Sunday, November 1, 2009

READERS & WRITERS: What's Your Take on Series Novels Versus Standalones?

When I wrote Second Time Around, I didn't actually plan for it to be the first in a series. Sure, I realized some readers like series books, but I didn't realize how many of them did.

Within a month of publication, a great number of people who'd read STA asked me when the next book in the series would come out. I told them I was working on it (titled Two-Timed) but was also working on another mystery. You'd have thought I'd given away my firstborn to aliens.

No, no, no! was the resounding response (at least from those who liked the book), you need to continue the story of Jack and Timmie. Well, to tell you the truth, I tend to want to move on once I've finished a book. But readers don't want to hear that. And, as a writer with an ego and head for business, I have to rethink my position. If readers really like my characters and want to read more, who am I to deprive them?

Seriously, what's your preference when it comes to reading series books versus standalones--and why? I'm interested in the perspectives of both readers and writers. If you'd prefer not to leave a comment here, feel free to e-mail me at linda@lindamfaulkner.com.

Thanks!

21 comments:

  1. As both reader and writer I mostly prefer the familiarity of characters I know (and either love or hate). It's sort of comforting and reassuring to know that there's a group of people waiting for you to get back to your desk and let them do some more living. I've written five in my police procedural series and it's been fascinating to see how they've evolved (except for the unreconstructed male, of course - he and his ilk are in an evolutionary cul de sac). The main characters certainly seem to become more complex than I thought they were at the start.

    On the other hand, as you said, readers like the familiar and it can feel constrictive when you want to move to another genre or go for a standalone. A one-off does have a satisfying completeness but don't you find that living for a few months with a set of characters makes them more interesting and makes you want to know more about them?

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  2. As a writer, I find that the characters I "invent" in the process of writing a story, take on a "life of their own", and begin to "insist" to me that I tell their story also. So even though I didn't start out intending to write a series, in fact I'm still at the mercy of the characters who keep talking to me. Once their story is written, they are quiet.
    As a reader, I often get so fond of the supporting characters, that I really want to find out their story as well. And I think you know you will want the next book, if you like the characters. Whereas the same author can write a new book and you may or may not like it.

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  3. Bill and Fiona, Thanks for your comments. I agree with each of you, 100% - which is what's making this process so frustrating! I've begun to suspect that a fair compromise is for me to write a series of books that involve the same characters, but have a different lead in each book. Seems to me the best way to satisfy as many people, and wishes, while also satisfying my need to move on.

    Of course, I can always throw in the occasional standalone, too!

    I appreciate you taking the time to comment and share your thoughts.

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  4. Building a following is probably easier in a series. As a reader I do like to follow fictional friends and see what happens next. I also have found that if I encounter a later book first and get hooked on one or more characters I really like to go back and get the previous books.

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  5. I enjoy stand-alone psychological suspense -- I'm a big fan of Ruth Rendell and Thomas H. Cook -- but I also enjoy reading about familiar characters. Most of my mystery-reading friends prefer series.

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  6. I love following characters from book to book, so I'm partial to series.

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  7. I'm INVESTED in characters, so I enjoy reading more about them. That said, some authors do carry it a bit too far - lol.

    My fav has to be TAGGED books. I might have made up that term, but it's where a minor character in one book becomes a major character in another. And yes, the major character in the first book makes a short appearance in the next. I LOVE THAT, which is probably why i write the same way.

    Great topic, Linda.

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  8. Now that I think about it, most of my favorite fictional characters appear, and reappear: Steve Carella, Archie Goodwin, Travis McGee, Stephanie Plum, Kinsey Milhone, Kaye Scarpetta, and I could go on. As Drue mentioned, I can think of dozens of authors I also love who take minor characters from one book and transform them into major characters in their own books.

    Thanks for helping me clarify and solidfy my thoughts on this topic.

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  9. I'm with Drue- and love the title for it- tagged series.

    I'm not as keen on serials- the same characters having new adventures. I -love- finding out the story for a minor character.

    I've found my readers enjoy these as much as I love writing them!

