How Not to Write a Series
FYI: This is a RANT.
I will grant you that I’m probably the least qualified to tell you how to write a series, being that I have only completed two manuscripts and they are not related to each other at all. But I am an avid reader and collector of series, and I do have an opinion about it. I can tell you what irks me as a reader…and some of the writer stuff that I see going on that totally boggles my mind.
Here’s a list of the crap that irks me most.
1.) Authors who don’t know when to stop—or their publisher doesn’t. Whoever…one of them can’t say no to the cash cow series and the author begins rehashing scenes she used in the first books, hoping no one notices. Believe me, everyone notices. And you know who I’m talking about.
2.) All the beloved characters keep doing the same stupid crap. I mean, these are real people, and real people do keep doing the same stupid crap, like the rat that doesn’t learn if it keeps pushing the lever, it’ll keep getting shock therapy. After all, once upon a time, it got a pellet…maybe there will be another pellet. There hasn’t been a pellet since book one. At book 16, it ceases to be amusing. Let the rat die already. Surely somebody learned the Big Lesson by book 16. Give us and the character some credit. Again, you know who I’m talking about.
3.) Clearly ending a series at the right place is damned tricky and few people manage it. The ones who do manage it are ones who pull it off within the first three to four books. By the time you make it to book ten, the expectations are so high, it’s practically impossible to exit now without major damage. Do you really want a Seinfeld fiasco? St. Elsewhere? LOST? No. No one wants that. And yet some authors who have let their series slide into some I-70 tractor trailer accident, where four ambulances and two fire trucks couldn’t save it, continue to beat their dead horse of a series and then end the series on a whimper…or worse, an infuriated yell from the reader who has burnt the entire series in a fit of rage and vows never to buy this author’s books again. Again, you know who I’m talking about.
So I think the golden rule of writing papers applies with series. The Magic 3. Three is the ideal number for a series. Most people can commit to a threesome, and it fits nicely on their shelves. Committing to a “twenty-some” (as some of my beloved series are rapidly speeding towards) is becoming unwieldy and I find myself becoming more and more disgruntled with some of the stories within the series. “This is ridiculous! This was obvious filler! This told me nothing about the overall plot!”
Frankly, if I’m noticing that, I wasn’t that keen about the characters starring either.
I might even be willing to commit to four or five in a series. Still doable; still likely to be satisfying. Author is still apt to tie up loose ends and keep the character arcs going so we can see the true growth of the characters throughout the books. Not so much in the “twenty-some”, especially if we’re dealing with one main character, rather than switching off to another main character but in the same “world”. Usually around book 7 or so, I start getting twitchy because the character is purposely not growing…and I have to read her same goofy madcap bullcrap for another 300 pages. And it looks like it’s been lifted straight out of the first books. I feel like I’ve paid another $5 for a Happy Meal that I already ate. Hello. My memory is bad but it’s not that bad.
So I'm saying this to all my would-be series writers and those authors (you know who you are): Too much of a good thing is quite, quite possible. Don’t let us gorge on ALL the double-stuff, triple-chocolate ice cream cupcakes for as long as we want. Cut us off because there will come a point that we go: “This doesn’t taste as good as the first cupcake.” Of course it doesn’t. Go to a Weight Watchers meeting and the first thing you learn is nothing tastes as good as the first bite. No cigarette tastes as good as the first drag. And Pepsi tastes good only for the first long draw—after that, it kinda coats your tongue and makes you wish you’d gotten water instead.
Stick with the rule of three. Maybe five. (Hell, if you’re as good as J.K. Rowling, you could even do a seven!) But don’t do a twenty. No one wants to participate in that orgy.
What irks you most about series books? What do you enjoy most about them? What is your favorite series of books to read? What new series book are you most anticipating?
Books by the Crew
73 comments:
Wonderful blog especially in light of, well you know who I'm talking about.
