My husband and I started dating when I was a freshman in college. This will be exactly 20 years ago December 7th and means that I’ve known him longer than I haven’t known him.
You’d think there wouldn’t be too many surprises left, but there actually are. Oh, we have our set-in-stone-patterns most days, but sometimes we shake it up a little. And I think we’re hitting our midlife crises, so we’ve become somewhat more unpredictable lately (my husband has rediscovered his enjoyment of scuba diving.)
But even with some surprises along the way, I can frequently guess what my husband will think, do, or say about a given situation. He does the same for me. It’s very comfortable in many ways. I like the ability to read someone’s mind.
With series, you get to know the protagonist similarly well over a series of books and years. If I met Adam Dalgliesh in the street, I’m pretty sure I’d recognize him. PD James has made sure of that.
Reasons to write series:
For one thing, I enjoy reading series. I’m going into a book with some knowledge. I know the sleuth, I know the sleuth’s personality. I know the sleuth’s sidekick. I know some of the internal conflict. Just bring on the new victim, suspects, and murderer.
It’s easier for me to write. My setting usually stays the same. The constants I mentioned above (regarding sleuth and sidekick) are the same. I even have recurring characters in my books. I’m starting with a bunch of ‘knowns’ to build on. When you’re starting with Book One, you’re making everything up as you go along.
From a purely commercial standpoint, I make more money writing series. And I’m building up a name for myself (on the bookshelves) in the industry.
Challenges in series writing:
Making sure you don’t bore your returning readers by providing too much back story. Making sure you don’t confuse your new readers by not providing enough back story.
Some people don’t enjoy reading series, preferring stand-alones and a fresh story each time.
Not getting bored with your protagonist. And not boring others with him or her. Like a marriage, you really get to know your main character. This can be a good thing….or not. Try to keep it fresh—either by providing your protagonist with new challenges or new characters to interact with.
Things to check:
Is your protagonist likeable? If not, is he or she at least interesting to hang out with? Otherwise your reader might not want to stick around.
Is your protagonist growing as a character? I think marriages get boring when there’s no growth or change. Same goes for books.
Are you a series reader or writer? If you don’t like reading series, do you enjoy writing them?
Elizabeth – Your story of how you met your husband sounds exactly like mine! I met my husband in college, and 27 years later, we’re still togther : ).
About reading and writing series…I’m actually writing a series. I think that’s one of the best ways to develop the character of the protagonist. It also allows you to develop other “regular characters that figure in the series. The nice thing about series, too, is that you can add different twists as you go along, and make changes over time. In many of my favorite series, the protagonist will travel, or new characters will come (and go), etc.. I don’t think a series has to lose its freshness; too many of my favorites haven’t. I think the key is treating each new novel with a fresh approach.
Great advice. Balancing backstory sounds particularly tough.
I’ve been married for twenty years as well, and I like the familiarity, the mind reading, all of it, which is probably why I like a series too.
By the way, I’ve been meaning to say how impressed I am with your ability to blog every single day while dealing with family and writing commitments–you are a superwoman!
I tend not to be a fan of reading series, mostly because I like closure at the end of things and I don’t really like waiting a year between one book and the next, and sometimes I just can’t find the time to sit and commit to a lengthy collection. This is a problem as the vast majority of popular fantasy books tend to come in at least trilogies (usually more). I do like reading Faye Kellerman and her crime series with Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus, I really enjoy the progression of their relationship through the books but each case is solved within the story. Whenever I find one of these I tend to pick it up and my collection has grown. Same with the Prachett Discworld books, again becausse while the world stays the same and revisit some characters, each story is isolated and you don’t need to read them in any particular order, but if you do you can follow character progressions quite smoothly.
Thanks for your advice on writing a series. Recently I was thinking about one of my current WIPs and I’m almost sure there is at least another story just dying to be told afterward but I have always said I would only ever write stand alone stories. Lately I’ve been reconsidering.
I enjoy reading a series of books – I was drawn into many, many series as a kid and I haven’t changed much :)
I’m hoping to write a series after I finish my current wip. I’ve been thinking about my mc for a bit. I’ll keep your tips in mind!
Reading a series can be enjoyable. In most cases, the books in the series are stand alone so there is closure. The case is solved, the criminal caught and life sets in to be normal.
But, if that author is good (like you Elizabeth) and has created a character the reader enjoyed (like Myrtle), you want sometime new to happen to that character to bring it back.
