Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Will People Get It?

I'm eagerly counting down the days (there are 47 of them) until the release of "Secret Sisters," my fifth published novel and the first in a new series. These books have brought me a lot of joy to write, taken me into a whole new realm of comedy, and added some sparkle to my days. I've really had the most fun ever writing them.

As I've sent the manuscript out for reviews and told people the premise of the story, most have chuckled and said it sounds hysterical. Well, it is - an elderly Relief Society presidency who turns to espionage in order to see to the well-being of one of the families in their care, and they end up solving a real crime - that's downright funny. Their adventures along the way, their back-and-forth dialogue, their unique personalities - it's a great deal of fun.

But here and there, I've gotten, "You know, what they're doing just might be illegal. Are you sure you want them to do that?"

Yes, yes, I do want them to do that. It's sort of the point.

What I'm really hoping people get from this story is that it's a comedy. It's a spoof. It's farcical. I've heard people say that their visiting teachers are going a little too far and getting a little too nosy ... that's exactly what inspired me. What if your visiting teachers really did go too far? What if they started spying on you? That thought snowballed into what became this series, and it's a lot of fun to consider the adventures that well-meaning, and yet misguided, ladies can find themselves having when they are convinced that they are giving service.

I'm a little concerned that my reviews are going to come back with, "It was a fun story, but the author clearly didn't understand the law." Yes, I do understand the law. I totally get that spying on people is against said law. That's what makes the book funny. Elderly women + breaking the law on purpose = funny. At least, it does when I do the math.

So, there you have it - my little moment of insecurity to cast a small shadow on what promises to be a hugely fun book release. Will they get it? I don't know. But you, my dear blog readers, you'll tell them, right?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm very excited for your release, Tristi! And when you're reading fiction, shouldn't you be prepared for things to be...well, fictional? =]

Cheri Chesley said...

It's an interesting comment on society that people tend to take fiction so seriously. Fiction=untrue, that's what I tell my kids whenever they try to pass fiction off as reality. That's what makes it fun.

I've got your back, Tristi. :)

Cindy Beck, author said...

I'm really excited for the book's release.

It doesn't matter if what the characters are doing is illegal. Don't we all suspend reality to watch Monk, Bones, Leverage or almost any other TV show? Don't we all suspend reality to read Harry Potter, FarWorld, Maze Runner ... not to mention the classics like Treasure Island and The Man in the Iron Mask?

It's fiction, and if those sweet little sisters are breaking the law, we'll be okay with it ... as long as they don't get caught! :)

J.R. Johansson said...

I think it sounds hilarious, and if people can't see the funny in your formula...perhaps they should stick to non-fiction.

Think of it this way, if someone read Harry Potter and said,"well it's good, but you know, magic isn't real."

Would you think it was the author or the reader that missed the point?

Sarah M Eden said...

I completed understand where you're coming from. I had a reviewer totally pan one of my books because the English country estate on which the book takes place "doesn't actually exist." Um... What part of fiction did this person not understand?
Don't worry Tristi, those of us who are smart *wink, wink* will totally get it!

Karlene said...

As someone who got to read it early, I can say that I totally got it. :)

Daron D. Fraley said...

I'll tell your blog readers that I have read the book, and I laughed. Grannies in prison orange (OK, they didn't go to prison, but they came close), is funny. I think the series will be a lot of fun.

BTW, I just noticed your sidebar profile, and it goes well with your criminal characters in your new book.

Powerful you have become Editus, the dark side I sense in you.

Shari said...

It sounds really fun, Tristi!

Stephanie Black said...

Tristi, I don't think you have anything at all to worry about. People love amateur sleuth novels, and they're very accustomed to amateur sleuths breaking the law in order to gather evidence. How often have you read a mystery (or watched one on TV) where the main character sneaks (illegally) into someone's home to gather evidence? No one will bat an eye if your characters do the same kind of thing.

Kimberly Job said...

I don't think you'll have a problem. It's obviously meant to be funny, in my humble opinion.

And who can help but adore Ida Mae?

Framed said...

I can't wait to get my copy. It sounds like a riot. I just hope my visiting teachers don't read it. :)

Nichole Giles said...

As long as your reviewers read to the end and see what happens, they'll be fine.

And if they aren't, they don't know how to add, do they?

Nichole

PS Of course we'll tell them!

Shanna Blythe said...

I'm so buying this for my relief society president when it comes out. She'll love it!

Rebecca Blevins said...

This book sounds hilarious! I'm going to have to see if I can find it! I love a good laugh. Makes the day go so much better!

(I've seen you at Kim's and L.T.'s blogs. I think Annette's too. Came over for a look!)

Rebecca Blevins said...

Oh yes, and the fact that you are a fellow homeschooler intrigues me greatly!

Rachelle Christensen said...

Sounds like too much fun. Don't worry there will always be someone who doesn't get it--just make them a character in the next book, hee, hee!

Jenny said...

You gave me a laugh-out-loud moment just from this blog. It sounds hilarious. . . . Plus, there's something sort of "delicious" about a person skirting the law when she falls into two separate categories of people least-likely to be suspected, let alone responsible, for a crime: Mormon and Old Lady.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Hee hee...I like what L.T. said. There will always be the people who get ticked off when a movie or book is unrealistic (umm...it's fictional, people). Personally, I love a bit of wacky improbable-but-possible in my comedy. Can't wait to read it!

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