Comments on: Why Authors Should Write a Series of Books: Lessons Learned From Patricia Cornwell

By: Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:34:10 +0000

Deborah – I’ll have to check out that series – thanks

Hannah – you’re right, it can definitely develop the character more and allow a more in depth plot

Amy – I love Anne Lamott – she is so human and her narrative is her life. Brilliant!

By: Jen B

Jen B — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:45:14 +0000

Great points. I’ve often noticed how much more quickly I’ll buy a sequel or part of a series by a known authors than I would a standalone by even the same known author. And I’ve often thought, ‘I should get into that! It obviously works.’ Of course great writing and characters are essential also, but still.

By: Amy Sorrells

Amy Sorrells — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:19:25 +0000

I think the same could be said for non-fiction, especially non-fiction narrative. Like Anne LaMott–using a theme for her three narratives. Branding gives wings to voice in many ways/genres. Do you think?

By: Hannah S. Chacko

Hannah S. Chacko — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:30:41 +0000

Writing a series is not just great financially; it allows the author to really explore a story that has so much to it, that condensing it into one book would be rubbish. Personally, I’m writing a trilogy of trilogies. Once the series is done, it’s done. That chapter will be over. What I don’t like are those series’ that last forever and never seem to end. The Scarpetta books got boring after a while. They were too similar to me. IMHO, a real series is a continuation of a greater story. The first book is the beginning and the last the end and every book in between is the middle. A series of books shouldn’t be like soaps or other ongoing TV series’. They need an end. People get bored after enough time.

By: Update on the Amazon International Kindle and What It Means For Authors | The Creative Penn

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:54:57 +0000

[...] I prefer to buy on the Kindle. Firstly I have just moved house and I have over 1000 books that I have paid to ship from UK to NZ to Australia. I seriously can’t hold any more stock here! So I am trying to move to buying less paperbooks, and culling what I have to retain the most loved print books. Saying that I have ordered 2 books in print that I read on the Kindle first. Second, it is cheaper for me. As mentioned before, prices of books in Australia are astronomical and make print books a budget breaker. I can get 3 Kindle books for the price of 1 new paperback. Thirdly, the risk is lower. I can read samples when I like and buy for cheaper without feeling ripped off if the book is no good. (I stopped reading the Scarpetta that sparked the last post!) [...]

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:15:43 +0000

I think Sandford’s Prey series is also a very good example. While there are definitely a couple of weaker novels in the series, it’s still amazingly good after 19 novels! Sandford has let the character of Lucas Davenport age and change. That does make book 19 very different from book 1—but the change has kept readers engaged. Characters that seem to be kept in limbo and never age, never change have less of an appeal for me. As a reader, that sense of engagement is what makes me either pre-order a book or just wait for it at the local library.

By: Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:22:34 +0000

Hi Vinz, that is an excellent point! I actually stopped reading the latest Scarpetta – it didn’t engage me at all. vs/ Meyer and Rowling who obviously have the right length – maybe 6/7 is all that can be done.. although my Dad still loves the Ian Rankin books.
I guess just stop when the story gets old, or becomes so formulaic or when sales drop

Thanks, Joanna

By: Vinz

Vinz — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:37:01 +0000

I’d like to add: Know where you are going!

IMO, there’s nothing more frustrating than a series that starts out great and then goes totally off the rails because the author is making it up as they go along. It’s all too common in TV — *cough*the X-Files*cough* — but the danger is there in any kind of series.

Also: When the story is done, let it be done. If there’s anything more frustrating than a series ruined by lackluster planning, it has to be a series that’s being kept alive soley for the cash. I do realize that publishing is a business, but it pains me to see great stories and characters tarnished by unneccessary, forced sequels.