Comments on: Wild Ride, the Prequel: Argh http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/ More than you ever wanted to hear from Bestselling Author Jenny Crusie. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 02:24:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: inkgrrl http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-126139 inkgrrl Mon, 25 May 2009 04:26:49 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-126139 CrusieNoir... woot! CrusieNoir… woot!

]]> By: Shari http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125998 Shari Fri, 22 May 2009 15:48:04 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125998 You know I love your stuff especially for the wisdom and good feeling I usually leave with after a reading (or re-reading). I must say I am really intrigued to see where this is all going to lead in Wild Ride. You know I love your stuff especially for the wisdom and good feeling I usually leave with after a reading (or re-reading). I must say I am really intrigued to see where this is all going to lead in Wild Ride.

]]> By: Ericka http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125938 Ericka Thu, 21 May 2009 05:46:38 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125938 what do they say? there are no happy endings 'cause the story never ends? besides, the dark makes the light brighter - it's why so many of us like it. i'm sure that whatever you and bob end up churning out will be wonderful... even if it includes monkeys and clowns. what do they say? there are no happy endings ’cause the story never ends? besides, the dark makes the light brighter – it’s why so many of us like it. i’m sure that whatever you and bob end up churning out will be wonderful… even if it includes monkeys and clowns.

]]> By: PG http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125936 PG Thu, 21 May 2009 01:23:00 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125936 We know from children's literature that all the cool, exciting stuff happens to orphans or half-orphans. See Anne of Green Gables, Sarah Crewe, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, et al. We kept reading Philosopher's Stone even though (because?) it opened with a description of the Dursleys and the loss of the Hero's parents and an infant Harry being dropped off as a foundling to live with those Muggle jerks. I have confidence you can pull this off. We know from children’s literature that all the cool, exciting stuff happens to orphans or half-orphans. See Anne of Green Gables, Sarah Crewe, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, et al. We kept reading Philosopher’s Stone even though (because?) it opened with a description of the Dursleys and the loss of the Hero’s parents and an infant Harry being dropped off as a foundling to live with those Muggle jerks. I have confidence you can pull this off.

]]> By: Janice http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125933 Janice Wed, 20 May 2009 21:27:35 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125933 Could do some kind of crystal ball or tarot or I Ching scene, where there's a prediction, something that would stir curiosity about the hero or heroine, about "Wild Ride." Haven't read it, of course, so this is brainstorming in the dark. Some kind of psychic happening. Brief awakening of some kind of demon or other-worldly being who predicts or warns or ... Clash of good and evil which points to upcoming clash 40 years later. What about clash of Grandparent with same demon as in Wild Ride, and parent of hero or heroine finds out about it or just has promonition. And/Or prediction that child conceived might be doomed to deal with demon, but maybe parents don't know this, only fear for child. Or because of parents actions or grandparents actions or inactions, the child is thus cursed/destined to deal with demon. Running on here. Not sure this is helping. Could do some kind of crystal ball or tarot or I Ching scene, where there’s a prediction, something that would stir curiosity about the hero or heroine, about “Wild Ride.” Haven’t read it, of course, so this is brainstorming in the dark.
Some kind of psychic happening. Brief awakening of some kind of demon or other-worldly being who predicts or warns or … Clash of good and evil which points to upcoming clash 40 years later. What about clash of Grandparent with same demon as in Wild Ride, and parent of hero or heroine
finds out about it or just has promonition. And/Or prediction that child conceived might be doomed to deal with demon, but maybe parents don’t know this, only fear for child. Or because of parents actions or grandparents actions or inactions, the child is thus cursed/destined to deal with demon. Running on here. Not sure this is helping.

]]> By: Mary Stella http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125924 Mary Stella Wed, 20 May 2009 17:17:50 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125924 Can you tell it from FunFun the Clown's POV? Can you tell it from FunFun the Clown’s POV?

]]> By: Reb http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125910 Reb Wed, 20 May 2009 12:03:18 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125910 I guess you and your wonderful editor have already covered this, but why a prequel? Why not just put the first chapter up as a teaser? It sure works for me. I guess you and your wonderful editor have already covered this, but why a prequel? Why not just put the first chapter up as a teaser? It sure works for me.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125863 Jenny Tue, 19 May 2009 23:50:56 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125863 CG, you've been hanging out with Bob, haven't you? CG, you’ve been hanging out with Bob, haven’t you?

