Running With Quills: QUESTIONABLE ELIZABETH

Welcome to Running With Quills, your online newsletter designed to keep you up to date with what your favorite authors (that would be us) are doing throughout the year. Here you will find the release dates of our new books and get information about our backlists. We'll preview our cover art here long before the books hit the stores and we'll keep you informed about works-in-progress and special projects. You'll also receive advance notice of signings and appearances. From time to time we'll give you a peek at our worlds, tell you what we're reading, and introduce you to some new authors.

Monday, January 23, 2006

QUESTIONABLE ELIZABETH

When I’m at a signing or a conference, inevitably someone comes up and asks “When are you going to write more Donovan books?”

Or: “When are you going to write more medievals?”

Or: “When are you going to write more westerns?”

Or: “When are you going to write pure romance again?”

Or: “When are you going to write more Dancer science fiction?”

Or: “When are you going to do more Fiddler mysteries?”

I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or scream at the questions, so I simply smile and remind myself that a book I wrote 35 years ago is as fresh today to new reader as the book I wrote last year.

But the author isn’t the same as she was many years ago, or even last year. Time only moves one way and I have to move with it.

I’ve been writing for 35 years, have written more than 70 books alone as well as others with my husband, and have published everything from photography to non-fiction to science fiction. I’ve read, written, and loved many kinds of fiction. Science fiction was my first love, closely tied with romantic suspense. (Think Helen MacInnes and Mary Stewart.)

Today I rarely read science fiction and no longer write it. The boom in romantic suspense has given me a feast of choices; I don't revisit Helen and Mary.

How many of you still read the same authors and/or type of fiction that you read as a teenager, young adult, adult, senior (aka survivor)?

26 Comments:

DFender said...: Wow. Good question. I'd have to say that my reading preferences evolve as the years advance.

I started out reading Harlequin Romances leading to historical romance, to romantic suspense, to romantic fantasy to non-romantic suspense and fantasy to non-fiction war history as well as US and World History... odd progression and not specifically in that order, but close.

It makes sense that an author would experience the same progression; I've never considered that...lol.

I'd like point out that I still read my favorite authors no matter what type of book they're writing currently or will write in the future. They write and I will buy.; 12:54 PM
Brandy said...: I used to be a huge Science Fiction reader, now, not so much. I may pick up 2 books a year. I used to read a lot of historicals as well. Now, I tend to only read one authors historicals. I also used to read a lot of Harlequin series, now I find them un-exciting and the Blaze series that took over for Temptations are short on character development and story, but long on sex. I don't read books for the sex scenes, (usually), I read them for the characters. I need to care about the characters and their problems. Series books don't allow for that anymore. So I guess you could say my tastes have changed the older I get, I want to like not only the story I'm reading, but the characters in it. TMI?; 3:10 PM
Louis said...: I read and re-read my favorites! Recently pulled an Emille Loring off the shelf to re-read. "Bright Skies" a favorite because I was stationed in Hawaii, the scene of the book. Recently re-read Julie Garwood and Linda Howard...I also try to keep up-to-date on all my favorites, Lowell, Krentz, Roberts, and a host of newcomers. Looking forward to your next.
Louis; 3:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Well, my bookshelf is crowded with books that I loved at all stages of my life. And yes, I do reread them (you should have seen how happy I was the other day when "We're Going On a Bearhunt" was found again - how I keep losing that book, I don't know). Right now I'm just about finished re-reading my Amanda Quick books in order (I'm just about to read Late for the Wedding.) I enjoy revisiting favourite characters, locations and plots.

That being said, if the same characters have stopped demanding that their authors tell their stories, I guess we as readers need to move on. For me that sometimes means moving on with the author, sometimes it means the author and I as the reader go our seperate ways.

Rachel; 3:54 PM
Amme said...: I've always been a wide reader so I can say I do. But, I've always read over a wide range of genres: romance, fantasy, horror, mystery, science fiction, and pretty much everything else at one time or another.

My reading preferences tend to go in cycles although I always buy books from specific authors and I love well written series because the characters start to feel like well loved friends because I reread them all the time.

Granted, there are some books that I loved years ago and pick up now and can't get into the stories as much...but I suspect that is more due to rereading them so often before. :-); 4:07 PM
Anonymous said...: I reread also, Krentz/Quick/Castle, Lowell, Howard, Roberts, Garwood are all my favorites. I found these authors in my early 20's and as I'm approaching 50 I still pull out the Donovan Series and the Lowell Medievals when I want to revist along with the rest.

