 | 24 Aug 06 |
ADMIN: Please welcome guest blogger Roxanne St. Claire of the popular Bullet Catchers romantic suspense series (among many other books). She’s willing to answer questions and chat with MSW friends, so don’t be shy!
Hey suspense fans, how cool to be guest blogging at one of my very favorite places to procrastinate! Thanks to Allison, Karin (my future anthology mates) and the whole MSW gang for the invitation to play in the cyber sandbox.
I’m currently in writer’s limbo, a place that rarely lasts more than two or three days for me: between books. I do not like it, Sam I Am. I function best when I am ankle, knee or (best of all) chin deep in a manuscript, living on the hairy edge of a deadline, falling wretchedly in love, taking down a baddie, planning my next twisted twist. But this month finds me in the trenches (known as signings, appearances and speeches) to promote my latest release, THRILL ME TO DEATH. I am trying to make the most of it, and using my time with so many readers to do a little unscientific market research about what they read, and why. What I’ve learned is probably not news to anyone reading this, but it is so universal that it strikes me as something that bears blogging.
Here is the mother of all understatements: readers like connected books. No, that’s not true. Readers LOVE connected books. Frankly, this connection with connection is so extensive, pervasive and attractive to readers that very often they won’t consider books that aren’t connected, much in the same way they won’t consider certain genres, time periods or settings. Maybe that’s a great big “duh” to you, but I confess it took me a while to see this particular light, blinding as it might be. My first three books, all romantic suspense single titles, were blissfully unconnected to one another. Nary a character from one showed up in another. My interest in the world I’d created and the people that populated it ended on the last page. Those books sold just fine, did very well in contests, and started a nice career chugging along for me. But it wasn’t until I climbed aboard the connected book bandwagon that my career did more than chug, and I know that forward motion is no coincidence.
Readers, I’ve learned in my recent travels to bookstores and libraries, demand connected books. They are, in truth, way past disappointed when they pick up one of my backlist and use it to point to a stack of another title and say, “Are these a series?” Fortunately, I can slide forward two other piles, with similar titles, similar covers and one big world I’ve been building. These books, I assure them, are connected, and more are on the way. This gives me an opportunity to blurb my Bullet Catchers, “bodyguards to die for” or whatever marketing phrase flows to my tongue. The audience brightens. And they buy. (In multiples.)
I admit I wasn’t a fan of connectivity when I was “just a reader” – for a good twenty years, I should say. Maybe there weren’t that many connected series around then, but when an author would reference a character who was obviously from a previous book (now happily married, conflict free and, usually, expecting) I would cringe at what felt, to me, like arrogance. Was the author so cocky that she assumes I’d read everything she’d written? Plus, it gave me that feeling you get when you arrive at the movies fifteen minutes late: I’ve missed something critical – do I even want to be here? I don’t know why it took me so long to get with the program – I was a fan of nighttime soaps back in the glory days of Knot’s Landing and Dallas, and admit to being a 24 and Lost addict today. Why wouldn’t that spill over into books?
I dipped my toes into the connected book water with my first three category books (the much-loved and oft-used brothers connection) and then, when researching the premise for my fourth romantic suspense that I had decided would feature a bodyguard, I came across the term “Bullet Catcher” and the equivalent of writer’s lightning struck. My world was born, my team was formed, my series took shape faster than I could start a character list. And, lo and behold, brother, I am a believer! Readers adore connected books.
Not that everything comes down to marketing (says the former PR pro). I am really enjoying the process of world building and the challenge that comes with layering a story arc across multiple books and creating characters who will be promoted from secondary to lead in future books. I love the “extension” of my stories, and now look for ways to layer the connectivity, whether it’s a mini-trilogy within the series or laying the foundation for a relationship between secondary characters that grows and changes from book to book. I have definitely caught the connectivity fever.
However, I do believe this phenomenon has changed the playing field for genre and commercial fiction writers. It has an impact on the kinds of stories that are told, the speed with which they are published, and the eventual success (or not) for writers who may not be hardwired to think in terms of connected series (or may not be able to produce them fast enough to feed a hungry market). I hope it doesn’t impact creativity. I have lots of story ideas that have nothing to do with bodyguards. Some aren’t even romantic suspense. There may not be brothers, sisters, co-workers or story lines involved that merit their own books. Will I get to tell them? I hope so. I hope no stand-alone stories remain untold by any writer because of the market demand for connectivity. Just as I hope no secondary characters are created for the sole purpose of having their own book someday.