In the second, third and so on book, it’s nice to be gently reminded of something that happened a book or so. But most of the time, you don’t have to know that, to enjoy the book you’re currently reading.
I’ve found with a number of stand alone books that I’m disappointed that the author didn’t come back with a second book. The character is strong enough and there could be other stories there. In those cases I feel the author left the reader hanging even though the book ended good.
I like reading books in a series, for most of the reasons mentioned above. (Of course, I like stand-alones, too. I guess I’m just not very choosy.)
As for writing, so far, most of the manuscripts I’ve written have been standalones (DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD is), but I am very excited about a series concept I’ve been working on. We shall see…
The main message for me (along with great instruction) is that when writing a series you have to stay on your toes and not feel too comfortable with your characters or storyline. If you do you might omit or not include crucial information the reader needs.
I’m definitely a series fan. Hubby and I have been married 40 years, and yet there’s always something new.
I enjoy watching characters grow and evolve over the course of many books. I always hate saying goodbye at the end of a book, so with series I know I’ll see them again.
To respond to Cassandrajade – a well-written series book is a stand alone, and shouldn’t end with a cliff-hanger. There’s no reason to feel “obligated” to read the rest, although I confess I have to read series in order. But that’s anal me.
My first book was a romantic suspense, and in romance, there aren’t a lot of series where the same protagonists return. I didn’t know that when I wrote the book (heck, I didn’t even know it was a romance), so I went ahead and wrote the sequel.
Great thoughts on writing particularly with series. I think your readership gets to know your characters and thinks of them as “friends” they’ve met along the way. There is a certain level of comfort in picking up a story with an author and characters you are familiar with, I think.
With characters, like a marriage or friendship, there is a certain amount of predictability – the better you know someone the easier it is to anticipate how they may react to a particular situation. On occassion though, you need to mix it up a bit – keep things fresh, just as you do in your own life.
Great post, Elizabeth!
Nancy, from Realms of Thought
I met my husband in high school, but didn’t date him until late in college. (He tells it differently, but I say he snubbed me in HS!) Funny thing, the familiarity actually caused us problems for a while as I became bored and wondered if I should have married someone about which I knew so much. Now I am utterly grateful for this! We have only 8 years to all of your 20+, but I look forward to many more.
(Lorel-you might as well give up on keeping up with Elizabeth. Just know that she is organized within an inch of perfection and we all envy her!)
I am the reader every series writer dreams of – every good one anyway. If I love your book, I go out and buy EVERY SINGLE BOOK IN THE SERIES, and then some. I own every Michael Connelly, Jonathan Kellerman from a past life, new ones to me (but I own them all) are Val McDermid, Daniel Silva and Louise Penny.
As a writer, I like the idea of keeping some of the longer storylines (ok, backstory, but not always so back) in the air.
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
I enjoy reading series, and wouldn’t mind writing them. Right now I don’t have any such stories in my head, though. I can imagine they are a completely different kind of writing!
Margot–Isn’t college the BEST? And I’m with you on the series freshness–it’s important to develop the character along the way to keep the series from going stale.
Lorel–Ohh…backstory. Ugh. Yes, it’s a tough balance in a series. Don’t want to turn off either old readers or new ones.
And thanks! I wish I were a superwoman. :)I feel like my *life* is a tough balancing act, too!
Cassandra–I remember that you’d mentioned that before and I completely understand…there are so many readers who don’t like series. With genre fiction, you don’t really have any cliffhanging endings or loose ends…but with fantasy, I know there are. But it’s hard, as you mentioned, to squeeze in so many plotlines, etc. that fantasies have, into one book.
Nancy–Thanks! It’s the predictability that’s really the comfort, isn’t it? But then we need to keep it fresh enough so it doesn’t get boring, too. Takes a bit of fiddling.
I love all these long-term marriages you guys have. I wasn’t very lucky in love until I was in my mid-40’s and met my current wonderful hubby. We will be married 14 years this coming February.
I do enjoy series, but don’t read them that often. Harry Potter was the last series I read and I started to get bored by the 4th one. It’s odd because as a child, I loved Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Perry Mason, that Dirk something character from a best-selling author whose name escapes me.
Karen
I enjoy reading series books for a while, but I usually get bored with the character somewhere between books 3-5. The exceptions to that have been Lisa Scottoline and James Patterson. I’ve written with a series character, too, and also gotten pretty sick and tired of her. If I can figure out what Scottoline and Patterson do that holds my interest, perhaps I can unbore myself.
