Comments on: Books in a Series http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/ Testing the Plot Monkey Blog Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:29:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: bluecat http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-32391 bluecat Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:49:23 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-32391 I love to read series books, but like so many others posted here I HAVE to read them in order. Sometimes it's hard to find the older books. :hissyfit: That's my quirk. When I started reading Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series I had to start from the beginning. I've missed the last couple of books and when I finally get those books I'll start from the beginning again to reacqauint myself with the characters. I"m a bit nutty that way. I love to read series books, but like so many others posted here I HAVE to read them in order. Sometimes it’s hard to find the older books. That’s my quirk. When I started reading Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series I had to start from the beginning. I’ve missed the last couple of books and when I finally get those books I’ll start from the beginning again to reacqauint myself with the characters. I”m a bit nutty that way.

]]> By: Brandi http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-32321 Brandi Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:52:02 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-32321 I love series books -- I think that is why I have about 1500 books, most of which I have collected in the last 5 years. I am very anal and have to get all of them if I like the series, and even if I don't I still have to read all of them before visiting the used book store again to sell them back. If it is a longer series then I will read the books as I can find them and then reread them when I buy the last one. But short trilogies or smaller series I will wait to read them in order from start to finish. It also depends on if the series is a new publication or old harder to find series. I'm so anal about them that I had to create a database so that I could keep up with what I had and what I needed to get to finish out the series. To me the only annoying aspect of a series is when you think you have finally collected them all or at least only have one remaining to be found only to have another spinoff of the series arrive in stores (Montana Mavericks Multi Author Line). One book from that series started this mess (I didn't buy to collect them before that) and when I finally tracked down book 76 of 77, the next day I walked into walmart to find book 2 of a another 6 books added to the list. :wallbash: but that doesn't mean that I will stop collecting them and then once I do I will go back and reread them in order. I love series books — I think that is why I have about 1500 books, most of which I have collected in the last 5 years. I am very anal and have to get all of them if I like the series, and even if I don’t I still have to read all of them before visiting the used book store again to sell them back. If it is a longer series then I will read the books as I can find them and then reread them when I buy the last one. But short trilogies or smaller series I will wait to read them in order from start to finish. It also depends on if the series is a new publication or old harder to find series. I’m so anal about them that I had to create a database so that I could keep up with what I had and what I needed to get to finish out the series. To me the only annoying aspect of a series is when you think you have finally collected them all or at least only have one remaining to be found only to have another spinoff of the series arrive in stores (Montana Mavericks Multi Author Line). One book from that series started this mess (I didn’t buy to collect them before that) and when I finally tracked down book 76 of 77, the next day I walked into walmart to find book 2 of a another 6 books added to the list. but that doesn’t mean that I will stop collecting them and then once I do I will go back and reread them in order.

]]> By: Jodie http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31901 Jodie Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:28:10 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31901 Diana - those are great observations and something for an aspiring writer to be aware of - and make sure doesn't happen to our characters! Thx Diana - those are great observations and something for an aspiring writer to be aware of - and make sure doesn’t happen to our characters! Thx

]]> By: Diana http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31855 Diana Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:07:50 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31855 In response to SB Sarah's comments, I do think there are series where there's "no end in sight" (Like LKH and JE) and you start to wonder where the characters are going. BUT, there are also series that have a definitive plan and ending, like Colleen Gleason's Gardella Vampires (Five books I think it is, and she's said over and over that she knows who Victoria is ending up with and what's going to happen). The same is true of my series, Secret Society Girl. I was picturing it as four books from the time I sold the first two in 2005, and since I sold the second two in February, I've been able to move on with my plans and arcs. I know what's going to happen. And it's all going to be over in 2009 with book four. I think with books like ours, you're looking at something like a season of a TV show, and individual books are like individual episodes. They each have their own plots and arcs which bundle into a season-long arc. Regarding series, I love them. I also love stand alone books -- I have different moods for them both. One thing that bugs me, though I don't think this has as much to do with series as with series-done-poorly, is in the romance-style series, the (and now we get the best friend/brother's/villain's story kind), I hate it when the writer commits character assassination. Such as the following: 1. The heretofore totally together, angst-free best friend who told the H/h what's what in the previous book suddenly develops all kinds of psychological hurdles they must overcome, because now they are the main character and need to be angsty. 2. The heretofore angsty hero has found true love, so now it's HIS turn to treat everyone like they are idiots for not being as happy go lucky as him (it's like he's on mood altering drugs all the time!) This goes double for the formerly feisty and adventurous heroine who, now that she's married, has settled down to become a meek, homemaker and baby machine. In response to SB Sarah’s comments, I do think there are series where there’s “no end in sight” (Like LKH and JE) and you start to wonder where the characters are going. BUT, there are also series that have a definitive plan and ending, like Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampires (Five books I think it is, and she’s said over and over that she knows who Victoria is ending up with and what’s going to happen). The same is true of my series, Secret Society Girl. I was picturing it as four books from the time I sold the first two in 2005, and since I sold the second two in February, I’ve been able to move on with my plans and arcs. I know what’s going to happen. And it’s all going to be over in 2009 with book four. I think with books like ours, you’re looking at something like a season of a TV show, and individual books are like individual episodes. They each have their own plots and arcs which bundle into a season-long arc.

