I’ve mentioned before that I have a tough time keeping my teenage son in books. He reads quickly, he’s always reading, and he’s a picky reader. It’s tough.
One of his favorite series is the Ranger’s Apprentice series. He reads all the books in John Flanagan’s series over and over again.
Finally, on April 19th, there was a new release in the series. I’d pre-ordered the book and got it as soon as it was available. Unfortunately, as I was ordering it, I saw that the book (book 10 in the series) marked the end of the series. The author was embarking on a new series, which is to launch in the fall.
Apparently, I shouldn’t have told my son that he was reading the final book in the series. He kept saying, “Mom, all I keep thinking about is that this is the last book! Why would he do that? Aren’t the books selling?” (He’s pretty aware of the importance of sales, with a mom in the biz.)
The series is a New York Times bestselling series…poor sales isn’t the reason. I’m sure that Penguin/Philomel would probably be delighted to publish as many books in the series as John Flanagan wanted to write.
I tried to locate an online interview with Flanagan to hear his reason for ending the series, but couldn’t find one. I decided to placate my son by telling him the reasons that I could imagine that an author would want to end a popular series (most times the publisher wants to end a series, not the writer). To my son, it was like he’d lost his fictional friends.
I don’t know why John Flanagan ended his series, but I can imagine reasons that authors decide to call it quits:
The characters have all been completely explored and there’s not much more room for growth.
The author wants to finish the series while it’s still popular.
Possible storylines during brainstorming sessions don’t seem as sound or interesting as previous ones (quality control).
Lack of inspiration or new direction.
Wanting a new challenge, new setting, and new characters to explore (boredom…or just an exciting new idea that won’t let go.)
What are your thoughts on when series should end? If you’re writing a series, what would make you end a series and start a different project?
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It’s very disturbing, when we find out a favorite series is ending. The characters become like family, someone to love and hate. :) But maybe the next series will be for loving and reading too.
Elizabeth – Interesting question! You’ve given some really good reasons to end a series, too. I think the one that best matches why I’d end a series is a new idea that won’t let go. When an idea really takes hold, it’s probably worth exploring…
I’m actually doing the opposite – I’ve requested rights back to my 2 Pine Hills Police books so that I can self-publish them and (I hope) re-ignite some interest. But scuttlebutt has it that 3 books would be better than 2, so I’m going back to a series I hadn’t planned to revisit and working on a third.
As a reader, I know that someday JD Robb’s In Death series will end, and I try not to think about it.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
This is basically a rewording of your points, but perhaps he’s done what he wanted to do. He had a plot and he’s finished it fully and tied up every loose end. Perhaps, since it’s been 10 books, he’s done that once, maybe twice already. He stopped it simply because that is the end.
My son loves this series, but will probably also love his new series too! Thanks for the forewarning. :)
With a fantasy series, especially a children’s fantasy, the author often plans out the whole arc of the series in advance. (Like a trilogy, only with more books.)
Sometimes they sell that whole series as a unit before the first becomes so famous, even.
By the time the final books are on the market, they have literally moved on.
Aside from that one, I think you nailed the reasons most writers would end a series. However I think I would simply let the series go for a while and leave it open to write more later.
It’s always a disappointment when a series is finished but no doubt authors have very good reasons for doing so. I still remember being disappointed as a young child when one of my favourite characters no longer appeared in the serial. I was ten years old at the time so my heart goes out to the son.
It’s sad when a series ends. (Although Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonrider series may never end!) Once I hit Book V of my series, I was done. It was so tough to write that last one, I knew I just couldn’t continue.
All things must pass – George Harrison. Writers need to explore other avenues. After my trilogy I have a couple non-Chase Manhattan books outlined. Then I’ll come back to him. There is only so much you can do with a character.
I think that sometimes the author just gets tired of the same characters and is eager to move on to others. I remember Dennis Lehane saying that about his series that he stopped to write Mystic River and then Shutter Island. At the time, he said he didn’t know when he might do another book about Patrick & Angie, and I was excited when his latest was released that featured the husband and wife investigative team.
I know I will write my new series until Angel and Sarah are no longer people I want to hang around with every day.
I love the thinking on this. I think it must be so hard for the writer when their characters become ‘public property’ and people are so outraged with whatever changes the actual writer might make! Funny. I got so mad at Elizabeth George for killing off a favorite character that I’ve barely read her again. And I think I’m a sensible person!
I’m glad to have time to visit again now that the aTOz is done!
I never planned on a series, so I’ll probably end it quickly!
Laura–I bet they will. I’m glad the author is so prolific!
Teresa–I’m sure his next series will be great, too. I hope so! I’m planning to pre-order it, too.
Margot–And it’s more fun to explore something new sometimes, too.
Diane–He’s honestly crushed! Quite a testament to the series. :) I remember when I went all through the Trixie Belden books and then there was either a HUGE lag between books (and I was getting older), or else the writer wanted a break.
Diane–I can imagine with a long series you just have to dig deeper, and deeper, and then at some point there’s just nothing else there.
Terry–From what I see, most genre books are sold in series of 3, so I try to think in those terms. And then, when the series are extended, it’s usually another 3 books.
I’ve got my favorite series, too. I’m going to be sad when MC Beaton is done with Hamish Macbeth.
Stephen–It’s true. And we’re creative people, so we’re always thinking about new ideas.
Alex–I have to think there’s got to be something nice about ending a series on the *writer’s* terms, too. Having completed what you wanted to complete and then you’re done. And leaving the series while it was successful meant he had more leverage with a new series.
Jan–Isn’t it funny? My son is reasonable, too (well, most of the time), and he acted like this author had deprived him of his friends!
The Daring Novelist–And the fact that so many writers think in terms of 3 books–so they’re maybe not even prepared, creatively, to stretch out past a trilogy.
I like the idea of picking an old series back up again. Even after a couple of years, I think ideas could really start flowing again.
Alex–You might be surprised! Sometimes characters insist on having more books written. :)
As a reader I always want to go scream at a tree when a series ends but as a writer…ya got to know when to hold ’em…know when to fold ’em!
Great post, I always learn so very much over here.
God bless ya and enjoy your day sweetie!!!
Fascinating post. I’m writing a series and it has an end, but as I get more attached to the characters I wonder if I won’t still want to write more after that point.
I think the time to end a series would be the primary reason you suggested – the author’s exhaustion of the characters.
This question is complex though – there are many possibilities. In this current economic climate, the main reason for this particular author was probably financial.
Good question! I just finished my series (only three, but still an ending) and I did it because the protag’s story was over. Continuing past that just seemed unfair to her. It was time to let her have some peace.
I’m in the early stages of writing 2 series. One will be only 4 books; that’s what’s planned and what fits the theme for the quartet, though I might write more another time, and I do have a few short story/novelette ideas.
The other, I can easily see hitting 10 books, which is daunting. I have clear plans for 6 books, with gaps where more can readily fall into place.
However, even with that series, I have the first book written, and I have a clear idea for what the last book will be. I just don’t know how many books will go in-between, though I’m sure there will be some time-jumping involved.
I just discovered the Ranger’s Apprentice books this year and love them. I read the first one to my class and they LOVED it! :) So sad to hear the series is ending.
I’m a series reader – I have a hard time letting go & get so sad when the series ends!
I like Sue Grafton’s idea to use the alphabet (hey, sounds familiar). Once she gets to Z, it’s time for a new character and a new series. I suppose an author can get tired of writing it. Isn’t that what happened to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? He was done writing about Sherlock.