Pre-Civil War romances were something I read as a teenager that I don't read anymore. I started feeling bad about what probably happened to the characters after the war.

sls; 5:02 PM
Michele said...: Certain authors/series are timeless- no matter if the book was written 10 years or 10 minutes ago. While I understand that as a writer, you are always expanding your horizons, please take it as a compliment that your earlier work is so appreciated. As much as I loved reading Fiddler (last summer, when I finally got all of them), I saw the end of the series as a finale, so it doesn't bother me that there will be no more. However, with the Donovans, the twins have always intrigued me, so I would not be against seeing their stories. ;)

My tastes in reading have changed over the years, mostly because I have been introduced to many more great authors. I grew up loving whodunits. I still will pick up an Agatha Christie, which I've been reading since age 8, or a Mary Higgins Clark, because they're comfortable. I will always read my first romance author- Jayne, who I was introduced to about 10 years ago. Since then, the more I read, the less I Re-read. 5 years ago, I would go on a Jayne kick and read all the books in order. Now, I will re-read a couple on occasion when my choices for new reading are slim. I anticipate that will change some over the years, but that's to be expected as new authors and new books come out.

Michele; 5:25 PM
Jay said...: Interesting question. As a horse-mad child, I read only books involving horses, which needless to say, I no longer spend time on.

This evolved to a teenager in love with fantasy, thus an obsession with all things Anne McCaffrey - I have the larger part of her catalogue, but only revisit absolute favourites these days - The Rowan and Pegasus In Flight being the main two. I also found Georgette Heyer in this period, and developed a love for the class and dignity of the regency era - I still read any of her books.

When I was about twelve, I found Robin McKinley, and she joined Georgette Heyer in my timeless reading collection.

I went through a very brief phase of sneaking my mother's Mills & Boons, but outgrew them remarkably quickly.

These days I read everything from Jenny Crusie to Kelley Armstrong. I have all of the AQ books, and everything Ms Ann's written. Heavy on the fantasy aspect still, but also leaning into crime, romance, alternative and horror. I don't know if I'll still love these books in ten years time. I'm only 27 and I tend to cycle through genres.; 5:37 PM
DebVA said...: Hmm...there are books I've lugged around thru several moves because they're like family and I need to visit them from time to time. Still, as I've aged, some of those old characters have lost their appeal so I can understand why an author would feel the same.

It's interesting to consider literary relationships in terms of the other personal relationships we share -- all evolve as we grow. Just as I've grown apart from certain people in my life, I've said goodbye to some of my once-favorite authors and books...Of course none of those authors are quills :); 6:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Some of the books/authors I cut my teeth on I still read, and I"m in my early 40's now.

Would it do any good to get down on my arthritic knees and beg you and/or your husband to please please please, write one more book in teh Fire Dancer series - just to give everyone one a HEA (Happily Ever After)?

Don't forget paranormal/futuristic romances are selling like crazy now, and while that may be stretching Dancer series a little, I think you could pull it off with no trouble.; 7:06 PM
Paper Paladin said...: First book I read on my own was Little Women by Louisa May Alcott back in elementary school (and I still have the book -- I'm reading it to my daughter now). Since then, I've read over a wide range and my interests change from week to week, month to month. I am, frankly, frustrated by the current trend to turn everything in fantasy into a 9 volume set -- because where I live, getting all 9 volumes is not easy! If I've read something by one author, I will look for that author on the shelves but, I'm not devoted to anyone particularly, and I have been known to abandon an author who's turned to formula writing or gone stale. As the saying goes, only the mediocre are always at their bests -- and even great authors can write bad books. I look for books that I can get absorbed in, that make me laugh and cry out loud, that feel like old friends almost from the first page.

At the moment, I'm reading the Dark Tower series by Stephen King -- this particular series is one I have searched for in bookstores for years, meticulously tracking down every volume (and only have one left to go !!!). At the same time, I have not read all of Stephen King's books and as much as I loved Kathleen Woodwiss way back when, I have only read two of her books.

For me, author recognition gets the book off the shelf. Then its a matter of reading the blurb on the back and maybe the first page or two, to see if it I can get into the book. If not, then there's always the one sitting right next to it ... by that author I haven't heard of before, which is how I found Amanda Quick ... :-); 11:04 PM
Cbell said...: My grandmother was the first to turn me on to reading... she was a school teacher who began in the old-fashioned one room schoolhouse. I can still remember spending weeks with her in the summer and walking to the library to pick out books, and her reading to me in the evenings before bed time. My love for reading has never diminished.

For the last seven years, I read for research purposes only (because of my job) and have recently returned to my love of reading for pleasure. I returned to my local library and just happened upon a JAK book (the cover looked interesting) and my pleasure for reading has returned 100 fold! Once I devoured every JAK book on the library shelf and found books under her other names and devoured those too... I hit the website and found authors she recommended and started checking those authors out as well.