My irk is that some authors lose focus on why they have rockstar status. They reached that status by creating characters that readers love. Those characters,and the plot lines keep the readers enthralled. When an author becomes all about the cash cow, they become over confident and sloppy. They don't take into consideration the investment the reader has in the series, or the anticipation they hold in the next release. It makes for a disgruntled fandom when fans point out mistakes in book after book that an editor should have caught. If your readers know your series and characters better than you do it's time to call it a day. If you take a series beyond the five book mark have a flawless piece of work to set on the shelf.
My next anticipated series installment is Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas. It's the next book in the Hataways series. I also look forward to the next book in Candace Camp's Bridal series. Both books are to be released in the fall.
Well, you've helped me out here, because I realized over the weekend that what I'm writing now could be the first of a series. I was wondering----3 or 4? Three it is, and I even have the titles.
I have stopped buying multi-multi-books.The Kinsey Milhone (Sue Grafton) books come to mind. I mean, 26??? But then I've read some great stuff---Jo Beverley's Rogues, for instance. Balogh's Bedwyns before she started dragging every acquaintance they ever knew into the books (I guess that might serve as one of your examples of too much of a good thing). They're still well-written, but...
Depending on the author, when the old characters are forced to trot out to be charming and still shagging every second, it sometimes seems forced. It's nice to see old favorites again, but the likelihood of anybody living happily ever after is iffy.
I admit to not being a huge fan of series books. I like if they are loosely linked but I get annoyed if I have to wait too long for my HEA.
I think the series that do well are the ones that show character growth. HP is a great great example. The events of the story intersected with his adolescent growth. It kept me reading because I could relate with him, minus the magic, of course.
I think Colleen Gleason is doing a great job with her Gardella Vampire series as well.
I think some series (you know who you are) get caught up in throwing their characters into plot driven situations and the character stops growing, as if they are trapped in some sort of personality vacuum.
It's annoying.
I'm still reeling from the shock you willing used the word "cupcake" in this blog.
I used to like series but they were the series Maggie mentioned. It's not the same two or three characters over and over again, it's new h/h everytime and the cast tends to stay the same. I loved the Rogues series, but it was good because there was a tiny bit of a mystery that ran through the first five or so. Even now (how many are we up to now?) there is still a touch of the original thread but that is also the trouble.
You see, I can't read as much as I used to and with every dang author writing series, I could never keep up. So when I hear some raving about a new book and then learn it's 2nd or 3rd in a series, I just get irritated and end up never reading any of them.
You see, I hate to pick up somewhere in the middle. I won't even watch a movie if I've missed the first 15 or 20 minutes. So just write books that can stand on their own and stop forcing us to make a choice between reading all or nothing.
Oh, and I have never had the desire to write connected stories. I guess I like everything wrapped up in a neat little package. Then I move to the next story.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed the 'cupcake' reference. Anyone mind if I take one out and stomp it in the dirt?
If I hear one more person belittle opinions about, well you know what I'm talking about, because apparently disgruntled readers are mad they can't "worship at the alter of Ranger" (I don't make this stuff up pirates. I didn't even get my chance to elevate Ranger to God status. We all know he's a sex god, but still... I'm sad it wasn't me.) I will piss in someone's cornflakes.
*I* am a fan of series'. I read a lot of series. Mostly paranormal. Lara Adrain. JR Ward. Gena Showalter. Vicki Petterssen. Rachel Vincent. Tanya Huff. And last, but certainly not least, Kim Harrison (who's writing alter I do worship at). I think I'm missing a few here. That doesn't surprise me.
But don't get me wrong. I read romance series' as well and just like Lisa, I can't wait until Seduce Me at Sunrise comes out this fall. I wait impatiently for Eloisa's new books to come out. Villers, anyone? Okay, so I still love Mayne. So sue me.
