tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post8394107062295918905..comments2024-01-28T06:18:45.909-08:00Comments on The Curzon Group: AM I SCARY?curzon grouphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00593876062208166082noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-49511070297645285422010-03-09T09:02:44.945-08:002010-03-09T09:02:44.945-08:00At my last book club talk one reader complained th...At my last book club talk one reader complained that CUT SHORT was too frightening for her, another said she thought it should have been more scary... at another talk a reader told me that she no longer likes walking in her local park after reading CUT SHORT because my killer is so creepy, and another reader said my villain could have been more evil... I'm glad they all enjoyed the book, but in terms of being frightened, it's a matter of personal taste and you can't expect to please all of the people all of the time. <br />Leigh Russellcurzon grouphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00593876062208166082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-18882507387526303092010-03-09T06:57:34.928-08:002010-03-09T06:57:34.928-08:00Jodi - thanks for your contribution to the debate....Jodi - thanks for your contribution to the debate. Interesting point about Stephen King. I think every writer of dark subject matter is prone to become a victim of their own imagination. But that's all it is. There's an enormous chasm between turning something over in your head and actually carrying it out. Am more than happy to continue being scary on the page.<br /><br />Thanks, Kymm. If your agent fears you then I don't think it can be a bad thing!<br /><br />I think most people know what they're getting into when they pick up a thriller. If it's not their cup of tea they shouldn't invest.<br /><br />Thanks for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed STOP ME and that it had the desired effect.<br /><br />Best of luck with your own writing.Richard Jay Parkerhttp://www.richardjayparker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-54489509539356427532010-03-09T02:20:32.141-08:002010-03-09T02:20:32.141-08:00I think your agent asking if you had stalked anyon...I think your agent asking if you had stalked anyone or had been stalked is an amazing compliment. If I get a compliment similar for my manuscript I will be thrilled. <br /><br />Everyone does have different thresholds - and if your threshold is not high enough then why pick up the book in the first place?!?!<br />I picked up 'Stop Me' and had difficulty putting it down. Does that make me sick or does it mean the intensity and the writing had me nailed to my recliner to the point of almost missing work calls overnight..... to me that is damn good writing!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-1299285625278577382010-03-08T11:21:13.841-08:002010-03-08T11:21:13.841-08:00Years ago I read an article about Stephen King and...Years ago I read an article about Stephen King and his insane imagination. King stated that at times he would imagine going up to his own children's room and stabbing them to death with a butcher knife. I do not recall the specifics, but I do recall the interviewer's surprise at Kings ability to imagine the unimaginable... and even more so, to want to imagine such a thing. A writer without imagination isn't a writer. Be scary... damn it. Otherwise we will be subjected to still more thrillers that are dull as dirt.Jamorelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659209897179743307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-86767105202570827312010-03-08T09:21:51.776-08:002010-03-08T09:21:51.776-08:00Thanks for your comments, grumpybybirth. It's ...Thanks for your comments, grumpybybirth. It's definitely horses for courses when it comes to what we enjoy reading. It's always a huge compliment when readers find your work so convincing.<br /><br />Thanks for dropping in, Michele. I think the movie was called 'SECRET WINDOW.' There was also 'THE DARK HALF.' There's method acting and Orwell would insist there's method writing (DOWN AND OUT IN PARIS AND LONDON)but I don't know of any crime writers who go that far...<br /><br />Thanks, Natalie. Criticism often comes from people who haven't even read the book/seen the movie. If they have, packaging and blurb is usually explicit enough. It's never too late to put the book down or turn off the TV. No, I don't think the violence in STOP ME is that in-your-face. I didn't think the story called for it.<br /><br />Thanks, Anonymous. Twitter is all about following people. I find it a fascinating insight into people's lives and a great inspiration - although I would never use an actual person or their dialogue in a story.<br /><br />Thanks, Anonynous for your kind comments about my book.<br /><br />Yes, Leonard, I certainly enjoy thrillers for that reason. Bookwalter is meant to be a repulsive character but not your average, cackling sociopath. I thought it would be fun to adopt his name for my Twitter account. Books should be thought-provoking but they should also be enjoyable.Richard Jay Parkerhttp://www.richardjayparker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-59877239872254158342010-03-07T17:16:28.870-08:002010-03-07T17:16:28.870-08:00hey richard-sorry you're getting this kind of ...hey richard-sorry you're getting this kind of grief-guess it's what happens when you put something out there. i rarely read thrillers & i hate serial killers. mostly don't care to share time with them. your book wasn't really that violent, it seemed pretty mild to me. i think a lot of people do like being scared-it gets the blood rumbling. i agree that getting out of the kitchen is the answer, if you don't want to suffer. maybe some people like to suffer & complain. i certainly didn't like bookwalter and do wonder why you use his name but-whatever. just keep writing, so we can keep reading. regards, lgLeonard Greycloudhttp://www.greycloud.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-67811152092121687572010-03-05T12:54:55.547-08:002010-03-05T12:54:55.547-08:00Richard, I enjoyed reading your book Stop Me which...Richard, I enjoyed reading your book Stop Me which has a very unique theme or not. For those who want to criticize it, I suggest not reading it and moving on. <br /><br />You're right, I'm sure it's only your font they don't like!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-17333117368239966022010-03-05T11:18:19.393-08:002010-03-05T11:18:19.393-08:00Interesting that you mention the stalking/Twitter ...Interesting that you mention the stalking/Twitter thing as I posted recently that a friend had accused me of stalking celebrities by being on Twitter. I don't see it as stalking, it is no worse than being a member of a fan club, surely. I don't look through their bins or hang around outside their houses .....yet :-DAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-89431607992544945332010-03-05T08:51:36.465-08:002010-03-05T08:51:36.465-08:00Should we not also question the reader for picking...Should we not also question the reader for picking these books off the shelves in the first place? Are we too looking for something dark and sinister to scare us, to thrill us? Those who criticise should not read in the first place or question the author or their intent.<br /><br />I found STOP ME to thrill and scare in a more implied than "in-your-face" manner. Yes, there were some more direct parts, but hey, that's what we read thriller books for isn't it!<br /><br />As they say, if you can't stand the heat, get out the kitchen. Cooks can stand it - that's why they are there!<br /><br />Carry on Richard, you're doing fine!Nattie Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14487261357327839105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-8925653304883225822010-03-05T07:11:17.694-08:002010-03-05T07:11:17.694-08:00There was that movie with Johnny Depp...Great post...There was that movie with Johnny Depp...Great post! The good and the bad together make us stronger writers.<br /><br />Michele<br /><a href="http://southerncitymysteries.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">SouthernCityMysteries</a>JournoMichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11170364981958685438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2444069458422024208.post-42795983489523742072010-03-05T06:30:32.682-08:002010-03-05T06:30:32.682-08:00I can honestly say that I have never heard of an a...I can honestly say that I have never heard of an author being arrested for commiting the acts he wrote about in a book in real life. I would hope that every author strives to make each book as realistic as possible, other wise whats the point of reading it. I want to be able to connect to the book. Books can make us laugh, and cry and yes they can make us scared, but isn't that the point of the books in the first place? Keep doing what you are doing Mr. Parker, I loved your book and can not wait to read more of your written word!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16328421533581117638noreply@blogger.com