tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post6986815619265467978..comments2023-06-28T14:55:02.879+01:00Comments on Kate Hardy: June 29 - Kate’s 25th party, guest blogger #5 – Jan JonesKate Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07367918727779245526noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post-61329477404479116682007-06-30T10:28:00.000+01:002007-06-30T10:28:00.000+01:00I don't know why books with a theatrical backgroun...I don't know why books with a theatrical background are said not to sell. But it's true there aren't many out there. <BR/><BR/>In fact, the only one I can think of is Clemence Dane's BROOME STAGES - very old, I read it off my grandmother's bookshelf. In that one, she transmutes the Plantagenets into a family of strolling players. Oh, and THE SWISH OF THE CURTAIN, of course.<BR/><BR/>I'm already a fan of STAGE BY STAGE, as you know. I'd like more of the same- it has fun and humanity and all the conflicts you get between any group of people who work long tnese hours together. And theatrical performance gives you the huge opportunity for someone to tell the truth and still hide, because they do it IN CHARACTER. I always find that moving. Think of poor Viola, diguised as a boy, telling the oblivious Orsino she loves him. Heartbreaking. Bliss. <BR/><BR/>And happy 25th, Kate. <BR/><BR/>best<BR/>Jenny Sophie<BR/>http://www.jennyhaddon.com<BR/>http://www.sophieweston.netJenny Haddonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03885751795076936438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post-65533705768045025002007-06-30T10:26:00.000+01:002007-06-30T10:26:00.000+01:00and finally I said:Hmmm, lots of lovely food-for-t...and finally I said:<BR/><BR/>Hmmm, lots of lovely food-for-thought ideas there. Particularly intrigued by India's idea...<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>I'll leave it open a little longer before picking a winner, just in case there are any other comments.Jan Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post-23350141640543089762007-06-30T10:24:00.000+01:002007-06-30T10:24:00.000+01:00INDIA GREY said:The story could be set very firmly...INDIA GREY said:<BR/><BR/>The story could be set very firmly in parallel with the themes/plot of the play the theatre company are touring, so you could use this as your selling point. In the same way that Bridget Jones was enormously influential in the whole Pride and Prejudice revival, so Jan Jones could be responsible for bringing a particular stage play back into the spotlight! (I'm struggling to think of a suitable play, but brain has gone on a coffee break....)<BR/>It would work as a crossover between classic literature, and something contemporary, accessible, fun and fabulous!Jan Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post-55393251668790302942007-06-30T10:23:00.000+01:002007-06-30T10:23:00.000+01:00Then MICHELLE STYLES said:I agree that you should ...Then MICHELLE STYLES said:<BR/><BR/>I agree that you should play up your award. It is important. And it is not the setting that makes the story, but the actual story, so play up those elements that do sell. For example, a super sexy hero. Or star crossed lovers. You want to get them excited about the story and the unforgettable characters. Why should they care about them? Why is this a page turning read?Jan Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post-59605626101717959432007-06-30T10:22:00.000+01:002007-06-30T10:22:00.000+01:00JULIE said:Hi, Jan!I've not read Stage by Stage, b...JULIE said:<BR/><BR/>Hi, Jan!<BR/>I've not read Stage by Stage, but as Liz said, the book has won the RNA Prize for New Writers, plus the theatre world is surely a hotbed for lust, secrets and laughter what with its cast of lovable eccentrics, gorgeous leading men with a torrid past to hide and actresses with a secret or two.<BR/><BR/>Love,<BR/>JulieJan Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23204407.post-36779891903065551102007-06-30T10:21:00.000+01:002007-06-30T10:21:00.000+01:00What a nightmare, Kate. Hats off for the smooth tr...What a nightmare, Kate. Hats off for the smooth transition at a moment's notice. Move over, Wonderwoman!<BR/><BR/>I'm cutting-and-pasting yesterday's comments on my post.<BR/><BR/>LIZ FIELDING said:<BR/>I loved Stage by Stage, Jan. And adored Owen. Theatrical backgrounds are a hard sell, no doubt -- I had to take my theatrical family to Scarlet to find a publisher. How about starting with the the fact that Stage by Stage won the RNA New Writers Award? That such a richly observed background lends an "extra" in a book list dominated by "yummy mummires" and weight-obsessed "chicks".Jan Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com