Series, Trilogies and Readers with Susan Wiggs

Hi everyone!  It is my pleasure to bring to you, author Susan Wiggs!  She is an author who frequently visits Jack's Bar and is considered a friend by many there!  For those of you not familiar with my style, my asides are in brackets [] and usually exist throughout the post. 

The Neverending Story

by Susan Wiggs

What’s up with all the sequels and connected books these days? Check out any recent bestseller list, and you’ll find recurring sleuths, spinoff romances, trilogies, epic cycles, thrillers with characters who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Genre writers and children’s authors practically invented the connected or series book, although the tradition can be found as far back as Homer and Chrétien de Troyes.

It’s less prevalent in literary-style books, often because the protagonist, beloved or not, dies. Or is already dead. The Lovely Bones is an amazing book but personally, I would rather have a root canal than read The Lovely Bones 2: The Lovelier Bones. A follow-up to The Kite Runner? Hit me in the head with a hammer, why dontcha? Maybe the best of these books–To Kill a Mockingbird, Bastard Out of Carolina, Snow Falling on Cedars–are so complete in and unto themselves they don’t need a sequel.

[I saw and read To Kill a Mockingbird - I can't see why there would be a sequel made when you consider what the story was really about.  Even after reading it or watching it, it seems so emotionally satisfying that anything more would be "overkill."  I guess I feel the same about Bastard Out of Carolina.  This was an excellent movie that I find the need to watch whenever Lifetime feels the need to show it.  The main theme of this story was about the girl.  Again, the ending was emotionally satisfying and we want to think that anything that happened to the girl from that point on was better than what she had already endured.  The last thing we would want to read about is if this girl had worse things happen to her because it would, well, break our hearts because we all wanted the best for her by the end of the story.]

Then there are the authors who are so popular, they continue to publish after the author is dead. The late J.R.R. Tolkein topped the charts recently with The Children of Hurin, which his son Christopher finished. Poor Ian Fleming is a hundred years old, and he’s still writing Bond books. He’s a ghost with some of the best ghostwriters in the business–John Gardner, Kingsley Amis and Sebastian Faulks. Robert Ludlum , who died in 2002, has been publishing a bestseller or two every year since departing this life. Twenty years after her death, V.C. Andrews is as prolific as ever. I wonder if the recently deceased George MacDonald Fraser will keep going with his bullying, hugely entertaining antihero, Flashman. In my dreams, my post-mortem books are written by authors far better than I.

[Why do publishers think we can't tell?  Of course, this works for some of the newer generation who doesn't bother to research an author they like.  It ruins the existence of the author himself because it makes many people wonder just how many people really write under the moniker of Ian Flemming and, did he really exist?  When you think about that, then you tend to wonder if that's going on with other authors.  Oh, as much as I love JAK's Arcane society, I hope they do not ever get a ghost writer for her.  If someone carries on the tradition, fine, but don't try and tell me your the real thing!]

In genre and commercial books, that thread of connection is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Publishers tend to like series books, because it helps with marketing. They can create a consistent look to signal to readers that there’s a new addition to an old favorite. They can build anticipation and schedule the books at regular intervals, accelerating the building of numbers.

[Let's not forget the possibility of toys, games and expansion into graphic novels, which seems to be a growing trend, in an effort to reach a wider audience.]

Writing books with continuing threads is a natural fit for many writers, myself included. Just because you’ve written “The End” doesn’t necessarily mean a story is over. Characters take on a life of their own, and we–and our readers–find ourselves imagining where they are now. It also saves us from the post-partum depression we sometimes suffer once a book is over.

A lot of series start organically, when a writer’s story grows beyond the scope of one novel. A secondary character steps onto the page, and you suddenly realize he’s on a journey of his own. Maybe you build a world–a town like Mitford, or Cedar Cove, or some other made-up place that suggests story after story. There might be a workplace–Precinct 87, anyone?–filled with enough situations and characters for book after book. Stories multiply like the mythical hydra–you make a Herculean effort to finish one off, and two more appear in its place.

Readers are drawn to series books. My love affair with series books started when, at the age of nine, I rewrote the ending of The Yearling (that kid Jody Baxter was a wicked bad shot) and made up stories about Charlotte’s spider babies. I collected books about the Bobbsey Twins, the Little House books, even the Three Musketeers, although these became more lame as time went on. In contrast, Georgette Heyer actually outdid These Old Shades with its spinoff, The Devil’s Cub. I was recently at a reading by fantasy author Terry Brooks, and in the audience was a guy who had been reading his Shannara books for thirty-one years.

