 The Perils & Pleasure of a Long Series Posted by Nancy Northcott Jan 29 2013, 12:37 am
My guest today is NY Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes. Her historical romances featuring the Windham family have totally captured me with their strong characters and deep emotions, and I’m eager for each new book. Grace will talk with us today about the experience of writing a long series. Welcome, Grace! For those new to the series, maybe we could start with a brief description? “Lady Eve’s Indiscretion” is the seventh book in a series that’s now envisioned to include eight novels and four novellas. The central characters are the eight Windham siblings, their parents, and a few friends and relatives who wouldn’t remain in a quiet secondary role. When it came time to write book seven, I was nervous, for two reasons. I had the usual anxiety of the “organic” writer. I had no idea on page one what my subconscious would come up with to keep the story moving forward on page 50, much less wrap the story up on page 350. I’m getting used to that worry, though, having written a couple dozen manuscripts, and realizing that these things have a way of working themselves out (after I’ve suffered weeks of uncertainty, each and every time). My other concern had to do with what material I could work with that was unique to the characters in that book. While the author might know the characters better than if meeting them for the first time, the readers may not, so the character must be presented afresh, and yet without leaving any important backstory detail out.
What I hadn’t realized previously, is that Eve no longer rides because a bad accident cost her her confidence in the saddle. This insight came to me when it occurred to me that all the other Windham sisters had gone riding in the Park, but never Eve. Hmm.
This interplay between the known and the undiscovered can’t take place in the same way in stand alone books, and it’s an interplay I enjoy. I also found out in Eve’s book that there’s a particular bond between Louisa and Eve, and that His Grace and Her Grace have names for some of their most enjoyable shared memories. In this sense, a long series is a lot of like a family friendship. You can think you know a family, and still be surprised and delighted by the new things you learn about them. Because I am from a big family, that feels like home to me, and while I haven’t written another series quite as long as the Windhams’ series, my penchant for related family stories is still running strong. For more information about Grace and her work, check out her website, www.graceburrowes.com. You can also find her on Facebook and on Twitter. Do you have questions for Grace? Are you a fan of the related-books series? What are some of your favorites? Grace will send one commenter a signed copy of “Lady Eve’s Indiscretion.” Check back at 11:30 tomorrow night to find out who won.
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Ooh… I’m a huge fan of the related-book series! Grace, I have most of the seven on my TBR, but I think I’m missing the last couple…
As for a few related-book series, I do love the Kleypas Wallflowers, the Quinn Bridgertons, many of the sweeping family sagas by Nora Roberts, Ann Aguirre’s many series, Carrie Lofty’s Christies… I’m quite a sucker for connected stories!
Fedora, congrats on the chook! He seems to be bouncing between the US and Australia at the moment. He must have jet lag!
Fedora, Lady Eve is book seven, and Lady Jenny, who comes out in October, is book eight. There are also a couple of novellas written for Their Graces, The Courtship, published last fall, and The Duke and His Duchess, coming out in April.
Fedora, we read many of the same series. I was very sorry the Sirantha Jax saga ended, but I’m also reading Corinne Solomon.
Congrats on the bird!
Congrats to Grace on the upcoming release. I have read and enjoyed the Windham books. I love related books series and some of my favorites include Stephanie Laurens’ Bastion Club , Julie James’ FBI/US Attorney and Tara Janzen’s Steel Street series.
You’re a lady of varied tastes. I particularly enjoy Stephanie Laurens, regardless of whether it’s series, stand alone, related or something in between.
Hi, Jane–
These series are new to me. I’ll have to check them out. I do enjoy connected books.
Hello Grace,
I haven’t read most of the Windham books. I have majority of them just haven’t gotten a chance to read them. I actually love how series tie together. I love when one series ends, yet ties into another series. It lets me see the characters I love in the background, but they are still there.
