Creating a story is more than moving through plot points to
reach a satisfying conclusion. Readers also want to connect with the developing
characters, which is why I believe serial stories maintain such a grip on us.
When I’m involved in a series, I’m scanning mystery magazines
and author newsletters looking for upcoming release dates and then penciling
them onto my calendar wish list. This behavior isn’t new, and I’m not alone. In
1841, when Charles Dickens published The
Old Curiosity Shop as a weekly serial novel, his New York fans stormed the
wharf when the steamship bearing the final installment arrived, shouting: “What happened to Nell?” from the dock.
Once a year I re-read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to revisit The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr.
Watson and I rip through Dorothy L. Sayer’s Lord Peter Wimsey novels. I’m
delighted whenever a secondary character pops up with a surprising bit of
narrative exposition. Who doesn’t adore hearing an update from Irene Adler or even
more dithering banter from the Honorable Freddy Arbuthnot?
If I need a touch of Florida noir, I reach for John D.
MacDonald and Travis McGee. Louise Penny and her Chief Inspector Gamache magically
transport me to Quebec and The Three Pines community. Edith Maxwell’s Rose
Carroll and her Quaker Midwife Mysteries warm me with an historical
perspective, and when I crave a hometown dose of rural Pennsylvania I touch
base with WWK’s own Annette Dashofy’s Zoe Chambers and Police Chief Pete Adams.
These characters are my staunchly reliable fictional friends.
True, plot twists and surprise reveals are fun, but character
development can satisfy your soul, especially in these days of Covid-19 social
distancing. Online Zoom birthday parties and happy hour congregations are all
well and good, but I’ve been missing the personal element, the lunchtime
get-togethers with my family and friends. To fill this temporary gap, I’m using
my cancelled conference registration fee money to buy more books.
What new series and/or characters can you recommend, and
why?
So true, Martha! I've thought the same particularly about Margaret Maron's Deborah Knott books.
ReplyDeleteHi, Art! Great to hear from you. I think your On the Road with Del & Louise would fit the serial story category and it's in my TBR stack!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha. You've raised an excellent point. That probably accounts for why some characters and books stay with us long after we've read them.
ReplyDeleteDid you say "buy more books"? I must follow these instructions! IMMEDIATELY!!!
ReplyDeleteI rarely have trouble buying more books! You should see my bookshelves (and the stack of TBR hidden under the dining room table)...
ReplyDeleteEagerly anticipating the new Martin Walker Bruno, Chief of Police book. Life in the Dordogne could be simple: hunting truffles, drinking local wine, caving, eating local cheeses...but Bruno is always mired in a local crime with frequent national or international repercussions and/or dating back to WW2 and the Occupation. Pure escape, grounded in reality.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! Hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, there are so many series that I follow mainly for the characters. I love Deborah Crombie's husband/wife team, Charlotte MacLeod's Peter Shandy and his neighbors, Sue Ann Jaffarian's characters in all of her series, Jess Lourey's Mira James, Leigh Perry's Skeleton family, etc. I could go on and on.
ReplyDeleteA larger book budget--what a concept!
Writing series characters is fun, too. It's like visiting old familiar friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, Margaret. I'll add it to my list. I need some escape!
ReplyDeleteAnd E.B., Sue Ann Jaffarian always makes me laugh. And it's not a larger book budget, but it is negotiable.
KM, agreed. There's something soothing in world building, even if it involves murder.
Oh, to have a bigger book budget! I love revisiting old series friends like Kinsey Milhone, Mrs. Pollifax, and Vicky Bliss. You're so right about delighting in secondary characters - now I want to revisit Melrose Plant and his dragon aunt from the Martha Grimes stories!
ReplyDeleteLatest Vacancy Job Alert
ReplyDeletewww.norton.com/setup
www.Office.com/Setup
Cash App Support
Male Enhancement
Can't Login to POF
F95zone is well recognized, but many of us are of incredible interest. The theme is extended fundamentally, especially from the very start of the F95Zone website, and therefore the issue remains mainstream unintended long ago the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAAO Full Form - Assistant Audit officer is an entry-level position and one of the most popular positions among SSC CGL applicants. Another reason to consider an AAO profile is to offer the highest base salary of all other positions. It takes mere dedication and determination to perform AAO's duties and enjoy the benefits of the sole public office.
ReplyDeleteThe required level of training for the Loco Pilot Job, you must meet certain criteria to become a train driver or locomotive pilot. When a train travels the distance between two points, the locomotive has two conductors who carry the train to its destination. Since Indian Railways is the world's largest network under a single governing body, it is made up of more than 100,000 mechanics / navigators / trainers forming a major industrial group responsible for the railway business.
ReplyDeleteFinanceatyourtip is a financial blog website where you can read the latest news and updates related to finance. Get to know more about cryptocurrency, stocks, shares, share market, traders, loans, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe State Bank of India (SBI) has posted the SBI Clerk Mains 2019 Result Temporary Delay Summary on its website for non-compliance and resignation. Each person who appeared in SBI Secretary's Network Results 2019 can download a temporary summary from the SBI Government website
ReplyDeleteK9 Security Ltd. offers various professional services and solutions tailored to your different needs and requirements. We take pride in having SIA-certified guards in our workforce, to ensure the best level of security for our clients.
ReplyDeleteThe Hande construction is one of the leading companies in the Ratnagiri district. It is classified as a non-governmental and registered company during the registration of companies, Ratnagiri, in the contract with their accommodation in real estate activities. (Buy this class, including sales, sales, sales, rental maintenance and self-production or rented, such as 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 1 RK apartment complex, non-residential building, development and real estate subdivision, Etc. Hande construction is a leading manufacturer if you are on the construction of residential and commercial buildings, weight bridges, roads, etc.
ReplyDeleteDiscover the top crypto wallets for secure cryptocurrency storage and management.
ReplyDeleteAffordable Plumbers in America - High-Quality Service at Budget-Friendly Rates
ReplyDeleteRaise Counterfeit Awareness: Educating Consumers about the Dangers of Fake Products