Hey all!
Lucienne Diver, my fantabulous, made-of-awesome agent let me rope her into guest blogging today. Who, as you can tell by her picture, is also gorgeous and a published author. Makes you kinda want to beat your head against something hard and brick-wallish, doesn’t it? But, I digress. On to her words of wisdomness about what makes a great series.
Thanks, Lucienne!
Series Success
I’ve been thinking a lot about series lately and have decided that there are two really contradictory things that make a successful series: 1) familiarity – readers knowing that they can count on the same great characters and quality in each book and 2) keeping it fresh, new, exciting, surprising and constantly upping the stakes.
So let’s examine the first – readers who pick up Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, for example, or Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books do so because they love the voices, the characters, the relationships (maybe even the sex!). They know about what to expect and there are elements, like the callback of a comedy routine punchline, that regular readers look for and appreciate. Getting them is like being part of the in crowd.
But remember Thing Two – keeping it fresh. My idol, Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly fame) made sure that nothing in his world was sacred. Anyone, even title characters, could die at any time. Plots veered off in unexpected directions; people said surprising things. Hell, he wrote a musical episode that actually worked! Likewise, Marjorie M. Liu in her Dirk & Steele series and Rachel Caine in her Weather Warden novels constantly up the stakes and reveal new and intricate layers of a world (ours, of course, but with unique twists) with enough room for stories within stories. I’m reminded of the immortal words of Shrek, who said “Onions have layers, ogres have layers.” You substitute “series” for “ogres” and you have my point exactly. In the Dirk & Steele series the main characters aren’t the same from book to book, but the familiarity comes from the fact that either the hero or heroine were introduced as supporting characters in earlier books. One of the great things about this and other successful series is that while some questions are answered, others arise and the reader is intrigued enough to keep pulling at threads until the whole mystery unravels.
Finally, whether it’s Buffy’s apocalypse or impending natural disaster, it’s a good idea to keep the pace pounding, the stakes escalating, and the surprises coming. You don’t want to give your readers any chance to look away. And you want to give the impression that they’ll miss something big if they blink or miss the next release!
For more on series, Sarah A. Hoyt is blogging this week about the process here: http://sarahahoyt.livejournal.com. Also, please drop in on my blog (Authorial, Agently and Personal Ramblings) anytime at http://varkat.livejournal.com and see how well I follow my own advice next year with my YA vampire novel VAMPED, forthcoming in May 2009 from Flux!
Great advice. I loved the fact that on Joss Whedon’s shows you could never be sure if a main character was going to get offed or seriously damaged in some way. I’ll have to check out the other blogs as well.
by Christine June 11th, 2008 at 7:24 amJoss was good at killing people. No one was ever safe. And when he killed off my favorite Firefly character…I was so ready to take a hit out on him.
Just shows you how much he got me to invest in his series, doesn’t it? ;)
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 7:26 amHi Lucienne,
Wait, I thought I was the only person on the planet who enjoyed Once more with Feeling!
Very interesting thoughts. You make an important distinction between a series and a formula. Thanks
(Hi Crystal!)
Ruth
by RFLong June 11th, 2008 at 7:27 amI still keep a text message from a friend who borrowed Serenity — Character’s name! Not Character’s Name! How could he DO that?!
by RFLong June 11th, 2008 at 7:28 amI know! How COULD he do that? I cried. I never cry at movies (except that scene in Forrest Gump where he’s talking to Jenny’s grave–gets me every time), but I totally cried when he killed my favorite character. *sniffle*
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 7:29 amDid somebody say Joss Whedon? He’s my hero. I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that (about 4000 times).
Sometimes, I’ve noticed, book series don’t really up the stakes enough and end up being the same book, just change the names or the setting. I think part of the problem is I come in late to the series and read them all back to back because I love the first one so much. In my opinion, though, three seems to be the magic number. After three–meh.
by gwen hayes June 11th, 2008 at 7:44 amI agree with that, Gwen. Though a few of my favorite series have managed to stay fresh after the third book. Robin D. Owens’ Celta books come to mind, but she manages to keep it fresh by exploring a different aspect of her world in each book. So in one we’ll learn about their political/judiciary structure, another will focus on religion, etc.
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 7:47 amHow do I make readers feel like they absolutely must read each and every part of the series, but not as if they can’t jump in randomly or come back in later if they miss one or two?
Crystal, thanks for having Lucienne in.
by Alice Audrey June 11th, 2008 at 7:49 amI loved Once More With Feeling. I’ve probably watched it a dozen times by now.
As far as upping the stakes in series…if you haven’t read the Weather Wardens series, it’s =highly= recommended!
by Lucienne June 11th, 2008 at 8:10 amGreat blog and points! I have to agree. Keep them guessing, watching, reading and do whatever it takes to make them want it.
I have to admit the books the draw the deepest emotions are the ones I stick with.
by Diana Castilleja June 11th, 2008 at 8:12 amI love that unexpected element in Joss Whedon’s work, too. Thanks for the great post, Lucienne and Crystal!
by Marilyn Brant June 11th, 2008 at 8:34 amI’m still hoping Firefly will come back…somehow…is it too much wishful thinking?