But I'm not a fan of the 'beating it into the ground until it's pulp' method of writing a series. I am a series writer (or at least I hope I will be) but I will have my HEA sooner rather than later. I can see six books easily. Kim Harrison is running on a continous plot line and book seven will be out next Feb/Mar. And I'm no where NEAR tired of it. If anything else, it just keeps getting better. But is it just as easy to write RS for that amount of books as urban fantasy, I don't think so. Harder to keep the reader interest, IMHO.
I also read Pamela Clare, but she's got a whole third person POV, I-Team series going on that I hope last more than 6 books.
I like series that are written in the third person. I just can't write them. LOL.
Lisa: I think once upon a time I read Candace Camp. Are the Bridal series good then? They women's fiction?
I don't think it's always the editors responsibility to catch every single thing; I think it's lazy writing on the writer's part if they expect that sort of thing. But considering how hard it is to break into the business (never mind KEEP GOING), it's rather irksome to read a novel of a beloved series and go, "WTF?"
Granted, this probably brings up a whole other dimension: REALITY VS FICTION. (Shut up, Terri.) We're mad because characters are living in a vacuum, when, well, they're characters. They don't exist. (*I do believe in Ranger, I do, I do, I do*) So why are we so upset? Why can't we let ourselves be entertained? Do we actually expect MORE from fictional people than real people around us? Is that the function of commercial fiction--to give us the MORE we don't get in the day-to-day?
I've almost given up on JE. Like I might do with JR Ward once I read Lover Enshrined today. Unless Rehv is enough of a badass to keep me reading for his book. Then I might hold out. I mean, purple eyes, a mohawk and a hankering for all things rough.. I'm totally in love.
Maggie: I'm with you on the beloved characters being bounced out to show they're still happy and shagging. The Bridgertons seem to do this with remarkable zeal, and I think this is why I was so tired of them by the end, even though the characters and dialogue were, as always, engaging. It just seemed...too non-dysfunctional. Too many non-dysfunctional people in one large setting is enough to irk anyone!
I like 3 because it's an ODD number. Things look better in papers in ODD numbers--remember learning that? 3 was the magic number, but if you were going to have more than 3 points, then you needed to make it FIVE. Four didn't seem to cut it. *LOL*
I hope they let you keep your titles!
Marnee: I agree about Gleason's books, though she did say very specifically she always had an END book; and that she plotted out in advance basically what the character growth would be overall in each book so it would show the characters weren't caught in a vacuum...that we weren't reading filler.
It's those open-ended series. I love-love-love the Dark-Hunter series, but I find myself more and more disgruntled when every third book or so is less than stellar. Is it because I except so much of Ms. Kenyon or is it because she picked characters who mean absolute jack and who I could give a rip about--PLUS she didn't really reveal anything new in which I could take away to add to the Hunter Universe? Or is it both? It's probably both.
I think Acheron's book might be the last Dark-Hunter book I buy for a while. I think the newest books will be scoped and if they're worth collecting, then I will. Though I hate only owning PART of a collection. (However, with She Who Must Not Be Named, I'm very tempted to skip owning her last two books...and hope with her final book she summarizes satisfactory, so I can at least have an END book to the series. Hope springs eternal.)
You lost me at mohawk. *sigh* I don't know how y'all read those. I know, they have a HUGE following and I shouldn't knock it until I've tried it, but I picked one up in the store once and couldn't get past that gangsta speak or whatever that is supposed to be. There's no way I could read an entire book of that.
Then again, JR is not losing anything by not having me as a reader. LOL!
Now to shock Hellion - I think by not having the fictional characters change AT ALL (as in Sin's example) is what makes them less realistic. Sure, regular REAL people do stupid things, but even we stop at some point. Or at least most of us do.
The point is these are supposed to be heroes and heroines that we want to pull for. There may be people who never change and never learn in real life, but they aren't people we'd care enough about to watch and pull for. From what I understand with JE, she's trying to make time stand still. I saw her say in an interview, Steph will never get any older. I'm sorry, that may work for Bart Simpson, but it's not going to work in this realm IMHO.
