tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post2709610420999287095..comments2024-03-06T05:24:11.328-05:00Comments on Kelly Hashway: Writer Wednesday: Series vs. StandaloneKelly Hashwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-84345392092761084042013-09-26T17:04:50.678-04:002013-09-26T17:04:50.678-04:00Taurean, that can definitely be a problem for the ...Taurean, that can definitely be a problem for the author. You're right. We rely on readers to read the first book and subsequent books as they are released to ensure future books will continue to be published.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-58749309508509514572013-09-26T13:42:16.376-04:002013-09-26T13:42:16.376-04:00Any thoughts, Kelly? Anyone?Any thoughts, Kelly? Anyone?Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-26380459621146820112013-09-17T17:17:45.291-04:002013-09-17T17:17:45.291-04:00I really think you have to go with the ending that...I really think you have to go with the ending that best fits the story, whether that be wrapped up nice an neat, hopeful but not all wrapped up, or bleak.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-90603173799572169492013-09-17T17:16:04.089-04:002013-09-17T17:16:04.089-04:00Makes sense.Makes sense.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-27792375361486789532013-09-17T17:10:06.771-04:002013-09-17T17:10:06.771-04:00Well, Rum's story is more the sequel/companion...Well, Rum's story is more the sequel/companion book to Gabriel, even though Gabriel's not in it. There is a book I'm toying with that's between "Gabriel" and "Rum" but with different characters, but that's a long ways off.<br /><br />Outside Rum's story that I've started, I'm trying to work on a non-Gabriel/Rum book to stretch myself. I don't want to be typecast as only able to write one kind of story or certain characters over and over.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-12179211613239926872013-09-17T17:05:53.703-04:002013-09-17T17:05:53.703-04:00Any thoughts, Kelly? Anyone?Any thoughts, Kelly? Anyone?Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-88590480073879014822013-09-15T09:47:00.073-04:002013-09-15T09:47:00.073-04:00I really do enjoy a good standalone. And thanks. S...I really do enjoy a good standalone. And thanks. Series can be tricky.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-31255271958481708312013-09-14T22:40:02.936-04:002013-09-14T22:40:02.936-04:00I tend to read more standalones. But a well-done s...I tend to read more standalones. But a well-done series is a thing of beauty! It seems so hard to write series, I applaud you for doing it. Adrianne Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18108123882094459747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-33586886607701571392013-09-13T14:22:34.883-04:002013-09-13T14:22:34.883-04:00That's good, as far as Gabriel's concerned...That's good, as far as Gabriel's concerned.<br /><br />I know what you meant. But I feel in general you have to know your limits to deal with them in terms of how far you go.<br /><br />But I do feel some writers use the "Real life" excuse too loosely at times. Yes, life isn't neatly wrapped up, but it's also not ambiguous at every turn either, you know?<br /><br />After all, in real life there are things called luck and coincidence, but that will look trite and "overly convenient" if we wrote that in our work.<br /><br />In books (Barring "Frey-esque" exceptions that backfire anyway...) everything HAS to have a reason and meaning to being there. Real life's NOT always like that. <br /><br />So I take issue with YA and adult novels especially that like bleak ambiguity to the umpteenth degree, because just like adverbs and making setting come to life, you can take "real life" too far and readers still feel cheated or left out of the experience you're trying to give them in the first place!<br /><br />I'd argue that showing the bleak ambiguities and pains of life can be just as jarring for readers as going the other way and making things too neatly wrapped up.<br /><br />Sometimes the "Making our characters suffer" advice is taken too far, and I don't mean that simply on terms of sex or violence, or other similar subject matter, but the overall approach.<br /><br />That's why there's a noticeable difference between books (Or film and television) covering similar territory.<br />Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-56630531822590611222013-09-13T06:41:20.406-04:002013-09-13T06:41:20.406-04:00I'm so guilty of reading series out of order f...I'm so guilty of reading series out of order for that reason. My library is famous for carrying parts of series but not all of them. It results in a lot of unfinished series for me if I don't enjoy the books enough to buy them.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-35634934742234867502013-09-13T06:40:19.234-04:002013-09-13T06:40:19.234-04:00I love when books are more series in that they hav...I love when books are more series in that they have the same MC but the stories are all completely different. Murder mysteries are great for that.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-47818748421790874162013-09-13T06:39:33.256-04:002013-09-13T06:39:33.256-04:00You're right. It is good to leave them wanting...You're right. It is good to leave them wanting more. I've read other series that stretched on for nine books when I thought they should have stopped at three. There is such a things as dragging things out and losing readers because of it.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-87462203820763039942013-09-13T02:33:52.969-04:002013-09-13T02:33:52.969-04:00I like both, but I prefer standalones. With series...I like both, but I prefer standalones. With series sometimes I have book 2 or 3 from a gift or book sale, but I don't have the background knowledge of the first book. Also, I don't finish many series. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-56196716674218441502013-09-12T23:03:29.123-04:002013-09-12T23:03:29.123-04:00I prefer reading standalones, but there has been e...I prefer reading standalones, but there has been exceptions of course: Gennifer Choldenko's 'Al Capone' series has been a lot of fun. Each book is read on its own. It begins and ends as a full story. But the characters might go on to another adventure in the next book. (Then again, when I was so much younger, I loved reading the Enid Blyton series: Faraway Tree, Wishing Chair ...) Yanting Guehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04788603550626277974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-79096813227132346442013-09-12T22:46:40.186-04:002013-09-12T22:46:40.186-04:00My first book was a standalone, because it was bas...My first book was a standalone, because it was based on a true story -- and I told it all. That's it, folks!