Melody, I’ve tried something with my Scottish Victorians and my Windhams along those lines. In the last Scot Vic I gave a Windham pair–now older, distinguished, and quite settled–a cameo. We’ll see what Madam Editor says about that…
Grace, I have The Bridegroom Wore Plaid here, waiting for me to finish revisions so I can read without feeling guilty. I’m looking forward to it, and now I’m curious about this tie-in.
Grace I loved The Bridegroom Wore Plaid. It was fabulous read.
Melody, I love related series, too. Grace’s Windhams, Sabrina Jeffries’ Hellions of Halstead Hall, Cindy Gerard’s Black Ops Inc., Patricia Rice’s Malcolms.
Nancy I have read The hellion of Halstead Hall, but I also love The School for Heiress series where you meet Stoneville.
I need to remember to keep myself login. Love tie in series. I have a comment waiting moderation. Ugh.
Melody, I think your comment came through, but your note about it reminded me to go see if any were pending. I apologize for the delay. As you can see from looking at our site, it’s having problems, as it has ever since it had to move because of malware issues. It’s very frustrating for us, too.
There must be so much to keep straight with a series. The who’s, what’s & wherefores.
I’m pretty sure that I’d end up with all sorts of inappropriate liaisons.
Mary, the series authors WARN us to keep a series Bible, but I forget things like the cat’s name, the heroes’ preferred scent… lots of details, and I’m sure I’ll trip over a few of them.
Mary, I’m only on book 2 (plus a novella) of my series, nowhere near as far along as Grace is, and I’m already regretting that I didn’t follow through on my plan to create a bible. As soon as these revisions are done, I have to take a day and just do that.
Hi Grace and Nancy
I have all of these books on my e reader and I am going to love sitting down and reading them so close together because I love books that are in a series I love catching up with family and friends as each book comes out. One of my favourite series is The Bridgetons by Julia Quinn so loved that series.
Grace do you keep some sort of journal that helps you to remember little things that have happened along the way ?
I think the new one is the only one I haven’t gotten yet but I will
Congrats on the release
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, I didn’t initially, because I thought I was writing a trilogy. Yes, well… My web designers, Wax Creative, have come up with what they call my “ready room.” I can choose any field I want (hero’s favorite curse, heroine’s favorite color), and fill it in for each book. This is very helpful!
Helen, I love reading series in order. Grace is so prolific that I don’t have to wait long for my fixes.
I quite like reading series, often find out extra little bits about the characters as more of the develop. I haven’t yet read any of Grace’s books but will add to my evergrowing list of books I want to read.
Lianne, thanks for stopping by, and yes, there are SO many good books out there these days.
Liane, I like those little extra bits about familiar characters, too. And when a series is connected, we don’t have to say good-bye to the other couples in it after they get their HEA. Instead, we get to see them enjoy it.
My comment was in moderation and then it disappeared. Happy Release Day to Grace. I’ve enjoyed the Windham books. I love related book series and my faves include Stephanie Laurens’ Bastion Club, Tara Janzen’s Steele Street and Julie James’ FBI/US Attorney series.
Jane, I’m sorry about the problem with comments. As you can see, the site isn’t working right, and it hasn’t been since its malware-forced move. It’s very frustrating for us, too.
Hi Nancy! Hi Grace! Grace, congratulations on all your success! Fantastic to see. I’m currently writing my first series and I’m finding it much more rewarding than I expected after doing so many stand-alones. It’s great fun to drop hints about future stories and to come back and find out what’s happened with characters from previous instalments.
And speaking of terrific books! Hello, Anna and thanks for stopping by. I haven’t written a purely standalone yet, though I’m sure some await me. I think series feels more like what happens in real life–you meet somebody, you enjoy their company, and their circle of family and friends becomes a little bit yours. And best of all, because they do pop up in subsequent books, you never really have to say good-bye.
Grace, that’s a great point about meeting characters being like meeting people and then meeting the people in their circle. I hadn’t thought about it like that.
Thanks, Grace! What a lovely way to put the whole series thing into perspective. You’re so right – keep coming across characters in the story who I’m looking forward to revisiting (even bad guys!).
