Sequels
There are numerous ways to manage sequels. The preferred
method is often heavily genre specific. For example, if you write mysteries,
the sequels are often the protagonists ongoing adventures. Whereas with
romances, the whole point is how the hero and heroine fall in love. Readers can
grow impatient waiting for that to occur over several stories, so sequels are often the stories of one or more minor characters from book one.
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But beyond genre specifics there are other things to take
into account when writing a sequel. A lesson Jen and I learned the hard way.
We sold a series idea to Whitaker House which became the
Charm and Deceit series. Book one went well, book two was easy peasy to write.
Lots of adventure, huge stakes. But then we were faced with book three. The
story we had pitched with our proposal sounded good. In it we are solving a
mystery raised in book one. It ties the whole series together nicely. But when
it came to actually writing it, there was a problem.
Jennifer AlLee
I believe I mentioned the huge stakes in book two? Yeah,
Vanishing Act is set during the Civil War and concerns Tad Lincoln’s
kidnapping. The stability of the Union teeters in the balance. Huzzah!
Adventure, dash, and daring do ensue.
But then we hit book three like we’d run aground against a
sandbar. You see in books one and two we had created certain reader
expectations for the series. Now we were faced with the stakes being the
resolution of a ten-year-old murder mystery. We were afraid it would be
anticlimactic and the last thing I want to do is disappoint readers.
Lisa Karon Richardson
We managed to find a way to increase the stakes, but in the
interests of sparing you a similar harrowing experience, my advice is to think
beyond the individual arcs of the stories to creating an overall arc for the
series while you’re still in the planning stage.
Consistency is key as well. Make sure there is a similar
tone or feeling. This is particularly important if you are featuring the same
characters again and again. But even if you aren’t, your readers now have
expectations about what experience the series will give them and again, we
don’t want to disappoint readers.
Have you written a series? What tips and tricks can you
share with us to make the process as pain free as possible?
Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for two sets of the first two books in our Charm and Deceit series. Book #1 is Diamond in the Rough. Book #2 is Vanishing Act.
Vanishing ActJuliet Button doesn't even believe in ghosts, but she believes in supporting her makeshift family of misfits. Having spent years as assistant to her uncle, an illusionist, she now has all of the skills and know–how she needs to make an audience believe the impossible. So, she begins a career as a medium by the name of Miss Avila. She wants nothing to do with a detective with the power to destroy the life she's built, but when President Lincoln's youngest son is kidnapped, and the first lady comes to her for help, she can't refuse, even if it means facing Pinkerton agent Carter Forbes, who knows far too much about her already—and possibly falling in love.
http://www.lisakaronrichardson.com/
http://jenniferalleesite.blogspot.com/
Welcome back, ladies. So not only do you write together long distance but you have a series to keep track of. How do you keep track of people, places and things for continuity?
ReplyDeleteLisa and Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI have a series in the making, and it's the 3rd that gives me trouble too. I'm just in the planning stages for that book. I have several ideas but none of them really excite me. I keep hoping as I complete book one and two, it will just come to me.
That's a unlikely, huh?
Thanks for the insight into writing a series and things writers need to think about. I can appreciate how it could be the third book. I have read a few where the third one had to finish two different stories cos the publish only wanted 3 book. This too can be annoying for a reader. As a reader I hate waiting for the next book in the series and sometimes will wait before reading the first books in the series.
ReplyDeleteI found this quote very encouraging,
ReplyDelete"...my advice is to think beyond the individual arcs of the stories to creating an overall arc for the series while you’re still in the planning stage."
I find it encouraging because I think I'm kind of doing that.
I'm in the early chapters of the first book of what will someday (Lord Willing) become a three book historical romance series that centers around one family. I have an antagonist who was once a very close friend to that family, but who comes to resent them bitterly.
Book one shows the beginning of the estrangement. Book two shows the rift widening. Book three shows this woman at an all time spiritual low before the final reconciliation.
Book three is going to be amazing (I think it's my favorite already!)
But I probably need to finish the first two first...
Great post! Definitely put me in for the drawing.
But if I had a writing partner what if they wouldn't OBEY ME!?
ReplyDeleteThat's how it works right?
I'd get to be totally in charge right?
I'm confused.
The coffee pot is on!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you girls at conference.
I like reading--and writing--series. And, yep, number three is important for rounding it all out in a nice, climactic way.
