Monday, August 17, 2009

Who Do You Identify With?

I recently had a person in the know tell me.... change the heroine's career because readers don't identify with this career.

It made me think about 'me' as a reader and who I identify with. Now, I'm not going to talk about LIS books, per se, because I read them all and I don't read them as a reader. I read them to see what my peers are doing, and yes I analyze them as to what I think the writer did well and what didn't work for me. If I get lost in an LIS (which I often do) it's like a gift. So, I'm thinking about the last few books I purchased and really enjoyed. Susannah's Garden by Debbie MacComber: Heroine is a fifth grade teacher (I'm a teacher) who is on summer vacation. By the end of the book she's decided to buy a flower shop (not on my list of things to do. I kill flowers).

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz: Thomas is a fry cook (I cooked in an Italian restaurant all through high school)

The Bone Yard by Michelle Gagnon: An FBI agent (secretly, if I were braver MUCH braver I'd want to be a FBI agent)

The Ex-Wive's Survival Guide by Debby Holt: Stay at home mom. (No, don't read anything in this. I have a four year old. I'm not raising him alone. I told my husband on our wedding day that if it wasn't working, he had to give it 50 years, and then I'd listen to his complaints.)

The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin: Innkeeper. (I'm pretty sure that I am just yuppy enough to have the bed and breakfast dream. Too bad I hate laundry. I think there's a lot of laundry in this dream).

There are two books, from just weeks ago, that I did not finish. Ironically, and I just noticed, both of them featured poor girls who were existing in the life of wealth and privilige either because they married into it (big mistake) or they were undercover.

Now I know... I'm not going to write about the Paris Hilton lifestyle.
And, many of my heroines are teachers or work in restaurants. Or, they work in environments that become a community (Yes, my favorite TV shows are community TV shows. I love, love, loved the Gilmore Girls. And, I was a big fan of Wings.)

How about you? What H/H's do you read? What jobs do you identify with?

15 comments:

Lynette Eason said...

Hi Pamela, thanks for the list of great sounding books. Going to check out that FBI one...:)
Lynette

Pamela Tracy said...

It's a bit disturbing. I'm liking it enough to keep reading, but truthfully, there is nothing new, so far, in the story. I'm on chapter five. It's the one I'm reading now.

Jill Kemerer said...

Whenever I read a book, I want to be transported into another world. I'm not picky on the heroine's job, but I do relate more to "real" people. Supermodels, television actresses, and socialites just aren't identifiable to me! So why do I subscribe to UsWeekly? Hmmm....

Pamela Tracy said...

Oh, Jill, I'm laughing. I'm a People magazine fan although I'm hating all this Kate and Jon stuff.

Project Journal said...

Pamela,
I LOVE Gilmore Girls too! : ) I own all 7 seasons on DVD(guilty pleasure).
I read People weekly too and I think its really sad about Jon and Kate. I hate to get wrapped up in it, but to be honest, I've found myself becoming a fan of Kate's.
I would have to agree that I am more eager to follow and read a book that I can somehow relate to. It makes itinteresting. For example, I loved the Sisterhood of the Dropped Stitches books! The girls were my age so that in itself was VERY appeling : )
Thanks,
Hannah

Pamela Tracy said...

Hannah,
Oh, I just watched the last episode last Friday. Arg, did I ever want to throw a book at the telly. So many loose ends. I've never felt so betrayed. I want to see Lane's twins. I want to see Luke and Loralei get together. I want to know what happened to Dean. They need to have a movie. And, I love the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I liked the first book better than the first movie, although I thought the movie was good. I also think the Twilight book was better than the Twilight movie. Too much posing in the movie.

Michelle Gagnon said...

I love this post! Pamela, I'm thrilled to hear that you identify with Kelly, my main character.
Personally, I identify most closely with Susan Ward, the reporter in Chelsea Cain's series. But I'm not quite brave enough to dye my hair the colors she chooses :)

Project Journal said...

Lol! I had a very similar reaction! I think the Luke/Lorelai kiss was how they were back together, but it was terrible! Part of the reason is that the whole 7th season was different directors/writers. I was so mad that Logan left Rory! It WAS NOT fair that Rory was left with no one at all in the end! Personally, I liked Dean until it got weird and everything. Then, I liked Jess once he matured. But Logan....even after seeing the episodes over and over and over : ) I still never really liked him. Then leaving Rory! Ahhh!
Hannah

Carmen said...

I guess I would say crime/murder or medical. Those are my favorites. I just thought of something I've not seen--a book on a product liability issue where someone dies/quad/para plegic. I have a love for legal but also medical and forensics. A good forensics story line would be great on a cold case crime.

Pamela Tracy said...

Michelle,
So glad you stopped by. Our main focus here is suspense. I'll have to check out your other books.

Pamela Tracy said...

Hannah,
Yeah, Jess finally got my vote. I never really warmed to Logan either. And, I knew about the writers, still so much potential, so little time. When I write my books usually wind up 70 pages more than I need and I have to decide where to cut. Gilmore Girls, just cut, no rhyme or reason. Arg.

Pamela Tracy said...

Carmen,
Maybe you need to write it. It's a good idea. I wouldn't know where to begin.

Project Journal said...

Lol very true, Pamela. I was really voting for a movie, too. Until I saw some interviews with Lauren Graham. She basically said that she was completely over Gilmore Girls. She liked it and thought in the long run it was a good career move, but she hates only being recognized as Lorelai. She then continued to say that the GGs fans needed to grow up and get over their fantasies of a movie and such! I couldn't believe it! It made me really upset. Though I still love her as an actor and will never forget Lorelai : )
I really want to see Alexis Bledel's new movie that is out Friday(I think). Plus, Lauren is doing Guys and Dolls on Broadway and I really want to see it! New York City is only a few hours drive from home or a couple hours by train. Hoping for tickets for Christmas ; )
Hannah

Pamela Tracy said...

Sigh...
You know, sometimes being blunt is not a good thing. I've always hated hearing that David Cassidy didn't like being Keith Partridge.
Arg

Project Journal said...

I don't think that these actors/actresses should say things like that! Especially if they've been a character for so long...it would be like finding out from you that you have always hated writing! It really just kills hearing it, I think.
Hannah