Anna, 7 Nights in a Rogue’s Bed is also waiting for me to finish these revisions, but I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with those little bits you’re dropping in.
Have fun with it, Nancy. Renegade is waiting for me to finish revisions too – not long now, I hope!
We’ll have to see who finishes first! I completed a revision today and am hoping I’ll like the read-through. If so, it’s outta here.
I love long series, it is like coming home to a big happy family/ You get to know the characters and it is really hard to give them up when the series ends.
I liked the Cynsters and the Effingtons among many others, that is just the first two that came to mind.
Dianna, absolutely. What you said!
Dianna, I agree reading a series is like coming home to a family. I read a lot of stand-alones, but I read far more connected books.
Grace,
I’ve only read one of your books so far THE HEIR. I will look for your Windham family series.
I do love family related series. Besides the already mentioned series I enjoyed :
Jillian Hunter’s the Boscastle family.
Susan Mallery the Marcelli family
Janelle Denison the Wilde family
Carly Phillips had the Chandler brothers.
Lori Foster the Buckthornes.
Nora Roberts The O’Hurleys.
If you’ve read “The Heir,” then you got your hands on the “foundation” book. I love Nora’s series, and particularly love the way she does interaction between men. Maybe having four brothers has hidden benefits.
Laurie, I read a lot of series. I discovered Jillian Hunter just about a year ago, but I’ve been working on her backlist and enjoying it a lot.
OOPS!
I almost forgot:
Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series
Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series.
Sherryl Woods Chesapeake series
Carly Phillips Hot Zone Magazine series
Harlequin’s Fortune family from Texas and South Dakota
Karen Hawkins’ Hurst and Mcleod families
Linda Lael Miller’s McKettrick and Creed families
Jillian Hart’s McKaslin family
Kate Hoffmann’s Mighty Quinn family series
To name a few. I’d add JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood and Fallen Angels.
Wow. That’s a quite a list, Laurie. I think you may have more series going than I do!
Welcome to the Lair, Grace! Great insights into writing a long series – especially what you learn about future characters as you’re writing other books.
I love reading connected series. I have to admit, I have been known to save books, so I can enjoy reading a whole bunch in one go *g*. Jessica Andersen’s Nightkeepers, for example.
I’m reading a Nightkeeper right now! HOW does she keep it all straight?!
Grace, I’ve also read that series and love it. The complexity of is impressive, especially since she lays it all out so it’s clear and not confusing.
Anna, I don’t do well with saving the books once I start. There’s an SF series I’m saving until the last book comes out in paperback (oversize mass market, as they call it, and really hate that format–it’s awkward in my hands). It picks up 20 years after the prior series, though, and I knew that from the get-go, so it’s easier to hold off. And it’s not like I don’t have a lot else to read.
Congrats Grace on your up coming release. I’ve truly enjoyed your book. I love series books especially family series. You get to know them and root for their HEA.
Thanks, Lori. And I think it adds something to know the rest of the protags’ family is also rooting along with the reader (and the author).
Lori, I also like the feeling of getting to know the family in a series. And their friends.
can’t wait for Lady’s eve discretion – not a real fan of series – especially when they continually mention other people like they do it – the books should almost stand alone even if the characters are related. I will be reading Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight next – Nancy – thanks for gettting the chance toknow more about Grace & books on your blog – continued good success “Grace – your books are great
Vickie you put your finger on what’s probably the greatest “peril” of writing a series. The author begins to live so inside the series world that she forgets how to write the story for the non-series reader. Editors help, but it’s a hazard, particularly the longer you go in the series.
Vickie, thanks for stopping by. I think most romance readers, and mystery readers, too, prefer that the books be stand-alone even if they’re connected. It seems to be only science fiction and fantasy that want one big, continuous plot.
I am so glad that there are wonderful authors like Grace who go through the trials and triumphs of writing a long series. I have delighted in reading each of the stories so far and often find myself re-reading them prior to indulging in the newest release! I can’t wait to read Eve’s story!!!