I often wonder why 3 books in a series as many book 3's feel like they are trying to fit to much in where a fourth would work well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing since series is what everybody asked about at conference.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on polishing book one, so I guess it's time to think about the series arc like you suggested.
Thanks!
(Please enter me in the drawing.)
Haven't written a series, but would love to be entered in the drawing!
ReplyDeletetscmshupe [at] pemtel [dot] net
I haven't written a series but have read many many of them.
ReplyDelete:)
Hahaha, MaryC. I would have that same problem! I can't imagine not having full control of EVERYTHING in the story! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm NOT a controlling person... I don't think?
Welcome to Seekerville, Lisa and Jennifer! Thanks for the tips on writing a series. Especially like your advice to think beyond the stories' individual arcs to creating an overall arc for the series while still in the planning stage.
ReplyDeleteVanishing Act sounds fascinating! Love the cover.
Janet
Hey ladies!! Thanks so much for having us today!! We're excited to be here and share some of what we've learned through painful experience!
ReplyDeleteTina, the answer is by the grace of God and excel spreadsheets. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, in our series we had different main characters for each book, and different settings so there was less to keep track of than in some stories. I'm sure we still managed to screw something up, time and eagle-eyed readers will tell!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Jennifer and Lisa!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post on sequels. Writing the first book is hard enough, but carrying the tone of that first book through the rest of them is downright difficult!
Thanks for the pointers. I'm looking forward to reading the comments and gleaning new thoughts and strategies!!
Connie,
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's unreasonable to think you might get inspiration for book 3 from writing the first ones, but as you're writing I would keep in mind what thread is tying everything together. That is what you'll want to pull on for book three as well.
Jenny, I get impatient for the next book too!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, You are ahead of the game girl!
Mary, I can't even control the characters much less a writing partner!
Hey Helen, it was lovely to meet you at the conference. Do you have any tips for writing those series?
ReplyDeleteOh and Jenny, it does seem that publishers have a preference for 3 book series. Occasionally they will go longer, but when that happens it's like a lot longer, 6 or 9 books. I don't know why they like multiples of 3!
Hi Jackie!. It can't hurt, right? I did notice that not everyone is looking for series. If you're not sold on doing a series, check out your target publisher's preference. It may be that a standalone is just fine.
Sally, you're in!
ReplyDeleteAmy, if you leave a contact e-mail we'll get you entered too.
Mary Hicks, co-writing was a daunting proposition at first. I sure couldn't do it with just anyone. Luckily, I got the best possible writing partner and it has been fabulous.
Hey Janet! Thanks for letting us come hang out with all the seekers today. We always love the energy and enthusiasm around here!
Hey Audra! You know I thought the hardest part about the sequels would be knowing where to start so that you didn't over explain things to previous readers, but had enough of a set up for new readers. Turns out that was the easy part! We're already trained to be judicious with backstory so when you think of book 1 as backstory things start to fall into place. It was all the stuff that I wasn't nervous enough about to begin with that proved difficult!
ReplyDeleteWell good morning,
ReplyDeleteEverything I've ever written has been a series. I don't have trouble with the story arc (not that I know of, but I'm unpubbed). I seem to "see" the entire series before I write the first book. Continuity has not been a problem. Where I struggle is in introducing characters in the second book. My crit group has gently chastised me for "too many names." And they're right, but I have to get these people in there somehow. No man is an island. No character either. I am put in mind of a popular series for tween girls in the 1980 involving baby-sitters. Each first chapter included a detailed dossier on each baby-sitter, her family and pets. It pretty much WAS the first chapter. We can't do that, and I try to weave stuff in, but it's a challenge. I'll probably try a stand-alone just to give myself a break, but wanna bet I'll find something worth continuing into a sequel?
MARY, I would obey you. :)
JEN and LISA, thank you for the post.
Different people handle series in different ways. For example, Terri Blackstock in Restoration (a huge favorite of mine), she has unresolved issues for all her main characters running pretty much through the four books. It's like an ensemble show on television. Melody Carlson's "Shining Waters" focuses on one character' issues -- Anna in the first book, Lauren in the second book and Sarah in the third. While Anna is around to cheerlead for Lauren and Sarah and Lauren gets her act together to support her daughter, Ann and Lauren pretty much work out their issues in their own books. They are present in Sarah's book, very much so in Anna's case, but they've worked out their own conflicts. I read too much and should spend more time writing...