<br /><br />My second book was also a standalone, but I've already had two emails from teen readers who want a sequel or spin-off. I'm flattered, but I can't see that happening. Still, it goes to show that when readers love a character, they don't want to say good-bye.<br /><br />My next book is part of a series, and I have several manuscripts waiting in the wings with series potential. But I think there is something to be said for the one-and-done.<br /><br />Leave them wanting more, right?Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-91596353587617742152013-09-12T19:12:51.184-04:002013-09-12T19:12:51.184-04:00I never include spoilers. No worries. I don't ...I never include spoilers. No worries. I don't like bleak endings either, Taurean. I like hopeful but not all wrapped up perfectly. Does that make sense? I think the reason for that is that life is never wrapped up perfectly. It feels more realistic to me.<br /><br />I think you're good with the ending for Gabriel. :)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-34653496033996159602013-09-12T19:10:55.122-04:002013-09-12T19:10:55.122-04:00lol At least you figured it out instead of writing...lol At least you figured it out instead of writing a 500 page book first. ;)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-54559650909653689922013-09-12T19:10:05.501-04:002013-09-12T19:10:05.501-04:00Yes, and you want to write a companion book for Ru...Yes, and you want to write a companion book for Rum, right?Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-42853344269325215352013-09-12T19:09:28.482-04:002013-09-12T19:09:28.482-04:00I agree about writers needing that time between bo...I agree about writers needing that time between books to draft, revise, and edit the next book while also marketing the first one. Excellent point, Taurean.<br /><br />I started writing Stalked by Death before my agent sold Touch of Death. I didn't want to chance getting behind. And as soon as SBD was finished I wrote the final book in the series, Face of Death. Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-47960348285117897782013-09-12T15:31:39.528-04:002013-09-12T15:31:39.528-04:00Hehehe I thought I was weird for thinking so big a...Hehehe I thought I was weird for thinking so big all the time. :-P <br /><br />Actually, the story I'm working on right now was supposed to be a standalone. I wrote the rough draft as such, but when I re-read the draft for my rewrite, I realized I'd actually started writing a sequel without realizing it. Go figure.Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-75592863074742220802013-09-12T08:33:19.005-04:002013-09-12T08:33:19.005-04:00That said, Kelly, the waiting game can be an asset...That said, Kelly, the waiting game can be an asset for us (As authors) to break up our marketing and being able to write the next book, whether series or stand alone. Think how frazzled you'd be if the whole trilogy came out at once.<br /><br />And I KNOW the wait was hard for just <br />Touch of Death alone. Given what you've shared on your blog-<br /><br />http://kellyhashway.blogspot.com/2012/07/life-after-book-contract.html<br /><br />But you know now from hindsight that that spread out releases can help the author, even if lay readers find it a pain.<br /><br />Though given a lot of replies in this vain, I'm starting to wonder if writers are better off just writing all the books before selling book one, despite the odds, just to cover themselves. I think the slower you draft and revise, the more you need to consider<br />Since you can fast draft, it might be a bit easier for you to do the book by book as it's drafted. It might take me longer so I have more to consider at least for the short term.<br /><br />It's something I'm considering with a project I do want to be a series. <br /><br />I know people lecture embracing stand alones for the practical reasons writer's have heard a trillion times. But I see it the other way, too.<br /><br />This seems to be one area where lay readers and authors will differ greatly. Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-7379109089239318912013-09-12T08:17:42.993-04:002013-09-12T08:17:42.993-04:00I love the idea of companion series.
You can stil...I love the idea of companion series.<br /><br />You can still be in the same world. But use different characters when you've exhausted what you as the writer can do with the ones you started with.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-83192116240018036952013-09-12T08:14:23.009-04:002013-09-12T08:14:23.009-04:00I'm going against the majority here. I loathe ...I'm going against the majority here. I loathe endings that are overly bleak and hopeless. But it's on a book by book basis. <br /><br />I can respect why a story ended like it did. That doesn't mean I have to like it. <br /><br />Nor does it always mean I regret reading it.<br /><br />As a writer, I still don't the ending to be contrived and done without care. But I personally don't like endings that are so ambivalent that I feel the characters went through "Hell" for nothing!<br /><br />Obviously, some stories lend themselves to ambiguity more than others.<br /><br />That said, Kelly, I imagine Gabriel avoided that apathy you and others have to less bleak endings (Whether books are series or stand alone), since it's not ambiguous, (no spoilers to ending, please)Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-24451286435009571132013-09-12T08:06:08.138-04:002013-09-12T08:06:08.138-04:00I'm with Jess. It's a case by case basis f...I'm with Jess. It's a case by case basis for me, too.<br /><br />Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-5093460148459953362013-09-12T08:05:05.746-04:002013-09-12T08:05:05.746-04:00Well, on that note, how does the "Readers wai...Well, on that note, how does the "Readers wait until all books are out before reading a series" thing work?<br /><br />If lack of sales EARLY ON prevents the series of properly concluding, then that strategy some readers use becomes a danger rather than an advantage, for either the lay reader or the author. <br /><br />Again, I feel needs of the author versus the lay reader don't always line up.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.com