Paige Hawthorne: Blog

Most readers who bother to write me are positive. Even when they point out ways I can improve, they usually have something supportive to say.

Not everyone though.

One boyo questioned my intelligence, my talent, my reason for being. Words like 'dumb bitch' and 'ignorant' were sprinkled in.

I was tempted to respond, "Shut up, asshat. Just shut up." But instead, with the restraint I am celebrated for, I demurely suggested, "Shut up, you motherfucking cocksucker."

A nuanced response, proportional to the transgression; we can all agree on that, no?

Actually, I didn't say that. Didn't even think it. Probably.

Paige

So many readers have commented, positively, on Walker's ability to self-pleasure himself. Orally.

Of course Walker is just a fictional character, but I know about the act from personal experience. No, not experience, from personal observation. A fella I'm still friends with (he married one of my posse from childhood) is a couple of years older than I am. Back in the day he was unembarrassed to demonstrate his unique talent.

There were five of us outlaw girls and not one of us teased him. Nor thought that his gift was anything other than wonderful. In fact, the woman he's married to was one of my original pals back then.

He's an interesting cat. It's a fascinating act. I'm for it.

Paige

Of course the most frequent 'ask' I receive goes something like this, "Dear god, please for the love of all that's holy, stop writing." Other readers are not so charitable.

But there's an interesting subgroup who take opposite positions on the relationship between Winter and Walker, between a fictional mother and her fictional son. Some readers are uncomfortable and skip-read the naughty bits. A sub-subset want me to take the playful sex to higher levels.

For those of you who are uneasy with the bedroom stuff … sorry. My fan base has mushroomed to almost four readers and Fan Numero Uno is my real-life son. Now what it says about my readership - - a 12-year old is the most enthusiastic - - is a matter for professional demographers to ponder.

Paige

One savvy 'Winter' reader pointed me toward a rumination by Lee Child. The gist was that people don't remember plots so much as the character. And that's certainly the case with me.

Reacher, Stephanie Plum, Spenser, Isabel Dalhousie … each one is unique and memorable. To me, anyway.

So, that's my challenge with Winter Jennings. I need to … do something with development, with pizzazz, with um, character.

Paige

Would someone please explain - - again - - how I can activate the Comments option at the end of each chapter? Thank you.

No, I don't think I'm suffering from early dementia. It's more that I'm pretty busy with what some people call real life. I can usually remember things pretty well.

No, I don't think I'm suffering from early dementia. It's more that I'm pretty busy with what some people call real life. I can usually remember things pretty well.

Paige