moles, it's sorta like guillotine.


Eeeek!

In another thread, JenD asked an LRK-related question, so I thought I'd repost it over here:


do you know if [LRK has] ever mentioned if she read the biography of DLS [Dorothy L. Sayers, author of the Lord Peter Wimsey series] "Careless Rage For Life?" I am reading it just now and I am seeing so much MRH I tell you, it's uncanny! The knowledge and love of books, the desire to perform, the sort-of arrogance (okay, the arrogance, early on at least in MRH...). And the discussion of her life at Oxford, well it's so true to MRH that I just feel like they are sisters under the skin. I also didn't realize how much her Christianity informed DLS and how much of her work was taken up in theology. I see so many parallels. Do you know anything about this subject or could direct me?


I thought that was really interesting about the Russell/DLS parallels, which I havan't thought that much about before.

[Carlina]

Hi Ms. King. I just stumbled across this while looking for something in my husband's massive library..which incidentally has moved in to my living room and taken over! However, that's a domestic matter, neither here nor there and I digress. There is a book that examines the creation of Israel called: O Jerusalem! Here's a wikipedia summation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Jerusalem!

I was curious to know if there was any connection between the title of this book and of course your own. Or was it coincidental like you said Fleming's Kerim Bey in From Russia with Love and your own Karim Bey, ironically in the same book, was? Ok..I'll stop looking for historical and popular references in your books now...or at least I will try...;).

[nkk1969]

Dear Ms. King,

I'm languishing in First Chapter Hades. After six years work (off and on, mostly off, though) on my WIP, I find I absolutely cannot strike the proper note with the opening chapter. Do you have any sage advice on what to do/not to do? Did you have a particularly hard time with any of your first chapters, if so, which one? A better question may be: were any of them easy?

This may have been touched on somewhere in a blog. If so, just direct me to it.

Signed,

Pulling hair out in WV

P.S. Vicki, I started a new thread. If that was wrong, just wave your magic wand and put this where it needs to go.

[AbiG]

Dear Ms. King,

There have been a number of references in the Russell novels of six weeks that Russell and Holmes spent in France and Italy after the events of A Beekeeper's Apprentice. Did any significant events take place that might one day be turned into a book?

Yours, Abi

[vicki]

Hi, Abi! I'd be interested to know about that, too. I think I read somewhere that Holmes and Russell just went their separate ways during the BEEK/MREG gap, but I'm not sure where I saw that or even if the source was LRK. There *is* a possibility that we'll see a novel about the Japanese interval between GAME and LOCK, however, as Miss Russell stated herself in this blog entry (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=149069146&blogID=274896653).

Nikki, I just caught your new thread--sorry! All new threads are moderated in this area, and sometimes one slips by me if I don't check the overall subforum list. <Whacks self on head> There. I feel better now.

LRK should be by soon. I think she's been doing some post-wedding catch-up. In case you haven't been following the blog (http://laurierking.com/wp.php/), a lovely wedding was recently held at LRK's home. That's a major undertaking even for the calmest and most organized person. I think I'd have to go off to the spa for a month or two, myself.

[vicki]

Here's another question, posted elsethread by orchestraofone (hi, orchestra! <waves>).

a Long story-- for another time-- about how I discovered LRK; but I am working my way through her entire oeuvre & just finished Keeping Watch. Not too strong to say that it is haunting me. I wanted to e-mail her & ask how she managed to capture the Vietnam War so completely, but I'm not computer-savvy enough to figure it out. On the chance she might read this, I'm (what does one say??) "posting"? this. She is a fine. fine writer, and as much as I truly love the Russell/Holmes books, and wish she'd write some more! still, I have to say that her other work is outstanding. Thanks, LRK.

[laurierking]

Hi Ms. King. I just stumbled across this while looking for something in my husband's massive library..which incidentally has moved in to my living room and taken over! However, that's a domestic matter, neither here nor there and I digress. There is a book that examines the creation of Israel called: O Jerusalem! Here's a wikipedia summation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Jerusalem!



We did have an interesting exchange with the authors of the other O Jerusalem, who protested the title. I pointed out that I rather doubted anyone would mistake a whimsical novel about Sherlock Holmes for their massive, definitive work, and really, the Book of Psalms is surely out of copyright.

[laurierking]

Dear Ms. King,

I'm languishing in First Chapter Hades. After six years work (off and on, mostly off, though) on my WIP, I find I absolutely cannot strike the proper note with the opening chapter. Do you have any sage advice on what to do/not to do? Did you have a particularly hard time with any of your first chapters, if so, which one? A better question may be: were any of them easy?

This may have been touched on somewhere in a blog. If so, just direct me to it.

Signed,

Pulling hair out in WV


Dear Pulling,

If you're having problems with the beginning, skip it. Write the next chapter, or the middle. I don't always write in sequence, and when I was beginning I often had a book working its way forward in two or three segments, which gaps I would then fill in when I knew where they were going.

Some writers would even say that the beginning is the last thing you should write. I don't agree with that, but I would say, it's the part you should rewrite after you're finished with the rest of it.

Forge on!

[laurierking]

Dear Ms. King,

There have been a number of references in the Russell novels of six weeks that Russell and Holmes spent in France and Italy after the events of A Beekeeper's Apprentice. Did any significant events take place that might one day be turned into a book?

Yours, Abi

Funny you should ask. I've just been reading Beekeeper and O Jerusalem (and actually finding them not at all bad!) because Russell IX may have a slice of the past in it.

[laurierking]

Here's another question, posted elsethread by orchestraofone (hi, orchestra! <waves>).

Quote:
a Long story-- for another time-- about how I discovered LRK; but I am working my way through her entire oeuvre & just finished Keeping Watch. Not too strong to say that it is haunting me. I wanted to e-mail her & ask how she managed to capture the Vietnam War so completely, but I'm not computer-savvy enough to figure it out. On the chance she might read this, I'm (what does one say??) "posting"? this. She is a fine. fine writer, and as much as I truly love the Russell/Holmes books, and wish she'd write some more! still, I have to say that her other work is outstanding. Thanks, LRK.

I'm not sure what your question here is, O'Fone, but I'm glad you liked the book. I do have another standalone coming out next month (we've just posted an excerpt at the web site) although its historical period is somewhat earlier than the Sixties. And the next project will be another Russell, being researched and mooted now.

Hope you enjoy both of them.

As for "how did I capture Vietnam" I'm not sure I can answer. I read heavily as I was writing the book (a year spent reading about war and child abuse, man was I every cheery) particularly into personal memoirs, letters, and dispatches from newsmen, for the immediacy of the material. After all, it's not plagiary if you steal from a lot of different sources...

Laurie

[The Grey Badger]

A second question - do you see much similarity between Vietnam and World War I?

[Carlina]

We did have an interesting exchange with the authors of the other O Jerusalem, who protested the title. I pointed out that I rather doubted anyone would mistake a whimsical novel about Sherlock Holmes for their massive, definitive work, and really, the Book of Psalms is surely out of copyright.

Hehehehe...That doesn't surprise me, but I'm glad you set them straight...in the most polite manner of course :).

Oh and *Squees in delight over the possibility of slice of the past in one of the next Russells*

Actually I had another question *looks uncertain*. You seems to have avoided directly tying Mycroft to the development of the SIS/MI. I would venture to say, if we are playing the game, he was crucial to the formation of these organisations. There's actually a book by Nigel West that discusses (as best as he can due to...policies) the history of MI-6. He's written numerous books on the history of MI-5 and MI-6, as well as more modern aspects of intelligence:

http://cicentre.com/intelligencespeakers/ISB_L-Z/SP_WEST_Nigel.htm

Have you ever considered stepping on ice and directly incorporating Mycroft and Sherlock into any of these organisations and their foundations? Allenby, Lawrence and other historical figures have been mentioned or interacted with your characters...so I was just curious. It is never directly mentioned that Mycroft or Holmes work for SIS is there any particular reason why?

Curiosity will kill the cat...I know..I know...Actually I've been working on incorporating my fictional characters (*silently confesses to writing Holmes pastiches*) into the formation of these groups and the question occurred to me.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[laurierking]

A second question - do you see much similarity between Vietnam and World War I?

Absolutely. And between the Twenties and the Sixties.

[laurierking]

Have you ever considered stepping on ice and directly incorporating Mycroft and Sherlock into any of these organisations and their foundations? Allenby, Lawrence and other historical figures have been mentioned or interacted with your characters...so I was just curious. It is never directly mentioned that Mycroft or Holmes work for SIS is there any particular reason why?


