Comments on: A Tale Continued

By: Etta Wilson

Etta Wilson — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:10:07 +0000

Mona, I’m seeing more series based on family bonds rather than one character. These are interesting because they often give different perspectives on a similar event in the same era or in a follow-on generation. Keep writing!

By: Etta Wilson

Etta Wilson — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:04:50 +0000

LeAnne, I avoid the term “speculative fiction” because it is so incredibly broad as to be unclear in most cases. It can be applied to fantasy, science fiction, etc., etc., and certainly to one book or a series.

By: Cecelia Dowdy

Cecelia Dowdy — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:03:52 +0000

Gary and Etta, I think that librarian may have been thinking of young adult series. They usually have several books in a series…anywhere from ten, twelve, to twenty maybe? I toyed with writing YA novels for awhile, but abandoned that dream. While visiting bookstores and doing research, I noticed that a lot of YA fiction was published in series that contained several books.
~Cecelia Dowdy~
Christian Fiction Author

By: LeAnne Hardy

LeAnne Hardy — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:19:31 +0000

I like a series that goes somewhere and has a logical ending like Narnia or Prydain or, for that matter, Harry Potter. Hmm. Those are all fantasies. Is that sort of series that tells aspects of one longer story a speculative fiction thing?

By: David Todd

David Todd — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:23:50 +0000

Tom Clancy’s techno-thrillers also come to mind, written around Jack Ryan’s life as he progressed from CIA analyist to CIA bigwig to president.

By: Mona Hodgson

Mona Hodgson — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:18:46 +0000

Thanks for the post, Etta. Since I’m in the middle of writing the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek Series, I’m attracted to all insights on series. As you know, TWO BRIDES TOO MANY is out. TOO RICH FOR A BRIDE is in production and I’m writing Book Three, sandwiched with reading your blog. You’re so right–much to consider when writing a continuing tale. For me, it’s the family bonds and the new start out in the wild west that ties the stories together.

By: Etta Wilson

Etta Wilson — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:55:56 +0000

Don’t know where that idea came from! I would be taken aback myself.

By: Gary VanRiper

Gary VanRiper — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:52:43 +0000

I was taken to task one day after a speaking engagement by a librarian who corrected me and told me at least 12 books were necessary to constitute a Series!