When my son gets hooked on a new series, it’s very exciting for me—I don’t have to research YA books for a little while! I’m so relieved to have something he’s thrilled to read that I’ll find the books however it takes—library, bookstore, or online retailer. He’s an avid reader, and a fast one, and he flies through books. I spend a lot of time online reading reviews and finding him books that I think he’ll like.
He read through the first book in about a day so I quickly requested the next two books from the library as soon as I saw that the series was a hit.
The second book? He got halfway through in a couple of hours…then I noticed the book was lying around the house a lot. He read it in the car on the way to middle school one morning, but when it was time for him to jump out of the car and head into the school, he left it on the seat. “Hey!” I said, rolling down the car window and waving the novel at him. “You forgot your book!”
“It’s okay,” he said, with a dismissive wave. Uh oh. Something wasn’t right with the book.
I always like to ask him what went wrong—for a few reasons. I like for him to think about what the writer did wrong…and improve his own writing skills. I also like to know if it sounds like the series is redeemable at all or if it’s hopeless (can I interest him in the next book, or do I need to go series shopping again?) And—I want to know what he thinks went wrong so I don’t make the same kind of mistake in my own series.
It turned out the series was a trilogy and the second book acted as sort of the saggy middle for the series. He said it was too long, repetitive, and had small periods of excitement, followed by long stretches of boredom.
My books don’t extend storylines from book to book in a major way—character development, obviously, is on a particular path. And there are subplots that carry from one book to the next. But the story itself is basically a stand-alone. My concern is usually just not boring old readers of the series with backstory while making sure that any new readers will know what’s going on.At some point, though, I might want to write a trilogy or a series with a continuing storyline.
I thought I’d share some great resources on series writing that I’ve collected. Hope they help:
Time flies—or crawls—in a series
How to write a series synopsis
Why you should write a series and some lessons from successful series writer Patricia Cornwell
Things to consider about writing series (especially if you don’t have an agent or publisher yet)
The importance of magic and wonder in a fantasy—and why series can ruin it.
What makes for a good series that lasts? (Margot Kinberg)
What do you look for in a series as a reader? How do you handle them as a writer?
Thanks for the links. I think all mystery writers are concerned about making a series that lasts. Especially if there is a character arc to it.
Your joy at your son finding a new series is not unique. Members discussed the issue over at Crimespace a few weeks ago, and all decided that they really liked to start a series when there were about seven books done. You know you have a lot to look forward to when you have that many books waiting.
An example of a good series would be the first five books of the Potter series. You didn’t have to have read the earlier books to enjoy whichever one you first picked up (though it helped), and each had a standalone end, which kept you waiting for the next, but not unsatisfied that there was no resolution.
Book 6 was an example of how not to write a series- it was almost like part one of the last book, and left you quite unsatiated.
Great post.
For me in a series you want your characters to remain strong, but evolve some. They have to have new people come into their lives while, of course, keeping the main sub-characters. Each book has to have a story all its own. It’s important to have threads back to previous stories but not make the new story half about the old.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Elizabeth – Thanks for those useful links. You raise some really interesting questions, too, about series writing. Developing characters, making sure plots can stand alone, and keeping the interest in a series alive are all very tricky things to do as a writer. As a reader, I do notice those things, though, and they are important to me.
A good series should be such that each book is sufficiently self-contained to make it meaningful to new readers, but also have the character development to make it interesting as a series. I used to read some really long series (like the Hardy Boys)when I was a kid, but not anymore.
Cold As Heaven
This is great. I was just thinking about a trilogy that works, and one that doesn’t. Works: Chelsea Cain’s ‘Gretchen Lowell’ series. Fast-moving plots in all three books, and spell-binding characters that continue on into her next series.
Doesn’t work: Stieg Larssen’s ‘Dragon Tattoo’ series. Now, anyone who has seen me comment on this series knows I love it. But in this case, the final book just doesn’t hang with the rest of the series. Maybe it’s b/c the author was trying to wrap everything up and didn’t put enough effort into a separate plot for the book. Maybe it’s because it’s unedited (the author died first). But no matter the reason, it doesn’t hang together.
Thanks for the links! I’ll be coming to you for boys’ reading ideas in a few years.
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
Elizabeth – Wow! I can’t believe I read your post and didn’t notice at first that you’ve included a link to one of my posts – Thanks! *blush* That means a lot to me.
Wow. Lots of places to go for great information. I haven’t yet written a series, but I have ideas, so I really need this kind of guidance. Thanks.
I would say there are two types of series out there and you much approach them as a reader and a writer differently.
First you have the Stand-alone-story-with-the-same-charater series where you can pick up any book in the series and not feel that you are missing anything. Most mysteries ( like Elizabeth’s) fall into this category, as well many straight fiction series like Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series.