Not Mycroft, but you'll find some mentions of MI5 and MI6 in TOUCHSTONE next month....

[AmyLizzie]

Hi Ms. King,

Was just wondering what books influence you, what makes you want to write? Was it a particular author or piece of work? Thanks,

Amy x

[nkk1969]

Is the list of tour dates in January complete yet? I just noticed no venue is farther east than Michigan, and that's not a TOUCHSTONE tour date.

Any chance you're coming east this spring?

(A girl's gotta hope, dontcha know....)

[Younger Son]

Is the list of tour dates in January complete yet? I just noticed no venue is farther east than Michigan, and that's not a TOUCHSTONE tour date.

Further to that, I'd like to mention that Chicago is a large city where books are sold...

Alas, I have some compassion, and can't bear to ask you to undertake a comprehensive book tour away from your home territory. If it's Chicago, it's Denver, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Dallas, Philadelphia, New York...

But if I had no compassion, I'd plump for Chicago.

[nkk1969]

Further to that, I'd like to mention that Chicago is a large city where books are sold...

Haha. Tell you what, YS, let's split the difference and see if we can get her to Dayton, OH. A few hours of driving and we can both see Ms. King in action.;)

[laurierking]

Hi Ms. King,

Was just wondering what books influence you, what makes you want to write? Was it a particular author or piece of work? Thanks,

Amy x

There is no one book that made me want to "become a writer", although the book we're discussing next month made me want to write a particular book. Which you'll hear about when we start discussion of The Handmaid's Tale.

[laurierking]

About the tour business: I'm sorry I won't be covering the globe, or even this one nation of it, in January. Although having been on tour to Chicago and Minneapolis in January one time, I can't say I'll miss the experience again.

All the places I'm going are within a couple hours of home, necessary with an underwell husband in the picture. As you say, I'll be in Detroit later in the spring, and I'll be in Baltimore for BoucherCon in September.

We are, I'll add, trying to figure out a means of offering an electronic LRK presence, perhaps dropping in via screen to a book group of library. More on this when the Luddites surrender.

[Ruthie]

Ms King,
The new book covers look good, and even more stunning when grouped together on the t-shirts, mugs and other goodies. As there are 4 remaining Russell books, will these also receive new covers and a corresponding mug/t-shirt combo?
Ruthie

[laurierking]

Ms King,
The new book covers look good, and even more stunning when grouped together on the t-shirts, mugs and other goodies. As there are 4 remaining Russell books, will these also receive new covers and a corresponding mug/t-shirt combo?
Ruthie

No, I don't think so. The first four Russells were St Martin's Press hardbacks, with paperback rights sold to Bantam (now my hardback publisher.) Those rights are sold for a given period of time, and when they expired last year, St Martins chose not to renew the rights to Bantam, and instead gave them to one of the St Martin's imprints, Picador.

So unless Bantam decided to follow suit with the later four, they'll remain mass market paperbacks. Although possibly with different covers, maybe when Russell IX comes out in 2009.

[Kiyomi]

So unless Bantam decided to follow suit with the later four, they'll remain mass market paperbacks. Although possibly with different covers, maybe when Russell IX comes out in 2009.

That's too bad. While I love my droped-in-bath copies for toting around regardless of what happens to them I prefer my nice hardbacks for reading in my chair/on my couch. I wear out the paperbacks too fast! I've already had to replace my first Russel paperback because it wore out and when that starts happening I start buying new hardbacks so that they last longer! Apparently you are not supposed to read paperback books 30+ times and expect them to stay bound.

[nkk1969]

All the places I'm going are within a couple hours of home, necessary with an underwell husband in the picture. As you say, I'll be in Detroit later in the spring, and I'll be in Baltimore for BoucherCon in September.

Oh, I have to admit I forgot the underwell husband angle. Sorry about that. B'Con sounds good. Caitlin wanted to go there for an early graduation present anyway. :)

[nkk1969]

I wear out the paperbacks too fast!

I hear you! Does anyone know what the editions are called that are the same size as the paperback, but actually have the hardback covers? They look like a trade paperback, but they do have the hard cover. Anyway, those suckers last forever. We have the first three or four Russells in that edition (as well as various paperback editions).

[Younger Son]

Does anyone know what the editions are called that are the same size as the paperback, but actually have the hardback covers? They look like a trade paperback, but they do have the hard cover. Anyway, those suckers last forever. We have the first three or four Russells in that edition (as well as various paperback editions).

My mother the librarian always called that "library binding."

[The Grey Badger]

I call them small-format hardbacks, and when I had a chance to cop three of them in another series down at a used books place, I laid out $30 for the privilege. But don't get me started on Trade Paper - all the impermanence of mass market and all the portability of hardback.

[Kiyomi]

My mother the librarian always called that "library binding."
You are correct sir! Sometimes you can order library binding versions at Amazon.com, or you should be able to special order them at your local bookstore.

[Carlina]

Not Mycroft, but you'll find some mentions of MI5 and MI6 in TOUCHSTONE next month....

Just got my ARC and wanted to thank you immensely! My ears and eyes perked as I read FBI in the first few pages. So far I love it! *ponders on how to balance Touchstone and dissertation which must be completed by spring*

I was actually at a conference this past week in my field and a presentation was given on geeks and fandoms. Yes, anthropologists study everything. I did mention this wonderful book club and your blog to them. Anywoo, it got me thinking about your work and the Sherlock Holmes fandom. I know there has been interacting between yourself and the BSI. However, I was wondering, has the Sherlock Holmes fandom (and those that play the game) impacted you in any way personally or in terms of how you write your Russell books and construct your characters? Has the fandom caused you to see things differently or say hmmm...buck the fandom, this is what I think? On the flip side of that, what is your impression of the Holmes and Russell/Holmes fandoms? Er...perhaps we should strike that last question ;).

My best wishes to yourself and your family. I hope your husband's health improves.

[jtb1951]

Laurie,
In the Touchstone ARC, the sentence at the top of page 263 contains usage of the term non-starter. Just out of intellectual curiosity, was this usage extant in England in the 1920's or is it an anachronism? Thanks!

John.

[laurierking]

I know there has been interacting between yourself and the BSI. However, I was wondering, has the Sherlock Holmes fandom (and those that play the game) impacted you in any way personally or in terms of how you write your Russell books and construct your characters? Has the fandom caused you to see things differently or say hmmm...buck the fandom, this is what I think? On the flip side of that, what is your impression of the Holmes and Russell/Holmes fandoms? Er...perhaps we should strike that last question ;).

When I first started writing the Russell books, I was only dimly aware of the existence of Sherlockians--sure there were people who wrote books about Holmes and thus played the Game, but that many of them? Had I realized at the start that people would actually be READING the books, looking over my shoulder and correcting and disagreeing, I might never have finished Beekeeper.

But by the time the Sherlockian ethic percolated into my distracted and mostly rural brain, it was too late, and Russell had taken over. Mostly the difference it makes now is, I have people to ask about facts and quotes in the Canon, rather than having to laboriously hunt things down on my own!

As for fan groups, there are some groups that almost define the term "fanatic" and others that are filled with rational, creative, clever individuals. Friends of Russell are clearly of the latter, would you not agree?

[laurierking]

Laurie,
In the Touchstone ARC, the sentence at the top of page 263 contains usage of the term non-starter. Just out of intellectual curiosity, was this usage extant in England in the 1920's or is it an anachronism? Thanks!

John.

No idea. Probably anachronistic. God, I've failed again.

[Kiyomi]

No idea. Probably anachronistic. God, I've failed again.

::hugs the poor put upon author::

[Younger Son]

No idea. Probably anachronistic. God, I've failed again.

Almost surely this is a term from horse racing. The term starter for one who sets out on a race is listed by the first OED dating back to 1818. Surely non-starter follows inevitably. Figurative use follows from that.

[Kerry]

The 3 on-line dictionaries I consulted on the fly concur about the roots in horseracing (in fact, they all give "a horse that fails to start a race in which it is entered") as the second definition. The Merriam's Online Dictionary even provides a date of 1902. Not an anachronism.

[Carlina]

Had I realized at the start that people would actually be READING the books, looking over my shoulder and correcting and disagreeing, I might never have finished Beekeeper.

Somehow I can totally see this as true, especially from personal experience in writing Holmes. Although I do classify myself as a sherlockian, I'm not a purist by all means. Yet, I tend to wonder what the holmesians will think about my work so I tend to consult with them about my ideas and how I'm fleshing out "the master."

