Someone suggested that I put a family tree in the front of the trilogy, Halsey Homecoming. So I lay in bed, thinking about how to make the lines for the family tree. I figured I could use Publisher to draw the lines and put in names, marriages, births, and deaths.
After that problem was solved, I started thinking about the five books I've already written and how much of the family members of the women who married the Halsey brothers do I need to have on the tree. The Halsey Homecoming will have Darcy's brother, Jeremy; Aileen's son, Colin; and the blind boy, Donny, from Doctor in Petticoats. I could also do spin-offs for Kelda's brothers from Logger in Petticoats. But my heart isn't in writing Kelda's brothers' stories.
I have an idea for a family of six sisters growing up in the wheat country in Oregon. The idea for the oldest girl has been in my head and jotted down on paper for nearly ten years. That could make another series and I'm more interested in that than continuing the Halsey's after the Homecoming trilogy.
I've read several series over the years and you can tell when an author gets tired of writing about the same family. The stories aren't as interesting and the characters as dynamic.
When as an author do you know to quit a series and when as a reader have you had enough?
This month you can purchase the five book Halsey Brother Series as a box set for $.99.
Paty, I enjoyed your insight. When an author gets tired of a series, the reader is feeling the same! Time to move on. Good blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen.
DeleteAs a reader, I don't tire of a series. As a writer, I sometimes want to move on to something new that I've had knocking around in my head.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, That's where I am as a writer. When I finish this trilogy, it's time to move on to a new family/series. It's my readers who have pushed me to do the trilogy asking for more Halseys.
DeleteThe longest series I have ever read Is Dianna Palmer's Jacobsville, TX series. I have read all dozens of them. Some are the 183 page books, some are 350 and more. Doesn't matter, I always look forward to her next one. I don't want that series to end mostly because I'd like to live there (without all the difficulties her characters endure of course).
ReplyDeleteJudith, It's great you found a series that you love. I wonder how Dianna feels about continuing the series?
DeleteDon't know but I am currently reading the second book in the Halsey Bros series. I really like these too. I've never read an old west book that addresses where, how ladies pee, poop. Can you imagine PMS on horseback? I'm a nurse, I think about these things so hopefully, I not as gross as you may have thought.
DeleteJudith then you might like Laying claim that will be out in November. It deals with menstruation while in the Yukon. I tend to put everything "Normal" into my books.
DeleteI enjoy a good series, but it has to be done well. When it becomes a struggle for the author, a reader knows. Great post, Paty! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Kimmie, I agree, I think if the author is getting tired of the series it shows.
DeleteI agree, the reader can tell when the author is getting tired of a series. A way to overcome this might be by writing 1 or 2 books in the series then writing 1 or 2 stand alone books, then return to the series. This may generate new ideas and keep the interest going for both author and reader. Just a thought although I would never get tired of reading about the Halsey brothers.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are enjoying the Halseys, Susan! That's kind of what I did. Wrote the first four, had a break writing other things then wrote the fifth, a break and now the trilogy. And there will be a break between those.
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