How To Keep A Series Interesting - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T23:13:22Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/how-to-keep-a-series-interesting?feed=yes&xn_auth=noLOL...I keep asking myself th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-28:537324:Comment:3205142011-10-28T12:50:49.377ZBobbi A. Chukranhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/bobbichukran
<p>LOL...I keep asking myself the same questions. Guess I'm still conflicted about this. </p>
<p>Mostly, I think I'm asking about plot devices...are readers tired of all the "occupationally different" sleuths? Or do readers like reading about somebody who has a different job than they do? I recently saw a series (can't remember author, sorry) of wedding cake mysteries. Really?</p>
<p>LOL...I keep asking myself the same questions. Guess I'm still conflicted about this. </p>
<p>Mostly, I think I'm asking about plot devices...are readers tired of all the "occupationally different" sleuths? Or do readers like reading about somebody who has a different job than they do? I recently saw a series (can't remember author, sorry) of wedding cake mysteries. Really?</p> A seven book contract? Yikes…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-28:537324:Comment:3205112011-10-28T12:47:28.958ZBobbi A. Chukranhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/bobbichukran
A seven book contract? Yikes! As an author, I doubt if I could hold my own interest in a character more than two or three books. Right now I'm conflicted, wondering if readers want to read characters they WISH they were, or who have lives they want, or characters more like them? Since I usually write comedy, my characters are usually over the top, but that wouldn't be appropriate for something that's a dark thriller, maybe.
A seven book contract? Yikes! As an author, I doubt if I could hold my own interest in a character more than two or three books. Right now I'm conflicted, wondering if readers want to read characters they WISH they were, or who have lives they want, or characters more like them? Since I usually write comedy, my characters are usually over the top, but that wouldn't be appropriate for something that's a dark thriller, maybe. I see authors groaning all th…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-28:537324:Comment:3204762011-10-28T04:06:49.228ZStacyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StacyDeanne
<p>I see authors groaning all the time about having to complete a book in a series that they are sick of. For me, writing something I don't enjoy would be torture.</p>
<p><br></br> That's one thing I don't like about big contracts. You might get a five-book deal for a series but you might get tired of writing it by the fourth book. You can always tell when the writer writes out of obligation only. Something just seems to be missing.</p>
<p>When I was with the big house back in the day, I had a…</p>
<p>I see authors groaning all the time about having to complete a book in a series that they are sick of. For me, writing something I don't enjoy would be torture.</p>
<p><br/> That's one thing I don't like about big contracts. You might get a five-book deal for a series but you might get tired of writing it by the fourth book. You can always tell when the writer writes out of obligation only. Something just seems to be missing.</p>
<p>When I was with the big house back in the day, I had a two-book contract but it wasn't a series. That was okay but I wouldn't want a contract for more books than that. I just wouldn't.</p>
<p><br/>I am with a small press now and they contract me book to book for my series. I like it better that way because if I get tired of writing the series then I can just stop at any time and write something else. But I don't like how those huge contracts tie you up. I have a friend with a seven-book contract and she's sweating bullets trying to finish book two in her series.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'd rather have more freedom than to be tied down. At least with a one book contract you're not tied to the publisher for your next book. At least with small presses.</p> I'd like to answer from a rea…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-28:537324:Comment:3205022011-10-28T04:00:58.612ZStacyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StacyDeanne
<p>I'd like to answer from a reader's and writer's perspective. *smiles*</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reader:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What keeps me interested in a series is the characters. If I am attached to the characters to the point where I can't wait to read about them in the next book, you've got me hooked. To keep me hooked you'd also better have a darn good plot but sometimes I can excuse if the plot is a little lackluster if I love the characters.</p>
<p><br></br> What turns me off to a series is when the…</p>
<p>I'd like to answer from a reader's and writer's perspective. *smiles*</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reader:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What keeps me interested in a series is the characters. If I am attached to the characters to the point where I can't wait to read about them in the next book, you've got me hooked. To keep me hooked you'd also better have a darn good plot but sometimes I can excuse if the plot is a little lackluster if I love the characters.</p>