Terri: I'm back on WW. I was having a cupcake moment. Not a Cupcake moment. And I have but one word for you: PURIST.
Uhm...anyone know what Hellion is talking about? LOL! Purist about what?
Don't play. You know exactly what I'm talking about.
Sin, you're like a coke addict. You're never going to give up. You're going to come back for the next hit. That's what they're depending on.
I think urban fantasy is a little easier to keep going with a series...BUT...well, maybe not. I was thinking there are more variables...more unknowns than "real life romantic suspense". However, Kenyon's series is urban fantasy...and in 3rd POV--and every third book or so is filler.
Damn, I'm really out of the loop because I haven't a clue what "author" all of you are referring to.
Great topic, Hellion.
I hate when a the author runs a series into the ground, too...it's like a never-ending bad soap opera. Blah! Another thing that I hate is when an author creates a series, but only puts her great work into the first novel, and the dazzle never shows up in the rest of the series. I can get past the second book in the series not being great or good for that matter, but by the third novel, it really pisses me off to spend my money. A few authors come to mind on this one.
I agree Hellion, editors shouldn't be expected to catch every little thing, but when it's facts as blantantly obivious as the lay out of the Rangeman building, or Stephanie's Mom's name changing from Helen to Ellen,you have to give credit where credit is due. Just as I said earlier, an author should call it a day, and hang it up before they discredit every good thing about the series.
Candace Camp is a wonderful writer, and a terrific lady. She always answers emails personally, and takes the time to answer all writing questions throughly. I think she would be an awesome blog guest. *g*
I was wrong her latest series is the Matchmaker Series. The Wedding Challenge will be released in Sept.
1. The Marriage Wager (2007)
2. The Bridal Quest (2008)released in March.
3. The Wedding Challenge (2008)
4. The Courtship Dance (2009)
Her website is www.candace-camp.com
Misty, I'm totally with you. The first novel ALWAYS shines, is the most awesome, and you're foaming at the mouth for the next one...and like 8 times out of 10 you're like, "WHAT? Where is my shiny new series I had such hope for? What gives?" And with you, SEVERAL authors come to mind. *LOL*
Lisa: OMG, I'm a dumbass...her name actually changed from Helen to Ellen? Did I even notice this? You see I'm really focused on that family. You'd THINK JE would have written that down somewhere. I remember being annoyed that in one book, her and Morelli played train at age 6 and 8 respectively, but in the next book, they were like 8 and 10 or something. It was the WRONG age...though both times, utterly disgusting. The pervy little bas....
Oh yeah her name totally changed, and it was explained as a senior moment. *eye roll*
Ranger would have never played train with Steph in the series, and if he had Morelli would have interrupted or it would have been described as they were in the garage, and then they were done.
Whose senior moment? Janet's or Helen's? *eyeroll*
Morelli makes me rethink my favorable stance on rakes and rogues. He makes me ill, and what is he really? He's a rake. That's all. A pervy, sex-crazed rake...but he makes my skin crawl.
It's almost as if you want to take the series away from her and let someone who cares write it. I understand that everyone makes mistakes, but you have to think that story goes past several eyes before they hit print. SOMEONE should be paying attention.
*grins* That IS what she's saying, Terri. Aren't you listening?
Granted, even JK Rowling wasn't perfect in her HP series. Plot holes galore, things unexplained, the occasional character detail that left you going "But that's not what you said in the last book" and even the book within the series you could have lived without (for me, Book 5, though it does have its moments and was enjoyable; I think some people would have skipped book 1 or 2 and gone straight to the nitty-gritty). For all authors and all series, there is always going to be that ONE book where you go, "Eekk..." and yes, you have to cut some slack for the occasional screwed up detail (esp if it's not that "important" of a detail. Though I'd think a MOTHER'S name of a main character would matter more...call me mental.) However, JK Rowling stopped at 7 books. And the cronic complaining I have with the series is that only about half the books are truly exciting, show true growth and development...and it's esp annoying when the author presented an excellent, current, relevant book the year or so before...but her last two efforts are complete tossers. It really does feel like she doesn't care about the series or her readers...or even writing anymore. I feel dissed. *LOL* And never mind that eye-opening interview. No one ever grows up or dies or what have you? Then why am I bothering?
