I write one book at a time. I know other authors juggle multiple manuscripts for multiple publishers. The very idea makes me want to hide under my desk with a family size bag of Ruffles.
Well, usually.
Yeah, I can still only write one book at a time. But, which one? When my dear editor offered a three-book contract, I jumped for joy…right before I passed out. Coming up with ideas has never been the problem. Quite a few are swimming around in my head right now. A few ideas even occupy space in these little journals I collect and use to jot down writing thoughts.
My big decision at the moment is this: write a book building on secondary characters from my July 2007 single title Your Mouth Makes Me Crazy or go with the new folks. I love both ideas. I have draft first chapters of both. Both books keep knocking around in my head.
My initial thought was to start with the new folks. To be fair, they started tapping first. Then I read an article in the September 2006 Romance Writer Report, the magazine put out by the Romance Writers of America for its members. The tagline for the story is “There is nothing an editor likes more than a good series.” The article talks about all of the series and connected books out there and coming out, including debut author Jacquelyn Frank’s upcoming six-book series from Kensington. Six books!
I love getting excited about, or interested in, a secondary character and then finding out that character is getting his or her own book. It’s an absolute thrill. If you don’t believe me, you should have been at my house the day J.R. Ward’s Lover Awakened arrived. Zsadist from Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood is the ultimate in tortured hero. I practically counted days until this one came out.
But, what does everyone else think:
1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
4. Do you care either way…?
As an incentive for giving me your thoughts, I’ll randomly select an individual from those who leave comments to win a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate.
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I like connected books because you already know one of the main characters. Also, you might see a favorite couple from a previous book. Putting out a new book in between a connected series doesn’t bother me though. If I have enjoyed an author’s work before then I definitely want to read her new book.
by Maureen
on September 7th, 2006 at 6:14 am
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I just finished the “Hot Zone” trilogy by Carly Phillips and before that 3/4 of Lisa Kleypas’s (summer, autumn and winter) historical romance series. I will buy the spring one when it comes out.
So yes, I like connected books. However, I’ve read most of their other books so,
NO they do not have to be a series for me to buy it.
No it doesn’t matter if they are an old or new favorite author.
I read Pamela Clare’s book “Surrender”. This was my first book of her’s and I liked it a lot. She’s planning on writing the stories of Iain’s two brothers: Morgan and Conner. I’ll look for those.
Do I get sick of connected books?
Not so far! Let’s see…the longest series would be : Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton family books. They can all be enjoyed individually or as a group.
So finally, Do I care either way?
No! I try out new auuthors all of the time. If the first one happens to be a series and I like it I’ll probably pick up the others too. However, If I really liked the author’s first book… I’d definitely purchase a second not caring at all if it’s connected to the first.
by Laurie G
on September 7th, 2006 at 6:54 am
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Sometimes, yes, I do get sick of connecting books, especially when it seems like everything I read these days is part of a series. There’s only a few I keep up on (JD Robb & Suz Brockmann & & Evanovich and now JR Ward). When the series gets to be 5 books or more, then I really have to make the decision whether or not it’ll be worth it. The above mentioned ones definitely are. Fortunately all of them pretty much stick with the series instead of going off elsewhere.
And that’s a tough call for me because I strongly believe an author should be allowed to grow and experience new genres, but if they are busy writing 2 - 3 different series, that can frustrate readers when they have to wait a year or more for the next installment. Like I said, none of my fave series authors have done that, so I’m pretty lucky.
Sometimes I just want to read a stand alone book and not have to worry that there will be more, because I am just anal enough to need to get it. And then the catch is, if you loved that first book so much, you actually do want a series. I am caught in my own trap….
by Stacy ~
on September 7th, 2006 at 6:56 am
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
No I am absolutely a series junkie.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
Not really, because an author can only write the story which she is inspired by her muse or which characters screams the loudest. LOL
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
No absolutely not.
by Danny
on September 7th, 2006 at 7:05 am
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No, I never get sick of a connected book as long as the story is a good one. I have been reading Diana Gabaldon’s Highlander connected books (series), her books are long about 1000 pages (in this series) when they come out. I know she has other books that come out before the next book in the series is out but that is ok. When her next book in the series does come out it is easy to pick up the story right where I left off. And in the time between I have found several other authors I like some with connected books, some without. It doesn’t matter if the author is new or old favorite I will keep the connected book aside for refference if needed until the series is finished. And notes to myself to make sure I watch for the next book when it comes out.
by Tammy G.
on September 7th, 2006 at 7:33 am
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I think it might be easier to keep your work fresh if you wrote standalones, because they have less constraints.