ReplyDeleteBack later
Kathy Bailey
KAYBEE THANK YOU HONEY!!!! YOU WOULD BE THE FIRST!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa! I was wondering about the story, with a heroine who's a medium. Was that a tough sell? I love that she's working in a sort of shady business supporting her family, very intriquing.
ReplyDeleteHow did that come about?
My series are linked only with setting and minor characters --I much prefer your series arc where you tie up a mystery across all stories. I will keep this in mind for future series. And it worked well anyway, as I'm considering taking one character off as a mystery sleuth anyway!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I'm in awe of your working relationship anyway. This is an amazing series...I love your plotting and twisty minds!
Welcome to Seekerville ladies. Seems like series are in. I prefer stand alone but it is fun to reconnect with a super character in a series.
ReplyDeleteI find the 'partner' writing method fascinating! Sparkle Abbey (two different people) write every other book in the series. But it really requires trust and commitment. Hands off to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm plotting a trilogy right now--so this is very timely advice :) There's a thread of mystery going through each book, and I really had to consider how much to reveal in each book so the reader was satisfied and the book could stand alone--but there was still a bit of mystery left.
After reading your wonderful article, I'll have to look at whether or not I have increased the stakes enough...
Kaybee,
ReplyDeleteIt sure is easy to fall into the name soup trap. Where we overwhelm readers with everyone and everything we think they need to know right off the bat. Someone once told me that the first few chapters all information, but especially backstory is need to know basis only. If a reader can figure out what's going on without that snippet, then it's not time for it yet.
I like your observations on how some other writers have managed to keep their ongoing characters involved in their stories. Very astute.
Great advice, Lisa and Jen! I can't wait to read the rest of this series! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe book I'm working on now has the potential to have a series, but I'm not thinking much of that. Ha! I just want to get this one published when I finish it:)
ReplyDeleteI think it would be more difficult to write a series--I might rather start fresh--but I sure like to read them!
Please enter me.
Courtney -- alwaysreadingblog.blogspot.com
Mary, I thought our fake medium was going to be a tough sell, but Whitaker House didn't balk at all. Book one has a gambler/con man hero though and they renamed the series Charm and Deceit. So it wasn't that far off from what was already being done.
ReplyDeleteWe have had lots of comments though about how people were wondering how we could possibly pull off a fake medium heroine in a Christian romance.
Hello Deb, my dearest. I think just having the stories linked by setting and minor characters is perfectly acceptable. I think the idea of having that underlying mystery is more popular now than they used to be because it's a technique we see in TV a lot now. Like the mystery of who killed Beckett's mom in Castle. Or who burned Michael in Burn Notice.
ReplyDeleteHey Sandra. Seems like the trend is for series that feel like stand alones!
ReplyDeleteHey Sherri, Wow! I cannot imagine letting go to the point where someone else wrote the whole book. I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just thinking about it!
Hey Suzie Jo, Thanks for stopping in!
Hey Courtney! You're in the drawing. You know, I never really thought in terms of doing a series, but that was what our publisher wanted. We came up with a few more ideas and went from there. But I really was not imagining a series when we started working on book 1. You just never know what might happen in this crazy industry!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us, ladies.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it true that sometimes the book we think will be easy to write is our most difficult challenge? Hard to know ahead of time which one will work well and which one will stump us.
I have a Military Investigations series but each book is a stand alone. Although...some of the earlier characters have cameo roles in later books, and I've got a couple of secondary characters who hold down the CID Headquarters in each story. I've enjoyed writing the series and hope my editor lets me continue, at least for a few more books.
This post was very timely as I'm gearing up to write a book 2 of 3 for Nano. Love what you said about keeping the tone the same and fulfilling the reader expectation.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that helped me was to also have an artifact that spans all three of the books. It is a carved horse-head necklace and follows the hero and heroine of every book.
I totally laughed out loud at Mary's "what if they don't obey me?" and almost spewed my cereal. This is why I love Seekerville. =)
Please enter me in the drawing. nancykimball at hotmail
Thanks!
Hey, JEN and LISA ... WELCOME TO SEEKERVILLE, GUYS!!
ReplyDeleteOh, WOW, do I relate to the wall you hit with book 3 -- I've got more bruises on my face from running into series walls than I care to admit, which makes the following advice you said absolutely golden:
"think beyond the individual arcs of the stories to creating an overall arc for the series while you’re still in the planning stage."