That is how I came upon the Donovans and fell in love with that family. Do I want to know about the twins? Who wouldn't... with such great characters that have already been established? Do I re-read? Certainly. The public library is literally across the street from my house, and since I've exhausted their JAK, Lowell, Cameron, Simmons books, my budget has begun taking a hit and I'm currently looking for used book stores in my area to continue my newly revisited passion!; 4:53 AM
Karen said...: I have a few authors that have stayed on my keeper shelves thru several decades - which takes me back to my teens. Your books are among them. (Your Fiddler set I've only checked out from the library, not owned - but it's been checked out several times.)

Heinlein. Howard. Roberts. Zelany. They've got prized spots on my shelves, and they are true "comfort" reads when nothing else seems to be readable.

I wouldn't dare to ask an author to direct their writing down a certain path, or genre. But I hope an author (you!) would get a sense of satisfaction out of knowing just how well they've created a world, that readers wish they could visit it more often ;); 4:55 AM
Jackie Powers said...: I'll put myself into the 'things come and go' category. Now in my mid-40's, I still have all my books I read as a teen, and every once in a while I find myself pulling out my old best friends. It probably doesn't help that I both read and write in almost every genre.

Not that you have any problem keeping your backlist alive, but the one thing you may to want to think about is that I don't recommend the Dancer books to anybody because there wasn't a satisfying ending.; 5:35 AM
Lynne said...: Hi Ann,

Time to 'fess up. I'm one of those legions of fans who asked whether you would ever write more of the Dancer books.

At the time, it was because I and several others were reading through them, and there was an unfinished "feel" to the series, but no information anywhere as to whether or not you had written a clincher tying up all the loose ends and giving us that HEA.

The Web was not as novice-friendly as it is these days with blogs, and I was too timid (imagine that! ::grinning:: -- I hear hoots from those who know me ... but that's another story) to ask at the rambunctious board on your site.

I might add that it's a continuing problem for readers of all authors with books early in a series - one never knows if more have been written, or how to find them. Backlist is indicated, but (obviously) not upcoming titles ...
Lynne,
who sympathizes with your frustration but also with that of the reader who wants to be sure she doesn't miss even one of your stories; 7:22 AM
Milady Insanity said...: A handful, but only because I've not gotten rid of those yet.

It's hard though. I don't read historical romance except for a handful of Fave authors, but I keep adding them to my wish list, looking for the book that will make the magic come alive again.; 9:27 AM
bookkeeper said...: As one of your legions, I enthusiasticaly (sp??) re-read pretty much all of your books (although I sheepishly admit I'm not sure what the "Fiddler" series is).
Anyone that takes a look at my over-stuffed bookshelf first hits the ground yelling "IT'S GONNA BLOW!!!" Once they are again off the ground they ask my favorite question - "HAVE YOU REALLY READ ALL THOSE BOOKS!!!" (Like I live in the Library of Congress or something!) (Big sigh here) "Yes, I really read all those books, and most of them have been re-read at least twice if not more." "Wow, how do you ever get anything done?"
OK, so I have had that conversation more times than I can count as I'm sure many readers can attest to, and have seriously digressed off the original topic.
Nope, don't read the same authors I did as a teen, but definetly many from my twenties (when I discovered you).
OK, all together now - As you get older your tastes change. The authors I jumped on 15 years ago, I find to be very formulatic now. (Are you listening NR/JL????) There is nothing I love more than finding a new author that I can sink my teeth into. A new town to get to know, a new couple to fall in love with.
Keep up the good work, and keep changing your style. It is after all what keeps you so fresh.; 12:04 PM
Stella said...: You have been on my "must buy" list for many moons:) As you've matured and changed, so has your fiction and I'm very grateful. You are an inspiration to me because you dare to go where that writerly voice urges you to go. Growing in one's craft and story scope is important. As with Jayne, Sue, Sandy Brown, Iris Johansen, Tammy Hoag, Tess Gerritson and so many more people who keep me entertained, you know when to move on.; 12:14 PM
Ranurgis said...: It's definitely true that my reading tastes are evolving because of what has come on the market. I loved reading books by Frank G. Slaughter, Frank Yerby, Thomas B. Costain, Anya Seton, Elswyth Thane and others. One that I have rediscovered is/are Benedict and/or Nancy Freedman of "Mrs. Mike" fame. They have recently (well, in the last decade or so) published more books. I'm starting to read them again as I wouldn't mind reading more of the first-mentioned authors.

I didn't read sci-fi until about 20 years ago. I enjoy these "fantasy" novels, in which I include paranormal now. I'm also rediscovering inspirational books which were about the only books I was openly allowed to read as a YA. There are so many more good ones out there than were even 15 years ago since many authors like Francine Rivers, Robin Lee Hatcher and Terri (Herrington) Blackstock have brought their talents into this field.

