Tess & Abby

As a thriller writer, I'd never intended to do a "series" character - a hero or heroine who returns in book after book. To me, this was too much like TV. Each book is just a new episode in the character's life, rather than being a uniquely important event. Besides, I thought it would be boring to do the same character over and over. What a drag.

"Series" books are big with publishers, though, because they're considered easier to market than standalones. Over the years my publisher would suggest doing a series now and then, but I always resisted.

Then a few years ago my then-editor, Doug Grad, suggested that since I'd created several female protagonists who lived in L.A., I might try having two or more of them join forces. This idea sparked something in me, and I ended up bringing together the heroines of my books Next Victim and The Shadow Hunter. They teamed up in Dangerous Games, and now they're back in my just-released book Mortal Faults. (Buy it now at Amazon.com! Okay, sales pitch over.)

Someh0w, using two characters instead of one made the idea of a series more palatable to me. I liked the dynamic of the two women, who are opposites in most respects, and therefore continually at odds with each other. The ongoing conflict makes it easy to write their dialogue and to develop new situations that test their tenuous friendship. In Mortal Faults the test is particularly severe.

The characters can be defined quite easily by contrasting one with the other. Abby is self-employed, a freelance security operative who makes up her own rules and violates any laws she finds inconvenient; Tess is in a management position in the FBI, and she believes in following procedure whenever possible. Abby is hyperkinetic, sexually adventurous, and a night owl; Tess is calmer, much more cautious about entering into relationships, and (for the most part) an eight-to-six office worker. 

These differences extend to other areas that aren't always spelled out in the books. In just about any area of life, I can tell you where these two ladies stand. For instance, Abby is a Democrat; Tess is a Republican. Abby is secular-minded with a touch of New Age consciousness; Tess is a traditional (though briefly lapsed) Catholic. Abby likes exotic foods but minimizes red meat in her diet; Tess is a meat-and-potatoes gal. Abby avoids caffeine because she's already so jittery; Tess drinks pots of coffee to get through her paperwork-filled day. Abby is the type of neighbor who plays her music too loud at all hours of the night; Tess is quiet, reliable, and will water your plants when you're away.

Generally, I can write Abby just by projecting a set of preferences that are the opposite of how I actually feel. I don't like noisy, crowded places - so Abby does. I don't drive a flashy car - so Abby does. I don't obsess over movie trivia - so Abby does. She is the anti-me. Whatever I am, she's not, and vice versa. At least, this is largely true. But there always has to be some common ground between a writer and his fictional characters. In Abby's case, it's probably her tendency to keep to herself a lot. I do that, too. (So do most writers, I think.)

Because she is a more extreme personality type, Abby is easier to write than Tess, who is more "normal" in most respects. I can relate to Tess. She sees the world basically the way I do. That's why, when people occasionally ask which of the two women I like better, I have to go with Tess, even though Abby seems to be the favorite of most readers. Tess is not as lively as Abby, true; but she's ultimately a better person - more mature, more responsible, more capable of seeing the larger dimensions of her work. Abby reminds me of a teenager who hasn't quite grown up - hyperactive, reckless, narcissistic. She is charming but, like any narcissist, potentially quite dangerous. A world of Abbys would be a world in chaos, but a world of Tesses would work okay.

Really, though, we need both. Or at least it seems my books do!

Comments

[J. Carson Black]

That's interesting that you think of Abby as the Anti-MP. I'll bet she likes Mexican food, though. Gotcha!

I think the two of them make a really good combination, and I'll bet it's fun to explore what one can do that the other can't. Abby's impulsiveness gets her into trouble; Tess has to get her out. Tess can't brazen it out the same way, so she needs Abby to do some things she's not comfortable with.

Sounds to me like a lot of fun to write.

[Shannon]

While strolling through my local grocery store the other day (looking for healthy junk food to placate my 5 year old) I happened to glance at the book aisle and wished longingly for a new novel that would force me to take the break I so desperately need and deserve and lose myself for a few hours. As I scanned the titles my heart began to beat a little faster. Could it be? Am I wishing so much that it's simply a mirage? No, it was really there. A new Michael Prescott novel! I picked it up, not bothering to read the blurb on the back. After all, it's a Michael Prescott novel. He's never let me down before and won't start now I'm sure. I got home, put away the groceries, fed the kids and husband and stated "I bought the new Michael Prescott book." There was no further explanation needed. My husband knows the drill. New Michael Prescott or Stephen King novel and he will not only be on his own with the children for the rest of the evening, but will aslo be sleeping alone since I don't put a good book down when I start one. I retreated to my comfy chair and looked over the back cover only to find another wonderful surprise...Abby and Tess together again! I for one am thrilled to see these two together again. I, like your editors apparently, love series novels. And what's better than a new novel by my favorite author, Michael Prescott? A new series novel by my favorite author, Michael Prescott of course! Thanks so much for bringing these two back together. Like you, I am more partial to Tess. I find that I relate to her more than Abby. However, deep down in my soccer Mom heart, I long to be more like Abby and live vicariously through her character each time I read one of your novels. Thanks again for inviting me into that wonderfully creative world locked away in that brain of yours and allowing me a bit of escape from my hectic Mom life!

