When a series you love has a hiccup.

I am a devoted fan of a number of series. They dominate my must buy list. I stalk the authors who write them for publication dates and hints of what the future might bring for my fave characters and the world they inhabit.
But more and more lately I've hit a few speed bumps with my favourite series. A mis-step in some cases, with the series getting back on track with the next instalment. But the more worrisome trend is the out of control slide down a black-ice covered road into a ditch - and I'm not sure my love for the series will survive the crash.

So why is it so hard for authors to write consistently high quality good additions to their series?
Oh - let me count the ways.

The shock of success - You know the series, it slams out of the gates, picks you up and has you by the fandom throat by the first chapter.
First Grave on the Right - by Darynda Jones is a great example of this. Fresh, funny character. Excellent world building. An epic romance. And the next several books in the series were worthy successors. No doubt Jones had plotted out a direction for her characters/plot when she first started writing the Charley Davidson series - but did she ever think she'd be writing book 12 plus? Had she plotted that far? Did she understand that for a reader/fan - they need to see the characters change/grow, develop over the arc of a series to keep it fresh and realistic? - no one likes a character making the same stupid mistakes 12 books in.

The one star read recently published that kills all love for the series - You know the one. You're coasting along with five/four star reads. Loving the characters, the direction and the world. The next book in the series is released - happy days. You carve time out of your busy schedule, sit down, crack it open and from the first word, the first chapter, a horrible feeling clenches your gut. What the... hell? Why are the characters acting so inconsistently? Where is the plot? Where's the humour/action/romance that you have come to expect from this great author?

The repetitive factor - I'm looking at you J.D Robb. Big fan of the Eve Dallas series. I will keep on reading, no matter what. But 35 plus books into the series (with only 2-3 years passing in the book world) - I never thought I'd say it but the romance side of the equation is beginning to bore me. Haven't we seen Eve dither over having to organise the Christmas party several times already - only to triumph at the last second.
And the murder plot lines have begun to grow erratic - almost like several different authors are involved in churning these out.
And whilst I'm complaining - what happened to developing Peabody into a kick ass detective? - she's reverted into this immature squealing girly girl obsessed with all things pink.

Shifting the lead characters every book - these instalments in the series offer a fresh perspective on the world with every new book offering. But an author really needs to step up here, each new couple has to capture the readers/fans love. Which is harder than you think - how many ways are there to write alpha males and strong females without them feeling samey or interchangeable?
To make the situation even more complicated, while we don't want to read about the 'same' types of characters over and over again - the author has to be careful not to stray too far from the formula that attracted the fans in the first place.
Thea Harrison's Elder Races series springs to mind as a good example - for me, at about book 7 I hit my first speed bump - loathed the female lead. Felt better about book 8 - but then book 9 - hell, I hated the heroine, and the set-up so much that I pulled the plug entirely on the series. Yet, I still happily re-read the first 6 books in the series.
And think I need to bring Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series under this heading - the Changelings all began to feel - well, interchangeable. And don't even get me started on her heroines - Sahara, Ivy, et al - same girl different name. I still read the series, love the world, but damn, I wish the characters would break out of their mould. (Saying that, Silver Silence has given us Silver - and she rocks attitude - yeah)

Veering off in a completely new direction - You know the series, you're coasting along and then, wham, the author surprises the hell out of you. Sometimes this is the breath of fresh air the series needed. Other times it only makes you grit your teeth and groan - Anita Blake series, anyone? Sex over plot - interesting direction, not to everyone's tastes however.

Slow burn series - Think sometimes these are the most successful at keeping the fans hooked. No expectations. You enjoyed the first book in the series, it was well written and you liked the characters. Ah hell might as well give book 2 a go. Ten books later these series are firmly entrenched on your must buy list - Eileen Wilks - Lupi series. Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels series. Patricia Briggs - Mercy series. Seanan Maguire - October Daye Series.

Wow, when you think about it - creating a series, where every instalment is a five star read is kind of tough. Especially given the diverse nature of fans/readers.
The problem is, I've been spoilt by the authors who make it seem so effortless - Shelley Laurenston's Pride series. Gini Koch and her wonderfully creative Kitty universe. Jim Butcher and his captivating Harry Dresden world. And a host of others.

I suppose all I can do is keep writing, striving to create the best series I can - avoid the pitfalls, stay true to the characters and the world they inhabit... no whining, I love writing, but every time I release a book I hold my breath... will this be someone's hiccup? Damn, I hope not.

Wishing you nothing but five star reads.