I am very much a series reader, and whenever I get the chance, I will be a series writer!
I could almost claim I am. For my writing course last week I made up a character called Arnold. My readers loved him so much that I have written a new exercise about him now, but from his wife´s point of view. It was so much easier and did I enjoy it? You bet!
I enjoy reading both stand-alone and series books. There is something warm and fuzzy about revisiting a favorite character.
Books that are part of series definitely should, for the most part, also be able to stand alone. There’s nothing more frustrating than picking up such a book, not having read the books before it, and you finding yourself completely lost – out of the loop.
A good writer does exactly what you described, Elizabeth. Just enough info so we know what’s going on and can join the story. Too much info is suffocating. Then you get the feeling of, “get on with it already!”
I really enjoy reading series too! This is a great comparison, knowing your marriage partner and knowing your protagonist. I haven’t been married yet so I don’t think I’ve ever known a person that intimately, but I hope I have a good relationship with my characters since, after all, I created them. :) Great post! These are some excellent tips.
I like both reading and writing series, if the ongoing characters continue to grow and develop. No one is frozen in time.
I have 2 characters in my current manuscript who will show up again mainly because their stories just aren’t finished. Like a spouse, I adore them and they drive me crazy. Agreeing all the time is boring. (in my opinion).
Elspeth
I’ve always loved reading series, as I like discivering more about the main characters. And I’ve continued that by writing a series as well.
Most of the series I’ve read followed a different set of characters in each book with the previous books’ stars still present but in the background. I did that with my own YA series as well. I found it keeps the story arc fresh, as readers won’t get tired of the same character.
Comparing it to a long marriage is great! We do become familiar with one another. I met my husband right after college, so this next year we’ll hit that point of knowing one another as long as we haven’t known one another.
BTW, we’ve both been through an early mid-life crisis, but I told my husband if he hits a late one, he has my permission to go buy a convertible!!
Crystal–I think it’s important to promote series books as stand-alones. Otherwise, it would be too hard to snag new readers! I try to limit the backstory, though, for series readers.
Jemi–I’ll be looking forward to hearing about it! Your current WIP sounds like fun, too…I loved the concept of it.
Diane–Me too. I like the way you’ve focused on different characters in your series. That would be a fun way to keep it fresh.
A convertible is definitely an acceptable midlife crisis for a man. :)
Mason–I know what you mean. If I’m introduced to a really striking character, I want MORE books involving the character. I’m disappointed if it’s a one-off…I feel like I’ve invested some time and emotion in the character and want to learn more!
Thanks so much again for your generous review of “Pretty” yesterday! I really do appreciate it.
Very interesting break down of series writing, Elizabeth. I’m not particularly a fan of series. The series I’ve read tend to loose their drive and ability to hold my attention. I think series are especially hard to pull off with romances. Usually by the end, the romance needs to come to a satisfying conclusion. So once the MC’s are together in a romance, the rest is anti-climatic, and usually book 2 of a romance series ends up being boring and anticlimatic. Does that make sense?
Alan–I know Midnight Ink loves its series! Good luck with the new project…sounds like a winner!
Journaling Woman–It’s so true! I feel like everyone can see Myrtle and Bradley, NC, and Lulu and Memphis, just like I do. I have to constantly remind myself to include descriptions and other basic info.
Terry–40 years…wow!
Watching characters grow is one of the main reasons I enjoy series, too. I love checking back in with them..the characters feel like friends to me.
Good checklist. I’m writing a series with my Owen Fiddler character and these are excellent points to consider and keep in mind.
Marvin D Wilson
Marvin–Glad it helped!
I like reading series. You feel comfortable with the protagonist and some of the side characters. But, as you said, the writer has to make sure the reader is not too comfortable.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I like reading a series as long as there is something fresh and new in each one and it’s not just the same story over and over again.
I haven’t tried writing a series yet, but I would like to so I’ll keep your tips handy.
I look forward to reading your series. I met my wife almost 20 years ago. We’re best friends for better or worse.
Stephen Tremp
My husband and I just passed 21 years from meeting and approach anniversary 18, but we’re a little more prickly than normal couples… we know most of each others’ ticks, but I don’t WANT my mind read (I like being mysterious *snort*) and he knows nobody else could put up with him (nor could he put up with anybody else) so we’re probably not good comparisons on the marriage model.