I won’t ask why readers like connected stories – they’ve told me. They like to revisit old friends, they like familiarity, they are invested in the characters and their stories. But I would like to know if you all believe this trend (if it can be called that) is forever. Is it good for readers and writers? Is there anyone out there who doesn’t like connected books? Could we overdose on them? Do some work better than others, and why? I’d love to hear comments from writers and readers on the pros and pitfalls of connected books.
Thank you, again, for inviting me to stop by. I’ll check comments and will be happy to answer any questions about connectivity in particular or the writer’s life in general. For a little while, anyway. Then I’ll be leaving writer’s limbo and heading into deadline paradise. I can’t be late…I’ve got a connection to make.
xoxo
Rocki
www.roxannestclaire.com
Ten Authors. Five Genres. One Blog.
Because the only thing scarier than a loaded gun pointed at your head....is writing about it.
Subscribe to Posts 
Hi Rocki! I have internet (yeah!) . . . thank you so much for taking the time to be here with us at Murder She Writes. Fabulous post.
I think that connected books stem from the love of series . . . the same, but different. Rather than visiting the same one or two or six people every book, you get to “see” them, but the story focus is different.
And I agree–I have some stand-alone ideas that I want to explore someday. I like writing in threes . . . I can create different connections within trilogies and still be able to do something different for the next one.
Allison
by Allison Brennan August 24th, 2006 at 5:23 amI love connected books because I hate to see the setting and characters I have grown to love disappear like lost loved ones when I turn the last page. I want to believe they live on and I’ll hear more about them soon. It’s all about not wanting to let go.
I particulary love small town settings where we get to know the citizens of a community and how they interact.
Your “Bullet Catchers” are my small community of body guards.
by Nancy August 24th, 2006 at 5:58 amWelcome and thank you Rocki! We are thrilled to have you blogging with us today at MSW!
I really wasn’t much of a fan of connected books until the last few years. Now I love them. I am still astonished, though, at how very much readers love them. I have a stand alone coming out in Jan, four months away, and readers are already asking me if it will be a series of some kind.
I suspect one of the draws of series is the “community” aspect, readers can talk to other readers for years about a series of books, like Stephanie Plum, Eve and Roarke, Harry Potter. The characters become friends and the setting is familiar.
I LOVE the term Bullet Catchers–it really caught my attention!
by Jen August 24th, 2006 at 6:43 amI like connected books but I won’t NOT read a book because it isn’t part of a series. Good writing and a good story are what draw me to books. And once I’ve fallen in love with a new author, I’ll buy anything they write — connected or not. Of course, all books by an author have a connection of sorts by virtue of the author’s writing style and voice.
It’s always fun with a series to see how three siblings handle things differently or how three friends solve their problems. And with your Bullet Catchers we see how men and women with totally different personalities can do the same job, each with his or her own special skills and ways of tackling the tasks. Then there’s the emotional baggage they bring in — sometimes in a great big 25″ Pullman with wheels. Lordy I love baggage.
I keep reading where editors want authors who are prolific and write fast. And they want series. This is nice for the editor and nice for the reader but God bless the author and her/his family who have to put up with tough writing schedules and deadline hells. Right now my deadlines are merely self-imposed and they’re tough enough.
Nice to see ya Rocki! And hi, MSW gals! I’ve been a fan of Rocki’s since I discovered her category books and then delved into her backlist. Now I’m a faithful reader and her books always move to the top of my TBR pile.
by Marilyn August 24th, 2006 at 6:57 amWe hate to see our good stories end!
It’s hard to come to the end of a book and realize–it’s actually OVER!
The people we connected to have resolved their issues and usually settled into a happily-ever-after.
But what about the hero’s best friend? What about the other guys in his ‘group’? What about the heroine’s best friend? Anything to continue the story. After all, if the book was good, we’ve lived through these people.
My two cents, lol.
And my excuse for connecting with an old friend. Hi, Rocki!!
~Raine/Dream
by raine August 24th, 2006 at 7:21 amRocki, thanks for your wonderrful insights—I’ve learned a lot. I’m also interested in your take on the difference between “connected” books and regular mystery series books.
Jake
by Jake August 24th, 2006 at 7:33 amHi, Rocki, and thank you for a very informative post!
