I played hooky and went to the movies with hubby tonight. We don’t go to the movies very often. In fact I can’t remember the last movie we saw. I blogged about it over at the Danger Zone. While you’re there check out Linda Wisdom’s Hex Appeal contest in the post below.
I also blogged over at Dynamic Trio where I’m talking about Occupations in Romance novels.
It’s hard to believe that Cat and Mouse is out this week from Ellora’s Cave. Where has the time gone? Meantime I’m working on a synopsis for the next Middlemarch book before I start in on the requests I garnered at conference. Nailbiting time. I’m stressing about whether I can do my ideas justice. Sometimes ideas lose color and vibrancy when transferred from my head to paper. Or maybe I’m being tough on myself? I don’t know. I’m going to keep forging ahead anyhow.
Next month I’m doing an online class about pacing and how to fix sag and drag in writing. I figure a few coping strategies won’t go astray.
And what am I reading at the moment? I’ve just finished Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich and have started Lover Enshrined by JR Ward. While I like both books, I don’t love them. They didn’t wow me in the way that earlier books did by both authors. Am I getting series burnout? I don’t know the answer to that question either. Do you burnout on a series written by the same author? Do you stop reading series or do you keep reading to the completion of the series? When is a series too long?
Related posts:
Yes to series burnout. I even find (lately) that I avoid books that are part of a series. I enjoyed the idea of a series when there were only a few around, but it seems that half the books I want to read, I realize I have to read the first one (or second, third, etc) before that one (I HAVE to start at the beginning – I’m anal that way) so don’t bother picking the book up at all no matter how good it looks.
by Wylie Kinson September 29th, 2008 at 5:37 amI have a Kressley Cole sitting on top of TBR, but I won’t read it until I get the previous…
I’ve missed the whole Anita Blake phenom… and I’m still waiting to read Kelley Armstrong’s paranormals because the bookstore never seems to have her first in stock.
What’s a girl to do? *shrugs*
Also yes, on series burnout. But then it may not be you but the author. I loved the Orson Scott Card Ender’s series but there were a few books where you wanted to slap him upside the head because they just weren’t up to the quality of his previous books. And a series is never too long if the author can keep coming up with fresh new story lines (I know that can be really hard) or at least interesting new characters who handle things differently.
Not that I’m a writer (I do art, you know) but I’ve often found when stuck that I need a new/different opinion. And not just those who consistently help me proof my work but a completely new and outside source who has a different point of view and fresh ideas to give my work that jolt it needs.
All that being said I love series because I always want to know more. What about that other guy? What’s her story? What happens to these people a few years later? Give me more!!!
Also why isn’t it the first yet? I want your book! That way I can read it before I go, whahahahaha
I want, I want!
Hugs,
by Amy W. September 29th, 2008 at 8:01 am-Amy W.
Hi Shelly!
I love a good series. I’m reading Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. Not heavy on the romance side, but the man could write and draw you into his world! Love it.
How exciting, a new release to start the month out right!
I’m the same way with movies. It’s been so long since I’ve been to a theater I can’t remember the film I saw! I can’t sit still that long either.
I saw all of the lovely photos from your vacation. I’m from NW Washington, and camped many of the places you went to! I’m glad you enjoyed your trip here. It’s beautiful country, there aren’t many other places I’d rather be.
by Colleen Love September 29th, 2008 at 8:45 amI sometimes worry about taking series too far myself. It’s hard to know when to say when as a writer if you still have stories you want to tell.
I have some authors who I can’t wait to get the next book in their series. Others, I finally dropped because they just didn’t stop.
It really depends on the author and the series.
by N.J. Walters September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 amI get series burnout all the time. I don’t think I’ve ever completed one – I usually stop between book 4 and 6. Even in case of the much liked Miles Vorkosigan books I haven’t gotten anround to buying Diplomatic Immunity yet.
The exception are some epic Fantasies like Song of Ice and Fire, Malazan Book of the Fallen or Prince of Nothing, but they have an ongoing plot development and not episodes like Evanovich, Dresden Files and whatever.
Though I’ve even given up on epics in case of fe. Gabaldon and Auel, and I very much doubt I’ll read all the Wheel of Time books. They all got bogged down by too much description, meaningless subplots, gratuitous sex and lack of character develoment, while series like Evanovich usually suffer from repetitive plots
by Gabriele September 29th, 2008 at 11:39 amWylie – my sister and I have a running joke. If there’s a new series or trilogy I invariably pick up the wrong book to read first. In my defence, sometimes publishers don’t label books clearly.
Amy – Yes, sometimes another person looking at a project can fire ideas again. LOL – I’m quite territorial about my work until my editor sees it. It’s a weird quirk with me. I need to learn to let go. I know I’m not the only writer like this.
Colleen – I like being able to get up and make a cup of tea or have a glass of wine, stretch my legs in the middle of the show. Other patrons don’t understand this and I can’t get them to pause the movie for me!
You live in a beautiful part of the country. We really enjoyed our time there. Of course, New Zealand is home and we do have some stunning scenery here, too.
NJ – I’m in the same position and worrying about how far to take my Middlemarch series. I told my editor I was stopping at book 8 and she said, “why?”
I think I’ve come up with a way to start a sort of a “springboard” series that’s part of Middlemarch but not. We’ll see how that pans out…
Gabriele – I loved the earlier Gabaldon books but still haven’t read the latest one. The characters definitely need to evolve in order to keep my interest, the plot growing. I think that’s my problem – the books feel like the rest I’ve read.
by Shelley Munro September 29th, 2008 at 12:52 pmI was just saying to Mr. C the other day that New Zealand would be one of the few other places on this planet I’d love to be. I think LOTR sealed it for me. New Zealand, Ireland, some parts of Canada and Alaska. That’s it.
Happy Spring to you!
C~
by Colleen Love September 29th, 2008 at 1:38 pmI love series, but no matter how great the previous books were, it’s not always the case that an author can make every one a crazy hit. While one book in a series might disappoint me, I’ll stick through it to read the next before making a decision to abandon the series. Oh and I LOVE Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series. Awesome.
by JK Coi September 29th, 2008 at 6:27 pmJK – Nalini writes a great book, doesn’t she? I’m looking forward to her new series.
by Shelley Munro September 29th, 2008 at 7:23 pmColleen – will you hit me if I say I’ve been to all of those places? They’re all gorgeous with Ireland reminding me of NZ quite a bit. Alaska is so pristine and wild. I’d love to return there one day. I’ve only done the West Coast of Canada. That’s also on the wishlist.
by Shelley Munro September 30th, 2008 at 1:40 amI never hit, I’m a lover, not a fighter. hehe
Sounds like you have had some lovely adventures! Great for the Muse!
C~
by Colleen Love September 30th, 2008 at 8:28 am