[I can list three off hand that I love to read and will read all books that come out:  Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta Books - as much as I love the character, Cornwell has aged her and will, to my utter disappointment, have to have her die at some point waah!; R.A. Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden Saga - I'm behind, but that doesn't mean I won't catch up; J.D. Robb's In Death series - Eve and Roarke are really enjoyable and the audiobooks are wonderful performances!]

Readers tend to get proprietary about the books they love. As far as I know, Annie the Number-One Fan of Misery, is a figment of Stephen King’s dark imagination, but readers with that kind of passion do exist. I have no doubt that Laura London, aka Sharon and Tom Curtis, has been fending off shrill cries for Cat’s story for decades. Robin McKinley surely has Sunshine fans camped out on her doorstep. Elizabeth Lowell hinted at doing a sequel in her medieval series about the character Eric but this reader is still waiting.

Readers are a demanding lot. They want Daisy’s story. Or Seth’s. Or (fill in name of beloved secondary character here). They fell in love with something about a book, and they want to revisit the world of the story again and again. They’re looking for a familiar story tone or author voice. Small-town settings are a big draw. A small town, where everybody knows everybody else, where there’s history and old friendships and rivalries, is a good bet. People yearn for that kind of connection in this fast paced life.

[Yes, this should be the ultimate kudos to any author.  If you can make us care so much about a set of characters in some real or imaginary town, that we want to keep reading beyond one book that we beg you for more, that is really the ultimate success and demonstrates the power of your talent.]

It’s tricky, though. They insist on the comfort of familiarity, yet they want something new and exciting and fresh. Disappoint them at your peril.

Finding a uniting theme is key to creating a successful franchise. A boarding school for wizards, anyone? A family of vampires? How about a mystery that unfolds over the course of many books? Or a highly specialized, dangerous career with Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters. A summer camp, a yarn shop, a quilting circle or a cooking school. A family like Mary Balogh’s Cynsters or Jo Beverley’s Mallorens. Diana Gabaldon’s Jamie and Claire. Sometimes the concept for a series is as simple as a character you adore–what’s Stephanie Plum up to next?

I once wrote a trilogy about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which saved me months of research. Instead of researching three separate eras or events for the books, the one big event yielded three stories. And yes, there is a book about Phoebe, who one day will turn my trilogy into a quadrilogy.

[I listened to the abridged version of The Mistress.  I really hope that the unabridged audio versions of your books exist on CD somewhere (If not, they should!) because I detest abridged versions because it inevitably feels choppy and confusing in parts.  However, I didn't realize until just now that it was part of a trio, so now I am on a quest for the other two because I did find Kathleen O'Leery and Dylan Kennedy to be quite interesting!] 

How do you know if you’ve stayed too long at the party? It’s a judgment call, like everything else in this business. The three musketeers fizzled (sorry, couldn’t resist). Anne of Green Gables tried readers’ patience about the fourth or fifth time she straightened out a wayward child. And does Gilbert still love her? (Duh.) Writers walk a tightrope, trying to strike a balance between keeping a series fresh and avoiding repetition and staleness, while not disappointing readers with a big twist or switch. When Elizabeth George killed off a beloved character in her long-running Lynley novels, she found herself explaining the situation on CNN. Dorothy Dunnett was a ruthless killer of characters. J.K. Rowling has declared that there will be no more Harry Potter.

[For me, I don't always want the story to stop at the supposed HEA, I want to know, do they really stay in a state of HEA, or does fate throw them even more twists and turns, as it does to many people in real life?  So, a story doesn't have to end with a marriage or the birth of a child, because - as far as I'm concerned - this is where the real story begins.]

Like the characters in a long-running series, we move on. We ride off into the sunset to explore new horizons. See you around, pardner.

Susan Wiggs’s neverending Lakeshore Chronicles series is published by Mira Books. Lakeshore Christmas is definitely not the last. Artwork courtesy of her fellow writer Suzanne Selfors, www.suzanneselfors.com.

I want to thank Susan for joining us today!  Be sure and leave a comment, because one lucky winner will win a set of her Tudor Rose Trilogy - At the King's Command, The Maiden's Hand, and At the Queen's Summons!  Of course each of these is a reprint of the following titles: Circle in the Water, Vows Made in Wine, and Dancing on Air - but who cares, it's a free set of books!  I know I wouldn't mind a set of these!  The new cover art is fantastic!



