You And Bruen - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T23:34:36Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:4355?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A15071&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI'm several days late weighin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-29:537324:Comment:150712007-03-29T13:35:40.262ZBrian Thorntonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BrianThornton
I'm several days late weighing in on this thread, but I've got a tale to tell, so better late than never. I first met Ken Bruen (of whose writing I had only heard, not having actually read any at this point) in a pub, drinking with the PLOTS WITH GUNS fellows, just down the street from Bouchercon in Toronto in 2004. The fabulous Pat Lambe introduced us, mentioned Al Guthrie was also a mutual friend, and there we were.<br />
<br />
A couple of days later, Lambe, Steve Hockensmith, John Schramm, Jim Winter…
I'm several days late weighing in on this thread, but I've got a tale to tell, so better late than never. I first met Ken Bruen (of whose writing I had only heard, not having actually read any at this point) in a pub, drinking with the PLOTS WITH GUNS fellows, just down the street from Bouchercon in Toronto in 2004. The fabulous Pat Lambe introduced us, mentioned Al Guthrie was also a mutual friend, and there we were. <br />
<br />
A couple of days later, Lambe, Steve Hockensmith, John Schramm, Jim Winter and myself were ensconced in the Overdraught Pub (also the scene of Lee Child's one-hell-of-a-party that year), across the street from the Con, being entertained by the Master himself. We spent hours drinking with Ken that afternoon (something I'm sure no one else can claim), attended by Ashley the Uberwaitress. <br />
<br />
At one point Otto Penzler and his lovely wife Lisa strolled in, strolled over and said "hello" and joined us for a round. For the most part, though, we had the place to ourselves. <br />
<br />
And a damned good time was had by all. That was the scene of the birth of the so-called "Toronto Six," and gentlemen, we are long overdue for reconvening the entire lineup. I know that a full reunion at Anchorage is unlikely, since Winter said he's not going, and Lambe has been mum on the subject, but if we west coasties (Schramm, Hockensmith and myself) can make it to Baltimore (and I know *I* will be there), maybe 2008 will be our year. <br />
<br />
Interestingly enough, aside from the male-bonding, the fond memories of the lovely Ashley stretching across our table to reach for something, and Winter getting red as a beet every time he started laughing (sometihng I'm sure no one else has ever seen), there were two other tangible by-products of this meeting of the so-called minds that afternoon: <br />
<br />
First, Steve Hockensmith wrote a short-story loosely based on the situation. It's called "Blarney," and it's in the MWA anthology DEATH DO US PART, edited by Harlan Coben. <br />
<br />
Second, to this very day, Pat Lambe still has a little bit of Ken Bruen in him.;) Well I'm a day late and I've…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-13:537324:Comment:47662007-03-13T03:39:03.282ZKaren from AustCrimehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
Well I'm a day late and I've never met Ken Bruen, but I still remember the first day I read The Guards - read it in an afternoon. Sat in a rocking chair in front of the open fire on a bitterly cold Sunday I inhaled that book.<br />
<br />
Finished it and my other half asked how was the book. Came up with "bloody hell" and that was about all I can still say about it. It was astounding. Been a welded on fan ever since, which wasn't easy for a while because his books were hard to track down here.
Well I'm a day late and I've never met Ken Bruen, but I still remember the first day I read The Guards - read it in an afternoon. Sat in a rocking chair in front of the open fire on a bitterly cold Sunday I inhaled that book.<br />
<br />
Finished it and my other half asked how was the book. Came up with "bloody hell" and that was about all I can still say about it. It was astounding. Been a welded on fan ever since, which wasn't easy for a while because his books were hard to track down here. I posted about Ken today at T…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-13:537324:Comment:47132007-03-13T01:24:15.066ZSean Chercoverhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Chercover
I posted about Ken today at The Outfit Collective blog:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theoutfitcollective.blogspot.com">www.theoutfitcollective.com</a>
I posted about Ken today at The Outfit Collective blog:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theoutfitcollective.blogspot.com">www.theoutfitcollective.com</a> Lucky girl. You get to read i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:45722007-03-12T21:15:46.497ZJ.D. Rhoadeshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JDRhoades
Lucky girl. You get to read it for the first time.