[J. Carson Black]

MP, I'm guessing Shannon's post made your day.

[Michael Prescott]

Shannon,

Thanks very much for your kind words. I'm glad my book gave you a break from "reality" (which is, you know, highly overrated anyway).

BTW, it sounds like you have a very understanding hubby!

[Shannon]

Yes, I definitely have a wonderful hubby. He learned quickly not to bother trying to talk to me when I'm reading. On the drive home from our honeymoon in Key West I picked up Comes The Dark at a grocery store. Seven hours later we were almost home and I had about 4 chapters to go with the book propped in the glove box so I'd have a light to read with. He asked if I wanted him to drive around the block a few times so I could finish and I told him no, but that I refused to take anything out of the car or unpack until I finished. (In all fairness, I did warn him before we got married of my reading obsession.)

[J. Carson Black]

Shannon, I wish the rest of the world was just like you! A true lover of books.

[Shannon]

Jake, I just can't understand people who aren't lovers of books and apparently they can't understand me either. For me, there's just nothing better than a good book and I'd choose that over a movie any day. Don't get me wrong, I do love a good movie. However, if I can get my hands on the book that the movie was based on I generally read it before seeing the movie. The only problem with that is that the movie is never as good as the book and I spend the whole time analyzing the movie. I won't go into my rant on that here and take up MP's space but I'll have to add it to my rantings on my blog.

[Michael Prescott]

Shannon,

Feel free to tell us your blog address if you like. Maybe another few readers will end up there!

I'm just glad you didn't find Comes the Dark at the start of your honeymoon. That could have been an awkward situation.

[Shannon]

MP,

Thanks for the invite. The web address for my blog is http://mommyshann.blogspot.com/ and consists of nothing more than my general musings and rantings. I have recently updated and changed it around, basically started anew so it's a bit bare at the moment since I chose to only leave a few items from before in there.

And yes, it is good that I didn't find Comes the Dark at the beginning of my honeymoon or I fear it would have been quite a lonely one for my poor hubby. At least for the 7 or so hours it took me to read it. Poor guy is going to have a very lonely weekend coming up as I should have both of Jake's books by Friday. By the way, thanks for in a way introducing she and I. I'm really looking forward to having another good crime novelist catering to my desperate need for escape!

[Lynn]

Dear Micheal.
I just finished reading Mortal Faults and I absolutely love it.Having Tess and Abby together is a stroke of genius. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Again you have proven yourself to be a masterful suspense writer.
I still have the comments you made after you read my few chapters a couple of years ago as well as the letter you sent me after I sent you my book of short stories. I show everyone the letter whether they want to see it or not.
Keep writing.
lynn

[Michael Prescott]

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for the kind words. I always appreciated your thoughtfulness in sending me your short story collection.

[Michael Stuart Kelly]

Michael,

I've been out of the loop a bit (I have been swamped), but I just finished Dangerous Games, which I found fascinating. I bought Mortal Faults right when it came out, but I only started it now. I wanted to see what these two dames were up to before I read the new book. You have a very interesting duo of good-gals.

So Abby is not like you? No wonder I identified with her so much!

//;-)

(just joking)

But being a Rander, I would obviously prefer the nonconformist. It's a shame, though, that Abby doesn't build skyscrapers or operate a railroad or something useful - can't you see that her life is passing her by while she is immaturely interested only in wasting bad guys?...

(ahem...)

Seriously though, your scene in the cathedral with Tess was one of the most moving I can remember in suspense fiction. I HATE the institution of the confessional, but you brought it to life in a startling new way that soothed the heroine when she most needed it and brought some sense to her world. Frankly, it brought a touch of sense to mine also. I read that scene twice, then paused for awhile to think and drift before going on.

But watch out! Having a villain interested in Hegel and Nietzsche showed your you-know-what roots. (Don't you ever dare call one of your future villains Toohey!)

//;-)

I really am looking forward to getting into the thick of things with these two good-gals in Mortal Faults.

btw - this is the fourth book of yours I am on. Three down already. I already mentioned Last Breath, and about a month ago, I did In Dark Places for a festival of plot twists. (Dayaamm!!!)

Congratulations, Michael. You are one marvelous writer.

Michael

[Kelly Miller]

Michael,

I picked up your book, Mortal Faults, last week - knowing that if it was a Michael Prescott book it would be enthralling. As always, you do not disappoint! I like Abby and Tess as independent leading characters, but to bring them together - and make it work! There is no 'weak' character here, neither takes the back seat to the other, they both retain their strengths, and their weakness play off of each other - what a challenge that must have been! Like you, I find myself being more like Tess than Abby, but wishing there was just a bit more of Abby in me than there is!

I loved the book! When's the next??

:-)

Kelly