At least Harry died!
I agree about growth and development. If the story arc for one character spans books, they better grow during those books.
I don't mind if books are intertwined, like Julia Quinn's Bridgertons. There weren't any plots that were left hanging at the end of any of the books, so I felt like they were each seperate stories.
And don't mess about Harry, Hellion. You know how I feel about him.
I would feel complete if we got one great in detail sex scene of Ranger, I don't care if it's with Ella, I want details of the man in action.
Out of 14 books we get the nondescript love scene in HE. In 14 the sticky smug Morelli love nearly sent me into a diabetic coma. Enough already, just let Ranger get laid once.
P.S. Let me clarify, I could probably handle the sex always on the brain bit if he wasn't skeevy and pervy.
Lisa, Lisa: Sex is not character growth! Don't give the Cupcakes ammunition. I am annoyed that Morelli is a skeezy, pervy man's man with sex always on the brain...with a past that even the Earl of Mayne would have said, "God, didn't you have any standards?"...and now because he commits all his skeevy, pervy come-ons to Steph, we're supposed to think he's a changed man worthy of marriage. Then I have to listen to Steph's inner dialogue about Ranger being "WOW" but "I can't go there because I love Morelli" and I have to wonder "WHY do you love Morelli? Exactly WHY is he so great because it's never really clear when she goes on and on about him eating chips on the sofa in the living room. When he wants her barefoot and pregnant and nearly strokes out every time she goes out on a case?" Morelli seems to want a different Stephanie; and Stephanie seems to want the path of least effort. I can't really admire either character.
But clearly, according to the cupcakes, I'm wrong. Which is fine. Someone better be happy with this new book because otherwise she's not getting any money out of it. *LOL*
Character arcs and growth development! That should have been my topic than my sadly unconcealable rant.
I love series. I have a lot on my keeper shelves. Jo Beverley's Rogues, Mary Balogh's Bedwyns, Mary Jo Putney's Fallen Angels, Eloisa James's multiple series, Lisa Kleypas' wallflowers, Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and SEP's Chicago Stars. I also love seeing old favorites in the later books. One of my favorite SEP's is "Match Me If You Can" and I think a lot of it is the interaction between all the characters from the previous books. I'm also really, really looking forward to Robyn Carr's continuation of the Virgin River books. I do appreciate seeing the characters that came together in books one and two dealing with marriage stuff - pregnancy, infertility, etc.
That being said... the big thing that I require and that makes all of these books and series work for me is that each book has a beginning, middle and HEA end! And the original characters that show up in the future books add to the stories and aren't just filler.
So, I like series, but I Definitely (with a capital D) do not think I would like a series where the end of each book left you hanging and there were no resolutions or HEA. I would feel like I was being strung along and I would stop reading that particular author. Now, I never say never, so if someone I trusted recommended a set of books to me and told me to hang in there, I would try. In fact, my sister is still pushing the JD Robb "In Death" series and I'm almost reading to jump in, but I'm still very hesitant. I'm a person who needs closure!
Even I haven't jumped on board with the "in death" series and it's been pushed on me for the past several years. I'm not a Nora fan. I'm just not. I admire the hell outta the woman. Can't read her work.
Technically (and I do mean that loosely) the JE books do have closure about the "murder" each book features. However, she repeatedly says that she doesn't write because her mysteries can particularly twisty or unsolvable. (I can solve them; and if I can solve your mystery, then you need to rethink your writing focus.) She writes about characters, which is great...so you have an on-going family and relationship drama, which is great, so long as you stay true to the characters. I think the worst thing I heard is that one of the side characters wasn't acting true to the person she'd been designed as. I mean, sure Stephanie is playing house and "I have the hots for Ranger, but I lurve Morelli" routine. That's typical anymore...but then her other characters started acting weird. And not themselves. And not authentic.