Yes, we all change. But in my "old age" I'm finding that I'm leaving some of the authors and genres behind that flourished in the early 80s and returning way back to the reading material of my teenage years. This does not mean that these were only dry as prairie grass. I read my share of romances even then. But as you, Elizabeth, and Jayne (I'm not quite up on Stella and Suzanne at the moment) have found, I too love the romantic suspense genre--and I love some of mine with an inspirational twist like Dee Henderson's and Terri Blackstock's. I've read a lot of Suzanne's series books but have not caught up with her others since they are not as readily available in discount stores in Canada. (I'm on disability.) Stella's I haven't read for the same reason. I didn't really notice hers when they first came out. I have usually stuck to certain authors for the last 2 decades. I have some of hers but didn't want to start reading another prolific author that I thought I'd like and want to collect. (Sorry, Stella.) I've tried some of the erotic books but soon tired of those. I like to have some things left to my imagination.; 12:47 PM
Ranurgis said...: P.S. (Added after reading other comments.)My reading is not confined to fiction. I love Simon Winchester's books since I love geology, geography, history and maps. There I seem to go in stages as first one non-fiction writer catches my eye, then another. However, I also have a lot of history books as well as books on language and linguistics. I speak English, German and French and, of course, have books in those languages--both translations of English books and books in the original. I feel reading the original beats the translation every time. There are one or two books that I have in all three languages. I'd like to compare them to each other but I just never have the time, even on disability. I also have some Russian and Spanish books, languages which I took at university. Russian is still very difficult for me but on a recent family holiday-reunion in the Dominican Republic, I found that my Spanish was again coming more fluently towards the end of the week. I read anything from archaeology to theology. And yes, if I get some books in my hands, I find myself rereading and revisiting them. That's one reason for my huge TBR pile! Unfortunately, I can not say, "Yes, I've read all these books," if someone asks me about the books in my collection.; 1:18 PM
Caryn said...: That makes perfect sense. I still have some old favorites, but my tastes have definitely changed over the years. I think of some authors who have written the exact same type of book for their entire careers, and the later books almost always become stale.; 4:19 PM
Mary B. said...: Classics of just about every romance genre are on my shelves and are re-read as mood dictates. (Husband says he absolutely won't build me any more shelves!!) But, yes, as time goes on reading selection has changed. I don't buy as many historicals or Regencies or contemporaries as I use to. Now I tend to look for the futuristic/paranormal/si-fi romances. I have started reading the really good young adult or all ages types of books for both my enjoyment and to see if it is something my grandchildren and their friends might like to read (Harry Potter or Dragonslayer books for example). So, yes my tastes have changed, but there are a few books, such as the Flame Dancer books, that I would really like to have some closure for the story & characters. That is why you get these questions on old books, your characters and stories have become part of us when we read and we want to know how the adventure ends, hopefully HEA.; 11:15 AM
cate said...: I guess it's all what I'm in the mood for. If I read something and decide it's a keeper, I'll buy my own copy of it. Yes, I revisit some, usually when my favs are hard at work, writing something new. It can be comforting, like that movie I enjoy watching again. Sometimes it's an eye opener. When did I outgrow this style of writing? I don't revisit the books of my teens but I do recomend them to my daughters!; 5:02 PM
Irishpixie said...: Wow, excellent thought-provoking question.

I remember checking out Phyllis Whitney and historical biographies from the library in Elementary/Jr. High School. And whenever I could sneak some of my mom's Harlequin romances, I'd gobble them up. From there I moved into historical romance. I adore Jude Deveraux's Montgomery series.

I think I was in my twenties when I discovered you, JAK, and several others.

And that pretty much sealed my fate. I have 5 bookcases full of my favorite authors. Every once in a while I'll find a new author I like and start adding their books to my collection.

I've pretty much settled down to romantic suspense, science fiction, and mysteries.

BTW Ms. Ann, I think I have at least 30 of your books! Your classic romances (Beautiful Dreamer, etc.) always grab my heart and I always go back to them when I need that special something.; 4:21 AM
Kay G said...: Being a book addict, I read collect @ enjoy many subjects. So many books so little time--The Donovan books are the only books I've read, reread @ refuse to loan to anyone. Please, we need more Donovans @ any new family JUST LIKE THEM.
Thanks; 12:47 PM
EAJ said...: I've got to admit that I'm a Donovan junkie. But then, I also read books from when I was in middle school, just because I love them so much. I get a kick out of tracking down my favorite children's books to read too. That being said, I believe it was C.S. Lewis who pointed out the even the best series must end, preferably before it begins to dull.; 2:42 AM

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Monday, January 23, 2006

QUESTIONABLE ELIZABETH

26 Comments: