There are good things and bad things about long-term relationships.
On August 7, my husband and I will have been married 16 years.
There are very few surprises. For someone who likes predictability, this is a good thing. We have long-standing routines: he comes home from the office, we eat supper. The children tell him about their day. He and I watch “Jim Lehrer’s NewsHour” on PBS. He fusses about CEOs in large corporations and I fret about public education.
It’s predictable. It’s comforting. Is it…boring, though? And sometimes while we’re in our predictable, comforting routine…we get on each others’ nerves.
With series, we’re inviting our readers to join us in a long-term relationship. Here are my thoughts (mostly as an avid series reader) on series do’s and don’ts:
Don’t make your protagonist’s quirks too irritating.
If you use recurring characters, do have inside jokes from book to book. It’s fun to have a chatty character we know other characters will avoid. Or, when a character purchases a new appliance we know they won’t be able to figure out how to use it and will be cursing the thing in the next chapter. As a reader, it makes me feel very smug that I’m an insider.
Do show your character’s personal growth from book to book. If he doesn’t change at all, he’s just dead wood. If your character always falls in love with the wrong person, he might annoy your reader after a couple of books—“Hasn’t he learned anything?” Even if things happen to these characters, if they’re not developing as people, will the readers really care?
Do have an engaging setting that readers want to keep visiting. Louise Penny’s Three Pines, M.C. Beaton’s Scottish Lochdubh, Agatha Christe’s St. Mary Mead provide wonderful escapes for their readers.
Do introduce new characters. But not too many. I enjoy recurring characters, but if there’s no one new, I get tired of the old gang after a few books. On the other hand, if there are too many new characters, I lose track of who they all are.
Don’t assume your readers remember details from book to book. Sometimes I’m reading a series as it’s published so there might be a break of 9-12 months between reading them. A small tag for characters (Ben was the preacher’s son, etc.) is really appreciated.
Don’t assume your readers remember nothing from book to book. If the author goes over lots of backstory that I’m already well-acquainted with, that’s tiresome, too. I think it’s a delicate balance.
I try to keep my series pet peeves and preferences in my head as I write. Because I don’t want readers’ familiarity with my books to breed contempt.
Good reminders here… Thanks Elizabeth!
All good points. I found while writing book two that I had to go back and expand my character notes from book one. Readers are smart and they remember things, so we don’t dare contradict ourselves. For instance, Sylvia can’t have a coffee addiction in book one, but never drink a cup of coffee in book two–unless I tell the reader why.
I’ve not done it, but can imagine that series writing is difficult. You gotta avoid the question, “Have I done this kind of thing with these same characters before, only in a different setting?” Still, that familiarity is one of the things series readers enjoy. So, yeah, it’s gotta be tough. I think if the author observes your very good points, Elizabeth, he or she can safely navigate the series writing minefield. Even so, it’s gotta be tough.
Best regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Great post and great topic for a writers’ conference panel. I know I could listen to readers and writers talk about their thoughts on this all day long! My own perspective is in sync with yours. Character growth over time is more interesting for readers (IMO) as well as the writer!
-Cleo Coyle
Oooo! I think I might bookmark this post. So helpful, since I’m about to start prewriting for book two in my Under Heaven series. Thanks Elizabeth!!
You make it all sound so easy — NOT! But when a writer does it right, you know you want to keep reading the series. Excellent advice!
Helen
Straight From Hel
Do show your character’s personal growth from book to book: I think of Alex Cross from the James Patterson Series. He began with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD), but eventually becomes a Senior Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
After his stint with the FBI, Alex returns to private psychology practice, but continues to consult for the MPD and the FBI as needed, ultimately rejoining the MPD as a special consultant to the Major Case Squad (thank you Wikipedia).
Steve Tremp
Good advice. I’m writing the first sequel in my Owen Fiddler series right now and I concur with all you’ve said. :)
The Old silly
very helpful post…i don’t have any series planned for the time being, but i know what i like and dislike when reading series. i read one not too long ago where one of the secondary characters in book 1 was almost too awful to like at all by book two when that character was the MC. but the author pulled it off…she just had her work cut out for her.
Thanks for the tips. I have had an idea for a book 2, so will file this for future reference.
Great tips and insights. Like a character needs to be multi-dimensional to capture a reader’s interest, I agree, they need to continue to grow throughout the series. Great post!
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Galen–Minefield is right. I think it’s a hard balance.
Cleo–Thanks for dropping by, Cleo! Character growth is key, I agree.
Katie–Thanks Katie! Good luck with your new project.
Alexis–Thanks for coming by!
Helen–I wish it WERE that easy! :)
Steve–Great illustration.
Marvin–Good luck with your sequel!
Jeannie–I’m amazed you stuck with the book, if the character was a turn-off. Glad the author was able to turn it around.
Patricia–You’re right about having a character bible. It’s too easy to mess up the details.
Glynis–Hope your book 2 goes well!
Nancy–Multi-dimensions are important, too. Good point.
Yet another informative post. I like your long term relationship analogy. I haven’t written a series, but think I’d like to give it a try one of these days. I plan to keep these excellent tips handy if and when that time comes.
Jane, there are some really fun aspects to writing a series, too. In some ways it’s easier–you’ve got your setting and main characters already in place. But it’s tricky, too.
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