I didn't do this in my Daughters of Boston series, obviously, because I was such a newbie and actually didn't write book 1, A Passion Most Pure, with a series in mind. But I did do this with the next two series, and I found that the NUMBER ONE thing that helped me more than anything was this -- having a very detailed, almost novel-like synopsis that not only told the story, but did so in a dramatic fashion with actual lines I eventually used in the story.
When I set down to think through both the Winds of Change series and the Heart of San Fran series, I started off with 1-line premises for all of the books and a 1-line moral premise as well. Then I labored over a realllllly intense 7 to 8-page synopsis for each book that gave me a crystal-clear bird's-eye view of where I was going. I cannot tell you just HOW much that guided and helped me through the process. Of course, it blew my panster mentality right out of the water too ... ;)
Jen, I saw you across the room at ACFW several times and started over to say hi, but always got waylaid, so I am SO sorry we didn't connect. Hopefully next year??
Hugs,
Julie
Why three? It's just my theory, but a series could bog down after that unless you have a really strong premise, good research and exceptional writing. (I would not have wanted the Thoenes to breeze through Hitler's Germany with only three books...) Family sagas tend to peter out because of the Babysitters Club syndrome. How often can you introduce Grandma?
ReplyDeleteJack Kavanaugh and Gilbert Morris tie their stories together with the Morgan family Bible and Gilbert Winslow's journal respectively, but they also tie their stories to major historical events. Works for them. I still don't know why it's three and not two...
Yes, I've written a series. I find it helps to have connecting characters - also, I try to find an issue that's important to me, on which I can focus on in each story. Your book sounds amazing! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDelete~Cecelia Dowdy~
http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/
Good morning, All! Being that I live in the Pacific time zone, I always get to these parties late. But yowza, it's awesome to see everybody :)
ReplyDeleteTina, I've got a chart I keep for every book I write, including these co-written ones. It's just a simple 3-column table in a Word document, but I put in all the characters, images of what they look like, and any pertinent details or dates. It keeps me ending up with a heroine whose eyes change color throughout the book!
ReplyDeleteConnie, don't discount the possibility of things "just coming" to you. I'll confess... I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, which works great for my solo written contemporaries. But you can't really work that way on a co-written historical!
ReplyDeleteMary... LOL! No, if you wrote with a partner, obedience isn't part of the deal. In fact, Lisa and I have both had times where we've taken the story in a brand new direction, and we've done it without informing the other. Sometimes, it's just plain anarchy!
ReplyDeleteJULIE LESSMAN!!! I know... I kept trying to get to you at ACFW, and something always stopped me. I got really close once. I think we were separated by a couple of chairs. Anyway, you know I love you, I'm just bummed I didn't get a hug. Next year, I'll have to get two :)
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Nice to see youse, ladies!!! I'm dropping off fresh coffee and some cream-filled chocolate-covered fresh donuts from Tops Markets, and they break every low-carb rule I've ever practiced...
ReplyDeleteBut hey!!! It's FRIIIIDAY!!!! I can starve tomorrow, but a little chocolate donut is just the ticket for Friday in Seekerville!!!
NANCY K, I love artifacts! They really tie a series together.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen and Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI would think it would be difficult to write a long series with another author, but surely there are perks? Can you fill us in on those? :)
I'm in the middle of an eight book historical series for Love Inspired Historical. I planned this series as a newbie and did not do what you so wisely suggested. The series follows cousins, so I knew each had their own personalities/issues, but I didn't plan their individual stories ahead of time. By God's grace, everything has fallen into place. If I do another series, I will save myself some grief and plan ahead!
RUTH, thank you for the doughnut.
ReplyDeleteI cheat on weekends.
I'm working on book 3 in a series. Problem for me is book 3 got a pass from my editor, but I love these characters so much. After talking with my editor I'm going to try and make some changes and give them one more go.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your series sounds really cool.
ReplyDeleteDebby, that is so true. Book 2 came together so easily that I thought we'd really hit our stride, and that book 3 was going to come easily too. So not the case.
ReplyDeleteHey Julie, that is great advice. Thanks for sharing your process. I always find it fascinating to see how other writers work. There's always something new to learn!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I like the idea of an artifact that spans stories.
Hey Cecelia, do you use the same issue throughout your series, or do you focus on a different issue in each story?
Karen, the perks of co-writing are many and varied. First is that you don't have to write the whole thing. Second is a built in brainstorming and accountability partner. Third, with additional perspective there is more scope for taking the story into different and unexpected territory, hopefully making for a more exciting and enjoyable read.