I have people to ask about facts and quotes in the Canon, rather than having to laboriously hunt things down on my own!

Now that's a luxury...don't lose it!

Friends of Russell are clearly of the latter, would you not agree?

Oh..indeed :). Although there are some that are a little touchy about........................................just kidding ;). I've actually pondered writing an academic article about the gender dynamics in your works versus those of the canon. I actually see consistencies in terms of the independent, intelligent, and free-thinking female. In a sense you pick up where Conan Doyle left off. I know it sounds odd, but really look at all the main female characters in the canon. They were really cutting edge and very independent for the time period. I've got a title for the article that I think would make Holmes faint, but he'll get over it. Of course I'd have to work on it after I finish my dissertation, but it's something I'd love to do.

No idea. Probably anachronistic. God, I've failed again.

Oh dear you've opened yourself up to them...;).

Thanks again for the time and holiday wishes to you and your family.

[nkk1969]

What I do shake my head at, is even in this group, is the lack of admitting to "just for fun" reading. Oh, there's some mentioned.. mostly sci/fi or mysteries... but even in people's fav book shelf or "what are you reading today"... where's the stories.. not just the litterature. I figure life is dreary enough, and although I read the news, I prefer my books and tv for entertainment... a "pick me up", "take me away and make me smile". Ironically I prefer mysteries, but for some reason they don't seem to be depressing like those "Oprah" book club books tend to be.

We had a discussion in another forum once about why the term 'escapist fiction' has distinctly negative connotations. Never did figure that one out. Personally, I love Diana Gabaldon, Jenny Crusie, Janet Evanovich, and Susan Elizabeth Philips for days when I need to escape life in general. In one SEP book alone the MC is a former first lady who hijacks a man, two kids, and a RV and camps all over West Virginia on her way through the Midwest. What's not to love? :)

Or, sometimes I pick up the trashiest romance novel I can find--one of the ones that doesn't even pretend to contain any literary value. It's fun to read these with a notebook to hand and make tally marks for every time a clichéd word or phrase is used. "Wow, 28 'quivering members' in that one. Cool, a new record." (Though you do have to watch doing things like this. I read a fanfic once that used this phrase in connection with a certain aging detective. It made me want to barf on the spot.)

Re mysteries: I also find mysteries oddly comforting. The mystery series has the added benefit of giving you the feeling of visiting old friends. I still read the M.C. Beaton series with Hamish Macbeth. The writing isn't all that great, but I just need to know what happens next to poor ol' Hamish.

Re The O Club: I write a story about women in a concentration camp. My darkest fear is that it will be published (not much danger in that, as I've been writing it for 5 years and still no end in sight) and they'll slap an "O" sticker on the front. How does one write about a depressing situation without ending up with a depressing story, or possibly worse, something labeled as inspirational? I'm still working on that one.

[tangential1]

What I do shake my head at, is even in this group, is the lack of admitting to "just for fun" reading. Oh, there's some mentioned.. mostly sci/fi or mysteries... but even in people's fav book shelf or "what are you reading today"... where's the stories.. not just the litterature. I figure life is dreary enough, and although I read the news, I prefer my books and tv for entertainment... a "pick me up", "take me away and make me smile".

I like to think everything I read is "just for fun" because no one is really forcing me to read it. I don't have to analyze it or take notes or write anything about it, if I choose not to. Something that always perplexed me was the distinction between "popular fiction" and "literary fiction". I can't really tell the difference; it's all fiction to me. Like why is it that Gregory Maguire gets filed with sci-fi/fantasy at the bookstore, but Jasper Fforde goes in the literature section? Aren't they both fantasy, really?

I know what you mean, though. No one really talks about their junk-food books;)

I think mine are mostly fan fiction. I am rather addicted to HP fanfics, but I tend not to discuss them because I always get rolled eyes in response. I'm really not a big fan of any particular genre, so it's hard to pick up books at random as "just for fun" reads. I have an easier them with young adult books in that respect, actually.

[The Grey Badger]

nkk asked"We had a discussion in another forum once about why the term 'escapist fiction' has distinctly negative connotations. Never did figure that one out."

I remember a quote - don't remember who said it - reminding us "What class of people is most afraid of the desire to escape? Why - jailors!"

[laurierking]

The 3 on-line dictionaries I consulted on the fly concur about the roots in horseracing (in fact, they all give "a horse that fails to start a race in which it is entered") as the second definition. The Merriam's Online Dictionary even provides a date of 1902. Not an anachronism.

Oh, thank GOD for that. I can lift my head again in public.

[Kerry]

My pleasure -- heads up in public is good!

On the reading-for-pleasure notion . . . my pleasure reading is also of the "feel-good" variety. That doesn't mean I don't read books in which bad things happen to good characters, but it does mean that I'm left feeling positive and hopeful at the end. I also require at least one character with whom I could be friends and a plot I can follow. I'll generally take any genre that offers that combination; right now, I find that mystery/suspense authors do so more often than do authors in other genres. I'm not sure why, though . . .

[Jennifer]

I think I am missing something. How can one read if it's not "for pleasure?" I read enough of those academic books in college and grad school that weren't scintillating. I understand that isn't pleasurable necessarily but now, everything I read needs must bring me pleasure, whether it's a set of papers on DL Sayers's life and works, an adventure set in West Bengal, a memoir of Mary Higgins Clark, it all must be pleasurable or I don't read it! Is the point that pleasurable reading must be of the trashy romance variety, or the suspense thriller or the DaVinci Code? I don't know the parameters.
Jen D. (so excited to be starting "Busman's Honeymoon!")

[Kiyomi]

I just can't read trashy romance novels. I just can't! They make me feel a little ill, which is not to knock those who like them, some of my best friends like them, but I can't make myself read them.

I don't really like most 'classic' books ::dodges the rotten fruit:: Just because a book is written with a proper respect for storytelling and grammar and a depressing downtrodden storyline does not make it good literature! Personally I like books either about ordinary people who have done or overcome amazing things or books that have a hopeful outlook on what people can be instead of a depressing worst case scenario(unless people overcome the worst case scenario and become a better human race for it). I don't think that there is a specific genre that has a monopoly on this type of story and I read a wide variety of authors and genres. Overall I probably have mostly science fiction and fantasy, mainly because there aren't as many mystery writers that I like to reread as the other two. I do have a bookcase mainly filled with non-fiction mostly books either about the Apollo program or autobiographies of the people who made it happen with a few reference books thrown in for my inner geek. I also love children's books so there's about a small bookcase worse of those as well. I find that some books I can read just about any time like Patricia Wrede's charming Marelion the Magician and Magician's Ward books but others like Cyteen I can go years between readings because they are heavy reading and I have to be in the right mind frame to enjoy them. Occasionally I get in the mood for some military science fiction and read David Weber and Steve White's 'The Stars at War' series which has more explosions than any other book I've read, or I'll feel like something old and comforting and read 'Ballet Shoes' for the hundredth time since I was a child.

In my opinion you should always read what interests you no matter how mainstream or not the book is. Why waste your time with something you care nothing about just to be 'well read' when there are so many interesting books out there that you can enjoy.

[jtb1951]

Why waste your time with something you care nothing about just to be 'well read' when there are so many interesting books out there that you can enjoy.

Hear, hear, Kiyomi! Thanks for putting into words what reading is all about. Intellectually, a lot can be gathered from "serious" literature, but when all is said and done, imho, a lifetime spent unhappily reading what the experts tell you to read instead of reading whatever fills your needs, is a wasted lifetime of reading. Live to read, and read to live!!:)

John.

[Carlina]

I wish had had time to read "just for fun." Alas I get paid to read and write and teach...so I can't complain. Even when I try and read something just for fun, I can't. My mind is always working...extracting and digesting data. I love the Russell series and even as I read that, I'm processing it...looking at historically...looking at the themes and issues at the time and how they impact the characters...looking at the characters themselves and how they change, what their faults are...deconstructing everything..

I can't even play guitar hero without muscially thinking about the beat and the time and...

Plus you guys would say my fun reading isn't really that fun...Forensic Taphonomic Processes, Dead Men Do Tell Tales, No Bone Unturned, Eating Apes, Forensic Science International (only the people and psychological cases)...I guess it all depends on how you define fun....

I prefer the classics, because they are just...well good in my opinion. For me its not about being well read...I just prefer the old fashion stuff. I'm probably one of the few people that will say I loved reading Dracula but thought it was a badly written book (it does have some mistakes in it as well).

