My special guest today is author Josh Lanyon. Josh writes for several publishers including Loose Id and MLR Press.
I read one of Josh’s books early this year, enjoyed it very much, and since I’m a huge mystery fan, I immediately went off to download the first in Josh’s Adrien English series. I loved this story so much that I purchased the rest of the series and read them one after the other. That’s the great thing about discovering a new author with an established series–being able to enjoy all the books without waiting!
I’m now eagerly awaiting the August release of Death of a Pirate King, the fourth story in the Adrien English series. And all this brings me neatly to the topic of the day–writing a series.
Hello. I’m Josh Lanyon. I write gay or M/M romance — usually within the context of a mystery or a crime story. I’m best known as the author of the Adrien English mystery series — although you may know me through Man, Oh Man: Writing M/M Fiction for Kinks and Ca$h. This is my first time at Shelley’s blog — and I’d like to thank her for inviting me.
When Shelley invited me to guest blog, she mentioned a number of terrific topics, and one of those topics was on developing a series. I wrote Fatal Shadows, the first Adrien English mystery over a decade ago. When I started the novel, I had no intention of writing a series. Adrien — a thirty-something bookseller with a weak heart — is not exactly the kind of protagonist who typically lends himself to series success. In fact, in that first mystery novel, I initially toyed with the idea of making Adrien the killer. I thought the cop antagonist might let Adrien off — or Adrien’s weak heart might finish him. But as I wrote the character, as the character developed — as characters typically do through the writing process — I realized that Adrien was too stable and had too strong a sense of humor to resort to murder. I just couldn’t believe he was guilty, and I knew if I couldn’t believe it, the reader wouldn’t.
By the end of the novel, I knew I liked Adrien English enough — and that there was sufficient depth to the character — to make him worth exploring through other stories. And this, I think, is one of the key things in deciding to write a series. A successful series has a character arc. While each book should be complete in itself, the best series — certainly, the best contemporary series — also have an over-arching storyline. And that storyline is ideally connected to the growth of the main protagonist.
A successful series protagonist is a special kind of animal. In general, especially in genre fiction, readers want to like the main character. So the character has to be engaging enough to appeal to a wide range of readers. If you’re going to tie yourself down to writing a series, you have to have a pretty good shot at the character proving popular with a lot of readers — because while a flawed, and even unlikable, character can intrigue readers for the course of a novella or a stand-alone novel, following someone’s adventures book after book for years generally requires more of a reader investment.
And this is tricky for writers. We tend to love our main characters. We tend to think any character we create is going to prove good for the long haul. And that’s simply not the case. Readers take more strongly to some characters than others. Very frankly, I’ve never had any character appeal to readers the way Adrien does. Though all my characters spring from the same source, there’s something different about the way Adrien’s stars aligned. Readers love him. They rejoice at his triumphs, and they hold serious grudges against those who hurt him.
The best thing a writer can do is listen to feedback from readers — as well as a trusted editor — as to whether a character is strong enough to carry a series. I don’t advise writing three books about a character in a series you haven’t sold yet. But if you truly believe in that character…follow your heart.
A series protagonist has to be complex enough and interesting enough to carry the series — meaning several books. Which means the character can’t be too perfect, and certainly can’t have everything he wants, or there’s no growth. The character’s growth is his journey and the journey has to take place over several books.
The Adrien English books are mysteries, so in each story Adrien solves a crime, but the over-arching storyline is Adrien’s quest for true love — that weak heart of his is symbolic of his quest. In the series Adrien falls for a closeted LAPD homicide detective. Adrien makes some unwise choices and contributes to his own problems — and that’s where the journey comes in. But the journey is what interests readers and keeps them coming back for more. Before you set out on that long journey, choose your companion wisely.
I Spy Something Bloody is Josh’s next release. This book is a standalone and is out on June 24 in e-format from Loose Id and also in print from MLR Press. To find out more about Josh’s books and news of upcoming releases visit his website at www.joshlanyon.com
Related posts:
June 18th, 2008 at 6:13 am · Link
Hi Josh, I can’t believe you’re visiting because I just finished reading my first Adrien English book last week on the recommendation of a friend, and I loved it!
