I’m having a happy Monday (off work!) and I hope you are too.
Today I’d like to discuss fiction novel series. I heard a comment on Goodreads that series tend to get better or worse as they progress, which intrigued me. Since I’m writing my own fiction series (The Conduct Series), that comment also made me a little nervous. Will readers enjoy #2 and #3 even more, or will they think the story’s “jumped the shark”?
Obviously all we can do is our best job as writers, knowing some readers might love it and some readers might hate it. As a new author, I’m hoping subsequent novels will improve simply because I’m learning so much about writing as I go. I was pleased when Rachel from Oklahoma recently left this review on Goodreads for Bad Behavior (#2):
“I don't know how Jennifer Lane got all that story line into this book I'll never understand, but she did it. I really like that we get to see into Sophie and Grant's therapy appointments like we get to see their parole appointments too. Not to mention how far Grant and Sophie both come in this book, it's amazing, and it doesn't seem contrived just to get the book moving. I can't wait to see what happens in book #3!”
Thinking about the progression of my favorite series, I’m not sure if I agree they vastly improve or tank. Some of them seem to maintain the same high quality throughout, even though the focus of the story might change as the characters develop.
Today I’d like to discuss fiction novel series. I heard a comment on Goodreads that series tend to get better or worse as they progress, which intrigued me. Since I’m writing my own fiction series (The Conduct Series), that comment also made me a little nervous. Will readers enjoy #2 and #3 even more, or will they think the story’s “jumped the shark”?
Obviously all we can do is our best job as writers, knowing some readers might love it and some readers might hate it. As a new author, I’m hoping subsequent novels will improve simply because I’m learning so much about writing as I go. I was pleased when Rachel from Oklahoma recently left this review on Goodreads for Bad Behavior (#2):
“I don't know how Jennifer Lane got all that story line into this book I'll never understand, but she did it. I really like that we get to see into Sophie and Grant's therapy appointments like we get to see their parole appointments too. Not to mention how far Grant and Sophie both come in this book, it's amazing, and it doesn't seem contrived just to get the book moving. I can't wait to see what happens in book #3!”
Thinking about the progression of my favorite series, I’m not sure if I agree they vastly improve or tank. Some of them seem to maintain the same high quality throughout, even though the focus of the story might change as the characters develop.
The Bronze Horseman trilogy by Paullina Simons: I loved each of these books equally, happy for the opportunity to witness the ups and downs of a married couple.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Incredibly, each book gets even longer in this series! But I’ve enjoyed all seven books so far.
I know some readers had issues with Breaking Dawn, but I believe this was one series that did improve as it progressed.
The first two books were fantastic, but I felt a real let-down with Mockingjay (#3).
How do you feel about the progression of some of your favorite series?
For today only (5/30/11), All Romance Ebooks offers a 50% rebate on ebooks. Here’s your chance to get With Good Behavior and Bad Behavior for $3.50!
Now it’s time for Meet an Author Monday hosted by Lisa Sanchez (visit her blog for instructions).
Comments
I write and life and I write about books.
http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
Donna, thanks for stopping by! Your German shepherds are beautiful. I think it would be a lot of pressure on a well-established author like Diana Gabaldon to keep cranking out such masterpieces with all the reader input she undoubtedly receives, but she obviously does that with aplomb!
I love series, except for when they end. Then I'm mourning the characters and have no choice than...read again!
I read your first Book On Good Behavior twice already, and the second one (just) once so far *owes you a review on this one though* and I can't wait for the third book to come by so I can re-read the whole thing again!
I did that with Harry Potter and re-read the whole thing again recently, so I think I read the first one...many times? (And it's my least favourite).
What I love too about series is that you can go further in the story, deeper in the characters and longer in the pleasure. I LOVE that you chose to write a series. Thank you Jen !
I also enjoy when an author writes books about completely different characters, but then you meet one of the previous in the new book, not really a series, but it's nice to get an update on "people" you liked (like "Ben and Suzy where running after their two kids" and when you left them in another, previous book they were just getting married) Isabel Wolff does that and I appreciate the surprise!