I do read sci fi too...Philip K. Dick, Robert Campbell, Frank Herbert, and, once again the classics. I'm actually staring at my copy of Blade Runner right now. I can honestly say I went to graduate school with an Isaac Isimov winner too...she won the award a few years back...I'm telling you there is something about anthropology that drives us to write fiction...She actually recommended the Shadows of Baker Street to me which is pretty darn good.

Guess I'm serious...oh well...I've always had a thing for dark literature. *cuddles up to Poe and takes out Old Boy and From Hell graphic novels (great movies too)*

[Kerry]

So following along this thread, a question for Laurie: when you need pure "brain candy", what do you read? Or do you ever have that luxury?

[tangential1]

when my dh was a policy researcher he found he didn't like to read just for fun after reading all day for work. TV for him was his escape. He reads a lot more now.

I had that problem in high school; with all the required reading, I had no desire to read for fun. Then I got into college and started all my math/science/engineering classes and rediscovered the joys of fun reads as a contrast to all the equations.

I'm having a similar problem now with my computer, actually. After being at my desk in front of a screen all day at work, I have no desire to do the same when I get home. *sigh*

[The Grey Badger]

I've been told that if you use your right brain all day at work, you need to come down from it with left brain activities, and vice versa. I know one thing highly recommended for those who live in their heads is being set to work with our hands (blast! I;m nowhere NEAR finishing that scarf for a friend - maybe NEXT Yule?) and again, vice versa.

[KarenB]

I started reading romance novels when I was pregnant. Nice leading statement, that! It was because I had rather problematic pregnancies and needed something to distract my mind (on a hamster wheel of "what ifs") for a while. Romances were both escapist and upbeat enough to give me a short time of respite from RL. While the kids were little, I found it hard to concentrate on anything but lighter fiction. It had to be something I could get interrupted 9,534 times and have it still make sense in my addled brain.

Now I go back and forth between lighter and more serious fiction. I don't believe that serious literature has to be depressing, although certainly many critics seem to think that. I just tried to read The Yiddish Policemen's Union during a marathon karate event that my daughter was in and after a hundred pages or so decided it wasn't worth the effort. Too depressing and I just couldn't seem to care about any of the characters.

As for right now, I needed a break and so am re-reading Bujold's Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls.

[nkk1969]

(Pardon me for interrupting the "fun reading" discussion, but I need to put this where Ms. King will see it.)

Caitlin's ARC came in the mail today. She was overjoyed. Overjoyed and upset at the same time because she had to work tonight and would not be able to immediately start in on it. Then, all of the sudden, it was like in a cartoon when you see the little light bulb go on over top of someone's head. She fumbled around in her purse, looking for something. I asked what she was doing and the answer was she was looking for a red pen. The plan now is for her to spend her break with book and red pen in hand. "The inscription says I can mark it up all I want!" The look of evil glee in that child's eyes was a sight to behold.

The other funny thing happened while I was taking her to work. She was musing over the book, and said, "I guess I have two Aunties now; three, if you count Tante Josefine." No one else would understand the importance of that statement, but I did. She calls Diana Gabaldon Auntie Diana, or Auntie D because she gets care packages from Scottsdale a few times a year--books, or if the timing is right, pomegranates from the tree in Diana's back yard. Tante Josefine is really Diana's German translator, Barbara Schnell (the nickname comes from a character, Aunt Josephine, who is a grammar goddess in a Lemony Snicket book). We get together with her whenever we are in Germany and they bonded because they are both language/grammar freaks.

So, she has formally adopted you into her literary family--the few, the proud, the Aunties. I hope you are 1) okay with that, and 2) aware of the honor. It may not sound like much of a title, but that's about the highest praise Caitlin gives out. ;)

Nikki

[AmyLizzie]

Hear, hear, Kiyomi! Thanks for putting into words what reading is all about. Intellectually, a lot can be gathered from "serious" literature, but when all is said and done, imho, a lifetime spent unhappily reading what the experts tell you to read instead of reading whatever fills your needs, is a wasted lifetime of reading. Live to read, and read to live!!:)

John.

Kiyomi, I absolutley agree with you and John I love the way you think! I did an English degree, and I realise and respect good literature. I don't read trashy novels, because while appreciate that work went into them, they're just not enjoyable and to me that's what reading is about - enjoyment. Even 'high literature' like Dickens, or whatever you consider to be high literature, was written to be enjoyed or to convey a point. Some is, I agree, boring, but it's all valuable, nothing written should be dismissed, ignored occassionally yes :) but never dismissed as worthless. The problem with me and reading is since finishing my degree I analyse everything written! I think about the author's motives, the social and cultural aspects, the time the book was written, the language, semiotics...it's all a bit baffling and makes it VERY hard to just enjoy a book!!!! xxxxxxx

[AmyLizzie]

Hear, hear, Kiyomi! Thanks for putting into words what reading is all about. Intellectually, a lot can be gathered from "serious" literature, but when all is said and done, imho, a lifetime spent unhappily reading what the experts tell you to read instead of reading whatever fills your needs, is a wasted lifetime of reading. Live to read, and read to live!!:)

John.

Kiyomi, I absolutley agree with you and John I love the way you think! I did an English degree, and I realise and respect good literature. I don't read trashy novels, because while I appreciate the work that went into them, they're just not enjoyable and to me that's what reading is about - enjoyment. Even 'high literature' like Dickens, or whatever you consider to be high literature, was written to be enjoyed or to convey a point. Some is, I agree, boring, but it's all valuable, nothing written should be dismissed, ignored occassionally yes :) but never dismissed as worthless. The problem with me and reading is since finishing my degree I analyse everything written! I think about the author's motives, the social and cultural aspects, the time the book was written, the language, semiotics...it's all a bit baffling and makes it VERY hard to just enjoy a book!!!! xxxxxxx

[AmyLizzie]

Sorry that appeared twice! Don't quite know how!

[laurierking]

(Pardon me for interrupting the "fun reading" discussion, but I need to put this where Ms. King will see it.)

So, she has formally adopted you into her literary family--the few, the proud, the Aunties. I hope you are 1) okay with that, and 2) aware of the honor. It may not sound like much of a title, but that's about the highest praise Caitlin gives out. ;)

Nikki

Tell Caitlin I am honored, and hope to meet my new niece. Perhaps next month on tour?

Laurie

[laurierking]

So following along this thread, a question for Laurie: when you need pure "brain candy", what do you read? Or do you ever have that luxury?

The only times in my life when I haven't read have been bad, bad days, generally involving hospitals in some form.

I read all the time, and like my father before me, have been known to read while "watching" the television. However, when I'm stressed or brain dead, I often re-read old friends, friends who don't mind if I'm not paying a whole lot of attention to what's going on. I recently re-read the Mary Stewart Arthur trilogy, Crystal Cave to Last Enchantment. (Not too fond of the fourth one, as Merlin's offstage most of the time.)

[Carlina]

There's just something about Merlin :) .

Hi Laurie,

I just wanted to wish you and your family merry holidays and a Happy Christmas. Warm regards and many happy tidings. I must also thank you for the wonderful Christmas cheer you have given me with an ARC of Touchstone and two lovely signed book which I am thoroughly enjoying during those breaks from dissertating. My best and warmth to you and your family....

Happy Holidays and Happy/Merry Christmas,
Carlina

[nkk1969]

However, when I'm stressed or brain dead, I often re-read old friends, friends who don't mind if I'm not paying a whole lot of attention to what's going on.

There are two kinds of people in this world--those who understand the concept of a comfort book and everyone else.

Have a great weekend!

[The Grey Badger]

Not a question, but - Book Page had a very nice review of Touchstone in the latest (January) issue, now at your local public library. (Book Page, not Touchstone).

[Kiyomi]

There is a used bookstore that I have been going to for ::checks:: almost 20 years O_o I hadn't realized I was old enough to say that ;) The same three gals have been running it the whole time and I've probably bought and traded in about half their sci-fi/mystery/childrens book inventory at one time or another over the years. It's nice to stop by and chat for a bit and see if they've finally got in that one book that is out of print that I can't find anywhere.

[tangential1]

My favorite old bookstore closed down this month.:( They specialized in used and out of print books, but they also had new stuff sometimes too. No more wandering through to find interesting new stuff...

[Kiyomi]

That is so sad :(

[Kerry]

I have a question for Laurie about standalones vs. series. I hope I'll be able to express this properly. The question was sparked by reading Touchstone and being mesmerized by its depth and complexity. Then I got to thinking, and realized that I find all of the standalones to have a sort of multi-layered richness and density to them that I don't quite get from the series novels (which are still rich, of course -- but not quite the same). So then I wondered whether or not that might be a natural consequence of the fact that, in series novels, character complexity builds across books, while in standalones, it all has to happen in one place. If that makes any sense.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear whether or not other readers see the same distinction and what Laurie thinks about the perception . . .

