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Susan Lyons | What Is It About A Series...
Comment to Win
December 2, 2009
I love writing series. My first sale, Champagne Rules in 2005, was
the first in a four-book series about four 20-something girlfriends (The
Awesome Foursome) who each find their own sexy romances. I had so much fun
writing four friends that next I tackled four sisters, in my new Wild Ride to
Love series for Kensington. It’s a sexy "planes, trains, automobiles,
and a cruise ship" series in which the Fallon sisters each experience a wild
ride to love. The first book, Sex Drive (oldest sister
Kat’s "planes" romance), is a December 2009 release.
People ask, is it easier or harder to write a series. Both! The first book is
hard because not only am I getting to know the heroine and hero, I’m laying the
groundwork for the other books. For example, whatever I say about Kat’s sisters
in Sex Drive, I’m going
to be stuck with for three more books, so I’d better get to know those women
pretty darned well. In the second and third books, the easy part is that I
already know some of the main characters. But I need to be consistent with what
was said in previous books, which means either having a phenomenal memory (nope,
not me!) or a method of keeping track. And of course, whatever I say in book 2,
I’m stuck with in books 3 and 4, and so on. Another challenge is that each book
does have to stand on its own, and not require the reader to have read the
previous one(s).
Once I get to the final book, I need to make sure all the loose ends from all
the books are tied up, and the reader is satisfied that all the heroines have
found their "happily ever after." When I wrote the last book in The Awesome
Foursome series, I got about 2/3 of the way through (I’m not a big plotter)
and got stalled because it dawned on me I was not only getting that heroine and
hero together, but wrapping up the series. Once the ending came to me, I knew it
was right and I had a lovely time writing it. (At the moment, I have absolutely
no idea how the Wild Ride to Love series will end, and I’m guessing I’ll be well
into book 4 before I finally figure it out. That’s just how my process works,
and I’ve learned not to panic. Or at least not to panic too much...)
The thing I most love about series, both as a writer and a reader, is having
more time to get to know the characters I care about and to follow their lives
for a longer period than is possible in most standalone books. Also, there’s
often a sense of "community," whether it’s female friendship, family, or a small
town. In these days when so many of us sit alone at our computers, communicating
by electronic means, there’s a lovely sense of warmth when you visit-even if
only in a book-a caring community.
So, that’s my opinion on series. What’s yours? Do you like to read series? Do
they sometimes go on too long? And what are some of your favorites? Maybe we can
all get some ideas for our holiday wish lists.
Comments
47 comments posted.
Re: Susan Lyons | What Is It About A Series...
Comment to Win
I love Series thay never can go to long.Have you read Lynn Kurland she has about 16 books or more that all go to getter and there great there is some time travel in them that just makes them more fun to fallow.and Hannah Howell has a seventeen book set whit highlanders in it that is a great read.there is fifthteen books by Sandra Hill that are great and fun that go to getter Whit time travel and Viking that is great .and if you love paranormal there is about seventeen books or so that is by Christine Feehan that are great i love them there are Vampires in them.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
(Stacey Smith 4:00am December 2, 2009)
I love series. It's really nice knowing some of the characters of each book and getting to know others. I read all the books of Suzanne Brockman, Sherylin Kenyon, Christine Feehan(I hope I spelled their names right!), and there are a few more. John Sanford's Prey series is one of my favorites.
(Patsy Hagen 4:02am December 2, 2009)
I do like series. It's nice to revisit the main characters in subsequent books.
(Maureen Emmons 9:21am December 2, 2009)
Hi Stacey and Patsy. Wow, those are long, long series. My favorite length is 3-4 books. The only exceptions for me have been the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovitch and Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone books - but then, each of them pretty much stands alone. Personally, I'm not a big paranormal reader. I have read some of Suzanne Brockman's Seal books - and I love her writing! - but with most series I feel as if I'm missing something because I don't remember what happened in the books that came before. I guess for me, the ideal thing would be to sit down on holiday and read the entire series from start to finish. What a luxury that would be!
(Susan Lyons 9:34am December 2, 2009)
Hi Maureen. Yes, I do like that aspect of it. In a good book, you come to care for the characters, and then the book ends and it's kind of like you lost touch with a good friend. If you can pick up another book and find out how they're doing, it's a warm and wonderful feeling.
(Susan Lyons 9:35am December 2, 2009)
Well-done series are among my favorite novels. I love the feeling of reconnecting with old friends; I'm immediately invested in what happens to them. I also appreciate how creative an author must be, inserting new characters and clever plot-lines, to keep repeat readers coming back again and again.
(G S Moch 10:13am December 2, 2009)
I love series novels, because you find out what happens to some minor characters. It's a closure thing.
(Theresa Buckholtz 12:10pm December 2, 2009)
I enjoy some series, as long as they do actually connect. I'm a big fan of Jan Karon's Mitford series and I plan to read more of the Charles Towne Belle series by M.L. Tyndall. I read the first of her series books (The Red Siren) and really liked it.
(LuAnn Morgan 12:31pm December 2, 2009)
GS, yes, in some ways it is harder to write series books. You have to have the right mix of new and old characters - and there's so much to keep track of!
