Laurie’s Comments (group member since Aug 19, 2012)

Laurie’s comments from the Q&A with Laurie R. King group.

I apologize for the disjointed nature of this discussion--maybe next time I won't schedule it in conflict with a book tour!
Laurie

Julie wrote: "what's the deal with Mycroft? He has certainly been more fleshed out in this series than any other, yet he remains an enigma and perhaps an important literary foil to Holmes. His murky role in the government and his relationship with Sherlock does make one wonder just how these boys were raised. Will that be revealed? ."

Indeed, what is the deal with Mycroft? Perhaps in some future book I will at last tackle The Mycroft Problem and see just what he a) does, b) wants, and c) will do with the world.

Dawn wrote: " As the author, do you have much say in the book covers, particularly those designed for the international market? I have an American copy of "The Beekeeper's Apprentice", with Mary in an enchanting dressing-gown on the front (a real-life version of which I have desired for six years!), and really like the look of the American covers for the latest books, but am not a huge fan of the cover-art used on the UK editions. They don't seem to quite fit the character of the books; they look quite 'modern' and dark. I wish I could get a hold of the full set in American covers!"

Those covers with the dressing gowns were on two hardbacks, and on some of the mass market paperbacks, although not all. In my experience, the writer has some say in the cover art when it comes to rejecting an impossible one, or suggesting ways to make it stronger, but not in proposing art to begin with. The ways of the publisher's Art Department are often inscrutable.

Jared wrote: "I have two questions about the series as a whole. How and when do you see the Mary Russell series coming to a conclusion?"

Ditto to the above.

Abby wrote: "Hi Laurie,

How many Mary Russell books are you planning to write? I love this series!!!"

As many as my mind and body will produce.

Margaret wrote: "Okay, how did Russell learn Spanish? And will Mrs Hudson learn to make preserved lemons?"

I'd guess she had a Spanish-speaking nursemaid in San Francisco. And I can't see Mrs Hudson cottoning on to this foreign food, but you never know.

Julie wrote: "I just re read "Beekeeper's Apprentice" and "A Montrous Regiment of Women," while I wait for my new book to arrive, probably tomorrow...I watched carefully for the reference to Lord Peter Whimsey, and LOL at how very obscure it had to be. I must admit I missed it the first time I read the book and would have missed it this time if not alerted to it. Was this really a purposeful reference or just fans gleaning from a little bit of fun writing? Have you hidden other little gems in your books?."

All kinds of hidden tidbits, my way of nudging fellow readers in their ribs, or tipping my hat at them, depending.

Paul wrote: "I have just started reading "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" and am enjoying it! Thanks for the invite. Question: Which is your favorite of the original Sherlock Holmes stories and why?"

I'd have to choose the Hound of the Baskervilles, for its sheer over-the-topness. Glowing dogs! Lobotomied felon on the loose! London detective living in stone-age dwelling!

Mike wrote: "I'm currently in the middle of
The Game
which is not only an interesting mystery but also full of native customs, information and terminology. I do find it a bit disconcerting that Laurie has taken some chronological license with the mention of aeroplanes in a couple of instances. The development of passenger planes was only after WWI and hence after the time frame of this novel. But I'll forgive her for that."

The Game takes place in 1924, when passenger service was very well established. But then, others caught this first, for which thanks, all.

Anne wrote: "I did take it as literal. A perfect gentleman can (and when it is appropriate will) conceal his attraction to the lady. Am I the only one who saw the significance of what Holmes said when the cats ..."

Hmm, I'd thought he was musing on the length of time it had taken him to find an adequate apprentice. Maybe I should re-read it...

Hi all, sorry if I missed answering yours, but many of the above have been moved into the individual threads, so you might check there to see if I've picked up on it.

Michele wrote: "[moved from different topic -- my bad!]

I wondered if you could talk about the research you do for the Holmes/Russell books. Do you choose a location first and then start researching it? Or do you do a lot of "useless" (ha!!) research on an ongoing basis, until a place or topic strikes you as a good fit? How much research on average do you do for each of these novels? Is it all nonfiction or do you sometimes read other fiction set in the relevant times/places?

And if you really want to make me happy (I'm a manuscripts archivist), tell me about an experience that you've had -- good or bad -- in an archives or special collections :) "

I generally choose the place first and then start figuring out what was going on there in 1924. Once I've decided what they're doing in that place, I start collecting research materials, although often I don't go into those in any detail until after I've done the first draft--that's all plot, and knowing too much about any one part has a nasty tendency of pulling the story off-center.

In general, I use 20 or more books for any given project, sometimes a lot more. And now that the Internet is beginning to be useful for actual research rather than shallow and frustrating teasers, I have as many or more sections of printout from things I've come across online.

As for finds, I'm forever coming across things in old books that bring their history to life--margin notes from previous owners, corrections and disagreements from other readers, checklists in the guidebooks, even odd bits of paper left behind, stationery or ticket stubs or newspaper articles. It begins to feel like a communal effort, and certainly like an ongoing conversation. Very Talmudic.

Tiffiny wrote: "Also, do you have a routine you follow when you write? Do you keep "office hours"? Do you write every day? Do you devote whole days to research or do you break it up?

Thank you so much for th..."

Life is too complicated to keep an inflexible routine, but I try to write every morning, and generally manage 5 or 6 days a week. Research is sporadic during a first draft, more intense before and after (when I go in search of all the stuff I've realized I don't know.)

Tiffiny wrote: "Another question about writing habits... I've read that some authors have playlists they listen to as they write. Do you have any music you listen to as you write, or something that inspires you ..."

Nope, I write in silence, or as silent as the house gets (at the moment renovations mean a constant 9:00-4:00 chorus of hammers, saws, crashes, and the occasional distant radio.)

scott wrote: "Love the series; O Jerusalem, Justice Hall, and God of the Hive in particular.

Question: Are you surprised how well you write male characters, particularly Ali, Mahmoud, and Kim, and how central t..."

Thank you! I'm glad you feel I step into the role of the male characters with some smoothness, I'm never certain my guys aren't women with testosterone supplements. The hardest one was Alan in Keeping Watch, since his experiences and attitudes were so very far from my own.

Laura wrote: "Hi Laurie, I love the Beekeeper's series, and I want to thank you for it, and for your time to answer our questions.

My question is: Do you have any advice for beginning writers?

I do read a ..."

Yes: write. Read too, in all kinds of areas, even those you don't think you like. But always write, because that's the only way to do it better.

Laurie wrote: " Bethany wrote: DO your characters ever act in a way that surprises even you? "

I depend on it.

Laurie wrote: " Jane asks: By the way, my questions is about languages. Did you study any or just have an interest in them? "

I've studied a number of them, yes. Don't speak anything but English really well, but then, I'm no Mary Russell.

Laurie wrote: " Jacqueline wrote: Is there a setting you haven't used for the series yet that you would like to? "

Well, Japan. That's why I mentioned it in the books, so I'd be forced to write it.

Laurie wrote: " Julie wrote: Laurie, I have read all your major works and love them. My question is this: do you plot out a major overarching theme for your characters that carry over for all the lives of the ser..."

No, I'm not an outliner. A complete surprise, that's what every book is.