   

Tell us, what favorite series did Susan's post make you think of? 

A Little Mayhem With Judi Fennell, author of In Over Her Head

Thank you for taking the time to interview with us! Judi's newest release is In Over Her Head. Her full length paranormal romance novel became available in paperback on the New Release and New Romance towers at Barnes & Nobles and Borders or online at:


http://www.borders.com/online/store/SearchResults?type=1&contrib=Judi+Fennell

http://books.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=judi+fennell&r=1

http://www.booksamillion.com/search?id=4421462044575&type=author&query=Judi%20Fennell

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781402220012

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Judi%20Fennell





How long did it take you to become published?

I joined Romance Writers of America in 2004 with one manuscript that needed a lot of work. Since joining, I fixed that manuscript and wrote 3 more. The fourth complete manuscript was In Over Her Head which sold to Sourcebooks.



How long does it usually take for you to research a book? And what is the most unusual method you've used in the process?

The nice thing about writing paranormal and creating your own world is you can make up a lot of it. However, when I was writing In Over Her Head I did have to do a lot of research on the ocean. I bought books of Caribbean fish, poured over Google Earth, a lot of research online, and personal research in Ocean City, NJ when we went on vacation - including climbing on boats in a marina to get that research correct. I'd have to say walking into a marina and telling a boat salesman that I was writing a book about mermen and needed to check out the boats was probably the oddest bit of research I did. Bob, the salesman was incredibly helpful and professional, not even blinking an eye when I told him what I needed. I've been back since to research the next books in the series and he's been fabulous.

(Ha! Now, that would make an interesting story itself, don't you think? Can you imagine what Bob told his friends after that first meeting? "You'll never guess what I did today...")



Many authors are doing strictly e-books, do you think this is just a trend, or does it spell the end of real books?

I don't think it's the end of "real" books, or p-books because people do like to have the physical thing in their hand. You don't want to drop your Kindle/eReader in the bathtub, but if you drop a paperback, it'll be soggy, but it can be saved. I have a few friends who have Kindles and they say they really miss the cover art, so I can't see all books going electronic. That being said, I do know my publisher (Sourcebooks) is looking at e-versions for our print books. I think having them available in other formats can only keep readers happy. Whatever way we can get our stories in readers' hands is great.


How long does it take for you to write books?

Once you're under contract, you no longer have the luxury of time. You have deadlines and there are schedules to be kept to. My deadlines were tight for this series, so I had the third book in by the time the first one came out - and we only had a 10 month turn around for In Over Her Head from sale to shelves.



Is there any character in your books that you can really relate to?

Well, it's no secret that I gave Erica (the heroine) my irrational fear of the ocean - and that she realized it's irrational. That is definitely me. But all in all, these are fictional characters. I'm sure some of my beliefs come through, but I don't base characters on any one person.



Do you see yourself writing in the same genre in 10 years? If not then what?

I love paranormal, but I also love other genres. Where I'll be in 10 years is anyone's guess. I want to be in the business and as long as the stories are flowing, I'll be writing them.



Where do your story ideas come from? Do you use people you know as characters sometimes or even sometimes a certain event from real life happenings?

My story ideas have all shown up in my head differently. Sometimes I just wake up with them, other times it's a "what if" question that happens. Other times I'll see something and think... hm. I could have a lot of fun with that. I don't base my characters on people I know, but I might give one of them a friend's name, just to have fun.



Getting back to your books coming out soon. Tell us a little about what to expect from them.

The three books are about Mers and the Humans who love them. The first book, In Over Her Head, which is out now, is about Reel Tritone, 2nd in line for the Mer Throne who has no chance of inheriting. He's The Spare who talked to a Human years ago and ended up getting royally punished (pun intended) for it. Erica is the Human and when she ends up almost drowning years later, he saves her and then they're off on a series of adventures to recover stolen diamonds and escape a sea monster or two. Wild Blue Under, which comes out November 1, is about Rod Tritone, the Heir to the throne, and Valerie Dumere, the Half-Human/Half-Mer. Rod has to bring her to Atlantis to fulfill a Mer Prophecy or it could be the end of their world. The problem is, she lives in Kansas and has no idea she's half Mer. Catch of a Lifetime is about Angel Tritone, their sister, and Logan Hardington a Human who finds a naked woman on his boat who just might not be what she seems.