(Susan Lyons 12:41pm December 2, 2009)
Theresa, closure is definitely important. We want to know that the characters we care about are doing okay.
(Susan Lyons 12:43pm December 2, 2009)
LuAnn, it's interesting how many ways there can be to connect series. For my 2 series, I've started with a group of 4 women - best friends in one case, sisters in another. Sometimes, one book introduces a secondary character who becomes the hero or heroine in the next book. Sometimes the characters are tied by working for a certain organization or in a certain occupation. And then there are the "community" books where over time you come to know a number of people in a small town.
(Susan Lyons 12:45pm December 2, 2009)
I love following characters through series books. You've got my attention anytime there's "Rules."
(Alyson Widen 12:49pm December 2, 2009)
I love to read series. They keep you interested in a character, and its surroundings.
(Freda Mans-Labianca 1:09pm December 2, 2009)
Series lets you have a long time relationship with many characters over a long period of time. They evolve, fall in love, divorce, die, whatever you want them to do, all over many years. They keep you going and going and going. I LOVE SERIES.
(Teresa Ramdial 1:30pm December 2, 2009)
I've been reading series for almost 50 years. I began with the "Williamsburg series" by Elswyth Thane as a teen, and I loved reading about recurring characters as they aged and had children. It covered more than 150 years from the Revolution to 1950 and pleased me on 2 levels: history and family.
(Sigrun Schulz 1:55pm December 2, 2009)
I enjoy a series as long as the books can stand alone... I do not enjoy them when I miss one and pieces are missing... let me revisit characters and see others have their chance at HEA...
(Colleen Conklin 1:56pm December 2, 2009)
I have not come across a series that is too long. I love them and can't wait for the next one to come out. Some of my favorites are:Rough Riders Series by Lorelei James;The Montana Creeds by Linda Lael Miller;Texas Trilogy by Sandra Brown;Virgin River Series by Robin Carr;The Stephanie Plumm Series by Janet Evanovich;The Stone Creek Series by Linda Lael Miller;Cedar Cove Series by Debbie Macomber;Sue Grafton's Alphabet Series.
(Leni Kaye 2:02pm December 2, 2009)
The author of the Virgin River Series name was spelled wrong. It's Robyn Carr.
(Leni Kaye 2:13pm December 2, 2009)
I love to read series books, but I don't like waiting years for the next one. I try to wait till all the books are available before I read them. I've read 3 of the Champagne Rules Series and have the 4th on my TBR stack. Looking forward to your new series!!! You write some hot sexy scenes....Love them!!
(Mitzi Hinkey 2:24pm December 2, 2009)
I really enjoy reading series books. I think what is so nice (and different) about them is that you really get to feel like you know them well..you've been there throughout their journeys and ecapades. Also it gives you a greater sense of perspective as far as the background history or the family lineage!
(Barbara Ramirez 2:26pm December 2, 2009)
I absolutely loved Kathy
Love's Stepp Sisters series!
But I have to say my absolute
FAVORITE series of all time is
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Chicago Stars. The thing I
love most about series is you
get to revisit favorite
characters from previous books
and see what they're up to. Oh
yeah another great one is
Pamela Clare's I-Team series.
She writes some HOT heroes!
Great post! Thanks, I have a
lot of ideas for other books
to read <3
(Erin Thompson 2:27pm December 2, 2009)
I see we have lots of series fans here! Thanks for naming some of the series you've enjoyed, so others can try them out. You know, I never watch daytime soap operas (not that I'm putting them down; just never got into daytime TV), but I have enjoyed shows like "The O.C." and "Brothers & Sisters," which I figure are pretty much soap opera. It seems to me that some series are kind of like that -- in the good way! You really get to know and care about these people, and follow them through, if you'll pardon the pun, the days of their lives. They do become real people to you.
(Susan Lyons 2:32pm December 2, 2009)
Mitzi, thanks so much for saying you love my books! That's exactly what a writer needs to hear. It keeps us going on the days when we wonder what on earth we're doing, and why. LOL.
(Susan Lyons 2:33pm December 2, 2009)
I like series also because secondary characters get their own book. I like to know ahead of time though if it is going to be a series. Also, I wish if author's are going to write a series they would finish the series before they write another book. I love the Virgin River series and of course Linda Lael Miller has several series that are good. I am looking forward to reading your new series.
(Judy Anderson 2:37pm December 2, 2009)
I prefer series for the most part, but - I also think most books should "stand alone". Nothing is more frustrating then finding a new author, buying a book then discovering you have to read the 2 prior books to understand what is going on.
(Vikki Parman 2:55pm December 2, 2009)
I love series books. My favoriteis Nalini Singh's Psy?Changeling series. As for how many should be written it depends on the author. If the author keep it exciting and fresh than the sky is the limit but if after awhile the story sounds like one I read 4 books ago it is time to wrap it up.
(Cherie Japp 3:23pm December 2, 2009)
I really enjoy series because you get to know the characters from different perspectives in the different books.
