Center Stage

[skylarBC]

Hi,

This is the first time I have had the opportunity to respond to a book in the series.  I love the entire series and I have read each book at least two times.  The DON book is excellent. I have been reading novels for 25 years and have many favorite authors.  However,  you have become my favorite writer.  Who would have thought that I would be interested in a series about Navy Seals.  Now I cannot get enough of their stories.  The characters are so very real and with tremendous depth.  They almost jump off the page and walk in the world around us.  I look for them continously and find myself creating  scenarios that move off in other directions. 

As you can probably tell, Sam and Alyssa are my favorite couple.  I live for a little look into their present life.  Their story should be a made for TV story like the ones that LMN has presented by Nora Roberts.  I am sure that some network would pick it up if they had the opportunity to follow the story. 

I was a little disappointed that Decker and Sophia did not get together but I really learned to like tracy and brilliant analysis of various situations. 

Please write another story around Sam and Alyssa.  She is my kind of woman and knows how to please her man as well as control him.   This will make for a brilliant best seller since we are all waiting on the last in their lives.

Skylarbc 

[tialessa]

---

bookreader1981 wrote:
Quick question before you sign off to go to the movies, and thanks for the response! Is there anywhere that I can read all of the short stories that you have put out so far? like your website by chance?

---

I think Suz is gone since she was posting for a week, but remember those Reader's Guides she kept referring to? The huge PDF files on her website? Each of those (3 of them so far) has a short story + they each have a lot of other cool information - about the characters, about her writing style, etc. She has (or had) hard copies available for the cost of postage for US based fans - info for getting those is (was) on her website as well.

[becke_davis]

Thank you, Suzanne, for taking the time to post such detailed responses!  I will be eagerly awaiting the next Troubleshooters book, as well as the rereleases of your older books!

[Ellenkate]

THANK YOU!  How cool for you to answer my question.

FYI - I'm from MO, but flew to Burbank, CA for my son's auditions this weekend...

DON is sold out at all the airports (that's what they told me) as well as a couple B&N between here and Columbia, MO

ROCK ON!!!   LUV, LUV, LUV your writing.

Ellen

[lulusmom]

Suz wrote:

As for Izzy -- I see him really clearly, too.  And I can't point to any popular actor and say "him."   He's just not out there -- at least I haven't found him yet. 

For some reason, I think of Owen Wilson when I think of Izzy-most likely because of his laid back humor. 

http://www.popculturebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/owen_wilson1_300_400.jpg

I know...strange.  Go figure.

[bookreader1981]

Quick question before you sign off to go to the movies, and thanks for the response! Is there anywhere that I can read all of the short stories that you have put out so far? like your website by chance?

[Suzanne_Brockm]

Okay, gang.

It's Friday night, and I'm outta here!  Thank you so much for posting all of your interesting questions.  

Watch for THE KISSING GAME, a reissue of a rom-com I wrote for Bantam, coming out at the end of this month.  It's part of a trilogy of romantic comedies, all set on a fictional island in western Florida called Sunrise Key.  All three of these books -- KISS AND TELL, THE KISSING GAME and OTHERWISE ENGAGED, are personal favorites.  

And, of course, HOT PURSUIT will be out on July 28, 2009.  (I better get writing!)

Until next time,

Suz

www.SuzanneBrockmann.com 

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

bookreader1981 wrote:

Well I have to say this is a new experience for me. I love to read, more than I probably should admit. But I could not pass up this opportunity to let you know that I love this series.

I started with Hot Target not realizing I would be picking up in the middle of a series. It is always so hard for me to start a new author and this book just spoke to me. I have to admit I never thought I would get as hooked as I did on a story line that was as different from what I normally read as I did with Jules and Robin. By the end of the book I could not believe the connection they had felt yet when no where at the time.

When I finished the book I had to find out what I had missed so I checked out your website and realized I had started in the middle and had to back up. So I bought every one of your TS books I could find and started over at the beginnig and ended wiht ATTN and could not wait for your next book to come out.

I have read you have received some criticism due to this book but I have to say, I have never read books by an author that creates a story ARC over so many books as you do. It was so very different and refreshing. The books may not always end the way I think or predict but that is what keeps me on my toes and enjoying every book to the very end.

On a last note I also have to say I notice you mentioned a possible collection of short stories and I really hope you move forward with this because I would love to have it.

Thanks for all the enjoyment and I look forward to all your future work.

Becky

---

Hi, Becky,

Thanks so much for your thoughts!  

I, too, love starting a series right from the beginning.  Although now that you've caught up, you have to wait for the next book -- that's frustrating, I know!  Believe me, I'm writing as fast as I can!

I'm glad you'd enjoy a collection of short stories -- the short stories I've written so far -- in the back of some of the books, or for the "Extras" booklets that I've written -- have been fun to write.  It's such a different format, the short story.  It's challenging, and I enjoy doing something different for a change of pace!

Thanks again for posting!  

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

bookfanpam wrote:

Hi Suz,

I've come out of message board lurkdom to tell you how much I truly enjoy your books with all of the realistic twists and turns they take, as happens in life, whether we want them to or not. I also have great respect for the way you address real life issues such as alcoholism and troubled young people such as Eden and MaryLou, and their rocky roads to maturity.

I found your books when Prince Joe first came out, and have been happily hooked on them every since. I love them all. DON is right up on top of my favorites, along with Hot Target, FON, ATTN, ITS...It's hard to pick. 

DON was a non-stop page turner for me (even though my first copy was a misprint which was all that was available in my area)!  I really like the Dave/Sophia and Deck/Tracy pairings. Dave has loved her for so long. It was great to see Sophia realize that she loved Dave in return. I'm also looking forward to seeing more of D/T. I love Tracy's sense of humor, and how she understands Deck. 

And as always, Jules and Robin. Just love them. I love the way Robin simplifies problems to what is important to support and comfort Jules.

Will Jules be joining TS Inc. soon? (Maybe a Boston office could be opened so they could live in a state that recognises their marriage until the rest of the states get with the program and stop descriminating....)

Off topic......What color is Cosmo's hair? It has been decribed as "actually meeting regs" and military if I'm remembering correctly, but I can't remember color. I picture it dark. Cosmo is one of my very favorite characters for many reasons, mostly because of his kindness.

Thank you so much for sharing TS/Team 16 and TT with us.

Pam

---

Hi, Pam,

Thanks for your kind words.  I'm so glad you enjoy my books.

Cosmo's hair -- I didn't say it was brown?  I think it must be in there somewhere, in some book.  Huh.  ALthough, you know when men wear their hair that short, it doesn't have much color -- even blond hair looks dark. 

As for Jules...  There's no hope of them moving out of Boston in the near future, which is okay with both him and Robin.  They love that big ol house of theirs, with the doorknobs that come off in your hands. 

You know, that's my house that I describe in ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT.  We had a bat colony, and the shower leaked through the kitchen ceiling, and I got locked in the master bathroom on a night when my husband and son went to NYC to see a Broadway show. I managed to get out without cutting through the drywall, but I'll never forget that feeling of being locked in!  Yikes!

Anyway, Robin and Jules love living there, although I really do wish I had the option of moving them to California.  That's a shame, not just for me and them, but for a lot of people.

Thanks for posting,

Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

SamRo wrote:

Hello Suz, I cant wait for the next book!!!!  I just have one question, can we get a fat chick represented?  We've got everyone else, and perhaps she could hook up with one of the young'uns.(Just a Thought?)   Thank you for signing my DON.  I was so excited to get it I showed everyone.. YES I am a geek.

Samantha

Message Edited by SamRo on 02-06-2009 07:38 PM

Message Edited by SamRo on 02-06-2009 07:43 PM

---

Samantha,

Hey!  Nice seeing you here.  

How about a real sized woman?  Will that do? <g>

Cheers,

Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

redsoxlovah wrote:

---

Suzanne_Brockmann wrote:

---

---

Hi, Ellenkate!

Thanks for posting!  I'm sorry I frightened you by killing Nash, but... Wasn't it cool that you actually thought I was diabolical enough to maybe kill him?  And didn't that make the relief when you found out he wasn't dead extra strong and excellent?  

I always love TV shows (like LOST!) where main characters are killed off.  (BUFFY, too!) Too often when I was growing up, I'd watch my favorite shows, and was like, "yeah, yeah, they're not going to kill Captain Kirk..."  (His shirt's not red. <g>)  

But when I first watched BUFFY (I watched it on DVD -- I'm one of those people who MUST start at the beginning, can't jump into the middle of a series, can't miss an episode.  I love watching TV shows on DVD -- perfect format for me) I nearly fell out of my chair when a certain major character was killed, so seemingly casually and quickly.  Which is how it happens, just like real life -- one minute she was there, and the next, gone.  Crazy.  And suddenly, I had real fear for my other favorite characters.  It definitely impacted me as a viewer and a lover of great storytelling.