I think we owe a lot to trailblazers like Julia Quinn and Mary Balogh, who went beyond the trilogy with such terrific results.
Mercy, I re-read, too. I loved Lady Maggie’s Christmas Knight and am so looking forward to Lady Eve’s book. Eve is such a great sister that I’m eager to see her step to the front.
Grace, I do have a question. How do you keep track of all the characters and keep the time frame correct, plus all the details. Has to be be crazy. Thanks, Rose.
Rosie, at this point, I’m at the limit of what a strict calendar rendering would allow for a Regency time period, simply because I started after Waterloo (1815), and that only gives me until 1820 to get eight couples married. Pretty soon, I’d be dealing in what Julia Quinn has called, “The Perpetual Regency.”
The next set of books “The Lonely Lords” will weave in and out of the Windham series, and some of them (Douglas and Gwen’s book) will start BEFORE Waterloo.
It’s interesting that you’re sticking to period accuracy. I think we’ve all gotten used to the “perpetual Regency,” a great term, but it’s nice to see the actual history come into play.
I can’t wait for these new books and am eager to see how they cross with the Windhams. The Lords launch in April, right?
Rosie, I also love the many connections among the Windham books, and the historical detail is part of the series’ appeal for me.
Hi, Grace!
I love your novels and want to say that the covers are the prettiest in the entire bookstore! That is a huge draw when one is meandering around looking for a book to read.
I have not read all of your novels as yet but I so enjoyed “The Heir” and “Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish.” The rest are on my list to get and read.
Writing a series must be difficult in that you want to include characters from other books but concentrate on a different one each time. I liken it to a camera that focuses in on one person then draws back and focuses in on another one. Following a series can be great fun but if there is much of a lag between novels or each novel requires an in-depth knowledge of each of its predecessors, then there can be confusion for the reader. I have found that to be true of some series. Julia Quinn has managed to write her Bridgerton series in a way that each novel could be a stand-alone and does not cause confusion. Sorry, I tend to get on my soapbox and get too wordy.
Looking forward to catching up with all of your novels, Grace. You are a terrific author. Congratulations on all of your successes!
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
Connie, you wrote: I liken it to a camera that focuses in on one person then draws back and focuses in on another one.
That’s a great way to put it. I agree, some series can be confusing. I think it’s a fine line to walk, to refer to a past character or couple in a way longtime readers enjoy but without confusing newer ones.
Julia Quinn must have been born with a series gene, because the Bridgertons are irresistible without being entangled. LOVE that series.
hi grace
i haven’t read any of your books as yet. but your books do look good. i know i will have to wait to find work before i can buy any
Laurie, good luck with the job search! I really do think these books are fabulous.
Laurie, email me at graceburrowes@yahoo.com. I have a few author copies put back, and a lady needs a good book while she’s waiting for the right interview. Best of luck with the job hunt. You’re in lots of good company.
I am so excited to read Lady Eve’s Indiscretion, Lucas (I think of him as Deene though) really caught my eye when I read the last book. I love this series!
Rhiannon, Lucas is a great character, isn’t he? I’ve enjoyed seeing him turn up from time to time and will enjoy his turn in the spotlight.
My introduction to Lucas was some handsome blond guy making disparaging remarks about the sheep up north at Benjamin’s family seat. Huh? Then I caught wind that he had a penchant for redheads (plural), and yikes, that guy needed his own book!
I absolutely adore these books and I’m rereading them now waiting for the new ones to come out! Got a new kindle at Christmas and while I mostly use if for library reads, I’ve been buying this series. I am so looking forward to the day when I have the entire series and can reread them in chronological order and fit all the pieces together. I especially love the interaction of your male characters. Something that is sadly lacking in most books.
Cathy, that guy interaction is one of things I really like about this series. Now that you mention it, I realize I gravitate toward series that have that. One example would be Nora’s Chesapeake quartet. Another would be Patricia Rice’s The Marquess and The English Heiress.
