November 10 to 14: Nelson DeMille

[KimG]

Hard to believe it's been almost 20 years since I read my first Nelson DeMille book (The Charm School). I was thrilled when I found out you were writing a sequel The Gold Coast because I always thought there should be one.

Would it be giving away to much to let us know if Corey will be facing Khalil in the next book? I seem to recall reading or hearing (in a newsletter, blog, radio interview...my imagination?) that you would be revisiting the Corey/Khalil conflict, and I was wondering if it will be in this next book.

Thank you for sharing your time, talent and wit for the last 30+ years!

[Tashla]

Hi Mr. DeMille,

It was such a thrill to have had the opportunity to attend your booksigning in Lake Grove, NY.  Thanks to your newsletter, subscribers had the chance to "cut" the line.  There was a great turnout.  I am a huge fan.  I've read just about all of your books, my favorites are: Plum Island, Up Country, the Charm School and Word of Honor.  My kids tease me because while reading your books, I tend to go through the whole spectrum of emotions..... fear, worry, concern and at times I even laugh out loud......I think that they have become more interested in reading by seeing me with a "DeMille" by my side, especially in the summer. 

Two questions....  Will we soon see more novels become films?  Also, which book is truly your favorite (and why)?

It was a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to reading "The Gate House".

Ciao!

Monique

[kone]

Mr. DeMille:

First thanks for some great reading. I've enjoyed all your books and what sets them apart from much of today's fiction is your character development. I have The Gate House and am saving for some time I'm taking off at Christmas. My question is, do you have any plans on revisiting Paul Brenner or Keith Landry? Brenner is much an interesting character much like John Corey who cracks me up to know end. I also, thought Spencerville was a fantastic read and often wonder what ever happened to Keith Landry. Continued success.

S.W. Koenig III

[CodaCreator]

Hi, Mr. DeMille! I really enjoy your novels, one and all. I just read Up Country a couple of months ago. My dad is a Vietnam veteran who served two tours with the US Marine Corps and was decorated for "meritorious duty under enemy fire" on a couple of occasions. He refused to talk about his experiences during the war when I was young, but recent events (inclusion in the Freedom Bird program and other VA sponsored benefits) have helped him to loosen up a bit. Reading your work has helped me to better understand where he's coming from. Thank you.

On the selfish side, I've been in touch with several established authors regarding POV in fiction. There seems not to be a consensus as to how best to approach the thriller/mystery genre. David Morrell advises new novelists to use the third person POV unless there is a definable and very necessary reason for using the first. Others have successfully used first person almost exclusively, while some even jump back and forth between the two (I'm talking about series characters, where this seems not to be terribly common). Please, if you would, tell me why you choose the first person POV more often than not? I can see both sides of this argument and feel almost equally sure in my ability to write them, but the choice will absolutely create a different book. I don't see a way that it wouldn't.

Thanks, again!

[mpstone1]

Hi Nelson,

Would you ever consider introducing John Sutter to John Corey in one of your future novels?  They're both such alluring and interesting characters, I think they'd make a great team.  (Double the wit, double the sarcasm, double the fun!)  Just wondering if the thought ever crossed your mind...

Thanks for all the great stories, keep up the great works!

~Marianne

[Beauregard]

Was there any truth to "The Charm School"?  And where are the movies?  Travolta as Brenner wasn't good, but Willis as Corey would work.  (Your characters are manly men.)

[bookworm17KZ]

I absolutely love your books. I especially enjoy listening to them. (Well, except for Mayday- I didn't enjoy that reader) Scott Brick is an amazing reader and makes your books come alive. It's like being at the movies only better. I know you've gotten a lot of compliments regarding Scott Brick's reading so I was wondering why you chose someone else to read The Gate House.

[MellyLow]

I reread The Gold Coast just before The Gate House was published.   That made reading the sequel even better.  It was all that it should have been and more.  I did not want it to end so I will be waiting for the sequel.  I have all of your books and they are all favorites.  My questions have already been asked and answered except one.  When are you going to do a book signing in the Dallas, Texas area? 

Henryetta Eudy

Richardson, Texas

[BarbLeit]

I would love to John Corey series made into movies.I really enjoyed all of your books, but Night Fall is my all-time favorite book.If you are ever in Lebanon,Ohio please stop at our Library.Ask for Barb.

[xpolice]

Any word on Up Country being made into a movie?   I know the rights were purchased any update? One of the best books of the decade!!

[Bethanne]

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DollyB wrote:

Hi. I am a new member to the Nelson DeMille group. I am having trouble posting a new message to Mr. DeMille.  Help, please.  Thanks.

Dolly B.

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Dolly B, I apologize for not having seen this post when you wrote it, but I'm so glad you were subsequently able to post your comment and question. Welcome!

[Bethanne]

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Hillslider wrote:

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Bethanne wrote:

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detailmuse wrote:

Mr. DeMille -- you write looong novels, and I love the feeling of real immersion, over time, with your smart, wise-guy leads. Are your drafts even longer, and then you prune -- or is your first draft a fairly final draft?

Also, please differentiate between a "sequel" and a "next in a series" novel. What makes you decide when to write which?

Thanks for your novels (I am growing stingy with the five or so I have left to read) and for being here this week.