Thanks!

[Strawberry Curls]

I was wondering if and when Touchstone will appear as a book on tape? I love to listen to books in my car, and I have all the Russell books on tape and TAoD. I would love Touchstone. Just wondering. :rolleyes:

[vicki]

Hi, all! <Waves> Laurie will be by before too long--she's rather short on time just now, what with the real-life and virtual touring for T'stone.

That's a great question, Kerry. The standalones do seem to have a particularly intricate emotional embroidery and complexity. It would be interesting to hear if LRK writes the standalones from a different place in her mind than she does the series.


I was wondering if and when Touchstone will appear as a book on tape? I love to listen to books in my car, and I have all the Russell books on tape and TAoD. I would love Touchstone.

Hi, Alice--you're not the only one asking about that! Bachi is also interested, as are several people who have sent email queries. The answer is that it won't be out until the latter part of the year. :( Since so many people are interested in the audiobook, I'll suggest to Laurie that she do a blog-post with the latest information about it.

I haven't experimented much with downloadable ereaders, but I just found this free one from adobe (http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/) that looks like it will let you read a book on your computer in pdf format, which allows for a good bit of magnification. Here's a bit from another page on the adobe e-reader:


Adobe Acrobat eBook Reader uses industry standard Acrobat .pdf format to allow excellent on-screen readability with clear, sharp text. You can also use the magnify tool in your eBook Reader to display your eBook text at whatever magnification you prefer.


So if there are any visually impaired folks who want to read Touchstone before the discussion (it's coming up soon!), check the some online stores such as Powells.com (http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=91-9780553904482-0) for the adobe ebook of Touchstone.

Or lookee (http://librarydemo.adobe.com/library/default.asp)! If your library lends out Adobe ebooks, you may be able to check out a version of Touchstone (from what I gather, the copy would expire after a set time period). Pretty danged cool--we've come quite a ways since the monks labored to copy texts by hand with their scratchy quill pens!


My favorite old bookstore closed down this month.:(


I'm so sorry! The loss of a unique institution like that can be truly wrenching for its patrons and for the whole community around it. :..(


(Not too fond of the fourth one, as Merlin's offstage most of the time.)


That's so wrong. I recently gave away an Arthurian trilogy--unread--because I found out there was no Merlin in it. Why in heaven's name would I want to read an Arthurian story with no Merlin?! It's just wrong. Very wrong indeed.

[laurierking]

I have a question for Laurie about standalones vs. series. I hope I'll be able to express this properly. The question was sparked by reading Touchstone and being mesmerized by its depth and complexity. Then I got to thinking, and realized that I find all of the standalones to have a sort of multi-layered richness and density to them that I don't quite get from the series novels (which are still rich, of course -- but not quite the same). So then I wondered whether or not that might be a natural consequence of the fact that, in series novels, character complexity builds across books, while in standalones, it all has to happen in one place. If that makes any sense.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear whether or not other readers see the same distinction and what Laurie thinks about the perception . . .

Thanks!


I think I'll use this as the basis for a blog, once the flurry of touring Touchstone dies down. It's an interesting question, and I'd like to address it more thoroughly.

Then again, a tour for a standalone might be the ideal place for such a discussion....

Laurie

[Sara McClelland]

I had a question that "Touchstone" brought up. Now having read it, the Russell series, "Art of Detection" and "A Darker Place", there are a number of female narrators and main characters. But "Touchstone" has male voices aplenty. Is it more difficult to write the gender you are or are not? How do you get into the heads of the opposite gender? (In the writing sense, though answering this could well give you a fortune of another kind, if you put the information to marketable use....)

Thanks, Sara

[Kerry]

I think I'll use this as the basis for a blog, once the flurry of touring Touchstone dies down. It's an interesting question, and I'd like to address it more thoroughly.

Then again, a tour for a standalone might be the ideal place for such a discussion....

Laurie

Thanks, Laurie, for understanding the question perfectly and providing such a generous answer. I now have an image of writerly muscles flexing: lighter weights over large ranges of motion and higher reps for the series books; heavier weights over a smaller range of motion and more isometric work for the standalones. It's possible I've been spending too much time in the gym and writing new lectures on the glories of weight training . . .

(I tried posting this over on the blog, but my computer is being uncooperative today; I hope this works!)

[vicki]

I love that image of the LRK mental gym--maybe there's also a little cybex circuit over in the corner for the short story muscles, too. :)

Another great question, Sara--I've also wondered about the differences in writing male and female voices. And it seems to me that, as time has passed, LRK has written more and more often in a male voice or from a male point of view. We get Al's viewpoint to some extent in the Martinellis, and the male FBI agent's POV for parts of A Darker Place, but then we get to Keeping Watch, which features LRK's first male protagonist (as I recall, anyway), so most of the story is told from a masculine POV. Then we begin to see things from Holmes' POV in broad sweeps of Locked Rooms and The Art of Detection, and some male POV bits in Califia's Daughters. And most recently, Touchstone, which is more of an ensemble work than LRK's other stories, and most of the ensemble's characters, including the central two, are male. It's interesting to see a writer known for strong female characters begin to write more often from a male perspective.

[Kerry]

Sara & Vicki, I think this is a really interesting topic. For some time now, I've been "off" reading most works in which male authors try to write from the female POV (or even have females as major characters), having become somehow very sensitized to the oh-so-many instances in which those characters are over-idealized, over-generalized, over-sexualized -- sort of made into male fantasy characters. Yet I don't perceive the same problem when women write from the male POV. My own prejudices at work? Very possibly! And that makes me wonder the extent to which an author needs to be hyper-conscious of his/her preconceptions and prejudices when trying to write from a POV radically different from his/her own, especially a different gender.

[Carlina]

Those are really great points Kerry that I would love to see expounded on. I've noticed everything you've said too. Ladies tend not to have a problem writing the opposite gender. I have always been very impressed at how even JK Rowling handled adolescence in the HP series...goodness. I think Stephen King was pretty good at moving between the genders, although he writes mostly in 3rd. Carrie is still a great piece of work...at least I think...and perhaps one of the few where he intensely focuses on the female gender.

Laurie's really good and moving smoothly between the sexes. Oh dear, that didn't sound right, but you know what I mean. I've always wondered how Laurie manages it. I know when I asked her about Touchstone she had said she had read much male-based literature from the time period. But how do you go from writing character like those to MR and SH? Its like a 360 in some respects....and utterly amazing!

[Kiyomi]

One thing I have noticed in all good writers including Laurie is that they write people are people with all the motivations and flaws and strengths that real people have regardless of their station or upbringing. While some characters might fit well with a certain stereotype of person as many real people do the characters in their books are individuals not just cardboard cut out people who do things only in accordance with one stereotypical social group or another.

[Sara McClelland]

I think it is also interesting how the LRK characters tend to play the opposite gender, in roles and such. How many times has Russell been 'male'? (Or Holmes female? In red shoes?)

Also, in some strange way, do we still view 'crime' as a masculine thing? There are female detectives and criminals aplenty, but do we still view crime and the act of fighting it masculine? I ask out of my naive curiosity, not vicious anti-feminism.

(In a completely unrelated topic, I came across a poem, "Sea-Fever," in "The Dangerous Book for Boys"- one of my brothers'- which contains the phrase 'the vagrant gypsy life.' Is this where the title for Chapter 5 in "BEEK" comes from?)

[LaideeMarjorie]

Laurie,

First of all, how long is your hair when it isn't arranged so artfully on the top of your head? Just curious!

And secondly, will there be anything like a Russellian quote contest for "The Language of Bees"? I wasn't around the first time you did that, but I can't imagine a bigger kick (the good kind of kick) for someone that getting to be the winning writer of a sentence that you incorporate into a book.

Thanks,
Marjorie

[laurierking]

Laurie,

First of all, how long is your hair when it isn't arranged so artfully on the top of your head? Just curious!

And secondly, will there be anything like a Russellian quote contest for "The Language of Bees"? I wasn't around the first time you did that, but I can't imagine a bigger kick (the good kind of kick) for someone that getting to be the winning writer of a sentence that you incorporate into a book.

Thanks,
Marjorie


It's waist length, and as with Russell, I find long hair less work than short. Although, I'm having to remember that Russell's now isn't.

We'll probably do some kind of contest, have to think about what. Any ideas, Vicki?