Lucky girl. You get to read it for the first time. If it doesn't dent my Titaniu…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:45612007-03-12T20:54:31.772ZShane Gerickehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/underwood
If it doesn't dent my Titanium Manliness Shield too much, I gotta save I love the guy. We met for the first time at Love Is Murder 2007, and I took an instant liking--as so many of you did. It wasn't just an honor to hear his stories. It was like hearing Martin Luther King speak for the first time ... mesmerizing and forever memorable. I count him as a friend, which is amazing for someone I've only met once.<br />
<br />
Plus he bought me a Jameson's, and he kills people in so many deliciously creative…
If it doesn't dent my Titanium Manliness Shield too much, I gotta save I love the guy. We met for the first time at Love Is Murder 2007, and I took an instant liking--as so many of you did. It wasn't just an honor to hear his stories. It was like hearing Martin Luther King speak for the first time ... mesmerizing and forever memorable. I count him as a friend, which is amazing for someone I've only met once. <br />
<br />
Plus he bought me a Jameson's, and he kills people in so many deliciously creative ways! (In literature, of course.) Hat's off to the true poet of noir. <br />
<br />
Shane Gericke <br />
<a href="http://www.shanegericke.com">www.shanegericke.com</a> I'm Ken Bruen's #1 Fan Girl -…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:44842007-03-12T17:36:05.115ZAngiehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/slackerwriter
I'm Ken Bruen's #1 Fan Girl - his writing is just phenomenal & he's one of the nicest people on the planet. Absolutely my very favoritest crime fiction writer and in my top 5 writers ever. Seriously. 'Nuff said.
I'm Ken Bruen's #1 Fan Girl - his writing is just phenomenal & he's one of the nicest people on the planet. Absolutely my very favoritest crime fiction writer and in my top 5 writers ever. Seriously. 'Nuff said. Just bought my first yesterda…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:44262007-03-12T15:37:41.617ZCarolyn Rogershttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/CarolynR
Just bought my first yesterday, THE GUARDS. So I will begin my appreciation today!
Just bought my first yesterday, THE GUARDS. So I will begin my appreciation today! I started to read Ken's work…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:44062007-03-12T15:01:13.318ZM.G. Tarquinihttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/funnygirl
I started to read Ken's work after he was strongly recommended to me by Sandra and Angie. Some writers are a cut above. He's one of them. I put up a tribute.
I started to read Ken's work after he was strongly recommended to me by Sandra and Angie. Some writers are a cut above. He's one of them. I put up a tribute. And if you haven't read it ye…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:44012007-03-12T14:34:21.902ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
And if you haven't read it yet, <a href="http://theseayemeanstreets.blogspot.com/2007/03/bruen-blues.html" target="_blank">Russel's tribute</a> is really fitting. Well, especially for me, because I just finished The Hackman Blues.
And if you haven't read it yet, <a href="http://theseayemeanstreets.blogspot.com/2007/03/bruen-blues.html" target="_blank">Russel's tribute</a> is really fitting. Well, especially for me, because I just finished The Hackman Blues. What a lovely idea, Sandra.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-12:537324:Comment:43892007-03-12T13:51:10.089ZAlexandra Sokoloffhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/AXSokoloff
What a lovely idea, Sandra.<br />
<br />
I met Ken at Bouchercon and was an instant convert - and I use the term deliberately because that's about the kind of devotion Ken inspires, as an author and as a person. He's often called a poet, and it's true. But ir'a more than that. He's a religious experience.<br />
<br />
Most of us walk around in masks, often full body armor, but Ken's soul is right there - on the page and in front of you. He's so unflinchingly honest, and so joyous while at the same time being…
What a lovely idea, Sandra.<br />
<br />
I met Ken at Bouchercon and was an instant convert - and I use the term deliberately because that's about the kind of devotion Ken inspires, as an author and as a person. He's often called a poet, and it's true. But ir'a more than that. He's a religious experience.<br />
<br />
Most of us walk around in masks, often full body armor, but Ken's soul is right there - on the page and in front of you. He's so unflinchingly honest, and so joyous while at the same time being completely familiar with and compassionate about human frailty and suffering, that you find yourself dropping your own mask and responding in kind. He makes you want to be a better writer and a better human being.<br />
<br />
If you haven't read him, THE GUARDS is the one to start with.