tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post839170360980217939..comments2023-11-03T07:53:00.875-05:00Comments on Under Cover of Midnight: A Midnight Ink Blog: Alexander McCall Smith and the Case of the Helpful ReaderTerri Bischoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04225274844083700505noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post-79144561802196279242009-04-13T11:40:00.000-05:002009-04-13T11:40:00.000-05:00Morse and John Thaw became inseparable in people&#...Morse and John Thaw became inseparable in people's minds. Losing both of them so close together, the character and the actor, was a double blow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post-6931764810588032462009-04-07T14:57:00.000-05:002009-04-07T14:57:00.000-05:00Thoughtful post, Gin! I hope I wouldn't bend t...Thoughtful post, Gin! I hope I wouldn't bend to the whim of others in allowing my characters their own path, but I do know that with May Day, the first book in my series, I reined in my characters' natural flow and made the book less interesting as a result. I was worried about offending "people," and so the book lacks the even tone of the rest in the series. Never again, I hope.<br><br>Keep me updated on the No #1 Ladies' series. I don't get HBO, but if the series stays strong, I will absolutely buy it when it becomes available. I love those books.Jess Loureyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157662092822156124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post-39489634323166627012009-04-07T13:25:00.000-05:002009-04-07T13:25:00.000-05:00I am always interested in what readers say about m...I am always interested in what readers say about my books and if I see the same theme over and over in their comments, I will pay attention. Doesn't mean I will make changes based on their input, but I will at least consider what they are saying. In the end though, I do what the characters tell me.<br><br>The one time I did follow readers' suggestions was after book #1 when they wrote to say they wanted to see more of Mike Steele (he was only supposed to be a minor character). I complied and was glad I did. He has become one of the most popular characters in the series and a source of great comedy.<br><br>One thing I hold firm on is Odelia's weight. I receive a lot of comments about her size. Some think she should become a role model for losing weight and others are thrilled she's a big lady. Odelia will never diet. That's a promise I made to myself and to her.Sue Ann Jaffarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09984054116933714621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post-85867757797746359602009-04-07T11:22:00.000-05:002009-04-07T11:22:00.000-05:00There's a solution for that and it's calle...There's a solution for that and it's called fan fiction.Terri Thayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953154767532970027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post-43675199053466953692009-04-07T11:19:00.000-05:002009-04-07T11:19:00.000-05:00Those whom I ask to read the manuscript, yes. Fan...Those whom I ask to read the manuscript, yes. Fans, not so far.Keith Raffelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02926077627965529183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149068998590599344.post-45724554672848269342009-04-07T10:38:00.000-05:002009-04-07T10:38:00.000-05:00Interesting post! I like to think I'd stick to...Interesting post! I like to think I'd stick to my guns under pressure, but it's never come up. <br><br>As a corollary, I admire when a series author takes a leap and does something big and brave that his character then has to live with for the rest of the series -- for example, killing off a major character. Reader reaction is generally mixed in these situations, but if the author feels it serves the story and overall character arc, then I applaud the bold move.Cricket McRaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786996969148417569noreply@blogger.com