February 2-6: Suzanne Brockmann

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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Bonnie824 wrote:

Just wanted to say hello and I am a huge fan of your troubleshooter series. In fact, it is what has brought me over from the paranormal side (I have been reading non stop for over a year.) I started backwards with one of your later books, but am now going back and reading the series from the start.

I love that your characters are real and flawed and don't do exactly what I want them to in each book. I also love that you have background characters and storylines, so that even if this book isn't the couple of my choice, I find other characters I can relate to more and still enjoy the plot.

From reading forward now, I'd also like to say, I think your writing is better with each book. I am very impressed with the detail and depth of them, despite being part of a huge series. And, love that they can actually stand alone and be really enjoyable.

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Hi, Bonnie.

Thank you so much!  I'm glad you're enjoying the series.  

I love writing connected books, with characters that return, like old friends.  (Jules is a personal favorite -- he always makes me laugh.)

And yeah, there's definitely a variety of subplots in each book -- although I have found that the favorite storyline tends to be the one that is non-traditional.  (For example, Sam and Alyssa in THE DEFIANT HERO or OVER THE EDGE.)  

Thanks for coming by!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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lexp wrote:
As a person who was impatiently waiting for Decker and Sophia's story, all I have to say is...  I absolutely loved Decker and Tracy. I thought their dialogue was witty and sharp. I found myself laughing out loud so many times. They are my new Sam and Alyssa. I would love to see their story continue in later books. Maybe, Decker could propose to Tracy in a better manner than her cheating ex Lyle did.

Message Edited by lexp on 02-01-2009 05:45 PM

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Howdy, Lexp.

I'm so glad that DARK OF NIGHT worked for you -- thanks for dropping in to let me know!

I tend to give my recently tortured characters something of a break after they get their HEA, so you probably won't be seeing much of Tracy and Decker for a while.  But I enjoyed their dynamic, too, so...  They'll probably be back at some point!

Happy Groundhog Day,

Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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Sej wrote:

Hi Suz!  I'm so gad you are here to answer questions and I have a lot! lol I hope you can answer some of them!  Love ya books, love the deep POV, love the surprises and boy was DON a doozy!  I was pleasantly surprised at how much I laughed during Tracy and Deck interactions.  They have become my favorite couple.  Here are my questions:

Brockmann responds:  Glad to see you here, Sej.

Yikes, I'm going to intercut my answers right in your post.  My answers are in bold, okay?

As a former Decker/Sophia fan, I loved that you put Decker with Tracy.  Will you give us short stories of those two?  Similar to what you did with Sam and Alyssa?  Or will we be seeing them in future books from their POV or just see them in Hot Pursuit?  I absolutely adore these two and I'm not alone!  Many of us want more of Decker and Tracy!  I'm not kidding, I took a stand on your BB and at least 13 more are behind me, with a million more MIA! 

See my response in the post above!

Do you perhaps have those deleted scenes b/w Deck and Tracy, cause I would sure love to read them.

Deleted scenes?  What deleted scenes?  

How come you didn't go into details about Deck and Tracy's life together when they were pretending to have broken up?

Because I chose to tell the story as I did, with a kind of an epilogue feel at the end.  The conflict was over -- I'm not big on writing sex for the sake of sex.

When Deck mentioned that it would suck to pay Tracy's rent, why did he say that?  He did lend Sophia 50K right?

I'm sure it sucked to lend Sophia the money, too.  Don't you think?

When you started the story in Flashpoint, did you ever intend for Deck and Sophia to end up together?  And if you did, what made you decide otherwise?

 Nope.  It was always Dave for Sophia.  

What made you decide that Tracy was a better fit for Deck? When?

I created Tracy, just for Decker, in INTO THE STORM.  

Were you perhaps intending to have Tracy and Izzy end up together?

 Nope.  Never.

Will we be seeing a confrontation b/w Deck and Izzy in the future?  *wiggling eyebrows*  Or even Izzy and Tracy?

 I'm sure they'll all work together in the future...

How old are Decker, Tracy, Dave, and Sophia?

That's in the book(s).  Dave, Sophia and Tracy are all in their 30s, Deck's in his 40s.

Why does Dave not like to take on leadership roles?  Does it have anything to do with Anise/Kathy?  Or was it his lack of confidence?

 What do you think?  A CIA agent who spent most of his career working alone, thrown together with many Navy SEALs...?

Who is Ash really named after?  Did Robin get it right?

 Robin's theory was just a theory.  You'll be seeing more of Ash in HOT PURSUIT.

So a lot of people are on the fence about Dr Jo.  Is she gonna get an HEA?  Cause that would be weird...*scratching head*

Would it?  I thought she held her own quite nicely.  A smart, attractive, older woman...  

After hearing about the baby boom in the SpecWar community, how many babies have been born since ATTN?  And whose?

 Hey, you'll have to re-read the books. <g>

I find it interesting that you mentioned Walt from Lost in DON.  And also interesting that you used "flashbacks" to tell the story.  Coincidence?  *ggg*

 Hmm, I tend to think of flashbacks as being more like what I did in BREAKING POINT.  (And I currently have three (or four?) eps from this season's LOST on my TiVo.  I love storing 'em up and watching them in a row...)

Will you be able to tell us whose POV will be in Hot Pursuit, besides Sam and Alyssa?  Will there be an HEA story?

 Nope, not talking about HOT PURSUIT.  It's bad juju to talk about the book in progress.  (See, if I expend energy talking about it, I won't need to write it -- make sense?)

And finally, whose story is coming out after HP?  I'm dying for Jazz and Jay and Lew.  Oh let's not forget George Faulkner either!  lol

 Nope, not talking about that yet, either.  Too far in the future.  Sorry!

Thanks Suz!  I know these are lots of questions.  I'm so excited about Deck and Tracy ending up together.  I really would love to read more on them.  Heck maybe even a whole book.  They crack me up.

Sej (once a Suz fan, always a Suz fan)

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Thanks for dropping by, Sej -- see my answers in bold in your message above!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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wavybrains wrote:

Spoilers--Spoilers--Spoilers (not sure if this is neccessary here, but better safe)

I loved DON. I wasn't sure if I would, and I'm so happy that I went spoiler-free on this one. It made me more open to the not-what-I expected. I loved the way you let Decker unleash his true self, and after this, I agree that Sophia wouldn't have allowed him to do that.

Sej already asked most of my questions (Thanks!). 

But, I am curious about Hot Pursuit. It's being marketed as a Sam and Alyssa Book, but I'm really, really, hoping that it will have a NEW HEA romance as well. I'm sure you're keeping the hero/heroine close to your vest, but can you at least reassure me that there will be a new romance. 

Will Hot Pursuit be the last troubleshooters book? I really, really, really hope so. 

Sej's question about when you knew that Decker/Sophia wasn't going to happen is really burning a hole in my head right now. 

What made you pick Kenny for the injury? 

Also, if you're taking votes, Jay Lopez needs a story. Now. Now. Now. Also, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaase don't feed him to the doctor. However, I'm betting I'd love whatever you come up with. 

Also, I would totally love to see more of Decker/Tracy. I didn't feel like they were resolved by any means (and bonus points if George makes another appearance). They have a ways to go before true HEA, IMHO. 

Thank you so much for your amazing, innovative books. 

Message Edited by wavybrains on 02-01-2009 11:14 PM

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Hey, wavybrains -- nice username, BTW.

You definitely need to pick an avatar -- check mine out -- I'm a spaceman!  

So you want the Troubleshooters series to end, huh?  What do you think I should write next, then?  

Like I told Sej, I'm not talking about HOT PURSUIT -- sorry bout that.

I can tell you why I picked Kenny -- because I wanted to bring him back and let readers see how he was doing.  It also seemed to be a good fit to let him interact with Dave -- they're alike in some ways.

And more Lopez -- check.  Got it.

cheers,

Suz

[wavybrains]

No, don't end it! I posted a correction below--I LOVE the books. You could easily go to 20+ and I would keep reading. I had baby brain last night and wrote the wrong sentence. I think I would be seriously heartbroken to see the last of the troubleshooters, although I do hope that when you do end it, that you won't leave a lot of loose ends--I hate it when that happens (like with some of the unresolved threads from TDD--beyond your control I know).

I'm curious about TDD--with so many reissues coming, are there any plans to revist the series?

Also, I'm curious about your writing schedule. You say you write during the day--how many hours a day? What is your routine like? 