How do you feel about fans doing fan fiction and/or roleplaying on the web based on your or other author's works?

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I think it has its upside. I'd love to have enough fans who would want something like that.

(Personally, I'd want to be Chum - he has some of the best lines!)


A new trend for authors seems to be creating a playlist for their books. Did you play certain music as you wrote yours that symbolizes all or parts of your book(s)?

I wish I could say yes to this, but I need to block out sound when I write, and if I'm playing music I can sing to, I won't be able to immerse myself in the story. So, I write with a selection of classical music, some Yanni and a soundtrack of ocean sounds. Does it inspire me? I don't think so - they block out sound and fade into the background as "white noise."



Give us three "Good to Know" facts about you.

Three fun facts about me:

1. I was the only girl in 4th grade who got down on the floor with the classroom pet: an iguana. The rest of the girls were screeching on top of their desks, while the guys and I were crawling around, steering "Ozzie" through the maze of desks and chairs.


2. I was a majorette from 6th grade through 12th and was captain and feature performer. I twirled fire batons, rifles, machetes, sabres in addition to batons. It was my life and I loved every minute of performing, especially when we won State Champs in my junior year.

3. I lived in Spain for a semester while I was in college. Talk about a growing experience! I ended up engineering a 1300-mile, 8 day road trip through the south of Spain with 3 others who didn't know how to read a map, drive stick shift or pack for a road trip. I came back from that Spring Break trip with a whole new attitude - don't tell me there's something I can't do. I did that; I can do anything I put my mind too.



How do you structure your day for writing?

It's easier when the kids are in school. I put one on the bus and head to the gym. I do my workout then come home, shower, answer email, have breakfast then start writing. Depending on where I am in the process I might work until 11:00 pm. I am working all the time; if it's not on a story, it's on promotion or blogging or coming up with the next stories. It's a full time job for me now.



What are your experiences with publishers and agents?

Joining Romance Writers of America was the best thing I could have ever done. I go to conferences and luncheons and other industry functions so I've met a lot of editors and agents. I've done pitches at conferences. I've queried. I've had friends introduce me to their editors/agents. A lot of networking and getting to know them which came in handy when I was looking for an agent during the First Chapters Contest.



Do you have any advice to fledgling authors?

Join a writers' group. Go to industry functions. Get to know the people in the industry. Do your research. Put your stuff out there for critique and be willing to look at it from other perspectives.



What will the role of the Internet play in the future of publishing?

If the amount of blogging I'm doing is any indication, it's an excellent way to get your name out and connect with readers.



What's your next project?

I just turned in Catch of a Lifetime and my editor and I were discussing whether we're going to go with another Mer book next or another idea I have for a series, so I'm putting together a proposal for them and we'll go from there.

(I can't wait to see what you come up with!)



Why and how did you get started writing?

I've always written. I have a story I wrote in first grade; in 2nd grade I won honorable mention in a Caldecott Award contest. It's just something I've always done.



Why did you choose your genre?

It wasn't a conscious choice - it's what I liked to read. I recently had a high school reunion and my books were a topic of discussion. I was amazed at how many of my classmates remember me with my nose buried in a romance novel, or carrying a bunch on the bus to trade with a friend of mine.



What do you consider your best work and why?

I love all my stories as I write them, so I can't really point to one and say "that one." It's like children - each one has their own strengths and weaknesses and you love them because of who they are. I can't pick a favorite child and I can't pick a favorite story.



How do you create your characters? What determines their characteristics and names?

Names are very important in my stories - they could be a play on some part of the story, a certain characteristic I want them to have, a pun, in honor of someone... Each character creates him or herself and their name follows.



Have you ever gotten to a point where a story wouldn't come? If so, how did you get back on track?

I have, but now that I'm writing on deadline, I don't have the luxury of putting it aside and coming back to it. I tend to write linearly, so I've learned that if something is stuck, skip the scene and move on. I usually have an idea where the story is going, but since I'm a pantzer (as opposed to a plotter, i.e. write by the seat of my pants), the story can go in any direction. I've found I end up with a harder path if I try to direct it. If I let it direct me, it's a smoother ride.



What do you think is the most important characteristic of a prolific writer?

Professionalism. It's a job if you're under contract; treat is as such. Behave in a professional manner; don't put anything on the internet you don't want to "own." The internet is forever. Remember that.