Cathy, I’m glad the Guy scenes work for you. Regency society at the upper levels was much more gender segregated than we’re used to, and among the aristocracy, the guys you went to public school with, then university, then the army, were often more familiar to you than your own siblings. Wellington did not say it, but he’s supposed to have maintained that Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.
I love this series and others like it. I love how you get to see how others view a certain character, compared to getting into that character’s head and seeing how they really are and why.
Brinda, the character interactions are a big part of what draws me back to Grace’s books. The Windhams have their differences, but we also know they always have each other’s backs.
And as heroic as the world might think us, our siblings usually know us better than that. Westhaven in particular benefits from the less than awed regard of his brothers and sisters.
Love this and can´t wait for my chance to read! =)
Happy Tuesday!
//Linda
fr_larsson at hotmail dot com
Linda, Happy Tuesday to you, too! I also love these books.
You and me both, Linda. I’m usually so buried in the next books coming down the pike that I don’t have the time to curl up with my own, honest-to-gosh, printed, published books. Some fine day….
Good morning, Grace! Thanks so much for stopping by the lair. I am, as you know, a HUGE fan of the Wyndhams & can’t wait for Lady Eve’s Indiscretion. I love long-running series (serieses?) both as an author and as a reader.
As a reader, I adore sinking down into a complex family history, and being on the inside of all the jokes that a fresh reader who hasn’t spent several books with this family already might not get. It’s like watching movies with my kids. When the writers slide in something that goes over the kiddoes’ heads but tickles me, it’s great on two levels. That is was both funny & just for me.
As an author I love writing serieses (I’m just going to go with that pluralization, spelling be damned) because I love coming back to a familiar world. I don’t have to build it from scratch because I’ve already committed to certain events & details in previous books. But there’s always room for re-interpretation & new invention, & I find this both thrilling & comforting.
But I would really love to know how long–on average–it takes you to blast through a first draft. Does it take longer on the first book because you’re building a world from scratch? Or does it go faster in the first draft because there are no continuity issues to keep in mind?
Susan, your comment reminds me of why I liked ensemble comic books–Justice League of America, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy. It was partly for the interplay of the characters and partly for the little in-jokes and references longtime readers would catch.
The comic book companies seem to have decided that’s bad for marketing or makes the books inaccessible to new readers or some such, but I think that’s a shame.
Susan, I’m a fan of the “Easter egg” like when Mary Balogh allows a certain silver-eyed, handsome, slender duke a cameo. Je swoon. As for a first draft… When I’m on my game, six weeks. This usually only happens between Thanksgiving and MLKJr Day, particularly if we get a lot of bad weather and I can STAY HOME. Do not, however, be impressed with that. I still have to let the draft sit, and then go back to it, over and over again. My preferred time frame for turning in a MS is a year. The quick first draft is just the start of a long, long process.
Congratulations to Grace on her new book! I rarely read all the books in a series but do enjoy revisiting characters when I have read many of the books in the series. I will often read books out of sequence because I read books based on what story looks intriguing at the time.
Maureen, it’s interesting that you read the books out of sequence. I’m a completist, maybe because of reading comic books, but I suspect that makes my reading life harder sometimes. I have occasionally read series out of order and found them perfectly understandable, but the sequencing thing seems ingrained.
Maureen, I think that’s an acid test of a competent series: Does it still work if you read on “shuffle?” I hope mine do–you’ll have to let me know.
I love this series by Grace and enjoy reading other series and I also like stand alones. What I hate is when there are interesting characters in stand alone novels who seem to be asking for their story, but it never happens! Stephanie Laurens, Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Robyn Carr and Cindy Gerard have written series I like. Keep on writing Grace!!
Kim, I also love seeing the companion characters step to the front. The English Heiress by Patricia Rice finally brings Michael, the intriguing best friend in The Marquess, to center stage, and I loved that.
Nora Roberts and Cindy Gerard have also written series that I like, but others on your list aren’t familiar to me. I’ll have to check them out.