[cjreader]

In the Reader's Guide, we are told that Mark Jenkins, Dan Gillman, Jay Lopez and Irving Zanella will have their own (wonderful) stories, but nothing about my favorite Henry-Simmons-(NYPD Blue and Shark)-lookalike, XO Casper (Jazz) Jacquette.  Unless I completely missed it, Jazz doesn't even seem to have a backstory although he appeared prominately in almost all of the novels and has been denied Tom's leadership position.  Does Jazz get an arc and/or story of his own sometime in the near future? 

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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Alyssa21 wrote:

Alright Suz I have some tough questions for you, I would like to address the SoDeck controversery :-)

First, I want to make it clear this is not about what as a reader I want you to write, it's about the trust relationship that the reader and author has.   I will echo Kurma above and ask why the misleading polls?  There are a lot of upset readers, not just 1 or 2 of us, and we all feel that those polls were extremely misleading on your part and a violation of the trust relationship.

I would also like to comment on what you said in your e-mail to SarahF that was publized on All About Romance and other blogs.  I don't want to repeat your words here but how could we expect anything else BUT a Sophia Decker HEA? In Flashpoint and Hot Target there was never a hint of a Dave Sophia HEA.  Although I know you did not intend for your comments to be publized, they were, and I feel very hurt by what you said.  You wanted fans to root for Decker and Sophia otherwise you would not have written Flashpoint and Hot Target and other books the way you did.   And then to dismiss a large portion of your fans with your words....I just don't get it.  You could not have had your surprise ending if so many of us hadn't bought into the Sophia Decker romance, you wanted us to believe and we did.  I don't think we deserve to be belittled the way we have been (and to be fair, aside from your e-mail, that is coming from your message board not from you)

Izzy and Eden also had a rather sorid hook-up in my opinion - should we expect her to end up with Lopez? This really gets to the heart of the matter for so many of us....we will follow these VERY, VERY, VERY long story arcs if in the end the couple gets together.  But I don't want to invest in Izzy and Eden only to have them break up and end up with different people the way you had with Decker, Sophia, Dave and Tracey.

I also think i could have enjoyed DON a lot more if you hadn't tried to have it as a surprise.  If you had just come out (like you did with Robin and Jules) and said here's what's happening folks....and explained your reasoning.  I think ending a 5 year long story arc was not the time to introduce surprise endings without explanation from the author, especially when there was such a large fan base for Decker and Sophia.

As one of your very first readers I would really appreciate you addressing my questions above.  Thanks!

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Sorry you didn't like the book, Alyssa.

I believe you're talking about a poll I set up for my Reader's Guide?  (This is the only poll that I set up -- all others were reader-created.)

You feel it violated your trust, because I listed Decker and Sophia as a couple in the question "Who is your favorite secondary (subplot) couple?" But the fact is, they were a secondary subplot couple in FLASHPOINT, the same way Izzy and Tracy were in INTO THE STORM.  (And Robin and Patty in HOT TARGET, although that was never going to work...)

The only other time they were mentioned in that poll was in the question "This series includes many multi-book story arcs -- stories like that of Sam and Alyssa, that continued over the course of many books.  Which story arc was your favorite?"  

If you're going to mince words, please note that the question was in past tense.  Was. 

You know, the publishing business is fascinating -- because every book needs to be labeled and fit (jammed?) neatly into a specific slot.  I write "romantic suspense," even though I don't really write romantic suspense. I think of my books as more adventures, and even more than that, I think of them as character driven dramas with comedy.  Romantic dramadies.  

But where you do put that on the shelf?  You don't.  So you call it a Romantic Suspense, and hope that readers will understand that you're working within already established boundaries, with established labels.  Most do, some don't.

Same thing happened with the poll -- I framed it to fit the boundaries of the romance genre.

I did the same thing with my answers to literally hundreds of Q&A sessions, when readers asked about Sophia and Decker. My answer, right from the start, was always "You'll be seeing more of Sophia, and Decker." Which was absolutely true. 

It was always my intention to write these characters' two separate HEAs in the same book, just as it was always my intention to kill Angelina and bring Murphy together with the woman who first introduced them in INTO THE FIRE.  Just as it was always my intention to have Kelly finally marry Tom in THE UNSUNG HERO, after books of her hesitation.