[LaideeMarjorie]

It's waist length, and as with Russell, I find long hair less work than short. Although, I'm having to remember that Russell's now isn't.

We'll probably do some kind of contest, have to think about what. Any ideas, Vicki?

Well, I would love a contest that asks for some imagination and creativity from us. The amount of talent in your fandom (especially evident in all of my fellow Letter of Mary-ers) is substanial. This is the first time that I am "with you" was you write a new Russell book, so I am relishing your updates and I would love anything that furthers that connection between you and all of us.

Grateful,
Marjorie

[Kerry]

It's waist length, and as with Russell, I find long hair less work than short. Although, I'm having to remember that Russell's now isn't.

We'll probably do some kind of contest, have to think about what. Any ideas, Vicki?

Very long or very, very short -- that's the ticket. The easiest hair I ever dealt with was about 1.5" long on top and nearly shaved on the sides and back. But it just doesn't look as good as longer on me; now I'm dealing with the horrid growing-out phase. If mine ever gets waist-length again, I'm leaving it alone! I wonder how Russell will deal with that in-between stage? Impatiently, and cut it again? Or with an eye to the long term, but much muttering under her breath and blaming Holmes (half in jest) until it gets long enough to be easy again?

I'm sure Vicki will come up with something grand for us ;)

[kriddle]

I'm (im)patiently waiting for mine to grow a little longer so I can cut it all off for Locks for Love. When it's long I have to wear it up and it gets all itchy and I have that constant 'halo effect' of the short hairs that refuse to behave (by-product of being young, I suppose). Leave it down and it is a magnet for every motor in site; waiting to get wrapped around and yanked out of my head.:eek: I've been told that the short makes me look like a Cambell's Soup kid <weighs options> I've always liked Cambell's Soup...

Seriously, though, I do have a question. In Folly and A Darker Place, both Ann and Rae have lost their husbands and young daughters. It was difficult, emotionally, for me to read (of course I cried when Cullum died, too, and spent some extra snuggle time with my dogs). I understand that the characters had to have some tragedy to develop and propel their characters, but why the same for both characters?

[laurierking]

In Folly and A Darker Place, both Ann and Rae have lost their husbands and young daughters. It was difficult, emotionally, for me to read (of course I cried when Cullum died, too, and spent some extra snuggle time with my dogs). I understand that the characters had to have some tragedy to develop and propel their characters, but why the same for both characters?

Oh dear, I hadn't thought of that. We writers try not to repeat ourselves, but there are often things that we find ourselves using again and again--names, characteristics, events. Because that story is unique in our minds, particularly as we're writing it, sometimes it doesn't occur to us that we've done this before.

I'll try not to give my next heroine a dead husband and daughter.

[tangential1]

You know, I never noticed that similarity. I suppose the circumstances behind the deaths, not to mention the reactions of the women, really masked it for me.

[kriddle]

Well, in a way it hits close to home, so it really stood out to me. Plus I'm just the sensitive type.

[Strawberry Curls]

Ms. King, a friend of mine has asked if I would find out from you, or anyone else who knows, the title of the book, published last year, about marriages between the wars. She believes she read about it in your blog, but cannot find the reference now.

Alice
AKA Strawberry Curls

PS- The book has been identified. Uncommon Arrangements by Katie Roipke. So, thanks to everyone who read this post. A.

[Ruahnna]

Dear Ms. King,

I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts about the character of John Watson. While certainly not a thinker in the same league as Sherlock Holmes, he was, nevertheless a stalwart companion (why does one always associate the word "stalwart" with Dr. Watson?) and a cut above the average thinker (which is pretty gosh-darned average). Since Watson, as the writer of the stories, is too modest to toot his own horn, and since Watson usually DOESN'T make the brilliant leaps of logic necessary to solve the cases, I always thought you had to sortof infer his intellectual ability from Holmes' happy and willing long-time association with him. Could you comment on your opinion of Watson as a thinker and your treatment of him as a character? I would be very interested to know what you think.

Thanks so much!

Ruahnna

[Carlina]

Hello again Ms. King!

I hope you are doing well and best wishes to your family. Since we had that mention of primary sources in your blog, are you using any for the Language of the Bees? If so, may I ask what types and in relation to whom or what? Broadly if you don't want to give away any spoilers? I'm guessing newspapers are at the top of the list but are there any letters or journals or anything of that sort?

Oh...and how is Holmes' rheumatism these days? Still relying on the bee stings then or does he always use that as a convenient excuse?

Once again, thanks for taking the time out for us and perhaps if I play my cards right I may actually get a chance to meet you in 2009...perhaps...maybe... :) .

All the best to you and your family.

[laurierking]

Could you comment on your opinion of Watson as a thinker and your treatment of him as a character? I would be very interested to know what you think.


When I started writing, it was all I could do to juggle the two main characters of Russell and Holmes plus the necessary cast for whatever book I was on. This meant I gave Watson, when he even appeared, as short of shrift as I did Mycroft or Mrs Hudson. A few stock references to him as a Nigel Bruce bumbler and let him fade away.

This led to criticism, rightfully so. He is not a bumbler, he is a person with his own strengths and weaknesses who earned the respect of a man not given to handing out his respect. I keep thinking that I will have a story line in which Watson can play a major part, and thus make amends for the shortcoming, but Language of Bees isn't yet it.

[laurierking]

Since we had that mention of primary sources in your blog, are you using any for the Language of the Bees? If so, may I ask what types and in relation to whom or what? Broadly if you don't want to give away any spoilers? I'm guessing newspapers are at the top of the list but are there any letters or journals or anything of that sort?

Oh...and how is Holmes' rheumatism these days? Still relying on the bee stings then or does he always use that as a convenient excuse?


A few autobiograhies, if those count as primary, but I have yet to break out the white cane and give myself over to the microfilm reader to review the Times.

Holmes is, no doubt, bent over his microscope working on the problem of bee collapse, before apis mellifera go extinct.

[Steffi]

Dear Mrs King,

(why was I just tempted to write Mrs Russell? ;))
I would like to say thank you for many hours of pleasure reading your Mary Russell books. I love them to death and even sneaked them in (thematically) in my final exams at university, since I was doing the canon as an English literature topic.

Now... Is there any chance we might get to see/read more of the Hazr aka Hughenfort brothers? I have to say somehow those two books (O Jerusalem and Justice Hall) are my very absolute favourites of your MR books and I always wondered what might happen after the end of these two. What Ali and Mahmoud do when Holmes and Russell leave Palestine, and afterwards when they helped Marsh in England? Do we get to see more of Gabriel? Will he also be 'ensnared' by Mycroft? I mean, Marsh is his grandfather... Would he like that?

I better stop here, otherwise this gets too long... but I'm desperate for more from these 'Arab cutthroats - English gentlemen'...

Good luck with everything!!!

Steffi

[laurierking]

Is there any chance we might get to see/read more of the Hazr aka Hughenfort brothers? I have to say somehow those two books (O Jerusalem and Justice Hall) are my very absolute favourites of your MR books and I always wondered what might happen after the end of these two. What Ali and Mahmoud do when Holmes and Russell leave Palestine, and afterwards when they helped Marsh in England? Do we get to see more of Gabriel? Will he also be 'ensnared' by Mycroft? I mean, Marsh is his grandfather... Would he like that?


I have no plans to revisit the clan Hughenfort, although one never knows, in an alternative universe, what will come up.

Laurie

[LaideeMarjorie]

I keep thinking that I will have a story line in which Watson can play a major part, and thus make amends for the shortcoming, but Language of Bees isn't yet it.

Well, Laurie, let me fling this out into the weboshpere. When you start to think about the book after "TLOB" (yeah, yeah, no time soon), how about an adventure with more of Watson in it.....in Ireland? I love the places you have taken us on your (or Russell & Homles) travels. I would love to see them brought to the Emerald Isle as I can imagine the great job you would make of it. Something about "the troubles" perhaps? Or the lovely Aran Islands? Or...well, you get the idea. Thanks.

--Marjorie

[Carlina]

A few autobiograhies, if those count as primary, but I have yet to break out the white cane and give myself over to the microfilm reader to review the Times.

Holmes is, no doubt, bent over his microscope working on the problem of bee collapse, before apis mellifera go extinct.