Kim, I think writing is what I was born to do, at least with this part of my life. When I go back and read a MS that’s hit the copy edit of proofreading stage, I think, “Oh, yeah. Lord Who’s His Pants! He needs his own book, too….”
Much fun!
I love Grace’s series. She is a wonderful writer.
Crystal, I heartily agree.
Thanks, Crystal!
Grace,
Thanks for sharing your insight in all the lovely complexities of writing about a big family. I find living in one is hard enough. I first fell in love with Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton Siblings and just recently stumbled upon your books so I am playing catch up with the Windham Siblings! I am looking forward to the many long hours ahead wrapped in their embrace.
Lynsey, you have a lot to look forward to with the Windhams!
I always envy people who grew up in large families. I think that’s one reason I gravitate toward series.
Lynsey, I’m the sixth out of seven children, so a domestic melee feels about like home to me too. My daughter is only child, however, so I got to vicariously experience that end of the continuum too.
How timely! I just answered a question over at Romance Writer’s Revenge about the books I was looking forward to reading, and one of the books I mentioned was Lady Eve’s Indiscretion. I’ve read the first six Windham books and “The Courtship” and The Bridegroom Wore Plaid and enjoyed them all.
I am a series addict and have been since I was preK age and reading and rereading Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books. I recently read and delighted in an ARC of Julia Quinn’s collection of Bridgerton second epilogues and a bittersweet story for Violet Bridgerton that made me want to reread the eight Bridgerton books. I’ve read all twenty of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River books more than twice, and my keeper shelves are filled with these books and with Jo Beverley’s Mallorens and Rogues, Mary Jo Putney’s Fallen Angels and Lost Lords, Loretta Chase’s Scoundrels and Carsingtons, Eloisa James’s Essexes and Duchesses, Anne Gracie’s Merridews and Devil Riders, Manda Collins’s Ugly Ducklings, Nora Roberts’s Quinns, Concannons, MacGregors, MacKades, Stanislaskis, Brides, and many others. I recently read ARCs of the first book in new series from Anne Gracie, Meredith Duran, Beth Andrews, Robyn Carr, and Sherryl Woods, and I’m already heavily invested in these, and I am beyond eager for the next book in ongoing series from Jennifer Ashley, Christina Brooke, Anna Campbell, Loretta Chase, Tessa Dare, Eloisa James, Sarah MacLean, Courtney Milan, Terri Osburn, Maggie Robinson, JoAnn Ross . . . My name is Janga, and I’m addicted to series–the good ones.
Janga, I’m also eager for Lady Eve’s book. I haven’t yet read The Bridegroom Wore Plaid. I have to finish revisions first.
We read a lot of the same series, though I never had the Betsy-Tacy books. My earliest series memories were the Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. I also will re-read a whole series if I pick up one of the books.
Janga, you had better insure your keeper shelf, because it reads like a Hall of Fame for historical series. You HAD to mention the Carsington’s didn’t you? Now I’ll be short of sleep all week…
I do so enjoy your books. The last that I’ve read was Lady Louisa’s Christmas Night and I need to play catch up. Connected books and series are wonderful but I really try to read them in order but it doesn’t always work out that way. I think that’s why I’m more willing to read connected books unless I know I can get all the books in the series first lol. And such lovely covers, Grace!
Catslady, aren’t those covers gorgeous? I read Lady Louisa over Christmas. You have a treat in store!
Jeanne, thanks much for those kind words. When I’m in a scene where my hero or heroine has a Kit-teh as a reflection character (which happens in about half my books), I think of you.
Thank you!!! And I just realized I meant to say “Knight” lol.
Welcome Grace -
I love reading related series books. As a writer it’s both easier and more difficult to write. I love having a family back story as I write the books, but sometimes I discover things in book 3 that I can’t use because of something that occurred in an earlier book. I wish I was a bit more of an overarcing plotter. Life would be simpler
Donna, if it’s any consolation, I try to be an overarching plotter, and I still find myself running up against earlier things. And I’m only in book 2.
