Thoughts on Writing A Series
Hey everybody,
First, I'm sorry for the long blogging absence. At first I was just exhausted from the Thorns launch (which went fantastically well, guys, and it's selling really really well). Then I went to the beach on a week-long family vacation with my in-law, during which I did little except eat, read, and sleep all day.
Then, a few days after we returned from the beach, my husband had ACL replacement surgery using a donor ACL (hardcore!) and we've just been dealing with that since his recovery time was about a month of crutches and leg-straightening machines, not to mention the weeks of physical therapy he still has ahead of him.
Annnnnd....this past weekend I've been sick...I actually had to go to the ER because I got too dehydrated. But I'm feeling much better now, and I've been working VERY HARD yesterday and today on the first draft of the manuscript I'm still calling FROST 3, as it doesn't have a title yet.
I've been thinking a bit lately about how I feel about writing a series, since I'm smack dab in the middle of book 3 of The Frost Chronicles. Normally I've always preferred to dream up ideas for stand-alone books. I haven't been a huge series advocate because it requires a (very intimidating to plan) overarching plot or goal, plus all the self-contained plots and goals of each book, and honestly in the past the thought has always been a frightening prospect to me. But...surprisingly, I really like it. I like being able to return to the same world and play with the same characters. I like seeing them grow and learn and stretch into new places and directions. It's very rewarding. I think planning really pays off in this instance, because I've had some things in mind all along and I've been able to let them happen gradually over the course of several books.
So, it's a happy discovery. And when The Frost Chronicles is finished (some of you have been emailing me to ask how many books there'll be--I honestly can't say for sure, but right now I'm anticipating 5), I'll be sad to see it go.
I've got some other books up my sleeve, of course, ones I've been working on here and there. Most of them are NOT series, however. But we'll see...now that I like it so much, I might not be able to resist.
So...what do you guys prefer to read (or write)? Standalone novels, trilogies, or long series?
First, I'm sorry for the long blogging absence. At first I was just exhausted from the Thorns launch (which went fantastically well, guys, and it's selling really really well). Then I went to the beach on a week-long family vacation with my in-law, during which I did little except eat, read, and sleep all day.Then, a few days after we returned from the beach, my husband had ACL replacement surgery using a donor ACL (hardcore!) and we've just been dealing with that since his recovery time was about a month of crutches and leg-straightening machines, not to mention the weeks of physical therapy he still has ahead of him.
Annnnnd....this past weekend I've been sick...I actually had to go to the ER because I got too dehydrated. But I'm feeling much better now, and I've been working VERY HARD yesterday and today on the first draft of the manuscript I'm still calling FROST 3, as it doesn't have a title yet.
I've been thinking a bit lately about how I feel about writing a series, since I'm smack dab in the middle of book 3 of The Frost Chronicles. Normally I've always preferred to dream up ideas for stand-alone books. I haven't been a huge series advocate because it requires a (very intimidating to plan) overarching plot or goal, plus all the self-contained plots and goals of each book, and honestly in the past the thought has always been a frightening prospect to me. But...surprisingly, I really like it. I like being able to return to the same world and play with the same characters. I like seeing them grow and learn and stretch into new places and directions. It's very rewarding. I think planning really pays off in this instance, because I've had some things in mind all along and I've been able to let them happen gradually over the course of several books.
So, it's a happy discovery. And when The Frost Chronicles is finished (some of you have been emailing me to ask how many books there'll be--I honestly can't say for sure, but right now I'm anticipating 5), I'll be sad to see it go.I've got some other books up my sleeve, of course, ones I've been working on here and there. Most of them are NOT series, however. But we'll see...now that I like it so much, I might not be able to resist.
So...what do you guys prefer to read (or write)? Standalone novels, trilogies, or long series?
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Sarah wrote: "Kate,I really enjoy trilogies. In my 22 years of experience (I've been an avid reader since I was 7), the most memorable books have been the trilogies. They are long enough that I connect with t..."
Thanks, Sarah!
Hillserpent Academy was intended to be a series, but after leaving it alone for so long I fell out of love with it so I just called it a standalone. I love writing both standalones and series but I find that standalones are much harder for me to write because you have to wrap everything up in that one book. But I'd say both. Wicked Beautiful was supposed to be a standalone but I felt this attachment that I haven't felt since I wrote my first book at thirteen, I don't want to leave the world or my characters lol and now I think there will be six books in the series. I've outlined them all so that I know where I'm going so that I don't eventually pull a Hillserpent and drop the series because I am not in love with it anymore. Eeek my crazy writing life. hahaGood luck with the third book. I'll be reading Thorns soon. :)
Richard wrote: "Hillserpent Academy was intended to be a series, but after leaving it alone for so long I fell out of love with it so I just called it a standalone. I love writing both standalones and series but I..."I agree that standalones can be harder to write for that very reason. You have to tie up all the plot threads.
I really enjoy trilogies. In my 22 years of experience (I've been an avid reader since I was 7), the most memorable books have been the trilogies. They are long enough that I connect with the characters and their worlds, and they are short enough that the story does not drag on and become watered down. Besides, if you stick to trilogies, you can always go back to the world you created with fresh characters and new plots! I am, however, looking forward to reading the whole Frost series! Keep up the awesome work!