As writers, we live with a few false impressions. For instance, some of our readers think we sit down at the computer and the words literally flow from our fingertips onto the keyboard, our thoughts go from beginning to book in a matter of days. No. We have future story ideas oozing from our pores. I wish! One of the biggest misconceptions, even for a writer, is that we are in control. Not even close.
Fellow Smart Girl contributor, Paty Jager, posted recently about her Halsey Brother Series. When she started her book, Marshal in Petticoats, she had no idea her hero had brothers. Through writing her story, each new character revealed themselves and thus a series was born. Well, not quite "thus". Sorry, Paty, for the over simplification.
+copy.jpg)
I've said in previous posts that I started writing my book, Code of Honor, few years back. Said book ended up in a box, under the bed for a while. When I brought it back to the light of day, I figured I knew the story and the people inside out. Wrong. The original hero had died and a new one had taken his place. What??Also, several foster siblings appeared along with a couple of stray friends who popped in to help move the plot along. Lucky for me the siblings each brought with them their book titles which helped in naming The Texas Code Series. Another bit of over simplification. There was some head scratching, hair pulling, and hand wringing in the search as I recall.
+copy.jpg)
So, I recently restarted the second book in the Code Series, Code of Conscience, which has also been keeping the dust bunnies company under the bed. I'm reading what was previously written, writing new, reading paper napkin notes, writing . . . wait a minute. Are you kidding me? The hero tells me he's in love with someone else. That I should have known the heroine wasn't right for him. Their personalities are too close and if I don't let him have the woman he wants, he'll either do something drastic or hang me out to dry. The more I think about it the more I see his side of it. He probably is more suited to another character and since I really would hate to be flapping in the breeze (for those of you who remember clothes lines in the back yard), I acquiesce. A new hero has made the scene and I already like the story better.
Bottom line, we are never in control. It's all an illusion that sucks us into the vortex called writing. So to all my friends and fellow writers - Happy Twirling!
So tell me, how do you feel about series? Do you like continuing stories or connected, stand-alone books? Please leave a comment and sign up for my newsletter on my website to win a copy of, Code of Honor and a $5 Amazon Gift Card. (Don't forget to leave me your email addy)
Thanks for stopping by today,
Carra
fall in love under Texas skies
Buy link: http://tinyurl.com/muln4r9
Find me on my website: http://carracopelin.com
Facebook: http://facebook/carracopelin
Twitter: http://twitter/CarraCopelin
Blog: http://carra-copelin.blogspot.com
Carra, what an interesting insight! I really like stand alone but connected stories. When a book is a continuation, I am anxiously waiting for the next book and then I have to reread the previous one to remember.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karren, for your input. I feel the same way when I read for pleasure. I want to know everything about each character that's available. I guess that's why I'm such a fan of the soap opera. LOL I'm nosey! Nice to see you today, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI love series, which is why I write them. In romances, I want to know how the couple of the first story continued even though they are no longer the star of other books of the series. In mysteries, I like to see how the main character continues to develop. Can't wait for your next book, Carra!
ReplyDeleteCaroline, you do series nicely, I'm such a big fan. I love them all. I'm awaiting your next one, also. ;-)
DeleteI love reading books that are in a series but I like that they can also be read as a stand alone. I hate cliff hangers, if I know that there will be a cliff hanger, many times I have been known to wait until all the books are out. Your book looks like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteShari, totally agree with you about cliff hangers. In years past, before ebooks, I would search in used bookstores for all the previous in an author's series before I started reading. As I said in an earlier comment, I'm nosey and I need to know it all. LOL Thanks for stopping in to see me today.
DeleteI like both--series and stand alone. I'm just a reader who likes to read. I agree with Shari about cliffhangers. I really hate it when a story isn't brought to a satisfactory close because it's set up to make you buy the next book to find out the true resolution. An author needs to close out that main story, and too many don't do that. The end result is a book that becomes epistolary rather than a novel with an end.
ReplyDeleteJoan, I agree 100%. It looks like I'm writing to the right crowd. I'm looking forward to your next post!
DeleteIn other words ...the writer is something like a medium and the characters try to tell her how the want their book written. Guess you can't fight 'm ...
ReplyDeleteAnnetta Sweetko
Bingo! There are those who would argue, but I'm a believer. Good to see you today, Annetta. I appreciate you stopping by.
DeleteI like to read both stand-a-lone and series books. And I write both but more series because I end up with secondary characters that need their story, or I have a main character that needs more books.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know my posts are being read. ;)