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Detailmuse, I liked your phrase "feeling of real immersion.' John Sutter is such a definite and developed character that readers do feel immersed in his consciousness.

I think my favorite "Sutterism" is when John remarks that the only gift he'd like better than a sailing yacht is to hear that his father-in-law William Stanhope has come down with pneumonia. (I believe I got this correct, but Nelson, if I didn't, please let us know!) Why is this my favorite? It shows that dark, most un-WASPy humor John Sutter has.

Does anyone else have a favorite Sutter moment or quote?

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My favorite Sutter moment is an explicit one so be warned.....

John Sutter was sitting with Elizabeth at the Gate House and is his mind he thought......"Her T-shirt--my T-shirt --had ridden north, and I could see the carpet matched the drapes."

This I think really shows that John Sutter is not just a prim an proper Yale grad that lived on the Gold Coast but deep iside a typical guy thinking typical things.

This rawness gives us the full picture of John Sutter.  All though I would never say anything like this in mixed company I am happy that Mr. Demille writes it as it really would happen and not excludeding any "rawness".  Plus for some reason this remark left me laughing out loud and with my wife sitting in the same room while I was reading got me in trouble when I read this to her!!!  So.....you got me in trouble Mr. Demille!!!

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Hillsldr, I am still laughing...although there's a chilling echo of this comment in The Gate House...I'll say no more...

[Bethanne]

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lsah1852 wrote:

I work at a library in Wapakoneta, Ohio and there was much excitement there when The Gate House was published. In fact the waiting list was long for a copy months ahead of time. Ironically, Wapakoneta is only a few miles up the road from Spencerville, which was the setting for Nelson's novel by the same name. I met him during his promo tour for that book and have been a fan ever since. He is a gentleman of the highest degree, intellectual and down-to-earth. I was happy to make his acquaintance while he was touring the Midwest and respect his work and dedication to writing. I am curious to know if he will use America's "heartland" as a future setting.

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Isah1852, that's a great question; I think it would be intriguing to see a DeMille novel set in Chicago.

[yankees545454]

Good Morning everyone; Have been a Nelson fan for 30 + years and of course like all/most of you have read all of his work.  I personally find that Night Fall is my favorite with...Talbot Odyssey as a very close second as well as the most intriguing.  I and Mr. D served together in Vietnam and his sense of Humor in his novels were evident back in the "good ole days, with bullets and mortar fire surrounding us". However, that being said....I too am from Long Island and lived on the Gold Coast (Glen Cove and Lloyd Neck) for a good portion of my professional career. I unfortunately, yes, unfortunately have moved to (of all places) South Jersey and miss Long Island tremendously.  I am about 100 pages from the end of the Gate House and I strongly recommend (although Mr. D stated it was not necessary) a rereading of "Gold Coast"  primarily because the intimate details of John, Susan, Carolyn, Edward, Ethel, George, Frank etc are extremely beneficial to the the "Gate House" thusly, I cannot wait until I close this book and revisit a few other novels.  I am especially looking forward to this.  Sincerely Yankees545454

Message Edited by yankees545454 on 11-14-2008 08:30 AM

[scottc]

Mr. DeMille -  I have 3 questions...

1. Any update on when The Gold Coast movie might be made?  I truly enjoyed The General's Daughter (both the book and the movie).

2. Your characters are so spontaneously witty.  As you write, does that flow naturally or does it take a lot of effort to get the dialogue so crisp (and hilarious)?

3. Is there anything we can do to make you more prolific?  I hate waiting a year for the next novel!  :-)

You are my all-time favorite author, keep up the good work!

[scottc]

Yeah, the little quips are great... When Susan refers to her husband and John thinks: "Did I get married?"  Very funny stuff.

[svonpier]

The Gate House was fantastic!  I am left to wonder...wouldn't Anthony's children put out a contract on the Sutters....when they grow up and take over the "family business"?  Or is your thought process that they are not full-blooded Italians so it stops here?  Thank you for sharing your gift you are an awesome writer!

[Ruthanne]

I abolutely LOVE the John Corey novels.  I though Plum Island was brilliant.  John seems to have mellowed a little since he married Kate.  That's okay.  Maybe you could bump up the sarcasm just a bit in the new novel.  I am so excited to hear of more Nelson DeMille books!!  I haven't read the Gate House yet, but most certainly will.  I would like to know if you ever make it to Texas for book signings, specifically Austin?  We would love to have you at the Brodie Lane Barnes and Noble and I would even leave work to come see you !  Thanks again for your spectacular gift of writing.  Keep them coming, please!

[Ruthanne]

I forgot to mention my other favorite, Charm School.  Never has there been such a spellbinding book that makes the reader catch his breath with every page.  Incredible writing!!

[talagirl]

Not sure if I am in the right place to ask a question of Nelson DeMille or not, but will try having found it all very confusing. 

I adore Nelson Demille books and wait for each new one with great reslish.  Cannot wait for another John Corey and Kate Mayfield also.  My mains question is about the Charm School which I loved.  Lent my copy out and never got it back.  Is it still available?  I live in Cyprus which complicates matters!

the only book that I did not enjoy and never finished was Cathedral.  However, it may be that having been involved in a IRA bomb blast many years ago (not hurt but very shocked) that this memory kicks in and spoils the book for me.

Please keep the books coming, I think you are the best writer of the decade.

Jeanette