Should I have told my readers about all of that in advance, too? 

It was all meant to be a surprise -- some people actually like surprises in their books.  (I know I do.)

If you've read the books in this series, it should have been clear to you that there are going to be some surprises, that I don't always write traditional romance.  

As for your other question, I don't read blogs or visit other sites, so I can't respond.  Are you saying that something I wrote in a private conversation has gone public?  My first thought is "How crass." 

My second thought is, wow, am I really THAT famous???  That's kinda cool.

Where's my YouTube video of a weeping reading sobbing "Leave Suz alone!!!"  

Come on, all you readers who are amused by the "controversy."  I want that video footage! 

A free, signed copy of GET LUCKY (out of print and hard to find!) goes to the first reader who uploads that video to YouTube and posts the URL here!!!!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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cjreader wrote:

I agree.  Sam and Alyssa are the best couple.  I said this directly to Ms. Brockmann some time ago, but I want to acknowledge her here too.  Few popular authors take the time to treat Americans of African descent with sensitivity and respect, but Ms Brockmann does on each and every occasion (especially Harvard's Education).  Her writing, even when it was not pc to do so, says volumns about her as a person and gives hope for the future in literature.

Now for my question, when will we see more romance for the other AfroAms on the teams?

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Ah, CJ, thanks so much.

I've got this story in mind for this really hot young, smart, attractive African American couple.  He decides he's going to run for President and...

Oh wait!  That's real life!  How cool is that? 

You know, I get email about Jazz all the time.  I'm talking at least one email a week imploring me to get off my butt and write his book.  

Not sure if you've read INTO THE FIRE, but the hero of that book, Murphy, was part African American, part Vietnamese American, and part Irish American. 

Thanks for dropping by!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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wavybrains wrote:

It's not letting me edit my above post a second time. I meant to say that I really, really, really hope Hot Pursuit is NOT NOT NOT the last troubleshooters book. I'd love to see you make it to 20 and beyond.

I blame baby brain for the foul up  

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 Ah, baby brain -- I remember it well!  

Opposite speak!  Ack!

Sorry I didn't read ahead -- ignore my question in response, asking you what you'd like me to write instead.  Or go for it.  <g>  

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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cjreader wrote:

Wavybrain says:  "Will Hot Pursuit be the last troubleshooters book? I really, really, really hope so."

NO, NO, NO!  There are still too many troubleshooter characters to talk about and more coming up in the ranks.  Imagine the missions to Iran, Afganistan, Gaza and Iraq (especially when Blackwater gets kicked out) that Ms. Brockmann can take us to.  Please, please, please, Ms. Brockmann, until there is peace in the Middle East, the troubleshooters are vital!  Not to mention other hot spots in the world.  Only Ms. Brockmann takes us there to the midst of the fighting with our hearts in our throats, white knuckles clinging to the book jacket, eyes wide with fear!  She delivers equal parts mystery and (you need oven mitts to hold her books) romance with every book.

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Thanks CJReader. 

Wavybrain had, well, a wavybrain incident.  

All is well.

-- Suz

[KatiePen]

Suzanne, if you were to cast Dark of Night as a movie, who would play Dave, Decker, Sophia, Tracy, Tess and Nash?

[West]

Okay, totally loved DON- it's tied with TUH as my fave, and has bumped HT into second place (sorry, Cosmo). But more than my love for these books, more than I'm dying to have Jazz's book (seriously, I know you said he hasn't been talking much, but come on, it's time to poke him with a stick and make him), even more than I'm dying to learn more about Lew and Lopez and Izzy... I'm dying for the final four TDD books. Some people have been vocal on your board about it (okay, by some people I mean me), and I realize there are problems abounding. Silhouette shortened the format, and I realize there's no way you could fit your awesome books into the new Romantic Suspense line. So can you bring them to TS, or is the different publisher an issue? Could you try for a deal with one of H/S longer formats? Write them as e-books and put them on your website? How about an underground network, where you write them, and we smuggle them around the world, unbeknownst to the publishing world (actually, now that I mention that, it's a good idea. We could be all organized and clandestine and naughty... we could give them a sexy code name, and spread the TDD love around the world... It's good, huh?)

