Your opinion of first novels? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T14:15:17Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:13799?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A14195&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI've just finished reading an…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-10:537324:Comment:215612007-04-10T07:04:28.064ZSunnie Gillhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/sunniefromoz
I've just finished reading an Australian first novel that nearly blew my socks off. Diamond Dove - by Adrian Hyland. Wonderful writing touching on quite a few issues regarding Australia's indigenous people and some interesting cultural insights into remote Aboriginal communities. Beautiful descriptions of the countryside and a very nice line in humour.<br />
<br />
On the other side of the coin - I read a book the other year that won an award for best debut based on the first chapter I believe. The first…
I've just finished reading an Australian first novel that nearly blew my socks off. Diamond Dove - by Adrian Hyland. Wonderful writing touching on quite a few issues regarding Australia's indigenous people and some interesting cultural insights into remote Aboriginal communities. Beautiful descriptions of the countryside and a very nice line in humour. <br />
<br />
On the other side of the coin - I read a book the other year that won an award for best debut based on the first chapter I believe. The first chapter was a prologue set fifty years in the past . I'm afraid it was downhill from there. Cardboard cutout characters, Snidely Whiplash type baddies with one of the silliest and least believable motives I've come across. I won't name the book or the author but it's certainly one i won't forget in a hurry. Hi,
I haven't seen the origi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-30:537324:Comment:155892007-03-30T02:24:48.680ZSteven Torreshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StevenT
Hi,<br />
I haven't seen the original in some time, but I know I will have to add about 10k words. That's a bit, but I've got the scenes in mind and they actually help flesh things out.<br />
<br />
The first book I published had to be rewritten in large part because I had killed off a character that my editor told me to bring back to life. Had to kill someone so I wound up adding three new characters. One of them doesn't make it.<br />
<br />
Once I defended my dissertation I dropped it like a hot rock. Haven't looked…
Hi, <br />
I haven't seen the original in some time, but I know I will have to add about 10k words. That's a bit, but I've got the scenes in mind and they actually help flesh things out. <br />
<br />
The first book I published had to be rewritten in large part because I had killed off a character that my editor told me to bring back to life. Had to kill someone so I wound up adding three new characters. One of them doesn't make it. <br />
<br />
Once I defended my dissertation I dropped it like a hot rock. Haven't looked back. Didn't even get one of those bound copies. Well, like all novels, my vie…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-28:537324:Comment:142412007-03-28T01:13:49.542ZEDWARD C MORGANhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ECMorgan
Well, like all novels, my views are mixed.<br />
<br />
One of the finest firsts in my opinion, and he's published many since, was Jonathan King's Blue Edge of Midnight. I just recently discovered him and he's got, oh 4 or 5 out now, but I was amazed by his debut.
Well, like all novels, my views are mixed.<br />
<br />
One of the finest firsts in my opinion, and he's published many since, was Jonathan King's Blue Edge of Midnight. I just recently discovered him and he's got, oh 4 or 5 out now, but I was amazed by his debut. Yes yes yes to Louise Welsh,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:141972007-03-27T23:21:24.535ZKaren from AustCrimehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
Yes yes yes to Louise Welsh, Stuart MacBride and Denise Mina - three first novels that you just knew announced something about those writers. (not to say that the others didn't as well but those 3 books in particular just stay in my mind).<br />
<br />
Asa Larsson's Sun Storm was also a really interesting debut - some uncomfortable subject material, a vaguely unpleasant pair of central characters and yet it held you.
Yes yes yes to Louise Welsh, Stuart MacBride and Denise Mina - three first novels that you just knew announced something about those writers. (not to say that the others didn't as well but those 3 books in particular just stay in my mind).<br />
<br />
Asa Larsson's Sun Storm was also a really interesting debut - some uncomfortable subject material, a vaguely unpleasant pair of central characters and yet it held you. There are so many first time…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:141952007-03-27T23:17:54.739ZJoan Hillerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Mystreejo
There are so many first time authors that I have read, enjoyed, and always look for their next book. Louise Penny...Richard Hawkes...Craig Johnson... <br />
many many more....