But nowadays? No preference.
And if a writer takes a break to write something else even though I follow this particular series avidly, it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll get it when she does release it. There are plenty of other books out there.
by May
on September 7th, 2006 at 8:01 am
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I enjoy reading connected books. However, it makes me mad when I read the first and second in paperback and the third comes out in hardback.
It doesn’t bother me if the author takes a break and writes something else. Usually she or he will come back to the series.
by Melissa
on September 7th, 2006 at 8:46 am
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I never get tired of connected books. I love to see the developement of minor/secondary characters when they get their own story. It is interesting to see if they turn out as I imagined they might.
IMO, the most sucessful would be the series that can be read in or out of order. If you can pick up any book in the series and do not have to rely on the ones that came before to enjoy the story, then I think that is the true measure of success!
And if I like an author, I don’t really care if they write something other than the connected series. You have to respect an author that takes a step outside the niche they know has readers into a story that may or may not generate the readership that the tried and true series has.
I love discovering new authors. On a whim, I picked up the second Kim Harrison not knowing it was book two of a series. It passed my “stand-alone” test so, I immediately glommed the rest and can’t wait for more!
by Angie T
on September 7th, 2006 at 9:36 am
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I love connected books, but certainly enj0y others. I love seeing characters from other books popping in and love seeing strong secondary characters because I hope they will eventually have their own book and they usually do.
I dont get angry with a break from the connected books continuing, just impatient.
Prefer authors I really like but have no problem trying a new author.
Some of my fav connecting stories are by Linda Howard (Mackenzies), Susan Mallery (Marcellis and the recent food related stories - Delicious and Irresistible).
HelenKay whats her name I believe is having a secondary character have his own story???? LOL.
by Pat L.
on September 7th, 2006 at 9:38 am
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I enjoy reading connected books! I try to be patient:D between each book and enjoy any new books in between.
by Kathleen
on September 7th, 2006 at 9:53 am
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
No, I tend to like series since it is so much like revisiting old friends, learning more about an acquaintance or vacationing in a beloved desination. This is not to say that I read an entire series without taking a break for different types of books though and I suppose that is why series continue to feel fresh to me. However, I need the author to make sure that the storylines, and character types are markedly different from book to book even with a common thread between them (or a common society/world).
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
Absolutely not. I think that an author has the right to write what she is moved to write when he/she is moved to write it (bearing in mind their own deadlines, of course).
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
Again, no. I test a book for purchase not only on blurb but also reading an excerpt or a few pages in the bookstore to see the writing style. Old favorites are the ones I know to reach for to peek, but it is exciting to look at a new authors work as well. I am always looking for an author who is new to me to read (and if I enjoy them, I will search for their backlist…series or not).
4. Do you care either way…?
*shaking head emphatically* Nope.
by Little Lamb Lost
on September 7th, 2006 at 10:12 am
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I love connected books. I get to revisit favorite characters in the new book and to get to know the characters from the previous book better.:mrgreen:
by Amy S.
on September 7th, 2006 at 10:17 am
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
Honestly, sometimes I do. It seems like nowadays it’s difficult to find a new release that’s not part of a series and sometimes that just gets annoying.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
I do like some connected books, and I don’t think I ever get angry when an author wants to try something new.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
Nope.
4. Do you care either way…?
I like both, but sometimes it’s just nice to pick up a book and not have to think of all the other books it is connected to.
by Nicole
on September 7th, 2006 at 10:47 am
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I love connected books; you get to see new characters further developed and also
the main character(s) usually stays in the story somewhat.