I was on doctor ordered bed rest during my pregnancy earlier this year, and when I asked my husband to pick me up a romance book, he brought home Kill Me Twice—and it was just the entertainment I needed!
Questions: At this point in your career, how much freedom do you have regarding characters and plots (say, with the Bullet Catchers)? Does your agent/editor give you carte blanche, or do any of your ideas get nixed for whatever reason?
Also, for your connected books, are there any discussions in the beginning regarding when & how to end them, or is that left alone until sales numbers roll in?
Thanks for your time!
Heather
by Heather Massey August 24th, 2006 at 8:28 amI love connected books. Tess Gerritsen and Bertrice Small spring to mind. Joanna Lindsey with her Malory Series. You grow to love the characters and you aren’t ready to leave their world. Although, when writers start in on cousins and half-siblings, maybe the story has gone on long enough.
Thanks Rocki for the great post. Lots to think about. Looking forward to your anthology with Allison and Karin.
by Amanda August 24th, 2006 at 8:47 amI love connected books, but like Marilyn, I won’t not read a book because it isn’t connected. I think the hard part is knowing when to stop. There are some series out there that I’m very tired of. I’m not sure there is a magic number (like 3 or 4) but much beyond that and I think it is very difficult to make everything seem fresh.
by Monica M. August 24th, 2006 at 9:00 amMonica M.
Hi, Rocki,
Okay, I just have to tell you I picked up Thrill Me To Death at the Literacy Signing in Atlanta and tucked it in my travel bag for the way home. Since I had a layover in Phoenix, I figured that would last me all the way home. How wrong I was. I ended up finishing it in the airport. And then – because I stupidly thought there was no way I’d be “read-free” on my flight home – I was stuck with nothing to read the rest of the way to Portland because I’d checked all my other books! TMTD was great – a fast read and lots of fun. When the man sitting next to me on the flight to Phoenix leaned over and asked, “What are you reading?” I had to shush him and reply, “Hot bodyguard sex. Now be quiet. I need to concentrate.”
I like connected books, too (obviously). I don’t think it’s a trend that will disappear anytime soon, esp. when publishers continue to leave the teaser pages at the end of the book promoting the next one in the series. Several of my new favorite authors are favorites simply because I’m looking forward to those next connected books.
The only time I see connected books being a hinderance is when there are so many in a series a reader runs the risk of being overwhelmed. For example (And Allison, please don’t flog me with a wet noodle here), I love Nora Roberts, but I have yet to pick up one JD Robb book. Why? Because there are so many in the series I know I’m not going to be happy until I go back and read every single one. And who has time to read 17 (or however many) books? Not me. If I did, I’m afraid I’d slack on my own writing.
by Elisabeth August 24th, 2006 at 9:51 amHi gang — Terrific responses and thoughts on connected books. I just finished my daily scene and jumped over here to find all these great comments. Thank you to those who’ve read and loved my books — I laughed at your comment to the other passenger, Elisabeth. Nothing like hot bodyguard sex! (Actually, that’s redundant, isn’t it?)
Heather asks how much say I have at this point in my career. On story ideas, complete say. (Well, to a point, I suppose.) The plots, selected characters, direction of the series, that’s all up to me. (Sometimes I *wish* someone would tell me what to do!) But not all those ideas are embraced when they are proposed. I have submitted Bullet Catcher story ideas that were not universally loved by TPTB at Pocket. If I had insisted on doing one, they probably would have let me. But they are Powers That Be for a reason: they know the market. So, I generally listen when they steer me away from a particular premise or setting.
Don’t know when we’ll end this series. In my mind, it just started! I have three “in the can” plus two Bullet Catcher novellas coming out, and I am proposing several more. After that, I guess we see what happens with sales and reader enthusiasm. I don’t think I’d want to write them forever, because I just have so many ideas I’d like to explore. But I’m really enjoying the concept for now.
Like Elisabeth, I’ve never read a JD Robb book (although I’m reading THREE FATES by Nora right now and it is AMAAAAAZING) because I don’t want a 17 book commitment. Nor have I read any Janet Evanovich, because I would feel the need to start with one, and I know that the rest of the world is 12 ahead of me. Stupid, huh?
I think the thing about connected books is that they HAVE to stand alone, and that they are “consistent” even if read out of order. That’s my goal with my connected stories, anyway. It’s a challenge as you get deeper into the series, which I’m sort of writing chronologically. I’ll let you know how that goes!