It's like people who write funny anymore think you can't be authentic... (I mean, some romantic comedies come to mind lately)...but why can't you be funny AND authentic? Is it just harder or what?
I've heard good-good things about the JD Robb series!
I just figured something out. I've been crazy busy this morning at work (should really be working right now!) and keep thinking it's Wednesday. So all this time I've been thinking Sin wrote this blog. LMAO!! OMG, I need to start drinking again.
And the purist comment now makes sense. *sigh*
Anybody considered the idea that JE is not the sole writer of these anymore? Not trying to accuse anyone of anything horrible as I've only read the first book and I have no proof of anything, but from what y'all say, it almost sounds like someone different is writing these more recent ones.
And Lisa - I'm sure Ranger is getting laid. I'd say the number is in the thousands....
I love being mistaken for leggy gorgeous brunettes who'd as soon run you over with her car than look at you. Thank you!
We'd have to disagree about Ranger getting laid bit. Sin made a good point. To have sex requires a certain amount of trust, and Ranger is not a trusting sort.
No, to fall in love takes trust. To screw somebody takes a minor acquaintance.
I disagree.
You would.
I am a series fan and have been since I started reading. I agree that trilogies often seem to work best, but I don't think three is magical. I'm glad that Nora Roberts went to #4 with her Quinn and MacKade brothers, and if she were still writing MacGregor books, I'd still happily be reading them, even though there are eleven in the series. And I am delighted that EJ is giving us six in her current series, and I hope to be reading about Jo Bev's Rogues and Mallorens for years to come.
On the other hand, I also agree that some series become boring and repetitious. But since one author whose series seems to me to be the same story rewritten endlessly with only changes in names and hair and eye color to indicate a new book continues to sell well to fans who beg for more, clearly my opinion is not shared by all readers.
Such sass on the boat today. :)
Janga - this occurred to me while reading the comments today. In most books where past characters make cameos, those characters seem less real in their secondary roles to me. But in Nora's series, all the characters retain their...I'm not sure what word to use...realness maybe? They just never feel like a cardboard character floating around in the background of the story. They are still as real as they were when I was reading in their POV.
I wonder how she does that so well? Practice I'm thinking. LOL!
We are sassy. *LOL*
And I suspect I know who Janga is talking about...and though I'm one of the rabid fans, I'm beginning to get to the point where "What? This AGAIN?"
Terri, one of my favorite scenes ever in a romance is the scene between Anna and Cam in Chesapeake Blue. The relationship between them as a long-married couple is as vital and substantive as it was in the early stages of love. Nora conveys all this in just a few pages. She is a marvel, and her books are great textbooks for those of us struggling to write contemporary romances.
Exactly. I think that's why it's impossible not to read every book in her series. She makes you fall in love with every character, secondary and primary, so that you can't NOT read the other books. And each one is so unique in their own way. Those brothers were very different yet it didn't feel like she was following stereotypes. They felt as real as if they were standing before me.
Though guys like that are never anywhere in my vicinity in real life. LOL! I haven't read a Nora book in a long time and now I want to read one. However, I'm reading Kleypas right now and feeling very inadequate. Reading Nora could stifle me for good.
Janga, Terri, please describe what appeals to you about Nora's writing. I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't skim.
Lisa - I'm not sure what it is. As I just mentioned, it just feels completely real. It really is a matter of taste and we can't all love the same things.
Which of her books have you read? The stand alones are good but the more you read them, the better you get at figuring out the who-dun-it part before the end. So that takes a bit away.
Have you tried any of the family series?
I can't remember the series. I think they had Dream in the title. I like Eve and Roarke in the In Death series, but became bored after the second book. I can't imagine reading 20 plus books in that series.