How do you come up with original story lines?

They just pop into my head. It could be a character, a scene, a line, an ending, a black moment... I have so many ideas that my problem is not enough time instead of lack of ideas.



Many writers have had success writing in different genres. Do you think it is difficult to switch over to another genre?

I can't see myself ever writing straight thrillers, but there are enough subgenres within Romance: Romantic Suspense, Historical, Contemporary, etc. that I don't think it'd be hard to switch from paranormal to one of those, providing my voice fits it. But this is my first love, so I'll hang out in paranormal for a while - until some new idea shows up and directs me down that path.



Where did you receive your most valuable lessons in becoming a writer?

My first critique from the first contest I ever entered - and it was from my (now) critique partner. She read my story and said, "It's good but you need to lose the first 20 pages." She was right, but it hurt to hear that. But that experience taught me to disassociate myself from my writing - she wasn't being personal. She taught me about not doing an info dump at the opening. She taught me how to get a thick skin. All of that in one sentence.

(That is some great advice - learning to disassociate yourself from your writing when get another's opinion on it. Must remember that.)


Do you belong to a critique group or have a critique partner? Which do you prefer?

Perfect segue from the last question! Steph and I used to belong to a critique group of 4, but the other two women are no longer writing. She's published with Ellora's Cave and has very tight deadlines for her book. We still bounce things off each other and if I need an emergency read, she's right there. I also got involved with Charlotte Dillon's online critique group right after I joined RWA and that was INVALUABLE! I met a couple of great women on there who were excellent writers and critiquers and we broke off from the group and created our own. Of the 6 of us, four are now published and the other 2 are close! I have a few other very good friends - one is fellow Gather-er Beth Hill who is a goddess! - who will read something and offer me their honest opinion when I need it



Would you recommend critique groups to other writers? If so, what elements, in your opinion, make a successful writer's group?

I wouldn't be where I am today if not for my critique group/partners. Their feedback was invaluable and everyone should have one - but you need to make sure you're working with people who will help you.



Do you ever look back and think, "I wish I had written this differently?"

No. If it's not working, I don't continue. No matter how much work it takes, I'll rip the piece apart if I have to to make it the best it can be.



Is writing your full time job or do you have another job also?

I had a part time job, but it got eliminated due to the economy - and it actually came at a good time for me because I had two books to write.



How do you cope with the inevitable stress of deadlines?

Take out pizza. The kids love it, I love not having to cook, and the folks at the pizzeria love it.



How do you keep your books fresh?

The characters. Instead of looking at the three stories as a related group, I look at them as individual stories that have some similar characteristics, like setting and relationships, but each one has to be a complete story and able to stand on its own because a new reader might pick up book 2 without reading book 1 and I want them to know everything they need to know and to feel that the story is complete in that one book.



How important is it to attend writing conferences?

I can't stress enough how important writing conferences are. The workshops, the industry professionals, being around other authors, hearing what they're doing, what works, what doesn't work, what editor is looking for what type of story... and the sheer motivation of being with all those creative and successful people. I told my husband that the six months between events from the NJ conference in October to the Romantic Times Convention in April is entirely too long to go without attending some type of industry function, so I'll be keeping an eye out this year for another conference to attend.



What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I like to read the same kind of books I like to write. But I also like to read any story that's going to sweep me away in a world of romance and adventure and emotion... and of course, that happily ever after. I have favorite books as opposed to favorite authors. My favorite books are: Bewitching by Jill Barnett, Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux, When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist and Cardinal Rules by Barbara Delinsky.



For now. I'm always discovering new books that I love.



What do you do to unwind in your free time?

Free time? What's that? LOL. Seriously, right now, I don't have free time. When I'm not writing, I'm with my family or taking care of them. I do try to keep up with my Thursday night group of ladies in my neighborhood - we get together to watch Survivor and have been doing so for the last 6 years. It's a nice bit of real life sanity in the midst of the insanity.





Thank you so much for having me, Margay. This has been an amazingly fun ride since entering the First Chapters Romance contest. I'd love to hear what you think of the story, and don't forget that I'm raffling off three romantic beach getaways on my website: www.JudiFennell.com

Judi, thank you for allowing me and Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem to be a little part of your journey. I knew the first time I read your first chapter in a certain little Gather contest that it was destined for publication and I am so happy to say I was right. Much continued success! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! ~ Margay