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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redsoxlovah wrote:

Hi Suz,

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us-I love your books and think you're an amazing author!

Couple Questions:  I have to admit I was heartbroken, (truly, like almost needed counseling-ggg) because you did not pair Deck and Soph together.  Many people have posted that they felt like you "tricked" us.  Will you please comment on this.  I heard (not sure how accurate it is) that you ALWAYS intended to pair Dave with Soph.  If this is true, why did you lead readers to believe for so many years that Deck and Soph had a VERY good chance of having a HEA?

I have a theroy that you feel in love with Dave and wanted to give the "geek" the girl, is this true?  I read on your website that Wildcard was your favorite character....Is it now Dave?  Do you feel like you "dissed" my fave Deck? (ggg)  Sure he got a babe and is having hot sex and all but why did you not put him with Sophia after all these years?

I will admit after reading DON, I can wrap my head around Tracy and Deck.  Tracy is very funny and I loved how you wrote about her green friend.  I was confused that Deck said/thought in his POV that he always found Tracy to be HOT.  In past books, it seemed as Deck merely tolorated Tracy and I never felt the chemistry (until DON)  Did I miss something in the past books? 

Are Deck and Tracy indeed in a HEA?  Will we hear more about their relationship in future books?  Now that Deck is finally with someone, I want to hear more to convince me that he is truly happy, especailly since DON was done over only 4 days and Deck's own friends thought Tracy was only a rebound.  I need a bit more-will we get it?  Maybe some cute babies?  Twins or triplets for Tracy? (ggg)

Speaking of babies-When will Ken and Van have one???  I loved getting a glimpse into Wildcard in DON-will we ever hear from Van again? (my favorite lady)

I happen to LOVE Eden&Izzy!!  Will they get a HEA?  How long do we have to wait to get Izzy's story?(ggg)

Even though I am rooting for a Eden and Izzy HEA, I was surprised that you did not have Izzy and Tracy have a HEA-especially since Izzy went AWOL for her and gave her the belt, etc.  They seemed to have develop feelings for each other beyond a "hook up".  Will you tell us why you did not pair them together?  Just curious but not complaining-as I said, I am a big fan for an Izzy/Eden HEA!

Just for the record, I don't think Doc Jo deserves any of our seals, T.S., or FBI guys!  AND THANK you from the bottom of my heart for not pairing her with Deck!!  Holy Moly, that would have sent me over the edge.  You saved me some therapy bills.

I understand Hot Pursuit is a S&A story (cool) Will anyone get a HEA?  After Hot Pursuit, will you be returning to your typical HEA for T.S. series?  Will you tell us who the main character may be?  Izzy?  okay, I'm probably rushing it, right?  But ANY ideas you want to throw out here?  I'm sure we could all help brainstrom (ggg)

okay, I did intend on this being short-sorry-I want to end by saying Thank you for all the wondeful characters you have created!  How the heck do you do it?  (okay, that one is rehtorical)  I also want to say that I love Jules and how you created a gay love story-very cool.  I love how you added the CA gay rights issue into DON.  Hopefully, our world will be more open minded in the future to accept every consenting adults relationship-in my mind, everyone should have the right to love and marry who their heart's desired.  Thanks for giving us Jules and Robin-you rock!  Thanks for making my Deck happy (sniff)   You are brilliant-thanks!

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Hey, Redsoxlovah! 

I think I may have answered most of your questions in previous posts.

Hmm, do you think I "tricked" readers?  Isn't that what a really exciting book does -- take you places you didn't expect to go?

I left many clues in the books, from FLASHPOINT to INTO THE FIRE, that foreshadowed the pairings in DARK OF NIGHT.  To be honest, I was pretty stunned when, at the end of INTO THE FIRE, when Sophia kisses Dave, some readers thought their relationship would go in a different direction.

And I'll say it again -- it was completely my intention for Sophia to end up with Dave.  (Whom, incidentally, I've loved ever since he banished himself to the barn when he had food poisoning in FLASHPOINT.)

I'm not talking about HOT PURSUIT (other than the fact that Sam and Alyssa are in it!), or any other upcoming books -- sorry about that.