As for Izzy -- I see him really clearly, too.  And I can't point to any popular actor and say "him."   He's just not out there -- at least I haven't found him yet.  It was the same way for me when I wrote Sam.  And then I saw Sawyer from Lost...  Yow.

Glad you liked that scene with Robin and Jules -- it was  alot of fun to write!!!

Cheers,

Suz

---

Hi Suz,

Please tell me I am being paranoid-my stomach clenched when I read (the highlighted parts) of your response here.  Please tell me this is NOT foreshadowing for our guys or their wives in future T.S. books to be knocked off.  Please, please-no killing-you're too kind hearted for that-thinking of all the non fiction heart attacks you will cause from it-LOL

Also, you alluded to Silverman (I hope I have the name right?-I'm not near my copy of DON)  a few times in DON- I can't place him-is he one of Izzy's gang?  

Also, awhile back on BB, I recall your actor friend Eric tell us about a movie you produced that he will star in called Jolly (I believe)  Will this be out in the movie theaters?  If so, when?

I look forward to seeing it!  AND of course, anxiously await your next novel........

Thanks for all your time here......you are so very gracious giving us your time this week!  It has been fun!  Good luck with all your success and "Don't sweat all the other crap......and it's all crap"      Bye!

Message Edited by redsoxlovah on 02-06-2009 06:42 PM

---

No, don't worry.

I knew I had only one chance to fool you -- and I used that up with Nash.  

Silverman's first name is Bill.  He's one of the SEALs in Team Sixteen.  

As for JOLLY, the movie!  Yes, we've complete post-production and have entered it in film festivals all across the U.S.  (And I'm pushing for the UK, too!)

It's a holiday season comedy, a low budget indy feature, starring my buddy Eric Ruben and my talented son, Jason T. Gaffney.  (Jace tells me that there's a SAG actor named Jason Gaffney, so he's got to use his middle initial for his movie credits.)  Ed directed the movie, and he and I co-wrote the script. 

My production company is called "small or LARGE Productions," and we've also produced a reading of our first stage play within the past year.  Ed and I have also co-wrote a play called LOOKING FOR BILLY HAINES.  It's a play in two acts, with dance.  (Something a little different!)  It, too, is a comedy with dramatic elements, and, again, dance.  We plan to produce a more fully realized version in the upcoming year.  We're hoping to run a week in Boston, and maybe two weeks in New York City.  

I'll have information about both the film and the play up on my website (check my "what's new" page) as it becomes available.  (The information, I mean. <g>)  

The movie's pretty funny -- we're proud of it.  It's a valiant first effort, even if it never gets accepted at a single festival.  

Speaking of movies, I'm heading out in about 45 minutes -- Ed and I are attempting to see all of the Oscar movies before Oscar Night, which is in a few weeks.  Tonight it's THE WRESTLER.  (I love Marisa Tomai, so it should be good.)

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

Bethanne wrote:

Whew, Suz! You've had an amazing week here on Center Stage. Thank you so very much for your wonderful, considerate, answers to everyone's questions and comments. 

It's Friday, close of business, and since I suspect Suz may stick around and answer more questions tonight, anyone who has a last question? Post now -- or wait 'til the next time Suzanne Brockmann appears here...

Bethanne 

---

Thank you, Bethanne!

It was my pleasure to visit Center Stage!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

Krysalbe wrote:

I also wanted to add that I adore the fact that you celebrate love in all of its diversity, which is how it should be

---

I'm with you there, Krystal!

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

aekieran wrote:

Thank you for taking the time to answer everyone's questions all week.  I have really enjoyed reading your answers.  And I have enjoyed seeing your responses to some of the harsh criticism.  You go girl!

Anyway, how far in the future have you planned your characters lives?  For example. . .Do you know how long Stan will stay in the Navy?  Do you know how many kids Max an Gina will have?  Do you know where Amy will go to college?  Whether or not Ash follows in his Uncle Jules' footsteps and joins the FBI?  How Kenny will react to the last episode of Battlestar Galactica?

Do you know everyone's story completely, or do you only have a limited portion figured out for what you are currently writing or arcing?

And how much do you know about your minor characters?  They always seem to be fully fledged people and not place holders.  My current favorites are Yashi and Martel.  And I am really curious about Deb for some reason.

Also, I just finally read Boyguard, and are you planning on ever giving George an HEA?  Poor George.  I hope he has grown up enough for an HEA.

Thanks for your books.

amy

---

LOL -- How Kenny will react to the final ep of BATTLESTAR...  Probably the same way I will, by weeping for days.  

Although I do plan far into the future, it's not so much about the little details (although I do know some of those), but rather about the big moments, and the connections -- the HEAs.

THe planning I do is similar to my outlining.  It's a mishmosh of sparse notes and actual lines of dialogue -- which doesn't mean that things can't change.  Sometimes I'll envison a complete scene, and the realize that it has no place in the book.  

And sometimes I'll write a scene and my editor will say, "This seems unnecessary," and I'll say, "No, really, it needs to be there to set up book 17..."  <g>  

Yashi and Martell are two of my favorite secondary characters, too.  And of course, there's George Faulkner, from BODYGUARD...

Thanks for posting,

Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

Krysalbe wrote:

Hey Suzanne!  First I have to say that I love all of your books, I just wish I didn't devour them so fast! 

I've noticed that in the last couple of your books you have mentioned your dog, CK Dexter Haven, which was my first indicator that you were a big fan of The Philadelphia Story  (as am I).  In DON you also mention the movie as being one of Tess' favorites.  I was wondering if Tracy was named after Tracy Lord, given the fact that there are two lines in the book that mention her "being lit from within."  Was that intentional?  

Just wanted to say that I love your references to popular (and sometimes not so popular) culture throughout your books, usually because they so often coincide with my own tastes, lol!  

Two more questions for you though.

Veronica Mars or Buffy? (VM for me)

Colbert or Stewart? (*cough* pick Stephen *cough*) 

Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories with us.  I wish I was your BFF so I could pick your brain   Thanks!

Krystal 

---

Hi, Krystal,

Yes, I have two puppies.  (My bio was a little out of date.  Sugar and Spice went into the great Doggie Park in the sky some years ago.)

A year ago, October, my husband and I got two Schnauzer pups -- a boy and a girl.  CK Dexter-Haven is the boy, and he's the biggest mini Schnauzer I've ever seen.  They're litter mates, and they're about 18 mos right now and Dex is still growing.  His sister is Lil' Joe, and she's teeny, but she's like the smallest hockey player in the world.   They're lovely.

And yes, I'm a huge fan of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, and I've always liked the name Tracy because of Tracy Lord.   (Beautiful women have it tougher than most people think!)

You know, re: Buffy or Veronica, I have to say that the first season of Veronica Mars is, IMO, the best single season of TV ever.  But I didn't think it held up, I was disappointed that the second season didn't have as great of an arc, and the third, well, ack.  (But I adore the actor who plays Veronica's dad --- he was in Galaxy Quest as one of the aliens.  Love him!!!)  (As far as Kristin Bell, have you seen the movie musical REEFER MADNESS?  It's one of my favorite movies, it's so campy and great.)

Colbert vs. Stewart -- ah, I love them both so much.  I have a supply of WRISTSTRONG bracelets.  And have you read my review of I AM AMERICA, AND SO CAN YOU?  I'm not sure if the Writersarereaders.com site is still up, but I posted it there, because, yes, I love Stephen even more than Jon.

And I love Jon a whole lot, so that's saying something. 

-- Suz

[bookreader1981]

Well I have to say this is a new experience for me. I love to read, more than I probably should admit. But I could not pass up this opportunity to let you know that I love this series.

I started with Hot Target not realizing I would be picking up in the middle of a series. It is always so hard for me to start a new author and this book just spoke to me. I have to admit I never thought I would get as hooked as I did on a story line that was as different from what I normally read as I did with Jules and Robin. By the end of the book I could not believe the connection they had felt yet when no where at the time.

When I finished the book I had to find out what I had missed so I checked out your website and realized I had started in the middle and had to back up. So I bought every one of your TS books I could find and started over at the beginnig and ended wiht ATTN and could not wait for your next book to come out.

I have read you have received some criticism due to this book but I have to say, I have never read books by an author that creates a story ARC over so many books as you do. It was so very different and refreshing. The books may not always end the way I think or predict but that is what keeps me on my toes and enjoying every book to the very end.

On a last note I also have to say I notice you mentioned a possible collection of short stories and I really hope you move forward with this because I would love to have it.

Thanks for all the enjoyment and I look forward to all your future work.

Becky

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

becke_davis wrote:

Has anyone found that YouTube clip yet?

I found these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjko-O2zpG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whgt9YqNGP4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21dhYdNUNcQ

---

Oh, this is from an interview session done as part of an RT video project.  It was filmed during RWA in San Francisco, last July.  

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

becke_davis wrote:

I enjoyed Suzanne's heartfelt post very much.  I think one thing many fans don't consider is that writing fiction is work.  It's hard -- really hard -- to write a single title book worthy of publication, but to write a series with this many characters and stretching over this many years?  Believe me, not many authors can pull it off.  And to do this successfully?  You could probably count the authors on, well, two hands at most.

When an author plans and plots and writes, if the author is popular enough to have a fanbase, it's possible it might cross the author's mind to wonder if their fans will approve of what he or she is writing.  But mostly, I doubt that it comes up.  Because an author writes what is in (let's go with "her") her head and in her heart, and what is right for the story arc and what is true to the characters.  We don't know her vision for future books -- if we did, how boring would that be?

Sure, a lot of people hated what Sam had to go through before he and Alyssa finally got together.  But how much more did we care because of what he went through?  When an author raises the stakes, it intensifies our connection to the characters.

Will we always like what the author gives us?  For me, Suzanne Brockmann has never let me down.  But she wasn't writing these for me:  she was writing the book of her heart, every single time.  Because if she didn't do that, none of us would care about the books because she wouldn't be writing what was true to her.  Authors don't write books for their fans, but if they write from their hearts -- and if they have talent -- the fans will come.

Speaking generally, if you don't like one of the books, that's your privilege.  No one can force you to buy, or to read a book.  And no one disputes your right to disagree with what is written.   But I can't think of a single case where an author has changed her story to please her fans, because the fans aren't sitting at the computer plotting, planning, writing for hours and days and even years, sweating blood over every word and every scene until it's right.  Just because some authors make it look easy, don't let that fool you.  Writing a book is work.  Writing a series is huge work.  And writing a series that has been so popular with so many people for so many years?  Rare doesn't begin to cover it.

---

Thanks so much, Becke!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

dreamweaverTF wrote:

Bravo, Suz!!!  Thank you for being honest and true, both in how you've responded to the questions here at B & N and in your writing.  You know what they say - you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.  Trying to please everyone just results in one having to sacrifice something, whether it be their principles, their personal beliefs or even their integrity. 

I really enjoyed DON and thought you did a great job in making the readers see that the Troubleshooters' universe had unfolded just as it should have.  You have an amazing ability to bring your characters to life - they jump off the page and into the hearts of the readers - and I think it is a testament to your writing that your readers come to love and care about these characters as much as they do.  We become immersed in their world and their lives - we feel their sorrow and pain and revel in their finding their HEA, no matter how fraught the journey to that HEA may be in some cases.  We speculate about their motivations and analyze their actions and reactions.  Above all, though, we want the best for them because, over the years, in spite of being fictional characters, they have come to mean something to us   

Reading is such an individual experience - what I "read" in one book may be completely different than what a friend reads in the same book.  Like you said, that doesn't mean that I'm right and she's wrong or vice versa, it just means that we see and interpret things differently and that's perfectly fine.  I didn't see Sophia and Decker heading for a HEA.  That being said, when someone I knew who was following the series like me made their Sophia/Decker case, I would take the time to go back and re-read to see what, if anything I had missed.    

I look forward to reading the next book about the Troubleshooters world.  Wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of Jones and Molly (hint, hint) and I could really use a George (not green Tracy's George LOL) fix. 

Anyway, thanks for your books.  Keep writing and I'll keep reading!

---

Thanks, Dreamweaver -- you got it exactly right.  Along with subjective likes and dislikes, everyone brings their own baggage and filter along.  A hot button for you maybe no big deal for me, and vice versa.

Thanks for posting,

Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm]

---

orangehands wrote:

One of the things I'm thinking of doing is publishing a collection of Troubleshooters short stories -- including all of the stories that have gone out there as "extras" in the past, plus a handful more.  (I say a handful, because I have the tendency to write really long short stories!)  I've had requests from readers to publish a collection of all of the various stories, and this would do the trick.  Maybe in a Christmas or Valentine's Day collection.

So... a new story featuring Tracy and Decker... Check.  <g>

-- Suz

___

Um, just in case requests work: Molly and Jones. And Stan and Teri. And Mallory and David. (Cause those are three couples I'm not expecting to show up anytime soon.) But at the end of the day, Molly and Jones.   

I love a lot of characters and couples, but Molly and Jones...*sigh*

---

I hear you, Orangehands. 

No promises, but I hear you.

-- Suz