Great to be here, all!
xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire August 24th, 2006 at 10:42 amRocki
Hi, Rocki!
by Karin August 24th, 2006 at 10:51 amSo glad you came by for a visit, and I see you brought friends.
I’d never given connected series much thought. But when I wrote GOOD GIRL GONE BAD, Ty had these two butt head cop buddies who demanded thier own stories. What’s a writer to do? So they each get thier own story.
I enjoy seeing them again, and I hope my readers will too.
Actually, I am working on a series right now and hope to launch the first story in our antho. I think I’m addicted. BTW, I picked up TMTD last week at the grocery store. It’s calling to me…
Oh Elisabeth, I’m so with you. I started TMTD one afternoon and stayed up until 4:00 AM to finish because I simply could not put it down. And then I sent a certain someone a text message to let her know she’d disturbed a night’s rest.
I’ve never read J.D. Robb either, for the same reason. And the only reason I’ve read all 12 Stephanie Plum books is I discovered them about 4 years ago when I wasn’t trying to write, hadn’t started reviewing books yet — I was *just* a wife and stay-at-home mom. I literally read the first 7 books in like three weeks so I’d be caught up when the 8th book came out the following month. Now my sister and I have a contest to see who can read the new one first. This year I won.
BUT… because I know what it’s like to get sucked into a long series, I haven’t started another.
I like that Rocki’s books stand alone. I could give someone TMTD and they would not have to have read KILL ME TWICE to understand it.
Let’s hope TPTB at Pocket keep nodding their heads to Rocki’s ideas.
by Marilyn August 24th, 2006 at 11:19 amI’m the same way with the JD Robb series, though one of these days, I’m going to have to make the time because I keep hearing such good things about it.
Rocki, it was great to see your post. I’m working on a series right now (comic/caper), but am about to start a dark thriller, and I wanted to make it a connected book, where the task force is the connection. I’m a long way from figuring out all of those connections, so we’ll see.
Now I’m going to have to go get Thrill Me To Death — this sounds like something I’d love!
by toni mcgee causey August 24th, 2006 at 12:15 pmHi Rocki!
I’m a big fan of connected books–simply because I like to see how my new friends go on after the book is over. Sibling stories, friend stories, guest appearances–I’m all for them.
But like the others said, I’m not going to NOT read a book because it’s not part of a series. And, sometimes, I like meeting new people, instead of the same ol’, same ol’.
by Kimberly August 24th, 2006 at 12:37 pmRocki,
Interesting post! I’d never really thought about my feelings on connected books until this, but then I realized I have definite opinions.
I like connected series to a point. After about 3 books, I’m ready for something else. My sister loves Sherrilyn Kenyon and has encouraged me to read all her books, which my sister owns. But I’m not willing to wade through so many when I have so little reading time. If I catch a series near the beginning, I enjoy it more, as long as the books/storylines stay fresh.
I’m currently reading a paranormal series and I have found something I don’t like about it. The overarching storyline (a conflict that carries throughout all the books, outside of the main characters’ conflict) has become so complicated and full of characters that I’m losing sight of who is who. So my suggestion as a reader would be, don’t involve so many people that we can’t keep them straight.
Can’t wait to have you over at The Writing Playground in September!!!!
Angel
by Danniele Worsham August 24th, 2006 at 12:44 pmOk, I could just say “ditto” to all the above, EXCEPT that I have read every JD Robb book, and I absolutely love that series. What amazes me about series/connected writers is how they continue to come up with fresh ways to keep the characters interesting. To this non-writer it seems like an incredible task to write ONE story that could hold anyone’s attention; to do it over and over again, with the same characters no less, seems next to impossible. I guess that’s why I’m not writing books. But I love reading them, and I now have a new author, Roxanne
, to get into. Your “bullet catcher” books sound irresistible.