An author can take a break to write something different than ’series’ b/c if I
like the author any book will/should be good to read.
It does not matter if the author is new or an old favorite.
by Robyn
on September 7th, 2006 at 10:51 am
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I love connected books. And it doesn’t have to be stories about characters that appeared in previous books. It could be a location or setting where new people keep dropping in. A particular town, a scary seaside village, a place where I can keep coming back to visit and see what’s going on. Some of my favorite series are The Bottom Dollar Girls by Karen Gillespie, The Rose Tattoo by Kelsey Roberts, the Full series by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Douglas.
I never mind if an author comes out with something new in between. And if the premise of the story is good, it doesn’t matter if it’s a new or old author, I’ll give it a try.
by Sandra M.
on September 7th, 2006 at 11:16 am
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I really enjoy books that are part of a trilogy. The only time I get frustrated is when I pick up a book by an author who I have not yet read and it turns out there are several books previous in the series so then I have to start from book one. Sometimes, I just don’t have the money to get all of them in order to catch up. I try to stay on top of my favorites so I don’t miss those. Has anyone read the series by Linda Barrett? It starts with The House on the Beach. That series was just wonderful.
by Janet
on September 7th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
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I am an absolute series junkie. I will stop reading a book once I realize there are previous titles and run to buy those books. Amazon LOVES me!:?
by Melissa
on September 7th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
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i like it, i would never dislike it. as long as it has a great story and good charcters. does not matter to me at all. something new is always good though.
by KIM H
on September 7th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
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I love connected books. I don’t mind if a writer does other books then comes back to the connected books, as long as there is news about when the next ones coming than I won’t be so impatient,lol. If the story is good it doesn’t matter if the writer is new or old. I’ve read from one author that it is harder to write connected books because you have to remember all the details about the past books and make sure they don’t contradict each other.
by Dena
on September 7th, 2006 at 1:24 pm
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
I like connected books and don’t really get sick of them. I like reading about secondary characters who get their own stories and revisiting characters from previous books. I do prefer stand alones though…in case I start a series out of order…that way I am not completely lost.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
No, I don’t get angry….I may be impatient for the next one, but I think it is up the author what she/he wants to write.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
It doesn’t matter.
4. Do you care either way…?
It doesn’t matter to me if a book is part of a series or not…if the book sounds interesting then I’ll buy it and read it.
by Jennifer Y.
on September 7th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
I usually like connected books because I want to know about some secondary characters (not always all of them), but after so many books of the series, it gets repetitive and I want to read something completely new. I like new concepts to chew over.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
Not at all. Something new can be refreshing and I really don’t have anything to get angry about. That would be silly.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
No. An old favorite might encourage me to pick up the book and read the back blurb but doesn’t impact whether or not I will buy and read the book. That’s all on how interesting the storyline sounds.
4. Do you care either way…?
Nope, go whichever way you feel like. If it’s a good book, it’s a good book, whether or not it’s part of a series.
by Sabrina Nguyen
on September 7th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
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no, i like them. i think an author should be able to take breaks to work on other things if they like. new and old are welcome, variety is good and i love finding new faves! amazon would come in handy!
by Melissa V
on September 7th, 2006 at 2:18 pm
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I enjoy series books . I don’t care if they write something else in between. I am always trying new authors. Go either way..if its good, its good!
by Estella
on September 7th, 2006 at 2:53 pm
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I enjoy connected books. I usually don’t mind if they take breaks on their work although it is hard to wait if it is a long series and the person is only putting out one book from that series once a year. I like to try new authors so I am willing to give their first book in a series a try to see if I want to continue. An author does not have to have a series for me to be interested. All that matters is that I be intrigued by the plot.
by Cherie Japp
on September 7th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
No. I like reading connected books.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else? I don’t get angry but I always hope the next one in the series will not be a long time in coming.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite? It doesn’t matter. If the romance is good, I am happy.
by Crystal B.
on September 7th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new? NEVER not possible if it’s from an author I love or the stories are well writen. Connected books are my favorite. You get to revisit characters you love and meet new ones.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else? I don’t get angry I get impatient, especially when authors tease about writing stories for characters you love and you have to wait a year to read them because of previous commitments.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite? A good well writen series is the best way to discover new authors.