Christina, good luck with your revisions! I hope your editor can be swayed your way!
ReplyDeleteThanks, ladies, for the excellent advice on writing a series. I enjoy reading trilogies immensely, but haven't attempted writing anything like that yet. Although I am writing a cozy mystery, with DEFINITE potential for a series. Luckily, there's usually just one mystery per book in a cozy series, so the overarching plot is more character development-focused, I think. Usually there isn't an overall mystery arc in a mystery cozy series, because the author doesn't usually have an ending in mind. They just keep publishing until their publisher won't let them anymore!
ReplyDeleteLove to be in the drawing, as these books sound fabulous!
So nice to have you in Seekerville today, Lisa and Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteAnd Jennifer, I forgive you for not recognizing me at first at ACFW. Honestly, sometimes I hardly recognize myself! Great to sit next to you and catch up at the Abingdon dinner!
Well, having completed two three-book series now, I can attest to the challenges. Interestingly, I just came upon the RT review of When the Clouds Roll By, and it was pretty obvious the reviewer didn't get the whole "series" idea. She said too many things were left unresolved.
What can I say? The hero and heroine get their HEA, major plot points are brought to conclusion, and the door is left open for interesting things to happen with other characters in book 2.
Isn't that the way a series is supposed to work?
I think it's so cool ya'll work together.
ReplyDeleteBecause you have a partner, does it make you work more consistent because there's pressure to do your part? Or do you have to constantly kick yourself because someone's sharing the workload?
Only a procrastinator like me would ask that question.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa and Jennifer:
ReplyDeleteI just loved this quote:
"...my advice is to think beyond the individual arcs of the stories to creating an overall arc for the series while you’re still in the planning stage."
This is great advice but the only thing that scares a pantser more than ‘planning’ is a ‘synopsis’! Good luck with this!
Seekerville is a Pantser Sanctuary site.
Julie cracks me up!
“I labored over a realllllly intense 7 to 8-page synopsis for each book that gave me a crystal-clear bird's-eye view of where I was going. I cannot tell you just HOW much that guided and helped me through the process.”
Scratch a successful pantser and underneath you’ll always find a stealth plotter.
About series.
I believe there are two basic kinds of series.
(1) The continuity series which is like dominoes falling one after another until the series ends. This series is best suited to plotters. (Or stealth plotters.)
(2) The situational series which is built around an inherently interesting situation. This type of series is very pantser friendly.
Julie Lessman’s Boston books form a continuity series. Debby Giusti’s military series is a situational series based on the CID division at Fort Rickman in Georgia.
The situational series can run forever. It can also have a different author for each book with only a minimum amount of background information provided to each writer. The Love Inspired Alaska series had six books with different authors for the contemporary set and three books with different authors for the historical set. All books are built around a historically interesting town in Alaska.
My theory on series creation is an expanded version of writing the stand alone novel. That is: develop multiple streams of entertainment for the reader to enjoy. I believe a writer is not primarily telling a story but is rather entertaining the reader.
If a writer has five to ten streams of enjoyment flowing into the reader’s experience, then some of these streams can hold down the fort in places where the story may be flagging in entertainment power.
Consider Debby’s military books: here are some of the streams of enjoyment that a reader can look forward to:
1. insights into the military life
2. information on military police procedures
3. the challenge of solving a mystery before the end of the book (Who done it?)
4. the excitement of a suspense (Will the hero and heroine survive?)
5. the vicarious pleasures of reading a good romance
6. the assurance of knowing you are reading a clean story with both an inspirational and moral outcome
7. the setting and the experience of living in the south in general and Georgia in particular
8. the intellectual pleasure of reading very rich writing where story events are often mirrored in what is happening in the environment
9. the enjoyment of admiring fresh writing complete with new ways of expressing popular writing conventions or clichés (As a writer this is one of my greatest reading enjoyments).
The essential part in providing streams of enjoyment is to understand what readers like most in each stream and to then work those things into the story.
This is why I think it is very important to preview all the wonderful things readers look forward to reading in the first chapter. (Think of the first chapter as a movie ‘coming attraction’ with hints of great things to come.)
Not only should the reader be ‘hooked’ with a story line element, the reader should also be looking forward to being entertained by the other streams of enjoyment.
BTW, Jennifer, I think ‘AlLee’ has a great marketing advantage. I keep thinking you are all over the net but then it may be that when I see the ‘AlLee’ it stands out as more memorable than other authors. Is there a story behind the spelling of your name or is it like e. e. cummings? Just a great idea.