Donna, yeah, what you said. And people accuse romance novels of being a brainless undertaking. We have to produce the happily ever after of comedy, the character arc of tragedy, the steam of erotica, and with those overarching themes, we often dip a toe into mystery (WHO stole great-great grandma’s reportedly magic necklace???).
There’s a gal named Jayne, a Brit, who reads my books and whom I swear has a photographic memory. When I’m not sure what I put i n book two for the butler’s name, etc., Jayne comes through every time.
There are days I wonder if my series habit was inculcated with my bookworm addiction via Little House on the Prairie, The Black Stallion, Trixie Belden, and Nancy Drew. A good series is like a fresh batch of cookies, devouring one isn’t enough.
Congrats on Book Seven Grace! Evie’s chocolate mousse is almost ready.
Larisa, I loved the Little House and Nancy Drew books. My series reading certainly started with them. And with comic books.
Larisa, you’re on! I’ll be in Denver later this year, so start your blender!
Grace and Nancy, thank you for the blog post today. I have a couple of the first books in the series, but am missing the last 2. I think Eve’s story sounds wonderful and I am anxious to read it.
I love series books. I think I connect with all the characters as well as with the author because I get to know them as friends. Each subsequent book may reveal a little bit more of the previous story and it’s like catching up with old friends. Does that make sense?
Congratulations, Grace, on the series and the new release.
Oops. I did something wrong, Deb. My reply to you is #35 below.
Deb, I’ve finally figured out that my editor isn’t as keen on visiting with my former protagonists as I am. I’m forever drafting an MS with former hero and heroine visiting in their (now) marital bed, and Madam Editor has to ‘splain me again: This book is not for THAT couple. That couple has to visit in the nursery or the garden now…
Some people are just no fun.
What I love about series are the characters once they are no longer the central part of the story. I love to see these characters in a new light, it seems to bring them more to life as bystanders.
Deelynn, I also love seeing more of the characters’ lives. I think it adds depth to the story world.
In this regard, I think I got lucky when the older siblings’ stories came first. In subsequent books, they make credible reflection characters not only because they’ve paid their romantic dues, but also because they’re older bros and sisters.
Hi, Deb–
Glad you enjoyed the post! You wrote: Each subsequent book may reveal a little bit more of the previous story and it’s like catching up with old friends.
I absolutely agree. That’s one of the joys of series for me.
Grace, welcome to the Lair! I adore related series, especially those about big, rambunctious families. I, too, am from a large family and it seems natural to me that there are siblings hanging around, often interfering or meddling where you least want them – in your love life!
I have not had the pleasure of sampling this series yet, but I noticed just yesterday that Amazon was strongly recommending this series to me! I will start at the beginning and, like all true obsessives, be gobbling up Lady Eve’s Indiscretion in no time flat!
Caren, there are plenty of interfering Windham siblings, from The Heir, the first book, on. The sibling interaction is one of the things I love in this series.
Good old Amazon, good old one click, neither of which does anything for my, “buy a cottage in the Highlands” fund.
Hi, Nancy and Grace! Grace, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of reading any of your books yet. I love series books because you meet new characters and keep track of the old ones.
Hi, Cathy–
That’s what I like about series, too.
Cathy, I think “Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal” is still on $1.99 download. That’s a USA Today bestseller and introduces you to the Windham family, if you were looking for a cheap try-on. Or, you might win Eve’s book here…
I’m a great fan of Graces’s books. She even took me into the Victorian era without too much of a struggle.
I love a series mostly because I’m nosy and like knowing what happened to all the other charcters.
Grace good luck with this one, I know it will do well.
Ella, I haven’t gotten to Grace’s Victorian yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I also like knowing what happened to the characters as after their books ended.
Folks today have a sense of, “Gee, things are changing fast!” but when I wrote Percival and Esther’s courtship story, set around 1785, and then wrote those Scottish Victorians (set around 1850), ye gods, did those people experience change! From a few bumpy, muddy roads, to locomotive travel the length of the kingdom, medical revolutions, industrial revolutions… be still my thumping heart!