(Cate Sparks 3:55pm December 2, 2009)
Congrats on the new release, Susan. I don't mind series that go on and on. My favorites include Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series and Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series.
(Jane Cheung 4:18pm December 2, 2009)
Judy, LOL re wishing authors would finish the series before writing something else. I think sometimes they just feel they need a break, or they have a brilliant idea that clamors to be written - or occasionally a publisher asks them to write something specific.
(Susan Lyons 4:24pm December 2, 2009)
Vikki, I just had a friend complain that she'd started one book in a series then realized that it didn't standalone, and she got quite frustrated. You're definitely not alone.
Cherie, yes, fresh and exciting is important. I think sometimes authors get themselves into doing series then get kind of fed up and wish they could quit, but by then their publisher and readers won't let them.
(Susan Lyons 4:27pm December 2, 2009)
Cate, if you like getting to know characters from different perspectives, you should check out my January release from Berkley Heat, SEX ON THE BEACH. It's set in Belize in the week before a wedding. There are 3 interlocked novellas, all taking place in that week, so there are 3 heroines and 3 heroes. And you get to see each of them from the others' point of view, if that makes sense - and it's all a lot of fun because each of the 3 couples is trying to keep their relationship a secret.
(Susan Lyons 4:29pm December 2, 2009)
Jane, thanks for adding some more names of authors and series.
(Susan Lyons 4:29pm December 2, 2009)
Though I love series, I do think some have gone too long. I know several authors who have stated they will end certain series by the 5th or 6th book... but they already have a new series in the works!
That makes me happy!
Thanks.
(Tracey Dent 5:34pm December 2, 2009)
Tracey, I think 5-6 can be a great number. And yes, when you've enjoyed one series by an author, likely you'll enjoy the next as well.
(Susan Lyons 5:55pm December 2, 2009)
I do love to read series. I think 4-6 books in a series allows for growth & interaction to fully develop.
(Mary Preston 6:55pm December 2, 2009)
A series allows you to see the hero/heroine grow and mature. They (and their family) seem more like our friends than characters in a novel.
(Rosemary Krejsa 7:28pm December 2, 2009)
Mary and Rosemary, the reasons you mention are partly why I write series. I tend to write stories that take place in a relatively short time frame, so I think it's nice for the reader (and for me!) to follow those same characters later, in another book.
(Susan Lyons 7:58pm December 2, 2009)
I enjoy books in a series. Related stories to feels like one big extended family. I have quite a few favorites from SEP, KMM, Nora Roberts, Elizabeth Holt, Nicole Jordan, Eloisa James.
(Armenia Fox 9:18pm December 2, 2009)
I hate to say goodbye to characters
after I've enjoyed a book, so yes I like
series with linked storylines and
characters. I enjoyed the The Awesome
Foursome for that reason.
(Sue Ahn 9:47pm December 2, 2009)
Thank you for your blog today.
I love series. I have too many favorites to list. I love to follow along each book learning more and more about the characters!
(Lisa Glidewell 10:14pm December 2, 2009)
Owww! Nobody has mentioned Suzanne Brockmann's seal teams. Steamy, torrid, hot, hot, hot (and clean). I love series, but no one does it better (yet). I have found that I may like one series from an author but not another. i.e.: Love Sherrilyn Kenyon's Meredith Gentry, but was bored to tears with her Anita Blake character. I think authors must dodge the fickleness of readers with each book/character/series.
(Susan Driskill 11:20pm December 2, 2009)
I love reading series. It makes it that much more enjoyable to feel like you know the characters.
(Gayle Oreluk 11:40pm December 2, 2009)
I've heard that publishers are really looking for series these days, and you folks are certainly reinforcing that! Obviously, readers love them.
Sue, thank for the compliment. I'm so glad you enjoyed my Awesome Foursome series.
(Susan Lyons 12:53pm December 3, 2009)
I like series because I like revisiting characters and learning more about them and finding out what happens to them. I usually prefer mystery series to romance series because mystery series usually incorporate multiple characters in the story line and use them repeatedly so we see them progress. Most of the romance series I read move from main character to main character barely mentioning or involving the previous leads. And new characters are briefly mentioned just so they can be used as a lead in the next book.
Some series can last a long time provided they stay fresh but true to the original ideals that made them popular. I agree with Susan above about the Anita Blake series. It's wandered way, way off it's original path and not to the better.
(Anne Muller 12:00pm December 3, 2009)
I luv series. When I read a book I become invested in the characters, series give me the opportunity to keep learning about what is happening in the lives of their lives. It becomes like distant relatives- you may not get to see them, but you get to know what is going on in their lives...
I love the series of these authors: SEP, KMM, Julie Garwood, Diana Palmer, Shelly Laurenston, the list just goes on.
(Kimberley Coover 3:09pm December 3, 2009)
As a reader, I love serials. You get to know the people in the story and that continues all through the series. You meet their friends, family and on and on.. I have read many serials and enjoyed the books very much.
(Brenda Hill 5:04pm December 3, 2009)
I love reading series as long as they don't go on too long after their exp date. I love J.R. Wards BDB series, that's my fav.
(Monica Schroeder 7:13am December 7, 2009)
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