I know tons of people love series… but like my ‘not liking to be known’ I also have things I don’t want to know… that I want revealed in a given book, so I get bored if there is too much overlap. In SERIAL books–one long story in increments–THAT works for me because the author can assume you started at the first. Series though… three is probably tops with a single protagonist.
I had a thought though on WHY so many mystery readers love series… Are those readers who possibly solve along with the protagonist? I’m not one of those, but I think a lot of mystery readers are, and I can see how that would go with liking a predictable solver.
Michele–Cute story about how you met! That’s funny that he has his own version of events!
I’m a big series fan, too. Love the Louise Penny series!
And you’re nice about the organization-thing. I’m running a post tomorrow about how much messing up I’ve done lately and how I’m trying to get better organized!
Kristen–I don’t think too far ahead in a series….I just write the first book then elaborate on the others later. Hope you give it a try!
Blogger Helen–I guess in some cases familiarity breeds contempt and that would be something to guard against.
Jane–I think you’d do a great job with series writing. As a reader, you know the pitfalls and you could avoid them in your writing.
Stephen–Y’all sound like a great couple!
Hart–I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with your analysis of mystery readers. We do usually like solving the crimes along with the detectives and their method is part of the reason why we like the books. I loved Miss Marple’s way of using personal observation to solve the puzzle–so I read all the Miss Marple books.
I don’t like my husband to read my mind, either–unless I’m irritated. :)
Karen–Oh, 14 years is nothing to sneeze at, either! Congratulations in advance!
There are many readers who get bored with series–a good reminder for those of us who write them! We’ve got to keep it interesting to keep our readers reading.
Carol–Good point! I remember Conan Doyle got absolutely sick of Sherlock Holmes and killed him off. And the readers made him bring him back!
Dorte–And you’ll be bringing a lot of reading experience to the table when you do! And you’re right–series are MUCH easier to write.
Julie–Thanks! You could compare it to a roommate or a family member, too…there are parts you love about them and parts that get on your nerves!
Elspeth–I agree! They change just like everyone else. And, if we get a little tired of them, we just change them around a bit!
I’m sorta conflicted about series books. In a way, I like them. Take Harry Potter, for example, great series—but the last book did drag in a couple of spots. Still, it’s nice a nice, comfortable feeling. Like visiting with old friends again and again. Like that.
Writing them could be good too– for a bit. Then, it might feel restrictive. I think overall, though, I prefer the freedom to write what I want. Yes, sorta me-centric, I know, but, I’m gonna be spending lots of time with a WIP, it better be something I enjoy fleshing out.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Jody–You know, I think mysteries and fantasies are the genres that make most sense to write as series. Oh, and YA. Romance…not so much. But I think Terry has made it work. You’re right, though–in a traditional romance, the conflict is all about the rift between the 2 lovers and getting them together in a satisfying way. It would be hard to duplicate that for a follow-up book.
Galen–You are so right! I’d be interested in doing a stand-alone, myself, but I don’t have the time. Maybe some time later on. I do really enjoy my characters….it wouldn’t be fun if I didn’t.
I’m on book two of Kitty MacDonald mysteries and I love it. I like reading them – it is like developing a nice long friendship – surprises and bumps along the way – but you’re in for the long haul. And it is scarier – what if they get killed off? I mean they could be and you know even your best friend wouldn’t tell you. I’m still a bit miffed with Elizabeth George (no I won’t say why -not the detective so relax)but that is because I’ve invested a lot of time and so has the writer. Yep, I like it.
Jan–Me too! I’m miffed at E.G., too! Maybe that’s what happens when writers get bored with their characters! :)
I remember the inordinate sense of security I would feel as a troubled kid when I picked up a new Hardy Boys book. I knew I could escape for a few hours with familiar friends in a new adventure. It’s one of the reasons I’m drawn toward writing series now.
As an aside, Elizabeth, I am grateful to be part of your writing community. Great group of friends and fellow scribes. I know you are careful to pay attention to all of them, all of us, that you can. You are my model for online community building.
Very good advice about series. (By the way, I met my wife at university too, a pattern seems to be emerging..)
Thanks, Martin! You know, I think it’s easiest to find a special someone at college. Same age group, same interest in education, etc. Much easier to find someone similar to ourselves…
Glen–Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. The writing community is one of my favorite parts of writing and has really given me a lot. I love to give back in small ways to it.
I read all the Hardy Boys, too–after going through the Nancy Drews. I thought Frank was kinda cool…