Harry’s answer to “This isn't a question :-) just wanted to say that your Fiona Griffiths series is my absolute favori…” > Likes and Comments
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You wrote, "Every single time I finish a book, though, I think 'this is the last half-decent thing I'll ever write! Aaargh! I'm finished.'" As an academic who's written two books, I understand the feeling -- though my writing anxieties take on a rather more deeply negative form. Now, a question (with a long opening comment): I'd hate to see the end of Fiona Griffiths, but one of the great virtues of the series -- one of the main reasons I like it so much -- is that there's an overarching narrative arc across all the novels (to avoid spoilers, I won't be more specific), one that anchors Fiona's marvelously over-the-top adventures in a very plausible context of systematic, big-fish-in-medium-pond elite corruption. Of course, there is also the question of Fiona herself, which one is led to feel will eventually be connected to the narrative arc I just described (again, being vague to avoid spoilers). I enjoy this aspect of the books immensely, not only because it allows for ongoing development of both the characters, and your incredibly rich portrayal of the setting, in Cardiff and its region, but even more because it means that your mystery plots are (what I think of as) real mysteries. That is, the story never ends up turning on something equivalent to "well he/they are/were just sick in the head" or "alas the way of world." This is in contrast to the work of so many authors -- including ones I quite like -- who seem to assume that by centering a novel on a theme like sex trafficking, without any further plot specificity, they've done all the work of crafting a mystery plot (often, there are plenty of exotic and/or pitiful *characters*, but for my present purposes, they're window-dressing; I'll refrain from commenting on serial killer "mysteries"). You've handled some of those themes, but they never serve as excuses to avoid concocting real mysteries, centered on people whose motivations, though they may include bizarre or extreme elements, also always encompass the things that drive us all, embedded in concrete, plausible specific situations. So, this all implies -- at least to me -- that Fiona Griffiths's story can't go on forever. Unlike, say, a classic PI, who can reappear endlessly because his own story is essentially picaresque (I'm thinking of the Nero Wolfe series, but there are an infinite number of examples), Fiona's own story has a structured plot, which implies it will eventually reach resolution and come to an end. So, my question: do you have other characters or book ideas in the back of your mind? Would you continue writing in this sort of genre, or do you think you'd try something else? Or is that all just off in the unknown? (As you can probably tell, the main reason for writing this comment is to be more specific about some of the things I like about your work -- something I hope will be appreciated ;-) and not just make me appear self-centered and obsessed with my own opinions. But I _am_ also a bit curious about the questions embedded here.) Anyway, thanks for replying to my first question. And please, don't worry about continuing this exchange: I wouldn't want you to be spending time writing internet posts if it were taking time away from writing novels (and having a life), and it's the books I'll remain a fan of, not your online persona. All best wishes and I can't wait for the new book!
PS that was so long it makes me look insane. Pls don't worry, I'm not going to become a weird fan :-)
No worries - I like the question. And yes, the books will come to an end at some point. (12 books maybe? I'm not sure.) And the interconnected of Father, Ilness, Bad Guys will all be properly resolved then. And like you, I do prefer a mystery that doesn't just rely on implausibly evil/sick characters doing implausibly horrible things. What I do once the FG series is over - I've no idea. Retire? Blow my brains out? Become a chicken farmer? Something like that anyway.
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Sosipatra
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Jun 12, 2015 08:53PM
You wrote, "Every single time I finish a book, though, I think 'this is the last half-decent thing I'll ever write! Aaargh! I'm finished.'" As an academic who's written two books, I understand the feeling -- though my writing anxieties take on a rather more deeply negative form. Now, a question (with a long opening comment): I'd hate to see the end of Fiona Griffiths, but one of the great virtues of the series -- one of the main reasons I like it so much -- is that there's an overarching narrative arc across all the novels (to avoid spoilers, I won't be more specific), one that anchors Fiona's marvelously over-the-top adventures in a very plausible context of systematic, big-fish-in-medium-pond elite corruption. Of course, there is also the question of Fiona herself, which one is led to feel will eventually be connected to the narrative arc I just described (again, being vague to avoid spoilers). I enjoy this aspect of the books immensely, not only because it allows for ongoing development of both the characters, and your incredibly rich portrayal of the setting, in Cardiff and its region, but even more because it means that your mystery plots are (what I think of as) real mysteries. That is, the story never ends up turning on something equivalent to "well he/they are/were just sick in the head" or "alas the way of world." This is in contrast to the work of so many authors -- including ones I quite like -- who seem to assume that by centering a novel on a theme like sex trafficking, without any further plot specificity, they've done all the work of crafting a mystery plot (often, there are plenty of exotic and/or pitiful *characters*, but for my present purposes, they're window-dressing; I'll refrain from commenting on serial killer "mysteries"). You've handled some of those themes, but they never serve as excuses to avoid concocting real mysteries, centered on people whose motivations, though they may include bizarre or extreme elements, also always encompass the things that drive us all, embedded in concrete, plausible specific situations. So, this all implies -- at least to me -- that Fiona Griffiths's story can't go on forever. Unlike, say, a classic PI, who can reappear endlessly because his own story is essentially picaresque (I'm thinking of the Nero Wolfe series, but there are an infinite number of examples), Fiona's own story has a structured plot, which implies it will eventually reach resolution and come to an end. So, my question: do you have other characters or book ideas in the back of your mind? Would you continue writing in this sort of genre, or do you think you'd try something else? Or is that all just off in the unknown? (As you can probably tell, the main reason for writing this comment is to be more specific about some of the things I like about your work -- something I hope will be appreciated ;-) and not just make me appear self-centered and obsessed with my own opinions. But I _am_ also a bit curious about the questions embedded here.) Anyway, thanks for replying to my first question. And please, don't worry about continuing this exchange: I wouldn't want you to be spending time writing internet posts if it were taking time away from writing novels (and having a life), and it's the books I'll remain a fan of, not your online persona. All best wishes and I can't wait for the new book!
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PS that was so long it makes me look insane. Pls don't worry, I'm not going to become a weird fan :-)
No worries - I like the question. And yes, the books will come to an end at some point. (12 books maybe? I'm not sure.) And the interconnected of Father, Ilness, Bad Guys will all be properly resolved then. And like you, I do prefer a mystery that doesn't just rely on implausibly evil/sick characters doing implausibly horrible things. What I do once the FG series is over - I've no idea. Retire? Blow my brains out? Become a chicken farmer? Something like that anyway.
