I only recently started reading Suzanne Brockmann's books, thanks to a "here, read this" book handed to me by my best friend. I was HOOKED immediately. In fact, I was so hooked, I had to run out and get MORE of Suzanne's books, before I'd even finished the first one!
I fell in love with her characters, and felt something akin to withdrawal when the book was finished, as if I'd had to move away from my family. I also found myself wondering what Sam and Alyssa were doing now that they'd overcome their troubles, and if Tracy and Decker were still bantering with each other. Worse, I was wishing I'd get invited to the next Troubleshooters barbecue, or baby shower. Heck, I was even willing to accompany them the next time they went "wheels up" for a mission.
Which meant one of two things: 1) I was going to need some serious, costly therapy sessions, or 2) Suzanne Brockmann really ROCKS characterization.
We're going to go with Option #2 today.
One of the hardest things to deal with once you begin writing is not being able to read for pleasure the way you did when you were only a reader. I'm still a reader, but I'm always analyzing, as well as admiring. I'm also more critical, and less likely to finish a book if it is not holding my interest. This is tough because I understand how hard the writer had to work to make that book happen, and it feels ruthless to discard it. However, my reading time now has been diminished, since I'm also writing, and often when I'm reading, I feel like "I should be writing".
Which is why I find it even more incredible that Suzanne Brockmann's books made me FORGET that I was reading a book. With fictional characters. In life-or-death situations that hadn't really happened, at least not in my mundane little corner of New England.
How did she do this? And when was the next book coming out so I could meet up with my friends again?
Luckily Suzanne was at the local Barnes & Noble the day her latest book was released, and I got there early, like the fangirl I am. I sat there, with Hot Pursuit clutched in my hand, absorbing every word she said.
Each one of her characters has a distinct voice, so it is clear who is speaking, even without the usual identifying tags. This is a result of the "deep POV" she uses for her characters. (She also handed out booklets where she describes her technique, which is incredibly generous.) This deep POV is also the reason for the intense response from readers. I finally – finally! – really understood what it meant to make the reader experience what the character is thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. I hope I am able to incorporate this into my own writing.
Suzanne is a plotter, but I can't hold that against her, since she has an amazing cast of characters, engaged in incredible activities all over the world, and these often take place in more than one book. So if she DIDN'T plot, I would wonder what other superpowers she possessed.
Another valuable thing: she said she always tried to keep as many things out there on editors' desks, and one day it worked in her favor, because an author couldn't make a deadline, and Suzanne's book was sitting there, needing a few revisions, but generally ready to go.
I had a chance to chat with Suzanne while she was signing my book. I told her I was a writer, and that I hate to tell authors that, since I'm sure they hear that from so many people. (Okay, I'd been forced into telling her, since my best friend had told Suzanne's husband Ed, who is also an author, and he told her to tell me to let Suzanne know, since he knew how hard it was to finish a manuscript. How could I refuse after that?!) She was incredibly gracious, telling me to keep writing, and learning, and how she has several books that she loves that won't see the light of day. I said how hard the waiting was, and she agreed, but said just to keep writing.
She signed my book, "Keep writing and dream big!" There really isn't any better advice than that!
I also won a copy of Everyday, Average Jones, one of her early Silhouette Special Editions which is harder to find nowadays. (Let me just say now, I fell deeply in lust with Cowboy Jones, to the point where I almost didn't want to share this book, with anyone.)
When I got home that night, there was a request for a partial in my Inbox. Woo hoo! It felt like a perfect writing day all around.