Nifty! Yes going through newspapers is tedious business. I've done most of the Charleston, SC newspapers for the years of 1850-1860. I think my vision degraded afterwards. Oh but the data I reaped...priceless. It's gotten easier today though. Many historic newspapers are online and you can type in key search words (thank god). In fact the Times index can be found online and covers 1790-1980. I don't know if your library subscribes to the service, but it is accessible through most research one universities.

http://historynews.chadwyck.com/

You can search through and get full-text articles for the years 1790-1870 of the Times from that same website.

There is also a couple of other websites that have the entire Times digitized and you can search through them digitally with terms but your library or chosen institution has to have a subscription to the services:

http://www.galeuk.com/times/

The University of California system subscribes to the service too:

http://www.cdlib.org/inside/resources/choosecampus/tda.html

You can access it through an on campus terminal at the listed campuses. I think it’s a nifty thing really. These online newspapers have really saved my sight! Plus instead of going page by page, which I do find fun, you can just plug in your search times and find what you need much quicker. I hope it helps in the future.

I saw on your blog the output these past couple weeks and its just amazing! Very impressive! I

Good for Holmes! Being under the ‘scope getting all the data he can! I don’t blame him. Round these parts cicada cycles drive the biologists crazy with euphoria. Can’t say I blame them either…

As always thanks for the time and my best to yourself and your family :) .

[tangential1]

Many historic newspapers are online and you can type in key search words (thank god). In fact the Times index can be found online and covers 1790-1980.

I was just thinking the same thing!

As much as I absolutely love going through the microfilm (and I'm not trying to be facetious here, I really do love it. The tangible connection to the past is way cool;)), the last time I had a big paper due requiring primary sources the recently scanned and search-able collection of papers was way helpful.

And a tidbit about the University of California's online subscription. If you have a campus account, you can actually remotely access all of the subscriptions that the uni offers on campus (at least for Davis you can; I'm not sure about the others). You have to do a rather tedious proxy set up and log-in, but it's pretty cool when you can't get to a campus terminal;) I'm wondering if this is accessible for alumni with an association membership. I know we are supposed to be able to access library resources, so who knows.

[Sara McClelland]

"I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts about the character of John Watson. While certainly not a thinker in the same league as Sherlock Holmes..."

There's this movie called "Without a Clue" with Michael Caine and Sir Ben Kingsley. Portrays Watson much differently- you might get a kick out of it.

Hope I'm not out of line in the VBC rules structure for recommending a movie here (not that I'm not advocating books, but for a Watson defender, this movie is so perfect).

[LaideeMarjorie]

Okay, it's not a question as much as a comment, but since I am currently reading LOCK for the second time, can I say that I hope that TLOB includes a scene where Russell hangs her mother's mezuzah up at the cottage? Russell's connection to the blessing is so strong in LOCK that I would love to see the object appear again and take it's rightful place. I hope that's okay to mention. I know that you will do whatever is best for the book.

Thanks,
Marjorie

[Baudette K.]

Hi,
Just want to know if I'm missing a book or what? I can't find anything more written about Anne, Jason and Dulcie. I have just finished "A Darker Place" and if this is considered an ending I am disappointed and a little upset. :confused:
Please tell me there is more!!!!!

[vicki]

I looove researching online! I sometimes google up academic or scientific articles that aren't generally accessible, but luckily, my local library system allows for access to a lot of such things if you go through their site. <Radiates library love>

I hope that TLOB includes a scene where Russell hangs her mother's mezuzah up at the cottage? Russell's connection to the blessing is so strong in LOCK that I would love to see the object appear again and take it's rightful place.

That would be cool. :) We should have a place for future-scene requests!

There's this movie called "Without a Clue" with Michael Caine and Sir Ben Kingsley. Portrays Watson much differently- you might get a kick out of it.


I remember when this came out and I really wanted to see it but never did. I don't know why. I remember hearing that both leads were terrific in it. I'll have to add it to the "to rent" list.

Baudette, I think you weren't the only one left wanting to know more at the end of A Darker Place. LRK makes some interesting comments about that in the DP discussion thread (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=181) (along about posts 21-22), as well as the possibility that we might see more of some character from DP in the future. :) BTW--you might also enjoy looking over the introductory materials (http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=180) for the DP discussion.

[nkk1969]

That would be cool. :) We should have a place for future-scene requests.

Pfft. As if she'd cave for us or anyone else... Was that your attempt at April Fool's humor, Vicki? :p

[Carlina]

Pfft. As if she'd cave for us or anyone else... Was that your attempt at April Fool's humor, Vicki? :p

What no deleted scenes from the books? Aww..pity...;)

Speaking of April Fool's...I just know Ms. King is cooking up something. She usually does every year...Oooo..I wonder if they'll be more bones this year like last? *Gets bone happy*

[nkk1969]

Speaking of April Fool's...I just know Ms. King is cooking up something. She usually does every year...Oooo..I wonder if they'll be more bones this year like last? *Gets bone happy*

Let's hope she is! :D Did you get the email this morning dealing with scenes from the new book? That was a good one, though not from Ms. King.

I'm beginning to think the April Fools joke this year is she's not posting one...:(

[Carlina]

Let's hope she is! :D Did you get the email this morning dealing with scenes from the new book? That was a good one, though not from Ms. King.

I'm beginning to think the April Fools joke this year is she's not posting one...:(

E-MAIL!!! WHAT EMAIL!!! *flails* No..I didn't get it!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! *goes in a corner and pouts...profusely....proceeds to have withdrawal symptoms*

[nkk1969]

E-MAIL!!! WHAT EMAIL!!! *flails* No..I didn't get it!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! *goes in a corner and pouts...profusely....proceeds to have withdrawal symptoms*

Let me rephrase that. Did you get an email notification of a message posted at another site we both frequent? If not, go check it out. I'd repost it here, but I do not have the author's permission yet.

If the administration does not object (What say you, Vicki? You know what I'm talking about.) and I get permission, I'll repost it here.

[Carlina]

Let me rephrase that. Did you get an email notification of a message posted at another site we both frequent? If not, go check it out. I'd repost it here, but I do not have the author's permission yet.

If the administration does not object (What say you, Vicki? You know what I'm talking about.) and I get permission, I'll repost it here.

*whew* Found it then...D*** that was good!!! I'd read that!!! :D WOW...I knew that Russell...I knew it!!! After all my posts about her behaviour! I told ya'll so!! Even in The Moor...*shakes head*

Laidee if you're reading this...big kudos! Thanks much nkk for pointing that out :). I'm way behind on THAT e-mail and usually pop in about once a week. RL has claimed me for some time now...but that...that was...GOOD!!!

[LaideeMarjorie]

*whew* Found it then...D*** that was good!!! I'd read that!!! :D WOW...I knew that Russell...I knew it!!! After all my posts about her behaviour! I told ya'll so!! Even in The Moor...*shakes head*

Laidee if you're reading this...big kudos! Thanks much nkk for pointing that out :). I'm way behind on THAT e-mail and usually pop in about once a week. RL has claimed me for some time now...but that...that was...GOOD!!!

I'm here.
And I blush with modesty at your kind words.
Thanks.
:o

[tangential1]

*whew* Found it then...D*** that was good!!! I'd read that!!! :D WOW...I knew that Russell...I knew it!!! After all my posts about her behaviour! I told ya'll so!! Even in The Moor...*shakes head*

*bewildered* Huh??? Would someone mind PMing me on this if you can't share on the discussion board? I'm afraid I don't get the fore-mentioned emails and thus am entirely out of the loop and thus confused...:(

[Kalexys]

My interest is piqued too. Can someone send me to the email?

[vicki]

Nikki, I missed the request about posting LaideeM's funny April Fool's piece here--sorry! It would be fine--I know it's late, but the non-LoM folks would still enjoy seeing it, I'll warrant. I meant to do it myself and got distracted. <thocks self over head>

We should have a place for future-scene requests.


Pfft. As if she'd cave for us or anyone else... Was that your attempt at April Fool's humor, Vicki? :p


There's no harm in a future-scene wish-list (I have one running on my mental memo-pad, in fact). :D And if you want to actually write certain scenes out (as to the Russell series at least), LoM (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Letters_Of_Mary/) (oooh--lookee at the new front page pic--cool) is a perfect venue.

Sheri, I'll check on your blog registration and email you the info.


She and my 8yr old would be best friends. His favorite book is the Ontario Map book. My husband follows his directions without complaint, mine get questioned yet I never get lost (that's not a brag).