I think you’re absolutely right about listening to your readers and editor, but at the same time you have to know within yourself what’s best for your series. Readers and editors may want to see a series continue indefinitely because they have fallen in love with the characters. And that’s good, but sometimes there can only be so much of a good thing and you have to know when it’s time to stop and go on to something new.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:35 am · Link
Hey J.K., you’re absolutely right. And by thinking through the story arcs as you begin writing a series allows you to complete that character’s journey, neatly wrap up the loose ends — and get out while the reader still wants more.
Thanks for the kind comments.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:48 am · Link
Sacre bleu! Is that the cover for I Spy??? ::snatch::
but the over-arching storyline is Adrien’s quest for true love — that weak heart of his is symbolic of his quest.
Very nice. And that weak heart of his makes Adrien human, frail, real to the reader in a way the perfect protagonist can never be.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:53 am · Link
It’s interesting that you’ve got one protagonist rather than two. Do you think it’s Adrien on his own who carries the books, or is it Adrien-and-Jake?
June 18th, 2008 at 8:14 am · Link
I’m totally going to have to check this series out!
June 18th, 2008 at 8:27 am · Link
It’s interesting that you’ve got one protagonist rather than two. Do you think it’s Adrien on his own who carries the books, or is it Adrien-and-Jake?
I think it’s both of them together, although it was interesting that after The Hell You Say readers basically said they would stick with Adrien regardless of whether Jake was in the books or not. And of course the books are first person POV, so technically they are Adrien’s story. But Jake’s struggle is the one that really interests me. That’s where I see the drama and the pathos.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:29 am · Link
Very nice. And that weak heart of his makes Adrien human, frail, real to the reader in a way the perfect protagonist can never be.
I think one of the big mistakes writers make in creating a series protag is going for the paragon character. Smart, successful, handsome — not that these aren’t desirable qualities, but they need to be balanced by real life flaws. Perfection is not lovable. Especially in romance, readers need to love those series protags.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:30 am · Link
I’m totally going to have to check this series out!
You’ll have to let me know what you think.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:37 am · Link
Jake’s struggle is the one that really interests me. That’s where I see the drama and the pathos.
I agree. I’m very interested in Jake’s story, though I rather like the fact that it’s seen at a remove. It could easily be very overwhelming otherwise.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:32 am · Link
Hello there, I think you make an excellent point about story arc, and I thought it would be only fair to point out that it is your understanding of this concept that drives the whole, when-the-heck-is-the-Pirate-King-coming-out thing, because that may be something you do but not all mystery series writers do that, do they? I think that’s why you have us (romance lot) by the… well. I’m thinking of other detective series where there is simply a crime to solve in each book, which come with no real ‘arc’ included, except for maybe the aging of the character.
It’s the greater arc that causes the endless debate on the web about Jake v. Adrien, and whether the story will end one way or another. With people like me, I might add, chiming in all the time to ‘help’. mea culpa.
However, I believe you have much longer than you’ve given yourself for this, and worry that Adrien is eventually going to have to kill off his creator for you to get some much-needed free time. There’s getting out while people want more and there’s the shocked and horrified reaction of people who just can’t get enough. Thought I’d mention…
# protags? it’s an entity. Jadrien. Ake. (Ache?)
Ooooh cover art. shiny…
June 18th, 2008 at 9:42 am · Link
Josh
I’m sorry I posted my original questions on your lj and not here, but your response to one of them struck me and I would like ask a follow up question if I may (I know , I said I wouldn’t ask any more – I lied)
Here’s what you said
“In fact, one of the intresting things for me was to see how slow many of my readers proved to try the standalone works. Partly I’m sure that had to do with novellas, which work well in ebooks but not always so well in a print multi-author collection. Many readers — especially print readers — aren’t interested in paying top dollar for a collection with only one shortish story they know for sure they’ll like.”
Dangerous Ground has proven to be very popular with your Adrien English fans. Are you thinking that this is a possibility for another serial? Your fans seem to be very vehement about their love for Taylor and Will :)
June 18th, 2008 at 9:44 am · Link
JADRIEN!!! LOL!
Oh MY MY. I’m jacking that one! Thanks you girl you.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am · Link
Lauralyn~
Pie-rat King: I’m going to go easy on J. and not tap my footand stare at the calendar. Poor thing. No Pressure!