]]> By: colognegrrl http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125854 colognegrrl Tue, 19 May 2009 21:22:42 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125854 I can't help it. I think you're DOOMED. I can’t help it. I think you’re DOOMED.

]]> By: me http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125850 me Tue, 19 May 2009 20:57:29 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125850 Maybe this is where you can put the teddy bear with glowing eyes you said you cut out of the original. Maybe this is where you can put the teddy bear with glowing eyes you said you cut out of the original.

]]> By: Katie Mack http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125849 Katie Mack Tue, 19 May 2009 20:55:31 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125849 If it's all depressing and tragedy and death, then it won't be fun to read. Interesting, but not necessarily *fun*. It would be nice to be left with a feeling of hopefulness, even though I'll have to wait for Wild Ride to have that hope confirmed. If it’s all depressing and tragedy and death, then it won’t be fun to read. Interesting, but not necessarily *fun*. It would be nice to be left with a feeling of hopefulness, even though I’ll have to wait for Wild Ride to have that hope confirmed.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125847 Jenny Tue, 19 May 2009 20:47:53 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125847 The prequel is forty years before Wild Ride, so some of the cast repeats, but the hero and heroine aren't born yet. Hero is conceived the night before, heroine during the story. So it's about the supporting case, mostly hero's parents. We're still trying to figure out who the protagonist is. It's the details that get you. The prequel is forty years before Wild Ride, so some of the cast repeats, but the hero and heroine aren’t born yet. Hero is conceived the night before, heroine during the story. So it’s about the supporting case, mostly hero’s parents. We’re still trying to figure out who the protagonist is. It’s the details that get you.

]]> By: Diane (TT) http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125845 Diane (TT) Tue, 19 May 2009 19:57:28 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125845 Well, put me down in the "not liking death and betrayal and orphans" camp. There was a series of books that took place in the "present" (fantasy series, so "when" is negotiable), where a nearly-exterminated magic race was coming out of hiding - I can enjoy that sort of thing. And I could read the first few books of the prequel series, but couldn't finish them (as the massacres got going). And when the author seemed to be setting up her "just got out of the dreadfuls" hero (in the "present") for another round of death, betrayal and, in this case, resentful bastards, I just stopped. However, for the prequel to <i>Wild Ride</i>, SOME people survived, right? So there must be some degree of hope for the future. If it were I, that's how I'd frame it: terrible happenings, but a few treasures (whether it be your girl or his guy or both) saved from the ashes. My tolerance for unmitigated misery is low, but I can endure some tragedy - after all, we all have to, at some point, right? Probably not helpful, but there I am. Good luck! Well, put me down in the “not liking death and betrayal and orphans” camp. There was a series of books that took place in the “present” (fantasy series, so “when” is negotiable), where a nearly-exterminated magic race was coming out of hiding – I can enjoy that sort of thing. And I could read the first few books of the prequel series, but couldn’t finish them (as the massacres got going). And when the author seemed to be setting up her “just got out of the dreadfuls” hero (in the “present”) for another round of death, betrayal and, in this case, resentful bastards, I just stopped.

However, for the prequel to Wild Ride, SOME people survived, right? So there must be some degree of hope for the future. If it were I, that’s how I’d frame it: terrible happenings, but a few treasures (whether it be your girl or his guy or both) saved from the ashes. My tolerance for unmitigated misery is low, but I can endure some tragedy – after all, we all have to, at some point, right? Probably not helpful, but there I am.

Good luck!

]]> By: Louis http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125843 Louis Tue, 19 May 2009 19:16:51 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125843 Ah, but, Ms J, Your flailing around results in delightful reading. Ah, but, Ms J, Your flailing around results in delightful reading.

]]> By: McB http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125838 McB Tue, 19 May 2009 18:51:30 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125838 Well, leave out both your girl and his guy and focus on the supporting cast. From the glimpses you've given us before I gather that they don't know the back story at the start of Wild Ride, or don't believe it. So focus on what happened, not who it happened to. Well, leave out both your girl and his guy and focus on the supporting cast. From the glimpses you’ve given us before I gather that they don’t know the back story at the start of Wild Ride, or don’t believe it. So focus on what happened, not who it happened to.