As for Tracy and Izzy -- do you really think it would have been good for Tracy to get into a relationship with someone that she didn't really connect with, right on the heels of breaking up with Lyle?  I thought Tracy would be better off having some time to learn to like and respect herself.  I also thought they were a terrible match.  (She didn't get his jokes!)  But Izzy was, absolutely, what Tracy needed to break away from Lyle.  (That and the abduction by the serial killer thing provided some impetus. <g>)

I find it interesting that many readers feel so strongly negative about Dr. Jo.  Don't you think she helped Decker (and Sophia, and Dave) in INTO THE FIRE?  I don't think Decker would've reached a place where he was ready for a relationship with anyone, if it hadn't been for his conversations with the Doctor.

Thanks for loving Jules -- and for understanding that love is love is love!

Happy February,

Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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mirose wrote:

Hi.  First, thanks for many hours of reading pleasure.  Many of my questions have been asked  above.  I agree that I was disappointed not to see more Deck/Nash interaction in DON.  Will we be seeing more of them? 

Also,  will we see more of Tess/Nash and their relationship?  They took a big step in DON but it still seems there is much backstory on Nash to explore and that their road will still be rocky at times.

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Howdy, Mirose!

Thanks for your kind words.  

And yeah, I hear you re: the Nash/Deck thing, but don't you think maybe it would felt like "been there, done that," since that was a major subplot in FLASHPOINT?  

DARK OF NIGHT was all about team work -- and about Nash learning the value of asking for help.  

I think you're right -- life with Nash is never going to be easy, but I'm pretty sure, at this point, that he and Tess are solid.

I think, too, that Decker's relationship with Tracy is going to allow him to spend more time with Nash and Tess -- don't you think?   Tracy was neighbors with Tess and Nash, so it seems likely the four of them will socialize.  I don't know about you, but I see a lot of happiness in Deck's future.  I hope he can deal with it. <g>

Cheers,

Suz

[NancyF]

Hi Suz,

I'm still reading (and loving) DON... so no questions. Just wanted to say Hi.

"Evil" Nancy

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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becke_davis wrote:

SPOILERS!!!!

Okay, in my first post I was careful not to give anything away because Dark of Night had just come out.  I'm assuming the hard core fans have read it by now, so here some the spoilers.

Yes, we were led to believe Sophia and Decker would end up together.  Yes, I wanted that as much as anyone.  That's why I dreaded this book, because we got some pretty clear hints that Sophie was not going to end up with Decker, but Dave.  And even at the start of DON, that was still a possibility.

BUT I already loved Tracy and I loved Dave's character, too.  I wanted them both to have their happy endings as much as I wanted Decker and Sophia to have theirs.  You don't always get what you want in a Brockmann book, but she knows her characters better than any of us.  She made sure each of her characters got what they really needed, and in my book, that's the most important thing.

No matter that I'd really, really wanted Decker and Sophia to end up together.  This was soooo much better, because it became clear they would have made a lousy couple.  Tracy is perfect for Decker and I love, love, love the way Dave got what he'd always wanted and Sophia did, too.

To me, respecting the characters is the most important thing.  They are very real to us, and real life doesn't always go the way we planned.  Sometimes, it turns out better.

This conundrum came up for me recently, when I was wondering if authors "owe" anything to their readers, or if it's fair for them to come up with whatever they want, since it's their books, after all.  A lot of people got mad at Agatha Christie for her ending of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.  A LOT of people were upset with the turn Elizabeth George's books have taken.  In the latter case, I feel George has every right to take the story in the direction she's chosen but for me, personally, I can only deal with so much angst and depression, and I've stopped following the Lynley books now.

I trust Suzanne Brockmann, though.  She knows her characters inside out, and a surprising number of authors don't.  I was thrilled with this book, it may be my favorite of the whole series.  And I can't wait to see what she'll write next. 

Message Edited by becke_davis on 02-02-2009 12:56 PM

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Thanks for your thoughts, Becke!

But I'm curious, isn't it possible that the conventions of the romance genre led you to believe that Sophia and Decker would end up together?

I love romance, but I really don't think that's healthy -- the concept that sexual intimacy demands a forever, happy ending.  

I think romance novels, the characters within them, shouldn't teach women to expect fairytale happy endings all of the time.  Isn't it better to acknowledge that a guy is Mr. Wrong before eight years of marriage?