4. Do you care either way…? NOT AT ALL A GOOD BOOK IS A GOOD BOOK!
by Nichole
on September 7th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
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1.Do you get sick of connected books and want something new? Not as long as the characters are well-developed and not merely quickly sketched to further the series.
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else? Oh, definitely not. Might get impatient to continue the series but I would also be curious to sample other types of stories by the author.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite? Not at all.
4. Do you care either way…? No — I’m reading for the entertainment value. If the book draws me in . . . THAT’S what I’m looking for. :)
by Cheryl S.
on September 7th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
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I like to read books in order. I can’t always find the earlier books in a series and so I don’t want to read the one that is just out. With a stand alone I don’t have that problem.
by Carol
on September 7th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
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I love connected books. Like Suz Brockmann, Cherry Adair (the Edge books), and Tara Janzen books. You already feel like you know a little bit about the character and are eager to learn more.
by Joyce
on September 7th, 2006 at 7:55 pm
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1. No, I never tire of connected books. I like to revisit the characters.
2. I can understand why an author may need to take a break from a series. There are so many books out there that I want to read. I can wait for it.
3. No, not to me
Thanks for the chance to win.
by Karen G
on September 7th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
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Seems like the editors in the Romance Writers Report have this right - most of us love connected books. Like many of you, I’m fine with a delay between books. What I want is a solid book with solid characters and a great plot. When I get that book isn’t the issue, except to the extent I’m an instant gratification kind of gal and want great books right this second!!! :)
Still need to figure out which book to write first…
by HelenKay
on September 7th, 2006 at 9:34 pm
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Contemp or course, no vamps, werewolfs, shapeshifters, please. I know, I know a lot of you like them.
by Pat L.
on September 8th, 2006 at 8:46 am
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1. Do you get sick of connected books and want something new?
I love series. However, I enjoy single titles too. I tend to try and mix it up when I’m reading. I’ve never have read thru a comlete series back to back (ok… I take that back… I read the first 4 Harry Potter books when they were the only ones out).
2. Do you like connected books but get angry with the author when she takes a break to write something else?
I completely understand that an author will have to go on to something else… just don’t leave us hanging. I need some sort of closure in my series.
3. Does it matter if the author is new or an old favorite?
Nope. Although, I’d be more likely to read a series from an old favorite than a new author. I’d like to be introduced to an author with a single title… and then make my decision on whether or not to continue reading their works.
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I like connected books, but here’s the problem. I come from a looooong background as a science fiction & fantasy reader, so when I see “a [series title] novel” or the like on the cover, I’ll shy away from it ’till I can find the earlier books in the series. It’s not quite as true in romance, but in SFF, most series novels are not stand-alone.
Now, the problem here is, most bookstores don’t have the entire series unless you’re a big name author like Laurell K. Hamilton or Christine Feehan. Even then, it’s not a guarantee.
Unless the series premise really grabs me, I usually won’t go looking for the first book online when I get home. I’m very much an impulse book buyer. :P
As for a writer experimenting in other work outside her series… I really don’t care. If I like the author enough and her premises are interesting, I’ll try out the different stuff. But if she quits writing a series I adore (and not just “I don’t have an idea for these characters right now but I’ll definitely go back if I do” but an “OMG not touching that setting again EVAR!!!” reaction), I’m not gonna be a happy camper. ;)
by Nonny
on September 9th, 2006 at 3:22 am
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I love books that are connected to a series and if I don’t have them in order I will try to get them all and then read them. If I enjoy reading an authors books I will alway buy from her even if it is between breaks on series.
by Loretta Wilson
on September 9th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
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I like both stand alone and also never tire of series books. I too like to see how the other characters are doing. As long as the story is good, I am happy.
by Helen Mac
on September 10th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
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do we have a winner
by KIM H
on September 14th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
