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Elizabeth Michels | Saying Yes to All the Characters
March 24, 2016
Raise your hand if you love books in a series. *raises hand* I get so excited
when I find a series I like because I know that I have an entire world to
explore over several books. There are always characters in the background that
you just know will have their own book—and then they do! And you get to check in
on the characters who have already had their story told and it’s the best
reunion ever! As a reader, it’s amazing! And as an author, it’s a snowball of
crazy fun. But how do these groups of characters come together to make a series? When I started writing my debut novel, I intended it to be a standalone book. In
hindsight I think I was attempting to have an attainable goal. But things didn’t
work out as I had planned. As I wrote that one standalone book, characters would
wander through a scene, characters who liked to talk too much, demanding their
turn in the spotlight. Soon I had a cast of characters as part of this community
I’d built. And most of the characters were—in my mind—begging to be center
stage. Clearly I’m a people pleaser who has trouble saying, “no,” even when it’s
to fictional characters. That one standalone book I began with soon became the 3
books of the Tricks of the
Ton series. And it doesn’t stop there. I now have a spinoff series, the Spare Heirs, involving
some of the characters already introduced in earlier books. Book one, THE INFAMOUS HEIR is now on
shelves—the first in a four book series. This new series is about a secret
society of gentlemen made of “Spare Heirs” who have banded together for survival
by somewhat scandalous means. That’s right, I created a society of gentlemen.
When you can’t say no to a large enough group of characters that they form a
society, that’s not a good sign, folks. But I’m so grateful this series came
together in that way. When it occurred to me that these wild gentlemen were all linked together
somehow, and that they were all second, third or fourth born in their families,
I knew I had to write the story of the Spare Heirs Society. And I’m so glad I
chose to say yes to these characters. Are the Spare Heirs secretly ruling London
society without anyone realizing their existence? Perhaps. Are they the mafia of
the Regency Era? Perhaps. Are they headquartered in an overly feminine house
with flowers and cherubs everywhere? Yes, that much I will admit is true. Perhaps in author life, being someone who has difficulty saying no is a good
thing. I hope I remain a people pleaser, unable to deny fictional characters the
ability to star in a book. If they want their turn on stage, I’m happy to write
their story! And that means series, after series, after series…
Giveaway
Are you a people pleaser who has trouble saying, “no”? Do you like reading
books in a series? Do you have a favorite series? We're giving away a copy of THE INFAMOUS HEIR, U.S.
only. Just comment below!
Elizabeth Michels grew up on a Christmas tree farm in rural South
Carolina. After tip-toeing her way through school with her focus on ballet steps
and her nose in a book, she met a boy and followed him a thousand miles away
from home to Kansas City, Missouri, before settling down in North Carolina.
The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ethan Moore: The
Scoundrel Lady Roselyn Grey's debut has finally arrived, and of
course, she has every flounce and flutter planned. She'll wear the perfect gowns
and marry the perfect gentleman...that is, if the formerly disinherited brother
of the man she intends to marry doesn't ruin everything first. Ethan Moore
is a prize-fighting second son and proud founding member of the Spare Heirs
Society-and that's all he ever should have been. But, in an instant, his
brother's noble title is his, the eyes of the ton are upon him, and the lady
he's loved for years would rather meet him in the boxing ring than the
ballroom. He's faced worse. With the help of his Spare Heirs brotherhood,
Ethan's certain he can get to the bottom of his brother's unexpected demise and
win the impossible lady who has haunted his dreams for as long as he can
remember...
Praise for The Infamous Heir:
“Michels’s latest is the complete package: a captivating romance with
gripping suspense wrapped up in a novel to be savored.”
— Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
“Readers are treated to Michels’ strongest story yet. The engaging
characters, intricate plotline and powerful love story hold readers from
beginning to end as they watch the changing relationship between headstrong
lovers as they unravel a mystery. Savor this tale.”
— RT
Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars and March Top Pick!
Comments
16 comments posted.
Re: Elizabeth Michels | Saying Yes to All the Characters
i love historical romance would love to win this!
(Dana Hopkins 9:38pm March 23, 2016)
I like reading books in a series but usually find out about the series after the first book has come out. Then I go back. Right now, I am reading Alexandra Hawkins' Lords of Vice series. When reading a series, you feel that you know the characters more. The Spare Heirs Society sounds like a great read and I am putting The Infamous Heir on my "to read" list.
(Linda Harrison 10:41am March 24, 2016)
I do enjoy series... mostly if they are a new set a characters sharing their stories in each book...
(Colleen Conklin 1:13pm March 24, 2016)
I enjoy several book series--Julia Quinn's Bridgertons and Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series are among my favorites. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
(G S Moch 3:41pm March 24, 2016)
I tend to be a people pleaser, though I've gotten much
better at saying "no." I love series books and have so
many favorites. One of my favorite historical romance
series is Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series.
(Janie McGaugh 10:54pm March 24, 2016)
In my younger days I was a people pleaser but as I got older I started pleasing myself instead of others . I have more years behind me than ahead of me now , so it's for me now .LOL I love all books ,I'll read any book that's in my hand .
(Joan Thrasher 10:42am March 25, 2016)
I have learned to say no.
(Denise Holcomb 11:23am March 25, 2016)
I love a good series of books. Love to see the characters
grow and evolve.
(Terri Rinko 1:25pm March 27, 2016)
I have trouble saying no to people. I love historical romances and I love to read books in series. I have to read every one!
(Kelly Powell 7:04pm March 27, 2016)
Hello, so happy to see you giving away such a
beautiful book. You are a new Author to me, so
winning this book allows me to see if your
stories are for me. If they are you will have
another loyal follower. I hope you had a
wonderful Easter!
(Bonny Bordeleau 1:40am March 28, 2016)
Yes I'm a people pleaser. Yes I love to read book series. I have several favorites.
(Valerie Miller 8:49am March 28, 2016)
I have the tendency to be a people pleaser, but I've worked on learning to say NO if it's something I really don't want to do. Yes, I enjoy books in series and anxiously await the next one in the series to be published.
(Anna Speed 12:06pm March 28, 2016)
I learned how to say, "no" with grace and politeness.
I have read romance book series, however, it can be a
challenge to find or purchase all the books in the
collection.
(Cecilia Rodriguez 1:11pm March 28, 2016)
I really do prefer reading books from a series in order. In fact, I will often start again from the beginning if there has been a real gap in the time of publication, since there so often are signals from one to another that really improve the appreciation of the overall story line.
(Carol Gowett 4:16pm March 28, 2016)
I do enjoy series books. I'm anal though and like to read
them in order. I have trouble saying no, I like to help
people if I can. But, I can say it when I have to.
(Deb Diem 6:27pm March 28, 2016)
I have a problem with series, finding the time to read the whole series set. So I prefer singles. I have read a series because I was given the whole set. It's hard to say No, but I have too when life gets too busy.
(Deb Pelletier 9:50pm March 28, 2016)
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