Welcome to the lair, Grace! Love reading about how you discover more and more about your characters – thanks for the great insight *g*
I adore related related book’s series and cannot wait to read these!
Hi, Beth–
Did I tell you I finished The Truth About the Sullivans (speaking of related books)? I loved it. You did a lot of character development, too.
Hello, Beth! I WISH my process were not so “organic,” by which I mean, “the author is the last to know.” I wish there were answers in the back of some book to all my questions about my character, but no, there are answers sprinkled throughout some books, which I must write. Hmm.
SQUEEE! Huge fan girl moment here! I LOVE your books, Grace! I have so enjoyed each and every one, including the novella about the duke and duchess’s courtship. Can’t wait to start the new series as well!
I love series for some of the same reasons Ella mentioned. I’m nosy and curious and when I fall in love with a family I want to know what happens to them next.
I love Kleypas’s Wallflowers, Quinn’s Bridgertons and Jennifer Ashley’s MacKenzies. Mary Balogh’s Bedwyns and all of their friends.
I think the best part of a series is the idea of coming home as you return to the world of the books in a series. You know the people, the homes and all of the little inside jokes.
Mackenzies!!! Yes, Mackenzies! When I wanted to branch out from the Regency, I turned to the Scottish Victorian because Jennifer Ashely made it look so absolutely irresistible.
Louisa, I love series for similar reasons. I enjoy visiting familiar characters and catching those little references to other books.
Hello Grace and Nancy,
I’m from a large family also! ( 9 sibs) When
we were younger, we stayed in one group
for only a short while. There was a great
deal of ebb and flow in our sib groupings.
Do your characters ebb and flow or do
they remain in the same groups all the
time?
Pat C.
Good question, Pat, and I understand what you mean. I’d say there are some stronger alliances, but also ebb and flow. At first I thought Eve and Maggie were buds, but then I found out Louisa was the one who guarded Eve’s privacy when Eve was bedridden, and Jenny is the one who understands that Eve has to deal with the coaching inn where she came to harm as an adolescent. Even given those associations, when Eve wants to ask if a man can tell if he’s bedding a virgin, she takes her inquiry to Maggie (who is no help whatsoever).
Pat, I’ve always envied people from big families. I think that’s one reason I like series with a lot of related characters.
Hi Grace, and Hi Nancy!
Grace, that’s so interesting about the long series. I have one or two of those in me I think, and I fear them. It’s great to know you find those “end of the series characters” interesting and even intriguing when it’s time to write them.
I have a couple of your books in the TBR pile, but I think now I’m going to have to go get all of them and start from the beginning. I have to get to Eve’s story.
The hero who knows more about her than she realizes…..that’s too tempting to ignore.
Nicely done, Nancy, bringing Grace to the lair to tempt us!
Cassandra, the way the book wraps up resulted from a panicked call to my editor. “I don’t know to do with the stinkin’ secret!” and why Deene doesn’t have many of the details, he served with Eve’s brother’s, so he’s not quite without the clue, either… I ran that possibility past Madam Editor, and she decided it could work (Lucky for Eve, Deene, and yours truly).
Grace, now I’m more eager than ever to read Eve’s book and find out about this secret.
Cassondra, I’m looking forward to these series of yours! I think you definitely should pick up The Heir and roll forward. I fell in love with that book and was lucky The Soldier and The Virtuoso were soon out.
I admit I’m a fan of related books — like getting to “know” & “visiting” with the characters
I love all kinds of series. My favorite series of related books is Eloisa James’ Desperate Duchesses, they were all so good.
Grace, As a huge fan of yours and of serial books….I love it when the story keeps going, I’m wondering how you keep facts straight;do you have each characters’ name, physica attributes, etc written down on paper and tacked up on a cork board? Or do you use a different computer to keep track of them all? Do you feel like you almost need a “family tree” for each family you write about? I’ve very excited to read Eve’s book.
Amy