tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post7979402552324934869..comments2024-03-29T06:49:05.182-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Series, Part IIJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-17794244339359296612014-10-07T00:35:44.631-04:002014-10-07T00:35:44.631-04:00I'm with Carla. If I don't like the charac...I'm with Carla. If I don't like the character, I can't read very far into the book. I just tried a series my cousin raves about. I read two later books, and I have to say I almost fell asleep and couldn't finish. I like to learn something new about the characters in each book. That goes double for writing a series character. If I'm bored with my character, I'm sure my readers will be too. Series are hard to write, and after a while, the character becomes tedious. I hope I don't go long enough to reach that point.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-28246222024832584352014-10-06T21:15:57.784-04:002014-10-06T21:15:57.784-04:00And yet, Carla, if we leave room for the protagoni...And yet, Carla, if we leave room for the protagonist to grow, she/he may start out as less than likeable. It's tough to make someone interesting enough to overcome being unlikeable, but it can be done. I always go back to Scarlett O'Hara, a fascinating character but not one I'd want for a friend.Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62321731713193406382014-10-06T14:52:56.970-04:002014-10-06T14:52:56.970-04:00I look at starting a mystery (as a reader) like ge...I look at starting a mystery (as a reader) like getting in the car with someone about to take a long trip. Do I want to spend 20 hours with them? Are they interesting enough? If not, it doesn't matter what happens plot-wise. I won't make it to the next rest stop if I'm not engaged with the protagonist.carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985823239660829148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-69499379416976182492014-10-06T14:36:42.297-04:002014-10-06T14:36:42.297-04:00I agree about stale characters that have stopped g...I agree about stale characters that have stopped growing. Good series characters must be extremely difficult to create and continue to develop in book after book. But series still need good plots that hold readers' attention. Fortunately, there are all kinds of characters and plots out there, and as readers or authors, we have choices. <br /><br />Also, thanks for having us on the blog. Ellis Vidlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11918353154644739285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-59514763265970069472014-10-06T11:55:41.781-04:002014-10-06T11:55:41.781-04:00I've hit that wall with several series where t...I've hit that wall with several series where the main character doesn't change. Sometimes that's OK, especially with a light read, but in that case, and I can think of two series in particular (which I will not name) I find that I'm not exactly rushing out to buy the books anymore. I feel like I'm reading cartoon scripts rather than novels.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-32556878198907357652014-10-06T10:11:54.189-04:002014-10-06T10:11:54.189-04:00There's nothing like finding a new series with...There's nothing like finding a new series with a character that you love! But I have to admit, sometimes it gets a bit stale. And sometimes I suspect that once an author has a following, s/he goes to the file drawer and pulls out earlier works that weren't originally accepted (for good reason) and plunks them in front of unsuspecting readers.KM Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03973749764907859829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-55624604907386185022014-10-06T09:30:57.089-04:002014-10-06T09:30:57.089-04:00I think for a series to work there needs to be an ...I think for a series to work there needs to be an overarching story arc beyond the arc in the individual book. Some authors are successful with an unchanging character but they are fewer in numberWarren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-20667692952513543882014-10-06T08:18:29.718-04:002014-10-06T08:18:29.718-04:00I'm interested in the characters. A great plot...I'm interested in the characters. A great plot is wonderful, but there must be an action/reaction that engages the MCs. If they don't react, why should I? This applies to any subgenre. Thriller and cozy writers make the mistake equally.<br /><br />The best books have plots that evolve from an event in the characters' lives so it seems natural that they are involved. They can't help but be involved because the mystery originates as a cause or result of their actions. Julia Spenser-Fleming's puts her two main characters through hell as their lives evolve. Her plots stem naturally from their lives. Hank Ryan's new series achieves that as well even those her MCs' professions bring the plot into being, their interpersonal relationship is effected. <br /><br />There has to be a character arc in each book for all continuing characters. <br /><br />Although I like action, thrillers often miss character development. It is as if the characters are flat and without emotional reaction. Even police, who are operating professionally, can't be immune to emotional reaction (and we know from real life that they aren't immune).<br /><br />As in the case of many cozies, the main character hums along. The mysteries are merely adventurous outings that don't seem to effect the MC personally. That's when the staleness sets in. Of course, there are those readers who like that equilibrium the MC provides. After reading too many thrillers, I turn to those cozies. I like a cross-section of genres.<br /><br />I think when a writer becomes bored with her characters--it's time to quit.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.com