And surely it can only end one way. What are you implying?
June 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am · Link
I’m partial to Aike.
Love you Lisabea, jack away. Oooh. sorry. No… I meant… well.
June 18th, 2008 at 9:58 am · Link
I am the queen of jacking.
June 18th, 2008 at 10:01 am · Link
What I’m implying, you, and you’d best be with me or we get torches and head for castle LisaBeainstien, is that it shouldn’t have to END at all. Nope. A constant, steady, unlimited supply of Aike. The new drug of choice for the aging suburban mom, (only in my case of course)
J? Run Hamster Run. Move those tiny blistered pink feet!
June 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am · Link
Sigh…a never ending supply of Jadrien? You don’t say….He’ll need a carrot, LL. A BIG beautiful carrot. A carrot named Russell Crowe, I’m a thinkin. (and cash)
I understand there will be a festival of holiday novella’s for our boys. Halloween, Christmas, Flag Day…what did Laura B say? Groundhog’s Day??? All Saint’s Day!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:02 am · Link
HI guys hope your having a good day
June 18th, 2008 at 11:14 am · Link
…And Beltane. By the gods if there’s no Beltane, well… that would be it then, wouldn’t it?
Lisa~ I’ve been meaning to start an Aike fandom, you know, with, like fanfic and stuff? I’m thinking if Josh doesn’t write what we want we’ll have to start writing it ourselves.
Never mind the carrot my girl, it’s time for the STICK. And Russell Crowe. I’m thinking definitely the Stick and Russell Crowe, and maybe alcohol… and a blindfold… Yeah, the stick, Russell Crowe…
Sorry, Josh. Carry on.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:22 am · Link
HOLD THE PHONE! OMG. Let’s do some Jadrien Fanyon/fic.
I like your mind, LL. I say we keep Russell, a few lightning margaritas, the stick, the blindfold, and, I’m sure you know where I’m going here, the carrot.
I don’t think Josh will approve so let’s keep it on the d.l. and not invite him. No?
FYI All Saints is my bd.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:26 am · Link
Okay, Russell is my Jake, who’s Adrien? Between you, me, and Dakota? We’re like the fricking witches from MacBeth.
Josh? You can come out now, nobody’s gonna hurt you, honey.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:52 am · Link
What is it about Josh that gets such rabid fans?
I’ll tell you two things that set him apart from many: He’s a true gentleman with a deep funny bone.
His characters are unique. Now, that being said, I just read J.D. Robb’s 25th! “In Death” book. If Nora can do it, so can Josh!
And I know “fanyon” is just too perfect a title for devoted readers of “Lanyon” fiction.
Come on. Josh’s real name is Pointdexter!
June 18th, 2008 at 11:56 am · Link
MacBeth…how fitting.
I’m not sure about all the rest of it, but I already have my two actors picked out for Adrien and Jake. (We can ignore things like Scottish accents right?)
Russel? Really? Hmmm….
June 18th, 2008 at 11:59 am · Link
In that case I shall be a fanyon barresinistre.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:02 pm · Link
Russell before the unlimited supply of Dunkin Donuts…
June 18th, 2008 at 12:05 pm · Link
Lol. Okay, yeah I could see that. Still, I think I’ll stick with my own choices.
June 18th, 2008 at 12:09 pm · Link
Okay, we’ll need music vids. Dakota? I’m counting on you… just not ‘Lift You Up Where We Belong…’
June 18th, 2008 at 12:13 pm · Link
:mrgreen
I have never EVER floated paper airplanes across anyone’s serious discussion before. NEVER.
except that last time…
June 18th, 2008 at 12:17 pm · Link
Busted, I’m out.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm · Link
Hi Josh,
Thanks for being my guest today. I have a couple of questions for you:
Do you plot each story? (It sounded like you wrote the first one without a definite plot in mind since Adrien was almost the killer at one stage)
And once you’d written the first book in your series was it easier or harder to work out your character arc?
June 18th, 2008 at 1:14 pm · Link
I agree with the comment, if J.D. Robb, Nora, can do it so can Josh! I don’t see why Adrien has to end so early. I think there should be one book a year as long as Josh lives!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:15 pm · Link
No money changed hands there I swear it.
June 18th, 2008 at 1:18 pm · Link
::passes photo of nekkid hot manlove::
JK!