I know there's been discussion of Izzy and Tracy (from INTO THE STORM).  I think Izzy's decision to keep his distance, even after coming back from his "punishment duty," was a mature, well-reasoned one.  He could have gone for the easy sex with the hot babe, because he knew Tracy wanted more, but he didn't.  Because he knew neither of them would be happy in the long run.  

Anyway -- just some thoughts that your thoughts made me think!  <g>

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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tialessa wrote:

I had to read "Into the Fire" before starting "Dark of Night" and kept being distracted by Hannah's nickname for Vinh.  What does "bwee" mean? I kept waiting for it to be explained somewhere in the story or on your site, but never saw what it stood for.

Received my autographed copy VERY quickly! Thanks for doing the virtual signing again! Read it on Sunday and was once again WOWed by your work. For the record I too thought Tracy was a much better match for Decker than Sophia was. I was so happy when you released the prologue and it was Dave & Sophia! And wow that Dave has the never-quit & whatever-it-takes mentality. Not sure I'd seen that previously.

Does "Ashton" come from Kelly Ashton?

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Hey, Tialessa,

Boy, you know I had no idea that "Bwee" wasn't universally understood American slang -- believe me, you are not the first person to ask about this!!!  

"Bwee" is short for homeboy.  Make the "home" silent, and pronounce the "boy" with two syllables.  Boi-eeee.  Now say it fast.   Bwee.  

Hannah uses it as a term of endearment for Murph.

Glad you received your signed book quickly!  I was worried, because we were sending them from Florida for the first time.  (Florida can be, like, the black hole of packages.)  

As for Ashton, you'll be seeing more of him and his parents (Sam and ALyssa) in HOT PURSUIT!  

I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!

-- Suz

[library_addict]

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Suzanne_Brockmann wrote:

Sorry you didn't like the book, Alyssa.

I believe you're talking about a poll I set up for my Reader's Guide?  (This is the only poll that I set up -- all others were reader-created.)

You feel it violated your trust, because I listed Decker and Sophia as a couple in the question "Who is your favorite secondary (subplot) couple?" But the fact is, they were a secondary subplot couple in FLASHPOINT, the same way Izzy and Tracy were in INTO THE STORM.  (And Robin and Patty in HOT TARGET, although that was never going to work...)

The only other time they were mentioned in that poll was in the question "This series includes many multi-book story arcs -- stories like that of Sam and Alyssa, that continued over the course of many books.  Which story arc was your favorite?"  

If you're going to mince words, please note that the question was in past tense.  Was. 

You know, the publishing business is fascinating -- because every book needs to be labeled and fit (jammed?) neatly into a specific slot.  I write "romantic suspense," even though I don't really write romantic suspense. I think of my books as more adventures, and even more than that, I think of them as character driven dramas with comedy.  Romantic dramadies.  

But where you do put that on the shelf?  You don't.  So you call it a Romantic Suspense, and hope that readers will understand that you're working within already established boundaries, with established labels.  Most do, some don't.

Same thing happened with the poll -- I framed it to fit the boundaries of the romance genre.

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So, it never even occurred to you to simply leave Sophia and Decker off the poll altogether?  You did not include Tracy & Izzy or Robin & Patty.

Spin it any way you want to now, but you marketed Sophia & Decker as a couple to help sell books. 

I think mocking so many readers who have been fans and purchased your books over the years is not a very professional way for you to handle this so-called "controversy." 

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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Mari_D wrote:

Hello,

As a relatively new member of the Suzanne Brockmann Fan Club (05/08) please allow me to join in with your most ardent fans and offer my sincere thanks for the hours of enjoyment your TS, Inc. books have given me.  I am in the throes of a new found obsession and let me tell you my friends are well aware you exist! Hoo-yah. 

If you would be so kind, my questions are not about any one book but the method by which you prepare some of the more emotional scenes.  For example, Sam getting to Mary Lou's house and finding the flies and no wife or daughter, Decker discovering his inner freak (where did that come from?), Robin coming out (after realizing his love for Jules, did he question internally before showing the world?) Is there an inner dialogue of scenes that are deleted that would provide us with more information on the thought processes these characters went through? 

Sorry to sound like such a brown-noser but you are the best and I will forever be thankful that my local library led me to you.  Can't wait to read them all again.  Thank you for your time.