Joss is a GREAT example of what to do in a good series. Marjorie Liu’s D&S is one my favorites too because every book changes the “rules” and increases the stakes.
Great post and good luck with VAMPED!
by Chi June 11th, 2008 at 8:41 amI’ve just started watching Firefly (yes, I know I’m late to the fight but I resist things that are popular) and I can’t imagine which character gets axed! I love them all!
And I love series, so long as they stay interesting. There are a few that should be allowed to die a quiet, dignified death. But haven’t.
by Kristen June 11th, 2008 at 8:57 amThanks so much, Chi. I also hope that miracles happen and Firefly comes back…or at least gives us another movie. My husband and I are spending our anniversary at a charity showing of SERENITY!
by Lucienne June 11th, 2008 at 9:17 amWhat Joss “gets”, what a great series author gets, is that you can do anything you want - even kill off the main character - as long as you make it believable. I’ve never seen any deus ex machina comeback for his series, movies, or comics.
His imagination is a marvelous, occasionaly scary, fascinating thing.
by Ember June 11th, 2008 at 9:29 amThis is why I love a series. I don’t want the same H/h in each book but I LOVE all those great romances that take us from one character to the next until we see HEAs for almost everyone. PLUS, the added benefit of having a 3 or 4 or 5 book epilogue to keep us up on what happened to the couple in the first book we read. VERY satisfying.
by Bethanne June 11th, 2008 at 9:54 amDear Ember, I agree that killing off characters has to be believable, but writers also have to be careful not to tick off readers/watcher so much that they stop tuning in. Joss is particularly adept at this because we’ve come to trust him that what comes next is every bit as worth watching. That’s priceless.
by Lucienne June 11th, 2008 at 10:28 amTrue…and yet I still hate him a little for killing off my favorite character in Firefly.
But am still eagerly anticipating his new show starting next season (Doll House, I think it’s called). I’m not sure if he’s just that good, or if I’ve finally found my masochistic side. Joss, Joss, Joss. *sigh*
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 10:30 amI agree with Diana-it’s the emotional content that will keep my plugged into a series.
by Eden Bradley June 11th, 2008 at 10:31 amI know a series is a great way to keep readers buying your books-why can’t I write one? I think I have a short attention span-when I’m done with a book, I’m DONE! Ready to move to another idea. Also, I write contemporary. Do you think it’s possible to have a successful series in contemporary erotic romance? It seems as though in any sort of paranormal or crime subgenre, you have a lot more to work with to create a series.
Great blog! Thanks Lucienne and Crys!
Add me to the loves Firefly camp! It would be wonderful if we could at least get another movie. I feel the same way about The Pretender though, and think I probably shouldn’t hold my breath waiting for it lol!
by Loribelle Hunt June 11th, 2008 at 10:40 amI so love The Pretender! It’s the perfect example of the stakes getting higher as the series went on. The viewers got totally hosed on that one when it ended so abruptly :(
And yeah, I want another Firefly movie…but it STILL won’t be the same without my favorite character. Just sayin’
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 10:41 am:waves to Lucienne and Crystal:
I love series, but I have to say that from the inside of the machine, it’s certainly a challenge to keep it running … and I do agree with Kristen, you’ve got to know when to say “Good night, Irene,” and fold the tents.
Thanks for the nice words of encouragement, L! I am really psyched for you about your new YA work!
by Rachel Caine June 11th, 2008 at 10:59 amI think it’s possible to have a series in contemporary erotic romance - Jasmine Haynes is doing it with THE FORTUNE HUNTER, then SHOW AND TELL and next GAMES PEOPLE PLAY for Berkley!
Re, THE PRETENDER. Sigh. Yup, I loved that one. And did anyone get hooked, as I did, on the shortlived INVISIBLE MAN? Any time they want to bring that out on DVD….
by Lucienne June 11th, 2008 at 11:31 amEden and Diana, another great example of the emotional series really sucking you in: the new Battlestar Galactica (yes, I’m a huge geek). I’m behind on watching because I’m always reading manuscripts at peak series time, but that’s an amazing series for cliff-hangers based on your love for the characters. I also love that all the decisions are tough and characters may never know if they made the right ones. Nothing is pretty or easy. Everything is a compromise. So real.
by Lucienne June 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pmI LOVE series books because I get connected to characters. A good writer can get me hooked on secondary characters and bring them back as a H or h.
by Jennifer McKenzie June 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pmI think Patti O’Shea does that brilliantly.
Excellent post! Thanks so much for the tips. I love the idea of layers.
by Kwana June 11th, 2008 at 12:45 pmHee–Jen, Patti is one of Lucienne clients. I so think you just got a virtual kiss blown at you for that one.
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 12:48 pmAbsolutely! Patti is phenomenal!
And Kwana, hey, is that you? Well, I mean, of course it’s you, but the you I know?
by Lucienne June 11th, 2008 at 2:06 pmLOL–I’m pretty sure it is. Kwana of TKA fame promised to stop over and say howdy :)
by Crystal Jordan June 11th, 2008 at 2:08 pmGreat take on the series. Thanks for sharing!
Kissa Starling
by Kissa Starling June 12th, 2008 at 6:34 pm