Diamonds & Duds of Dynamic Duo Series Writing

Are you a series reader? What I mean is, do you like reading book series?

I LOVE writing series!! I know it’s not for every writer just like it may not be for every reader. But, boy, oh boy, I can’t seem to NOT think in series. When I start a first book (and think it’s going to be a stand-alone) my brain immediately starts zooming in on these secondary characters to see who is going to be next 😉

Series writing is a norm for me.

Or so I THOUGHT!

Until, I was asked to write a series where the hero and heroine stayed the SAME in each book!!!

What?? (Erica can chime in here too. She’s doing the same thing with her Thorndyke and Swann series)

I’m a romance writer! The romance is the driving force in most of my fiction, so how on earth could I keep the “spark” alive for characters who’ve already been romanced in book 1 to carry through books 2 and 3??

Have you tried writing a series like that before? Do you like reading them?

As I’ve been learning how to make this type of series work, I’ve been finding a few “diamonds” and “duds” in the writing process.

Diamond: I don’t have to leave characters that I’ve loved writing! I get to follow them into the next part of their story!!

Dud: Um…what is supposed to happen next? Most of my stories end with an implied happily-ever-after, but what happens after the ever after? I have to figure that out?!!

Diamond: I get to spend more time with characters I have ADORED writing! They’re such fun!

Dud: I must figure out how to keep growing their characters/relationship far longer than I usually have to do! (Not an easy feat, my friends).

Diamond: romance and more romance – This hero and heroine are just chock-full of fun romance and humor. It’s a blast to spend time with them.

Dud: But , whereas, romance was the driving force in book 1, it’s not the focal point of the other books so now I have to learn to share that spotlight with another story purpose. I’m choosing mystery (which has been fun) but it requires a new learning curve.

Anyone ever been here before? If you’ve written a series where the main characters continue to be the main characters throughout, I’d LOVE to hear from you. What diamonds and duds did you discover?

AND, for fun, I’m giving away a paper copy of The Cairo Curse to a commenter below (U.S. entries only).   

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You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com