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  10. I don't like writing series. I'm with you. Once I've finished a book I'm done. However, having said that, I'm working on a sequel right now. My editor wants a sequel and my readers want a sequel. And perhaps a third book. The first book had quite a cast of characters. That sounds like a series. If I wrote 1000 page books I could have put it all in one big book, but I don't. So I will write this series of books in all probability.

    Connie Crow

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  11. I'm a writer, a reader and a reviewer of crime fiction. Honestly, in any of the receiver roles, it makes no difference. Is it a good story, well written to a logical and satisfactory conclusion. If it is part of a series, the core story better stand on its own. As a writer, working with known characters can, in some ways, be easier. There are dangers, one of which is the threat of staleness.

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  12. I've been writing for over 25 years, and have only now started thinking in series. CRICKET'S MOON which was released by Awe-Stuck ebooks in July was the first of a series. Halfway through, I knew it had to be a series. My heroine had too big of a committment to have it all covered in one book, and she was working with some very colorful characters. CASSIE'S FLAME is done and CLEOME'S GARDEN is taking shape.

    When my husband worked in a VA hospital, he brought me home a box of books the library was getting rid of -- 31 of 32 books set in the late 1800's in Italy. FASCINATING! I think that is where I got hooked on series. Never thought I could handle writing series -- but I think it's something writers grow into.

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  13. I've been reading series mysteries for more years than I want to count (yes, starting with Nancy Drew). As a reader, if I like a set of characters, I want to see more of them, although I'll admit that once you've killed off half the population of Cabot Cove, the series may get a bit stale. As I writer I fall in love with my characters, and ending a series feels a bit like killing them.

    But there's a practical aspect as well. I write for Berkley Prime Crime, which takes on a lot of new writers, usually with a three-book contract. That gives the inexperienced writer some breathing room--they can build an audience over time, as well as get to know their characters better.

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  14. As a writer, it's great to work with familiar characters, though I can see how it might stifle the creative process after a while. As I reader, it's nice to step back into a world you know you're going to enjoy.

    Does that keep me from standalones? No. I read Nelson DeMille's "The Gold Coast" and loved it. But you better believe I ran out and bought the sequel "The Gate House", even though it came out years later.

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  15. My Morgaine series is up to nine novels. This is all by accident. I never intended to write a series. My first two novels in the series were originally one novel. The publisher wanted me to divide it in two. The third and fourth novels came about because I was not satisfied with the ending of the second. For the fifth and sixth I got a great idea for the main character. After the eight, my publisher asked me to do another one. And so it goes.

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  16. I love reading series, although I've given up on a couple lately because they've gone on too long and the characters grown stale or too depressing. I also love to read standalones. My new release is the second book in a series, my current WIP is a standalone suspense novel, and I'm thinking about starting a YA mystery series. I guess I don't have a good answer for you, Linda, since I go along reading and writing whatever feels right at the time.

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  17. Series books are a comfort zone. A returning to friends you understand and like. Standalones really need to tell a complete story, and what author reallllly knows what everyone else Wants to know. A rare stand alone leaves me not wanting to know several to a few things the author seems to have though irrelevant. And if enough people write to ask, then guess what--a series.
    Linda, your comment about a series with revolving characters is my preference in writing and reading. Other perspectives on the same environment should be the 'new' thing IMHO.
    Patg

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  18. I've written a series of eight books on Druids, called Garland of Druids, and am now on book five of a new series called Songs of the Mages. Both from JasmineJade. I love writing series. I have the characters well in mind and that helps.I set each book in a different year and setting, and I do advise keeping a bible of your characters. You'll be surprised to find how soon you forget who has what colored hair!

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  19. I should also say that, any time I write a new manuscript, I always have at least a second book in mind, just in case an editor thinks it should go that way.

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  20. Wow! I'm thrilled with all the input you provided. Thanks so much, all of you, for taking the time to share your thoughts and offer advice.

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  21. Just noticed you are following my blog, Linda. Thanks. I am returning the favor. :-)

    I'm meeting several authors from Montana, a state I have always wanted to visit.

    Regarding the question in your post, I like series as I really enjoy getting to know a character and knowing I will meet that character again. Stand alones are great too, but then I miss the people when the book is finished.

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