You're so right, to each his own:)
Lisa, it's dangerous to ask me such a question. I recently turned in a 15,000+ word essay on NR. :)
My favorite NR books are her series. My first Nora book was All the Possibilities, the third in the MacGregor series. I knew these characters--their histories, their vulnerabilities, their strengths. This was before she had published any single titles, and I was amazed at how rich her characterization was in such a limited number of pages. I don't know another writer who has consistently over decades and in an incredible number of books achieved a comparable level of characterization.
She also does the best "guy talk" of any writer I know, and yet she can also do great girl talk scenes. There is one scene in Jewels of the Sun where Jude, Darcy, and Brenna have a sort of grown-up slumber party that will make most women smile in recognition.
Have you tried the Chesapeake Bay books? Or the Born in trilogy? Or the Ardmore books?
Ok, so Janga went into a little more detail. But I knew she would and that's why I didn't say much. :)
Oddly enough, I have no desire to read the JD Robb books. Though my sister is a huge Nora fan and has started them. I'd much rather stick to the Nora books.
And if you didn't like the Dream series, this author is not for you. I LOVED that series. It's perfect Nora.
Janga, I haven't tried the series you've mentioned. I read a couple of the In Death books abd the Dream series after a recommendation. I had huge expectations of her before I ever opened the cover on one of her books, and when I was disappointed I moved on. It's not her characers I become bored with, it is mainly her plots. They aren't page turners for me. But I appreciate the insight.Maybe like Terri said, Nora isn't for me:)
Doesn't she have a witch series? My mama got me one for my birthday years ago (she's a huge Nora fan) and I read two pages and never went back. There's something about her story telling that I can't get into. Her voice maybe? I dunno. I can't honestly say I'm a huge contemporary romance fan either. Maybe that's way I don't get her. *shrugs shoulder* To each their own. I love darkness in my books. About losing control. But her "in death" doesn't appeal to me either.
I'm a big contemporary fan, but not a fan of Nora's voice. Which is probably good because she has like a billion books and I'd never be able to shelve them all if I did get into her. (I remember one of my dates bringing me a Nora Roberts book for a date present rather than flowers. Sweet, huh? *LOL*)
Wow. That's a sweet gesture. You didn't break his heart by telling him, "Thanks but no thanks" did you? LOL
*makes note that none of the pirates are going to like my book*
And you have a different voice from Nora.
Yes, well. You're not gonna like mine either. LOL
If a date offered me a nice book, I would send him away and curl on the couch with said book...No wonder why I'm single....And yeah sometimes a book is better than sex..it lasts longer, you can go back to the good part, or hurl it across the room when it doesn't meet your expectations....never managed to do that with a guy...
And I like Nora..at least I liked the few books I've read by her...
Trust me, I in no way claim to be just like Nora. But I write the same *type* of story. LOL!
And why would I not like yours? I do read RS. And I love your voice. It's almost impossible to read your work and NOT be sucked right in. Another one of your annoying traits. *g*
stef said:
"sometimes a book is better than sex."
If that isn't a blog title, I don't know what is. LOL!
Oh yeah and to answer Hellion's question I LOVE series....I hate the feeling of loss when I turn the last page and know that there won't be any other stories about the characters I liked. And I hate the feeling of loss when an author sends a beloved series down the drain....You know who I'm talking about....
We'll all be in nursing homes, and too blind to read by the time I get one written. I can see it now, I'll ride my rascal to the dining room and sign books at lunch.
I'll be right there with you, Lisa. Only I'll need a stamp instead of signing by hand. I've recently gotten arthritis in my right hand. *sigh* Pretty soon limbs are just going to start dropping off willy nilly.
Getting older is a bitch. I stood for six hours straight today and my legs feel like they are going to fall off.
Ter, I'll like your books too. Nora isn't my fav author but I like her. I liked her Gallaghers of Ireland and I like her contemps, though I haven't read any of the JD Robb books.
