Comments on: Spy Novels and Reintroducing Characters

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:15:35 +0000

I've re-read the Vorkosigan series recently, and the way it's done there is to give the description through various points of view. So in one book there's Miles himself grumbling in narration about how being a little person sucks, in another there's someone being introduced to him and expecting someone taller, in a third it's Miles explaining out loud after someone actually comments on it.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:01:35 +0000

Pilot — I think I enjoy them partly because I don't represent them — because I can put aside thoughts about marketing, and positioning, and wondering if the editor would be open to a submission — and just enjoy the story.

I'd love to find a spy thriller for the YA or MG market, but I'm happy not to tip my toes into the adult thriller market. Besides, I fear that if I did start getting a ton of spy thriller submissions (besides the ones I get already, despite the fact I don't rep them) I wouldn't enjoy the ones I read for pleasure quite as much.

The YA and MG markets allow for a lot more variety in topics.

By: pilot27407

pilot27407 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:40:01 +0000

Question on the tip of my tongue. If you enjoy reading spy thrillers, how come you don’t represent such?

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:17:51 +0000

Neato — you guys are going somewhere with this I hadn't expected. When I proposed that you try describing Spencer without talking about his looks, clothing, or job/role, I meant in general comments, not in narrative. Like, he's charming, and talented, and the coolest big brother any teenage girl could want.

Which, to be clear, is sort of what they do in the video I linked above, but only happens several minutes in, and I didn't really specify.

But I'll do so now. Out of context, if you as an author were talking about a character — whether it's Spencer, or one of your own, or someone else entirely — Alice in Wonderland, Malcolm Reynolds, Eowyn — how would you do it?

By: Holen

Holen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:46:26 +0000

Nancy Drew's housekeeper, Hannah, was introduced almost the exact same way in each book.

Still, I miss reading those *runs to shelf to see if she still has any left*

By: BowlerIn10A

BowlerIn10A — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:16:25 +0000

I think it can be done situationally:

Scarlett asks, "Hey, Spencer, can I borrow 20 bucks?"

Spencer replies, holding out a bill, "If I give you this 20 dollar bill, you have to promise that you will only use it to buy me new tires for my unicycle. Or something equally important."

Scarlett says, "Thanks, Spence! That's why you're my favorite brother!"

Spencer walks out of the room, but slams himself into the doorframe. He shakes it off like Chester Cheetah, and goes on his merry way.

And now we know that Spencer is Scarlett's brother, and is fun and wacky, but watches out for his sister.

By: De

De — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:59:03 +0000

Or the love scenes in the Jean Auel books. It was the same scene every time!

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:39:42 +0000

LOL that entire youtube series (1-7) are amazing. I ran into them a few weeks ago searching the SFWA website. He hits it dead on, IMO.

Umbridge. She was described so well the first time that, for me, just the name is enough to put a picture in my head. Any marked changes in her description would be all I would need to know from that point on.

JMO, but decribing what they like, fetishes, etc. helps with the picture of the person. Again, Umbridge. Kittens, pink, doilies, bows.

By: Molly

Molly — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:16:11 +0000

Scarlett glanced around, trying to adjust her eyes to the lack of light in the Orchid Suite. She heard her brother's hushed whisper, and finally found him due to the contrast of his skin compared to the rest of the room. "Spencer- What?"

"Shh! Here." he tossed Scarlett her bathrobe, and crept to the door. "It's time."

I always find characters so difficult to describe more than once, without their description sounding like something plucked from a paperback romance novel. *sigh*

By: Tim White

Tim White — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:08:18 +0000

"Frank Hardy pulled the dark sweater over his dark hair – the same color as his Mother's…he looked over at his fair-haired brother Joe."

Some variation of that in every book! Aieee!