<p><br/> What turns me off to a series is when the author has obviously grown stale on the series and seems to just be pumping out books to fulfill a contract and not because of passion. I've read a lot of series that fell flat in the middle like the author just threw up something and it wasn't even similar to the impact of the books before it. On the other hand there have been some series that were good all the way through.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Author: </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am doing a series now and I am enjoying it more than writing my other books so I will continue to do it while I enjoy it. But if I get to where I am tired of it or bored with the concept I'd rather let it go than to force myself to write something without passion. Readers can tell.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Don't worry about how your readers will feel toward the characters. It's about how you feel. If you still see fire in your characters than continue the series. As long as you enjoy it, you will come up with stories that will do your characters justice. But if you feel YOU are tired of the characters then hang it up. If you aren't happy with a story you're writing others won't be.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Best Wishes!</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.stacy-deanne.net" target="_blank">http://www.stacy-deanne.net</a></p> Mark is right. And you may w…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-17:537324:Comment:3194822011-10-17T15:12:15.018ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Mark is right. And you may want to try the Akitada series. Eleventh century Japan! :)
Mark is right. And you may want to try the Akitada series. Eleventh century Japan! :) You challenge your long term…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-16:537324:Comment:3192852011-10-16T03:47:30.755ZRaymond Embrackhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RaymondEmbrack
<p>You challenge your long term readers and if you lose them you gain new readers.</p>
<p>You challenge your long term readers and if you lose them you gain new readers.</p> Every series I've read has at…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-16:537324:Comment:3192832011-10-16T03:45:05.804ZRaymond Embrackhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RaymondEmbrack
Every series I've read has at some point lost the thing that hooked me on it and become stale. I think it needs to keep the freshness by reinventing itself. The 007 movie series is the perfect example of how to take an ancient character and reboot him fresh. You have keep rethinking your guy to make him edgier and fresher and more surprising. If a series author can do that, the series will never become stale.
Every series I've read has at some point lost the thing that hooked me on it and become stale. I think it needs to keep the freshness by reinventing itself. The 007 movie series is the perfect example of how to take an ancient character and reboot him fresh. You have keep rethinking your guy to make him edgier and fresher and more surprising. If a series author can do that, the series will never become stale. You're welcome, Stephen. Hope…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-16:537324:Comment:3192812011-10-16T02:20:28.762ZMark Younghttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MarkYoung
You're welcome, Stephen. Hope it helps with your writing.
You're welcome, Stephen. Hope it helps with your writing. Hey Mark,
Thanks for the me…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-16:537324:Comment:3192732011-10-16T00:35:27.818ZStephen D. Rogershttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/StephenDRogers
<p>Hey Mark,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for the mention. I stopped in at B&N today to pick up a copy, but haven't had a chance to read the article yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stephen</p>
<p><a href="http://www.StephenDRogers.com">http://www.StephenDRogers.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hey Mark,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for the mention. I stopped in at B&N today to pick up a copy, but haven't had a chance to read the article yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stephen</p>
<p><a href="http://www.StephenDRogers.com">http://www.StephenDRogers.com</a></p>
<p> </p> I think readers want both, Bo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-10-16:537324:Comment:3192702011-10-16T00:11:05.104ZMark Younghttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MarkYoung
I think readers want both, Bobbi. They desire characters that are unusual in some way, but they also need to relate to that person, to experience some of the same fears, physical frailties, that we all struggle with. If they can't identify with that character at some level, I think you run the risk if losing that reader.
I think readers want both, Bobbi. They desire characters that are unusual in some way, but they also need to relate to that person, to experience some of the same fears, physical frailties, that we all struggle with. If they can't identify with that character at some level, I think you run the risk if losing that reader.