There are so many first time authors that I have read, enjoyed, and always look for their next book. Louise Penny...Richard Hawkes...Craig Johnson... <br />
many many more.... For five years I was one of t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:141352007-03-27T21:52:14.657ZVal McDermidhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Valmcd
For five years I was one of the judges of the John Creasey Dagger for the Best First<br />
Crime Novel awarded by the UK Crime Writers Association. I had to read every first<br />
novel published and it gave me a taste for those fresh voices that make us sit up<br />
and take notice. Among the best firsts I've read in the last ten years or so have<br />
been, in no particular order:<br />
Denise Mina's Garnethill<br />
PJ Tracey's Monkeewrench<br />
Jody Compton's The 37th Hour<br />
Stuart MacBride's Cold Granite<br />
Louise Welsh's The…
For five years I was one of the judges of the John Creasey Dagger for the Best First <br />
Crime Novel awarded by the UK Crime Writers Association. I had to read every first <br />
novel published and it gave me a taste for those fresh voices that make us sit up <br />
and take notice. Among the best firsts I've read in the last ten years or so have <br />
been, in no particular order: <br />
Denise Mina's Garnethill <br />
PJ Tracey's Monkeewrench <br />
Jody Compton's The 37th Hour <br />
Stuart MacBride's Cold Granite <br />
Louise Welsh's The Cutting Room <br />
Allan Guthrie's Two-Way Split <br />
Charlie Huston's Caught Stealing <br />
Mark Mills' Amagansett (aka The Whale House) <br />
<br />
I'll remember another six as soon as I've finished this post... <br />
<br />
What distinguished them all was the individuality of the voice. I felt like I was <br />
hearing someone I'd never heard before. The other things they share are <br />
strong story-telling and vivid sense of place. Not to mention characters that <br />
catch my interest. <br />
<br />
My own first novel? I wouldn't want to be judged by that. I think I've come a very <br />
long way from there... I have found that some first…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:141242007-03-27T21:39:53.502ZN. J. Lindquisthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/njlindquist
I have found that some first novels are brilliant, but the subsequent ones, while good, are somewhat disappointing. It might be the fact you took 10 years and 18 revisions with the first one and only 1 year and 3 revisions with the second; but occasionally, I think the premise works well in one novel, but the publisher then wants a series and you have to find a way, but it doesn't always work so well.
I have found that some first novels are brilliant, but the subsequent ones, while good, are somewhat disappointing. It might be the fact you took 10 years and 18 revisions with the first one and only 1 year and 3 revisions with the second; but occasionally, I think the premise works well in one novel, but the publisher then wants a series and you have to find a way, but it doesn't always work so well. Steven, how much did you chan…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:140162007-03-27T18:22:48.846ZMary Reaganhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/nycphoto
Steven, how much did you change (if any) from the original version.<br />
<br />
I am by no means a writer. But I do remember the feeling I got when I handed in my thesis. I wanted so much to have the chance to rewrite it completely. Don't know if it would have come out any better though.
Steven, how much did you change (if any) from the original version.<br />
<br />
I am by no means a writer. But I do remember the feeling I got when I handed in my thesis. I wanted so much to have the chance to rewrite it completely. Don't know if it would have come out any better though. The good news about a first n…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:139852007-03-27T17:10:41.809ZJack Quickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/AlabamaJack
The good news about a first novel is you may be starting a new series that will provide years of enjoyment. The bad news is it may take years for the second and subsequent ones to become available. I think the hest way to judge an author is by his/her second book. If it holds up or is better than the first, then you know there is something there. If one - three are good, I'm hooked and that author goes on my "watch for" list.
The good news about a first novel is you may be starting a new series that will provide years of enjoyment. The bad news is it may take years for the second and subsequent ones to become available. I think the hest way to judge an author is by his/her second book. If it holds up or is better than the first, then you know there is something there. If one - three are good, I'm hooked and that author goes on my "watch for" list. The first novel I wrote will…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:139542007-03-27T15:32:30.985ZSteven Torreshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StevenT
The first novel I wrote will be published as the fifth in the PRECINCT PUERTO RICO series. I think it will be the strongest in the series. it is certainly closest to what I wanted to do. This was written when I had only read a couple of Graftons, Burkes and Pronzinis. I wasn't even aiming for a mystery, just an interesting story. Struggling up to 50k was tough.<br></br><br></br>Overall, I think a fair number of first novels are good because the writer has all the time in the world to put down what they…
The first novel I wrote will be published as the fifth in the PRECINCT PUERTO RICO series. I think it will be the strongest in the series. it is certainly closest to what I wanted to do. This was written when I had only read a couple of Graftons, Burkes and Pronzinis. I wasn't even aiming for a mystery, just an interesting story. Struggling up to 50k was tough.<br/><br/>Overall, I think a fair number of first novels are good because the writer has all the time in the world to put down what they really mean. Second novels might tend toward being rushed. My uninformed opinion.