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Hi, Mari D!

I'm glad you found me!  (Give your librarian a fist bump from me!)

Although I do a lot of advance work with character notes and backstory, when I'm writing the book, pretty much what you see is what I've written.

Every scene is the book is a balancing act -- you want to provide enough information so the readers understand where the character is coming from and what he or she is feeling, but at the same time, it's important not to slow the story down.  Too much introspection can really make a story drag.  

I write my books in such deep point of view, that I'm so completely inside of the heads of my characters.  There's not a lot of prep involved -- I really just throw them into the scene and let them react naturally.

But because I write in deep point of view (and only that one point of view per scene), I don't head hop and let you see what another character is thinking.  

So, for example, in that scene with Robin and Jules at the end of FORCE OF NATURE, where Robin kisses Jules in front of the news helicopter?  That's from Jules's POV.  So we know what Jules is thinking and feeling, but not what's going on in Robin's head.  

My goal as a writer is to set that all up in an earlier scene when we ARE inside of Robin's head.  He's got to let us know that he's coming to the decision that being with Jules trumps his movie career and his fear about coming out so that when he does kiss Jules it feels right and organic.  Make sense?  (It's getting late, and I'm a little tired...)

I'm honored that you're thinking about reading the books again -- that's the ultimate compliment to a writer!

-- Suz

[Suzanne_Brockm…]

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bookit wrote:

HI Suzanne,

Wanted to let you know I am a huge fan!  I too was a Sophia-Decker fan.  I do love Tracy however and now that Decker is finally with someone, will he stay with Tracy?  After all he has gone through, I hope he does not get more heartache.

Oh, totally, bookit.  I know I've given you reason to doubt me, but I never mess (well, not much anyway) with the hero and heroine of a book.  Their HEA is set in stone.  And for DON, that's both Sophia and Dave, and Decker and Tracy.  A two-fer-one!  <g>

At first I thought the domin/submissive sex scences were a little odd (at least for Decker)  But I tried it out with hubby-didn't even tell him what I was doing ahead of time-I simply started ordering him around and let me tell you-it worked (and he never even asked me WTH I was doing-weird!  he just happily went along....) and he LOVED it!  Hey, probably a little too much info for everyone.....But, I love how you are not shy with your sex scences and really get into the guys POV and I love they guy speak.  Do you actually talk to males to see what their preferences are and how they talk amongst one another?  Maybe that question is TOO personal, but I would love to know if you actually talk to guys to feel for what floats their boat.

Really, It never even crossed my mind to start ordering my hubby around (in bed anyway)

So, thanks for the "HOT" tip.-LOL  And who knows..maybe I will go out and buy myself a green friend for when he is not around..........  Those scences cracked me up!

Okay, maybe TMI, but yeah, now you're cracking me up!  

I've always hung around with guys, right from elementary school and through today.  And yeah, we talk. <g>

I also loved the scences with the guys shooting the whatever and giving advice to each other-awesome!

I loved the action, humor and the HEA.....if indeed they are HEA?  Are Decker and Tracy HEA?

Absolutely -- see above!

Also, what happened to Jones-did his plane ever land-LOL  I was waiting for him to kick some serious a**!

Darn that morning fog -- keep that plane from landing!

Always wondered(picky question):  How come Ric and Annie were not mentioned in ATTN at the Jules and Robin's wedding after they were all so close (saving each other's lives) in FON?  I absolutely loved hearing from the other characters though! and loved the laser? tag game!

They actually are mentioned, although not by name.  That was my bad.  I assumed everyone would realize who I was talking about when I mentioned the "Florida contingent."  

It's always a struggle -- there are too many characters in the series to include them all in every book.  And I was trying to make ATTN understandable to readers who hadn't read the earlier books.  (I knew I was going to get a new readership, who wouldn't know Ric or Annie at all.)

How's Dolphina and Will?  Will we hear from them again?

 You never know...

Oh, and does Dave still feel like second best?

 Hmm, pretty sure I covered that in DON.  Thanks for dropping by!

I love all your characters! (except Doc Jo-sorry)

Thanks for the great reads!

 Message Edited by bookit on 02-02-2009 03:14 PM

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My comments above in bold!

-- Suz