And no more, "I'm going to be soaking my teeth during book signings" talk. You guys are doing great. Defeatism is, well, defeating. :P
You win. LOL! I sit on my ass all day. And the arthritis is probably from clicking the damn mouse all day. Can't really say it's from any hard work. :)
But I am getting worried about all my aches and pains and creaking bones. Last weekend I went down a water slide and it felt like I dislocated my hip. Last night I walked up the steps to distinct grinding noises coming from my knees. You'd think I retired from the NFL.
I love when Marnee gets out the pom poms. LOL!
Well, ladies, we're going to have to pay for our healthcare and nursing homes somehow. And our Rascals (and not the 2-legged variety!)
Stef: I'm with you; I love series (can't get enough of them) until they start tossing them down the drain. I think there is a better chance of series success if there is an actual "end point". Think of beloved series on TV. After years and years on TV and rabid fans, you almost couldn't end it correctly--and it's like the writers thought, "AH, screw it"--and we end up with J.R.'s shooting being a DREAM; and Seinfeld's hyped finale being the worst (is that possible? I hated that show) of the entire 10 seasons.
Plan for the ending, guys. Plan for the ending, or expect to be tarted up in a coffin, wearing chiffon and makeup--when what you *wanted* but never said was: Cremation and a trip to Scotland. Plan for an ending...and then lay hints to get there because if you're forced to do your ending abruptly, everyone is going to be ticked...but if you told everyone the whole time how it'd go, we're all braced for it.
Defeatism is so...defeating...I swear, it's like she channels Elle Woods. Way to keep up the morale, Marnee!! Pass around the rum!
Sin: I did break his heart. But again, Dad referred to him as "The Sandman" so I'm afraid he didn't have much of a chance anyway.
I can see it now, Marnee will be clicking her dentures at us and shaking her head. She'll be writing her hundredth trilogy. Sin will be the JK Rowling of paranormal, she'll wear a black cape and thigh high stripper boots while riding her rascal. Hellion will be still be giving keynote speeches at the RWA conferences making reference to Jack Sparrow. Her rascal will have a mast and a sail attached to the back.
*Defeatism* Yes I resemble that description. Marnee is such a cheerleader:)
Don't forget it will have The Black Pearl written across the back. I really need a Captain's hat.
And I think Sin would rather be the JR Ward of Paranormal...with JK Rowling's cash fund. Being she hasn't read the Harry Potter series either, but I have read enough of both to know her writing style is more Ward than Rowling. That's okay. JR Ward looks cooler in her author photos. *LOL* Those glasses.
Ben Franklin and his aphorisms have nothing on me. "Defeatism is so defeating." Get the bumper stickers made now, ladies, because it's going to be a big one.
How about the writers that DO NOT finish the series? And I don't mean because they got sick or died. One particular author did it to me twice & I refuse to pick up another of her books. And have told my sisters not to buy any of her pen names.
Thanks
DJS
Hi DJS: OUCH, that would suck! *trying to think of authors I know who did that* I would have lynched JK Rowling if she had even attempted that. It was bad enough waiting a year or more for one of the books to come out!
I wonder which is worse: not finishing the series (that was great up until you didn't finish it) OR finishing the series, but doing it badly? Nah, they both suck.
I hear sometimes publishers won't finish some series. Like they chose not to buy the last books or whathaveyou if the others didn't "sell well." Could that have happened with your author?
This was quite a while ago, but according to the 'boards' that were out then, the author was 'tired' of the publisher both times and decided to go on. How true? Unknown.
But I know both series have been reprinted. Which led to hope & a big let down.
As for some of the other questions; My current favorite series is the Sazi books by Adams & Clamp. I really love the characters and their lives in this series.
I am looking forward to Ash's book. Who isn't?
I'm in the middle of Phury's book. Man, this one is going places I didn't expect. Love the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
Diane
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