Vince
P.S. Please put me in the drawing.
P.P.S. I'm not doing PR for Debby. I just love her writing. (Notice I was reading Ruth's new book on my vacation.)
Goodness, I'm so easily distracted! I stopped by and read the post this morning. Looks like I never posted a comment! I'm sure something pulled me away, probably mid-typing.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to have y'all back at the blog! Thanks for the post. It truly is difficult to keep track of series. I can understand how that could make the 3rd book tough to write. There are always a lot of threads to tie up as well.
Off topic--can anyone give some guidelines for Bethany House? Meaning word count, etc. that is who I'm targeting, and I know you must be represented by an agent to submit. I'm halfway through the story I'm writing, but I want to make sure I'm on point.
ReplyDeleteThanks in advance.
Vince...I need to hire you! Really I do. Are you looking for a part-time job? Just wondering. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind promo for my Military Investigations Series.
Where shall I send your first paycheck?
Nancy K...love the artifact that appears in all three books. Nice!
ReplyDeleteBTW, did you see last WED's blog? I posted a pic of you on the big screen, highlighting your Genesis final. We're proud of you!
Please enter me in the drawing. It sounds like a good series and I enjoy historical books, especially ones set in the 1800's. Vanishing Act sounds good.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, you're right about the cozies. Those series can go forever.
ReplyDeleteMyra, sounds like the way series work to me!
Connie, actually knowing someone else is depending on me to get my chapter done is a kick in the pants. Makes me keep plugging away.
Lisa covered the perks of co-writing quite well, but I've got one more to add: accountability. Because I KNOW that Lisa depends on my to do my part, I can't procrastinate and put off the work as I am inclined to do. Which, by the way, is part of why I'm not commenting as much as I'd like today. We have an October 1 deadline, and I'm working on my part right now. Gotta get it done!
ReplyDeleteSPEAKING OF SEQUELS..RUTHY, just finished "Lawman's Second Chance." Is the next book going to be about Piper's sister Rainey? See how sharp I am?
ReplyDeleteKB
Vince, wow! thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. I hadn't ever really thought about other sources of enjoyment for the reader. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHey Misty, thanks for letting us hang out with you guys today!
Courtney, I believe they are looking for 80-100K words manuscripts. Particularly historical romance. They are experimenting with some historical romantic suspense, but they are being very selective about what they would consider.
Michelle, you're in the drawing!
Hey Vince! I'm so glad you like my name. The most difficult thing about it is getting people to spell it right. For some reason, the second "el" gets turned into an "I" quite often. But it IS unique, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's a real name, too. I didn't make it up. It's French, and over the years the family has put their own spin on it. Some of them spell it with the capital "el" like I do, others use two lowercase "el"s, and some use an accent mark. I pronounce it "ah LEE" but the ones that use the mark pronounce it "ah LAY". If nothing else, it's a conversation starter!
Thanks, Lisa and Jen, I had 3 requests for proposals at conference this past week, and two of them wanted to see series proposals, so I'm glad to see that! I love to read series, myself!
ReplyDeleteI do have an excel sheet for book one in one of the series so that should make it easier to write books two and three, and I love the fact that as I do my final rewrites I can add small quirks, interests, etc. in book one about the brother and sister who will be the main characters in books 2 and 3. I think it will make them deeper more believable characters!
Thank you, Lisa. I thought that was the desired word count. My story is a contemporary:)
ReplyDeleteLisa Karon Richardson said... when you think of book 1 as backstory things start to fall into place.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Lisa! What a wonderful tip. Thank you!
Nancy C
I so want to read these books. Please enter me. Thank you.
ReplyDeletesweetdarknectar at gmail dot com
Dashing by for a moment...
ReplyDeleteSorry so late!
One tip to share is to ensure the structures/buildings you wrote about in book 1 remain the same in 3. (barring acts of God of course!) ;)
Congratulations on your success!!
I'm fascinated about writing as a team. I've tried talking my sis into writing with me, but so far no luck. The fact that you do it long distance is even more amazing.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt you ladies wrote an amazing book three.
Writing a series must be a bit like juggling I think. Very interesting that you write together, but apart.
ReplyDeleteRose, so good seeing you in Seekerville! Wonderful having lunch with you at ACFW.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the post. I'm a avid and passionate reader, not a writer. Would love to have the opportunity to be entered in the giveaway for your books. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteBarbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com