More on sexual tension and writing series
I was thinking this morning that the more a hero has to interact in society, the fewer base sexual thoughts his characters seems to have. He's had to subvert them to function. And the more a hero is on the fringe of society, the more animalistic his thoughts. Which may be why vampires et al are so popular in erotica - they haven't had to conform to society, so their thoughts are much more sexual in nature.
So, at this point I’m so sick of Hot Shot I never want to read it again. I certainly wouldn’t want to write a series based on the same characters or setting. (okay, if Emily called tomorrow and said someone would buy Hot Shot and a sequel, but that was the only deal, I might be able to force myself) But once I’m done with a story/setting/character, I’m ready to move on (sometimes BEFORE I’m done with the story/setting/character.) I have no interest in revisiting secondary characters. I guess I just don’t make them that compelling. And frankly, I have a hard enough time finding plot for ONE setting. Which is a shame considering the amount of research I do.
I know several writers who LOVE writing series, tying everything all together, but I’m not one. I don’t think I could come up with anything I could love for two or more books. Except maybe the archaeology book. I found so many different interesting places where archaeology could be a main factor.
I'd also be worried that I couldn't make the characters consistent, especially if I wrote other books between book one and book two.
So what about you? Series interest you? Or not so much?
*** This post was written by a writer stuck in revision hell since October 2005. All rights to change her mind at a later date are reserved.
Will this help keep your mind off what tomorrow is?
Goodreads
Good Reads
About Me
- MJFredrick
- I'm a mom, a wife, a teacher and a writer. I have five cats and a dog to keep me company. I love bookstores and libraries and Netflix - movies are my greatest weakness.
Beneath the Surface
Breaking Daylight
Breaking Daylight Review
Where There's Smoke
Where There's Smoke Review
Bull by the Horns
Hot Shot Reviews
Hot Shot
16 comments:
Mary, where did you get today's George photo? Way hot.
My books seem to spawn sequels/series. For me it's because I create supporting characters that I find incredibly interesting and my mind starts coming up with stories for them.
LOL on the disclaimer, Mary ;)
Yeah I like the idea of writing a stand alone series as well as non series books.
Oh, man, where did you get that George Clooney pic? That's one I haven't seen, and I'm a connoisseur of George Clooney pics.
I love series, I love finding out about intriguing secondary characters. And I can imagine writing a sequel but I think a break for other things is good. And the characters don't need to be kept exactly the same--especially if you've never been in their POV. But yes, it is hard LOL. Isn't everything hard in writing? Everything except that first kernal of an idea!!!
I have a series in mind of a group of 4 women working together as a team, who would each get their own POV book. The idea of plotting it all scares me to death, though! :)
Their stories would be pretty much stand alone, but all 4 women would be active in each book, and there needs to be a continuity throughout the books...
I couldn't pull it off right now - it has to wait!
I like reading and writing series. I like returning to a world that I've enjoyed in previous books. For instance, I just finished reading J.R. Ward's LOVER ETERNAL, the second in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I so enjoy this series that I can hardly wait until September when the next comes out. And that's from someone who really enjoys summer. :)
I love reading series, since I am such a huge modern cozy fan. I'm writing a sequel right now, but different in that it is in the viewpoint of one of the secondary characters from the first book. It's fun seeing the TOS characters through another set of eyes, another viewpoint. What Selene thought of as being caring feels like smothering to her sister...yet both women are only doing what they think they should! Fun stuff.
Mar, Hot Shot is making you crazy because you need a break from the pressure. But you can't take a break until you finish the work, so it increases the "I can't look at this book another minute!" feel. I felt that way with TOS at the end. Gads, if I ever looked at that book again, I would have a breakdown. And yet, later...I missed the characters so much, I had a hard time writing another story. Damien did help me there. :) Soooo...maybe while you're working on the revisions, let yourself write a short story with all the wild stuff you can think of, to release the feeling of entrapment. Worth a try?
Today's George pic is to die for. Absolutely die for. Gads.
J
I'm a series girl all the way. But I don't think I write the kind of series you're talking about. I write all my sequels from the same character's first-person perspective. Secondary characters don't get their own books. At least, not yet.
I'm about at that point with my book. Don't want to see it again. Gaaaahhh! If I had to write a sequel to this one, I'd point a gun to my head and fire.
On the other hand, another book that I've rewritten twice for HQ has two planned sequels. I loooove these because they're so different.
The picture is from an ask.com search, from Out of Sight, his movie with J Lo where she wasn't too annoying.
Michele, that's cool about creating inspiring secondary characters. I don't really do a lot with my secondaries. Maybe if I did....
Stacy, that series sounds interesting! But what are you waiting for with that other series?
Sarah, I can't imagine planning a four book series!
Oh, Rachel, I REALLY couldn't write four books with one character....I'd be tired of them by the end.
I don't even really read series that much anymore - too much of an investment.
Michelle, good luck with those books!
Trish, are you thinking you'd ever write a series?
The only books that I've read that can be considered series are Anne Rice's vampire series (and I only went as far as Mnenotch the Devil), L.K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, Sherrilyn Kenyon's dark hunter series, and Kim Harrison's witch series. I no longer care for Anne Rice's vampire series. And I think Micah will be the last Anita Blake book I'll buy.
Mary, I love your observation about heroes at the beginning of this entry.
As for writing series, I don't like the idea of doing one with the same character forever, a la Janet Evanovich. But I like spinning off stories of secondary characters in some cases--when they just happen to pop for me and could make a compelling focal character.
I've never read Anne Rice! Sad, huh?
Thanks, Tracy. I have your books on my shelf but I have a question - are they related?
I love series--reading and writing. What michele said, it's those secondary characters =)
I'm thinking I'll have to work more on my secondary characters in my next book (if I ever get to stop revising!)
Post a Comment