November 10 to 14: Nelson DeMille

[kmd]

Hi Mr DeMille,

As the director of a small public library, I lead our monthly book group discussion.  We selected the books for discussion back in September; we're scheduled to discuss The Gold Coast at tomorrow's meeting. Coincidentally, your sequel to that novel, The Gate House tops the NYT Best Seller list this week-how lucky for me to have chosen such a timely title!

My question to you- when you wrote the book, did you set out to create a classic, or a bestseller, or both??

Comparison to Great Gatsby is inevitable-how do you think your book holds up?

It would be great to discuss you, the author, tomorrow-what you intended,what you created-did you expect The Gold Coast would be read and discussed in book groups more than fifteen years after its publication?

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's meeting-hope you can add a gem or two for me to throw out for the group!

[Hillslider]

Mr.Demille I just finished your latest novel....The Gate House.....Loved it!!! You teased all of us with your prediction for president!!! I have really enjoyed all of your books. Not sure if I can wait until 2010 for the sequel to Lions Gate though. When I find myself unable to sleep I find myself thinking about the The Charm School and it has been several years since I read that book. What an extroidinary book to read. My question, Do you ever find it hard to end a novel? I was sure hoping as I read The Gate House that I would read about William Stanhope getting into trouble with Anthony. Susan killed Anthony's dad so Anthony kills her dad......and then the whole inheritance issue........so many options. So I am just wondering if this was the only ending or was it one of many that you chose from? Happy Veterans Day. My dad is a Vietnam Vet and I have only respect for all the people who served our country. Thanks, Robert

[Bethanne]

Hillslider, this is why I love reading everyone's comments -- I never would have thought about William Stanhope and Anthony... Wouldn't that have made John Sutter's day?

Nelson, it's also wonderful to read your responses. I was interested to see what you said about your earlier work. Do you make an effort to consciously try new techniques to improve as a novelist?

[Bethanne]

kmd, glad to see you here and enjoyed your question. Will your group read other DeMille novels, too? One of best parts of Center Stage is seeing how people read an author's body of work.

[Bethanne]

Marymaca, welcome -- and what a great question! DeMille's male protagonists all have strong and quirky personalities. Can't wait to see what the author has to say on this one.

[Kevin]

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kmd wrote:

Hi Mr DeMille,

As the director of a small public library, I lead our monthly book group discussion.  We selected the books for discussion back in September; we're scheduled to discuss The Gold Coast at tomorrow's meeting. Coincidentally, your sequel to that novel, The Gate House tops the NYT Best Seller list this week-how lucky for me to have chosen such a timely title!

---

Welcome, kmd!

Feel free to invite the members of your book group to the forum here. There's always room for more.

[detailmuse]

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.

[Bethanne]

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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.

---

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?

[Hillslider]

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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.

---

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?

---

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!!!

[barbiedee]

I just love it when people refer to Susan as John's wife, and he always answers "ex-wife".  It seems to go right over their heads!

[lsah1852]

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.

[wendela48]

When are you coming to Houston, TX. I need more John Cory!

[DollyB]

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.

[PCWest]

Mr. DeMille,

I was so excited to hear of your new release (Gate House), I have it but haven't read it yet, I believe its the only one of yours I haven't read yet.  Of course like others, the John Corey books are my favorites.  You said you are working on a new Corey book now,  I can't wait!  Just please don't kill off John or Kate!  I'm sure John will be around at the end but then there's what I call the Bonanza syndrome....whenever a main character gets a significant other, they get killed off within a couple of episodes or books...so I'm specially concerned about Kate.  She knows him better than anyone, and whereas I would get upset if my husband were to smart mouth like he does, she just quietly puts him in his place.

 Hopefully they will be able to put Kahlil either behind bars or 6 ft under in the next book.

I recommend your books to all my customers, and have never had anyone come back in disappointed.

Thanks for all you do, please keep writing....FAST!

[DollyB]

Hello again. Just saw my post, so I guess this is the place to write to Nelson DeMille.

Hopefully he will see this:

Mr. DeMille: You are my favorite author. Since "Gold Coast" is my favorite book, I was thrilled to see you wrote a sequel. I am saving it to take on a vacation next week. I also enjoy the John Corey books. He is such a wonderful character and I laugh out loud at the dialogue you write for him.

A couple of questions. Any chance you might be coming to the west coast for a book tour? I read that if someone makes a donation, their name might be used as one of the characters in your book. How does one find out more about this? Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us faithful fans.

Sincerely,

Dolly B

[CPH]

Hi Nelson

Thanks for all the pages of your prose, no doubt influenced by engaging teachers and collegiate relationships as you grew up in Elmont Long Island.

Have you ever based any characters or characteristics on specific teachers or friends from your childhood in any of your books?

Looking forward to years of new books and films based on same.

CPH

[magellan82]

Hi Nelson! I've read all your books except The Gate House which I'm saving for next week when I can curl up in front of the fire with a glass of wine, watch it snow & devour the book. I wanted to tell you that my son is on his 3rd tour in Iraq, an Army Captain in EOD & we send your books to him there. He said his fellow soldiers think he's nuts when he's reading your books - especially the John Corey novels - and is cracking up laughing in the middle of a war! I know our soldiers are very special to you and as a mom I appreciate you writing stories that can make them laugh but which stimulate the imagination. By the way: Our son tells us that the situation in Iraq is much better than during his last 2 tours. He hasn't fired his weapon since his deployment in January. Keep writing! I can't wait to read more.

Cheryl

[tartan1]

Mr. DeMille,

    I am a Vietnam era veteran and an author (unpublished). My former shipmate and friend enjoys the same status as me. We are somewhat rivals but since neither is published we are equals (so far). I generally create themes, concepts, characters, outlines and a general story outline before I begin a novel. I look at the book as a three act play: the set-up, the dilema and the resolution before I start writing. Naturally, I make real-time changes and revisions as a generate the text.

   My friend avoids structure and he likes to compose in real-time and see where his characters and plot drives him. I'm sure his system works as well for him as mine does for me.

   I wonder if you could share elements of your compositional methodology from concept to final product? In other words, how do you get it out of your head and on to the paper?

Thanks for reading my email,

Larry 

[jpf5911]

It's an honor to have a chance to communicate with you, Mr. DeMille.

I've read them all, several of them twice.  Gold Coast is my favorite so I'm looking forward to The Gate House. 

My favorite John Sutter moment?  While Frank is convalescing after the incident at the Italian restaurant, he asks John about Susan and John says words to the effect that she's doing fine and was just asking when they were all going to get together and go back to the same place.  That kills me every time (no pun intended).

I am a forty something accountant with a boring job and an insane wife so I really relate to Sutter.

I have been working on a book for some time and as I read my own work I can see the influence your writing has had on me.  If you read my book and felt the same way, would you be flattered or would you feel that I "stole" your style?  It probably doesn't matter since I mostly keep rewriting the first 5 chapters and will probably never finish it, but I'm curious.

I have referred your books to many friends and family members who are now fans like me, so you're welcome!

Please keep 'em coming.

JPF

[gnm20]

Mr DeMille:  First and foremost, thanks for all your great work!  I echo the kudos of all the previous posters for all the works you've published.  You are a terrific story teller and an outstanding writer.  Like most, I favor John Corey, but also have a strong affinity for Paul Brenner.  Any chance you can one day work them into the same book?