One of the things I love about discovering another author with a series is that I can finish one book and pick another one right up. No waiting for another year for the next installment. I seem to get more out of the characters when I can read one book after the other. I tend to forget some details when there is a time gap between readings.
by Barbie August 24th, 2006 at 1:10 pmRocki that’s the same reason I haven’t picked up any of the Plum books!!! I’d be so far behind. However I love connected too–and this dates back to Julie Garwood and Jude Deveraux historicals. Yes, my age is showing
AS a writer I, too, love going back to visit old friends just as much as readers do.
by Cece August 24th, 2006 at 2:12 pm[...] From Roxanne St. Claire: Here is the mother of all understatements: readers like connected books. No, that’s not true. Readers LOVE connected books. Frankly, this connection with connection is so extensive, pervasive and attractive to readers that very often they won’t consider books that aren’t connected, much in the same way they won’t consider certain genres, time periods or settings. (…) But it wasn’t until I climbed aboard the connected book bandwagon that my career did more than chug, and I know that forward motion is no coincidence. Readers, I’ve learned in my recent travels to bookstores and libraries, demand connected books. They are, in truth, way past disappointed when they pick up one of my backlist and use it to point to a stack of another title and say, “Are these a series?” [...]
by Alison Kent » Blog Archive » Readerly Food for Thought August 24th, 2006 at 3:01 pmI love series. I’m writing one.
It’s a weird thing, though. While I’m likely to love any individual book in a series that I love more than any book that is not in a series, I am ALSO likely to dislike a book in a series I love with much more ferocity than any book that I dislike that is not in a series.
In other words, if an author f***s with my beloved series, she has earned untold ire from me. If she just f***s with a book not in a series, not so much.
A corollary: I am far more likely to start disliking books I love in a series if the series as a whole goes down the tubes later on. I may have loved book one, but if you lose me with book three it is unlikely I will ever read book one again, or be able to think on it without book three leaving a bad taste in my mouth. A book not in a series gets off scot-free. A notable exception: Narnia. I simply pretend book seven does not exist, and I’m fine.
by Diana Peterfreund August 24th, 2006 at 4:55 pmHi Rocki,
So glad you visited us today. I have a three book series about a dance teacher in Ogden, Utah (cozy mystery) that will debut in April, so I found this entire topic fascinating! I originally set out, when I wrote my first book, to be a “series” writer. Only problem was, no one would buy the first book. It was published by a small independent publisher (POD), and is now about of print. Well, now I’ve sold the second in the series to Five Star. So, I guess I have to think about writing the next in the series. If I ever get some downtime from writing my books for St. Martin’s and Berkley.
Thanks again for joining us, Rocki!
by Natalie August 24th, 2006 at 5:33 pmFabulous comments! I love connected series, and like Barbie I’ve read (nearly) every JD Robb book. I never read the first four and I can’t go back to the beginning because I’ve read all the others since. Weird, know. I didn’t realize it was a series when I started reading. Duh.
Anyway, I love writing them but I fear that I’ll get bored, so right now I’m only planning finite connected books (i.e. 3) . . . that may change, but they’ll still be finite.
My upcoming trilogy is more connected than my last, but they still stand alone because I don’t want someone who reads the last book to feel like they can’t read the first two, or they missed something important.
Anyway, I’m beat and going to bed! More on my trip next week . . .
by Allison Brennan August 24th, 2006 at 7:55 pmGreat discussion – up until reading it, I’d never thought about the autobuy list in terms of series. Yep – every author on it is writing connected stories. For me the author’s voice is number one in choosing books to buy. But here’s an irony, in the best books the author’s voice disappears. The characters come alive and their special world becomes real. As long as the author continues to spin that golden story thread I’m loathe to leave the series.
by Evanne August 25th, 2006 at 6:38 amGreat topic, really – HUGE food for thought. This is all so strange to me, a newbie to authorship (although not to writing). I have NEVER been a fan of series’, except I guess Miss Marple. I always thought that if you take a book to all the places it should go, it’s simply redundant to revisit those characters. There are very few books and authors for which I actively seek out a sequel, and I’m almost always disappointed in the follow-up when I do. I’m very loyal to the authors I love, but I tend to skip over the follow ups in a series and wait for the next NEW book.
I guess I’m going to have to wait for the feedback and see if the characters in my books resonate so much with my particular audience that they WANT more, in which case I would think about it.
I guess it’s like the difference between film features and TV. Film sequels are usually, well, stupid and inane. But a great TV series can go on and on and on and on (I have to say… DEADWOOD… I think I’m going to have to kill myself when it’s over)
by Alex August 25th, 2006 at 9:32 amUnlimited Music Downloads
There are many websites offering free iPod downloads. But beware as many are illegal downloads. If you are looking for safe iPod downloads,
by Unlimited Music Downloads March 8th, 2007 at 7:06 pm