Hehehehe--that's so great! Can I borrow him next time I take a trip? Seriously, I can get lost in my own back yard. It's very sad. I think whatever part of the brain gives us directional sense is just mostly missing in my noggin. My kids find it to be extremely hilarious whenever I make a wrong turn (which happens depressingly often) and wind up in the wrong place. :o
http://laurierking.com/vbulletin/images/misc/progress.gif

[Strawberry Curls]

There's no harm in a future-scene wish-list (I have one running on my mental memo-pad, in fact). :D And if you want to actually write certain scenes out (as to the Russell series at least), LoM (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Letters_Of_Mary/) (oooh--lookee at the new front page pic--cool) is a perfect venue.Thanks for the good word and the link, Vicki. I would like to add the Letters Of Mary site isn't just for writers, but for anyone who enjoys reading well-written stories about Russell and Holmes, and interacting with others who do.

Alice

[LaideeMarjorie]

Thanks for the good word and the link, Vicki. I would like to add the Letters Of Mary site isn't just for writers, but for anyone who enjoys reading well-written stories about Russell and Holmes, and interacting with others who do.

Alice

Alice,
May I second your suggestion? The Letters of Mary Yahoo group has been great in so many ways. First of all, you get to see things like April Fool's Day posts over there! (wink, wink.)

Secondly, for me, it has given me many hours of pleasure in reading wonderfully written pieces that have inspired me to do more writing of my own in the past six months than I have done in the past six years! And it seems to be paying off as my editor over there (wink, wink) tells me that my writing is improving.

And the people over there! Supportive, funny, talented and often filled with a sense of mischief that I love.

Laurie has created an amazing universe for us with her Mary Russell books, but the pastiche writing there fills in some gaps (those two years just after R. and H. were first married, for example) and even when the writers don't agree, there is always room there for a spirited discussion.

Come, join us.

--Marjorie

[kriddle]

Dear Laurie,

I've recently been deluged with a ton of information on Tibet, Buddhism, and the Dalai Lama. With the recent and ongoing events, and remembering your comments of him dandling your daughter on his knee, I was wondering if you would be willing to share your experience, thoughts and opinions about the Dalai Lama. From Heinrich Harrer's description and other accounts I've read he seems quite and extraordinary individual.

Thanks for your time, and I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your break from worshipping at the altar of the computer...also known as regaining your sanity after completing the first draft.:)

Kriddle

[LaideeMarjorie]

I received an email last night from Reading is Fundamental saying that the funding has passed this year and that is due, anong other things, to Laurie getting us all involved in her blog post about the importance of the program. I would not have known about the problem without her post, so thanks to Laurie. And to all of you who took the time to email your politicians.

The good guys win! How refreshing. Books will get where they need to be for another school year.

--Marjorie

[vicki]

Woooohoooo! (http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/guy/fireworks/) <Happy Dance> Thanks for the update, LM!

[tangential1]

I caught a movie about Rudyard Kipling's family recently (My Boy Jack) in which Kipling's son shocks some fans of his father by saying that he'd never read any of his father's books. This made me curious: Laurie, does your family read your books? Are they fans of your work?

[AmyLizzie]

For some unknown technological reason I can't log in to leave a comment on your blog so instead I'll leave the comment I was going to put there, here :) It was just to say that I am thrilled you're doing a UK tour and I will definitely make the Oxford appearance :) good luck with the rest of it and hopefully I'll see you in Oxford! x

[Meredith47]

Hi, back to tangential1, and I can provide 0.5 cents worth of information on Laurie's kids and reading her stuff. I suspect Laurie is very busy gearing up for the great voyage to the UK and will respond in a while. I know her daughter reads at least now and then in all of the aspects of her e-empire & it certainly implied she's read all of Laurie's works. The young man is merely legendary (Ranger sleeping on floor, whew!) Meanwhile (and something completely different) do I get to meet you guys in RL? Coming to B'con? *wheedling, wheedling* Don't mean to be obnoxious about it.--Meredith

[Northernlights]

I have been reading Barbara Cleverly's series set in 1920's India, and noticed the map at the front of her books (like The Damascened Blade) is the same map that is used in LRK's The Game. Is there only one map for the fictionalized world of 1920's India?

[MissTiggy]

Hello, Ms. King. This is in response to an old post of yours in 2007, but I just saw it today. You requested we not address you as Mrs. King, but as Ms.. I apologize for sending you two recent snail mailings addressed as Mrs.. Going forward, I will use. Ms.. I love reading your blogs.
Barbara
________
needUloveMe2 (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/needUloveMe2/)

[Millie]

Hello Ms King,

I just picked up Val McDermid's 'Hostage to Murder' for a quick re-read, and found Lindsay Gordon, just returned to Glasgow from California, missing her dog Mutton, who had been left with 'friends in the Bay Area' rather than have to spend 6 months in quarantine. That made me think of Night Work, where Roz and Mai have inherited a dog, Mouton, also known as Mutton or Mutt, from a friend who moved back to England and didn't want the dog to spend 6 months in quarantine.

Is this a co-incidence? If not, who is paying homage to whom? (Might I add that I think you're both worthy of homage, lol).

Thanks!

Camilla

[laurierking]

Hello, Ms. King. This is in response to an old post of yours in 2007, but I just saw it today. You requested we not address you as Mrs. King, but as Ms.. I apologize for sending you two recent snail mailings addressed as Mrs.. Going forward, I will use. Ms.. I love reading your blogs.
Barbara

Actually, just call me Laurie.

[laurierking]

Hello Ms King,

I just picked up Val McDermid's 'Hostage to Murder' for a quick re-read, and found Lindsay Gordon, just returned to Glasgow from California, missing her dog Mutton, who had been left with 'friends in the Bay Area' rather than have to spend 6 months in quarantine. That made me think of Night Work, where Roz and Mai have inherited a dog, Mouton, also known as Mutton or Mutt, from a friend who moved back to England and didn't want the dog to spend 6 months in quarantine.

Is this a co-incidence? If not, who is paying homage to whom? (Might I add that I think you're both worthy of homage, lol).

Thanks!

Camilla

It came out of a conversation with Val about the dog, how she hated to put even a fictional dog into quarantine. So I said I'd take it.

[Bachi]

It came out of a conversation with Val about the dog, how she hated to put even a fictional dog into quarantine. So I said I'd take it.

What a clever cross-reference - I Love It!

Thanks so much to Millie for catching it and bringing it up so we all could enjoy this little tidbit.

[Millie]

What a great story - thanks so much for answering!

Bachi - any time! (What a hardship, close reading of V McD and LRK!)

[kasmyra]

That is way too cool! I will have to catch up on LRK's Kate series now so I can see the reference for myself.

[Carlina]

Hi Laurie,

I hope you and your husband are doing well and the re-writing is going smoothly! *Waves in the distance*

You don't have to answer this question, but you know that already. It's one those curiousity killed the cat questions I suppose, since I tend to float between three fandoms the canon Sherlock Holmes fandom, your fandom, and Torchwood/Doctor Who fandom. I've notice that fandom is a rather strange thing and that some folks get really immersed in it and take it very seriously (the Torchwood fandom is a good example...good lord). In fact some anthropologists are doing studies on the idea of "geeks" and fandoms. Anywoo, given that your work has its own fandom now complete with pastiches, have you any thoughts about fandom and the worlds of:

AUs: Alternative Universes
Slash: M/M or F/F couplings with characters
Crack!fics: Just plain silly stuff...an example...Holmes and Russell begin an argument, which progresses to a fencing match, whereby Mrs. Hudson joins in, then Watson magically appears and flirts with Mrs. Hudson...you get the point...
Crossovers: Characters from one book or programme crossover over into another...

Sorry for the longwinded question but I've often wonder what authors think about the idea of fandom. It's especially complicated in the world of Sherlock Holmes. Good lord...wars waiting to happen...

I should also thank you, because if it wasn't for your fandom, I don't think I would have every come back to comfy fiction writing, which has helped me much in my academic writing.

[LaideeMarjorie]

There's a nice mention of Laurie's writing on the blog of a former classmate of hers:

http://sermonoats.blogspot.com/2008/08/from-rectors-lawn-chair-wholly.html

(I hope that this is an okay place to put this.)

--Marjorie

[Pat Floyd]

This question is way out of context as far as time is concerned, and possibly in its location on this website. I'm catching up on VBC, reading the Beekeeper forum, and came across your question, Laurie, about how a more contemporary Mary Russell would work. A mind like hers would, of course, be uncommon at any time. And immediately I thought: It would be absolutely delightful to have Mary Russell meet and work with Richard Feynman. He was such a wonderfully unconventional--even eccentric--man: brilliant, passionate, and interested in all kinds of people. And he solved the puzzle of a space shuttle accident, the defective O-rings. What do you think?