]]> By: Slave Driver http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125837 Slave Driver Tue, 19 May 2009 18:36:42 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125837 Okay I'm really tired right now, so I'm going with everything Marcia in OK said. And I hear that posting while flailing is good exercise. It's the new pilates, or Ti Bo. Okay I’m really tired right now, so I’m going with everything Marcia in OK said.

And I hear that posting while flailing is good exercise. It’s the new pilates, or Ti Bo.

]]> By: Jenny http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125832 Jenny Tue, 19 May 2009 15:53:20 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125832 Right now I'm just confused. This has to work as a short story. Bob and I are wrangling now to figure out what it's about since I think it's about my girl and he thinks it's about his guy--yes, we have been here before--but I'm open to anything as long as it makes sense on its own. The story has to get the ending it sets up, I just don't know what the story is yet. I know, I shouldn't post while I'm flailing around. But that's most of the time. Right now I’m just confused.
This has to work as a short story. Bob and I are wrangling now to figure out what it’s about since I think it’s about my girl and he thinks it’s about his guy–yes, we have been here before–but I’m open to anything as long as it makes sense on its own. The story has to get the ending it sets up, I just don’t know what the story is yet.
I know, I shouldn’t post while I’m flailing around. But that’s most of the time.

]]> By: robena grant http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125830 robena grant Tue, 19 May 2009 15:41:22 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125830 Don't know if you read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. We did it for bookclub. It had a a prequel/prologue of about four pages set in 1952 in an entirely different setting to the story, with the story starting in the seventies. I don't normally like P's but this one was interesting. It had a sense of mystery with a slightly sinister undertone and you knew that something really important happened on those pages, by the line "we trade one life for one life." That gave me that little chill/thrill of expectation. Yet, the story started out soft, lots of description, dogs and boys and country living in Wisconsin. The action didn't get going until halfway through the book (560 something pages) and it led to a rather strange ending. But the whole way through I kept that scene in the P in mind and knew it would come into play because it was key to the entire story. So just give us a taste of something sinister, dark, exciting, etc. it will anchor us and give us more understanding about Wild Ride. You can do it! Don’t know if you read The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. We did it for bookclub. It had a a prequel/prologue of about four pages set in 1952 in an entirely different setting to the story, with the story starting in the seventies. I don’t normally like P’s but this one was interesting. It had a sense of mystery with a slightly sinister undertone and you knew that something really important happened on those pages, by the line “we trade one life for one life.” That gave me that little chill/thrill of expectation. Yet, the story started out soft, lots of description, dogs and boys and country living in Wisconsin. The action didn’t get going until halfway through the book (560 something pages) and it led to a rather strange ending. But the whole way through I kept that scene in the P in mind and knew it would come into play because it was key to the entire story.
So just give us a taste of something sinister, dark, exciting, etc. it will anchor us and give us more understanding about Wild Ride. You can do it!

]]> By: Mary Stella http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125826 Mary Stella Tue, 19 May 2009 14:34:00 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125826 If this is meant to be a teaser and enticement on the webpage, could the prequel being too grim also turn away potential readers who are new to the Crusie/Mayer magic? If this is meant to be a teaser and enticement on the webpage, could the prequel being too grim also turn away potential readers who are new to the Crusie/Mayer magic?

]]> By: Brooke http://www.arghink.com/2009/05/19/wild-ride-the-prequel-argh/#comment-125825 Brooke Tue, 19 May 2009 14:32:28 +0000 http://www.arghink.com/?p=1273#comment-125825 That's a tough one. If it's meant to drive sales, it should probably be in the same tone as the book itself, right? Which definitely has its dark side, but you guys have a way of bringing the sparkle. How many words are you talking about? Can you do a think where the two main characters bump into each other years before they'll actually meet, with the seeds of the problem already starting to show? That’s a tough one. If it’s meant to drive sales, it should probably be in the same tone as the book itself, right? Which definitely has its dark side, but you guys have a way of bringing the sparkle. How many words are you talking about? Can you do a think where the two main characters bump into each other years before they’ll actually meet, with the seeds of the problem already starting to show?

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