The second type would be the Multi-volume Saga in which the story of the successive books is hinged upon the events of the prior books. Many of these books have intricately woven plots that you can’t just jump into because giving a new reader the amount of information required would kill the pace for existing readers. Basically, if I see Book 3 of X series, I’m probably not going to buy the book figuring I’m entering in the middle of the story. But if that book is sufficiently intriguing, I will search out Book 1. Seriously, are you going to read Lord of the Rings by starting with the Two Towers? It just won’t make any sense. ( I know LOTR was intended as one long volume, but it is not published that way.) Fantasy series seem especially prone to this type of writing – Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series is heading toward book 13 – which makes it difficult for even long time readers to keep track of what has/is happening.
Readers of these genres know the difference between these two types series and know how to approach them. The problem becomes if the writer suddenly changes the series type mid stream or if the series type is somehow misreperesented.
Fine post about the dangers of keeping your beloved characters alive. My Danish manuscript is a stand-alone which can be continued if any publisher wants it. But with my English cosy, I have created a couple I think my readers will expect to meet again. They are not married, but ready to be – which means they can move to a new village and encounter new crimes. So this time I am pretty sure I have created a frame that will make it easy to move on to new stories about Primrose & Rhapsody.
I like a series that follows a character or group, giving them room to grow and change.
Thank you for these marvelous links, Elizabeth! Writing a series takes a special sort of talent, and, I have discovered, massive organizational skills. (I’m not so sure about having the talent, but I’m working on the skills!)
I really prefer a series where it has to be read in order and there is something BIG linking one to the next, but each really DOES need its own contained plot anyways. I just get really impatient if the books seem too much the same, and they can, if there isn’t movement through them.
Thanks for the links! I bookmarked the page, because I will need these, even though today I don’t have time to go through them all.
I’m a series writer! These links will be so helpful for me. Thank you.
CD
I haven’t tried writing a series, though I’d like to someday. When I’m reading a series, I want small reminders of the previous book or books but not a lot of backstory. I guess I’m looking for the same good storytelling, but with the characters caught up in a new plot.
Rayna–That’s a good observation. I know exactly what you’re talking about with the next-to-last Potter book…it really wasn’t a satisfying read at the time. Now, I guess, for kids who are just discovering the series and can read them one immediately after the other, it won’t make as much difference if there are cliffhangers. But it sure did at the time!
The Daring Novelist–I think I’m at my *happiest* as a reader when I suddenly discover a new author–and she has a million books out! I remember finding MC Beaton’s books and being so excited.
Cold As Heaven–I wouldn’t have pegged you as a Hardy Boys reader! I read HB and Nancy Drew, too. With just a couple of exceptions, I don’t read series that are that long anymore, either.
Mason–It’s a tough balance, isn’t it?
Margot–Tricky is right!
Ike–Yes! Good points. There are definitely two types of series–self-contained and sagas. And you gave a good example with Lord of the Rings. There’s no WAY a reader could just hop into the middle of that story and know what was going on.
I do try to have some small bits to continue out through my series, but it’s definitely more on the character development or subplot end of things. I see some genre fiction series writers with romantic interest subplots Deborah Crombie’s police procedurals come to mind. Although a reader might be a little confused if they read book 7 and then read book 2 and then book 5, they could quickly figure out that the police partners end up getting involved romantically.
But any time that a writer who writes a stand-alone series suddenly makes a major plot point continue between books…you’re right. That’s a mess!
Michele–I’m with you on that! I loved book one of Larssen’s books (although it could have used editing…not his fault, I know), but I couldn’t get into book 2–and it sounds like book 3 fell apart a little.
Margot–Great post! And right on target with the thoughts on successful series.
Carol–Hope it helps!
Alex–I like that, too. Sometimes character development is a little more realistic if it’s over the space of a few books, I think.
Hart–You’re right. I think that’s what happened with the book my son was reading. He finally finished it, but he’s been in no hurry for me to pick up book 3.
Clarissa–You’re so welcome!
Jane–That’s usually what I like, as a reader, too. My memory isn’t great, so I do need some small reminders. But I don’t want a ton of backstory, either.
I think a continuing series would be difficult. My books were stand alones because I didn’t want my readers to feel out of place if they started in the middle.
Dorte–That’s the fun part–getting to know characters throughout a series. I love your characters’ names!
Diane–That’s the way I feel, too. Of course, with the books that I write, that’s not even an option.
Elspeth–The organizational aspect is huge! I have lots of cheat sheets and I don’t even have any continuation with the plot. :)
I love a good series because once I get invested in the characters, there’s more to read! Your son hit on exactly what bugs me about some series though. The middle book should not sag! Each book has to amp up things a bit more, raise the stakes, impress the reader even more. That is why a good series is hard to come by.