June 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm · Link
Hi Hollie! thanks for stopping by.
Lisabea – Are you sharing those pictures?
Murphy – I would love lots of Adrien books. I’m a huge fan!
June 18th, 2008 at 2:06 pm · Link
Dangerous Ground has proven to be very popular with your Adrien English fans. Are you thinking that this is a possibility for another serial? Your fans seem to be very vehement about their love for Taylor and Will :)
There will definitely be another Will and Taylor story. I don’t think of them as really a series though — meaning I don’t think there’s enough internal and external conflict to support an actual novel, let alone a couple of novels.
But I like writing them. They’re my popcorn lit. Fun to write.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm · Link
It’s the greater arc that causes the endless debate on the web about Jake v. Adrien, and whether the story will end one way or another. With people like me, I might add, chiming in all the time to ‘help’. mea culpa.
I think a lot of mystery writers underestimate the importance of using the main character’s person life as a major subplot. Mystery writers in general shy away from the romance angle, which doesn’t really make sense when you figure mysteries are all about character and motivation and relationships.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm · Link
Jadrien. Oh Lauralyn…someday…
June 18th, 2008 at 2:13 pm · Link
J? Run Hamster Run. Move those tiny blistered pink feet!
Holy moly. So there I am running my backlog of errands, thinking about the next chapter, and I come home and check my email, and…
Uh….
I happen to know you ALL have books you’re supposed to be working on.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:15 pm · Link
HI guys hope your having a good day
Hi, Hollie. Thanks for dropping by.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm · Link
::shuffles feet looks at shoes hides behind ll points finger elsewhere::
Yes sensei.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pm · Link
LOL – Josh – I need to be writing. Deadlines are kicking my butt at the moment.
But it’s morning here in New Zealand. I’m telling myself I have the rest of the day…
June 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pm · Link
Sorry, Josh. Carry on.
Sheesh. I’ll leave that to you lot. Fan fic. Actually, I did read some Jake and Adrien fan fic somewhere. Now that was quite a surprise.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm · Link
Okay, Russell is my Jake, who’s Adrien? Between you, me, and Dakota? We’re like the fricking witches from MacBeth.
When shall we th-th-three meet again?
I’m partial to that other Aussie guy for Adrien. The one who starred with Crowe in LA Confidential. They had a nice chemistry.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:22 pm · Link
His characters are unique. Now, that being said, I just read J.D. Robb’s 25th! “In Death” book. If Nora can do it, so can Josh!
That woman is a writing machine. I don’t know how she does it. She’s got to have the most incredible focus.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:23 pm · Link
We can ignore things like Scottish accents right?)
Now you’ve got me curious.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:24 pm · Link
Russell before the unlimited supply of Dunkin Donuts…
An unsuspected cruel streak in our Sweetbea.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:32 pm · Link
Thanks for being my guest today. I have a couple of questions for you:
Do you plot each story? (It sounded like you wrote the first one without a definite plot in mind since Adrien was almost the killer at one stage)
And once you’d written the first book in your series was it easier or harder to work out your character arc?
Hi Shelley. Thanks for having me and my circus.
You’re right, the first Adrien book was one of those make it up as you go along things. Which is one reason it was I think about 37K originally. A novella, in fact (although I didn’t know that at the time). Very simple little story really.
And Dangerous Thing was also a make-it-up-as-you-go deal. But because FS was so brief I hadn’t written myself into any corners, so when I started ADT I was able to really think about the ramifications of Adrien falling in love with someone like Jake, and I proceeded accordingly. There are plenty of clues in ADT for what happens in The Hell You Say. I think some readers didn’t want to see it coming, but the clues were there. By The Hell You Say, I was outlining because there were certain story marks I knew I had to be sure to hit.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm · Link
Thanks, Murphy.
I feel tired just thinking about it.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm · Link
I’m partial to that other Aussie guy for Adrien.
Noooooo! I don’t even know who you’re talking about, but I don’t like him.
*pouts*
You should think more…castles and kilts when making your choice.
June 18th, 2008 at 2:37 pm · Link
LOL – Josh – I need to be writing.
You and me both! This gang is giddy what with the warm weather and school being out. They’re making me want to play hooky, and I can’t afford to.