Regarding series, I love them. I also love stand alone books — I have different moods for them both. One thing that bugs me, though I don’t think this has as much to do with series as with series-done-poorly, is in the romance-style series, the (and now we get the best friend/brother’s/villain’s story kind), I hate it when the writer commits character assassination. Such as the following:

1. The heretofore totally together, angst-free best friend who told the H/h what’s what in the previous book suddenly develops all kinds of psychological hurdles they must overcome, because now they are the main character and need to be angsty.

2. The heretofore angsty hero has found true love, so now it’s HIS turn to treat everyone like they are idiots for not being as happy go lucky as him (it’s like he’s on mood altering drugs all the time!) This goes double for the formerly feisty and adventurous heroine who, now that she’s married, has settled down to become a meek, homemaker and baby machine.

]]> By: Gigi http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31851 Gigi Fri, 31 Aug 2007 13:48:06 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31851 Sorry I've been AWOL for a while , but I saw this blog entry and wanted to comment. I love series books. I love series books by themselves, out of order or I can read them in order. Rarely do I get to read them in order. Books are a form of entertainment and escape for me. I don't understand why all the fuss about series books. As long as the content in the books are about the same and consistant I have no complaints. :grin1: Sorry I’ve been AWOL for a while , but I saw this blog entry and wanted to comment.

I love series books. I love series books by themselves, out of order or I can read them in order.
Rarely do I get to read them in order. Books are a form of entertainment and escape for me. I don’t understand why all the fuss about series books.
As long as the content in the books are about the same and consistant I have no complaints.

]]> By: Julie Leto http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31830 Julie Leto Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:12:37 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31830 Thanks, Rachael. Hopefully, Marisela will get a life somewhere else at some point! Thanks, Rachael. Hopefully, Marisela will get a life somewhere else at some point!

]]> By: RachaelfromNJ http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31786 RachaelfromNJ Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:43:38 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31786 And Julie I loved your Marisela series and am so sad that Pocket didn't sign you for more. They were really great books so stop all that nonesense woman! I loved those books! And Julie I loved your Marisela series and am so sad that Pocket didn’t sign you for more. They were really great books so stop all that nonesense woman! I loved those books!

]]> By: RachaelfromNJ http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31785 RachaelfromNJ Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:42:35 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31785 Oh I forgot to mention that I started reading Evanovich when the 8th book came out in paperback. The hardcover for the 9th book came out the same day I beleive. I went to her signing in NJ for the 9th book and waited on line for 4 hours and I only had read one of her books at the time! I can't remember if I went back and read the books in order or not. I think I did. I loved the last two books Twelve Sharp and Learn Mean Thirteen. They were her best ones. I think Evanovich doesn't kill anyone or make any drastic changes in Stephanie's love life because she's afraid her readers will get mad if she picks Ranger over Joe or Joe over Ranger. She's playing it neutral with how she has the books. I would love a big shake up in Stephanie's life though. Something more realistic. Oh I forgot to mention that I started reading Evanovich when the 8th book came out in paperback. The hardcover for the 9th book came out the same day I beleive. I went to her signing in NJ for the 9th book and waited on line for 4 hours and I only had read one of her books at the time! I can’t remember if I went back and read the books in order or not. I think I did. I loved the last two books Twelve Sharp and Learn Mean Thirteen. They were her best ones. I think Evanovich doesn’t kill anyone or make any drastic changes in Stephanie’s love life because she’s afraid her readers will get mad if she picks Ranger over Joe or Joe over Ranger. She’s playing it neutral with how she has the books. I would love a big shake up in Stephanie’s life though. Something more realistic.

]]> By: RachaelfromNJ http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31784 RachaelfromNJ Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:39:18 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31784 I love series books too. I also read Evanovich. I like Tori Carrington's Sophie Metropolis series which reads alot like Evanovich. Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series. Tess Gerritsen's series. Allison Brennan's trilogies. Harry Potter. Oh and I read both Stephanie Bond books also!! Loved Body Movers 2. Nancy Bartholomew has a 4 book series which she doesn't write in anymore but they're so good and alot like Evanovich too. They're the Strip series and have titles like Strip Poker, etc. They're really fun. I love series books too. I also read Evanovich. I like Tori Carrington’s Sophie Metropolis series which reads alot like Evanovich. Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar series. Tess Gerritsen’s series. Allison Brennan’s trilogies. Harry Potter. Oh and I read both Stephanie Bond books also!! Loved Body Movers 2. Nancy Bartholomew has a 4 book series which she doesn’t write in anymore but they’re so good and alot like Evanovich too. They’re the Strip series and have titles like Strip Poker, etc. They’re really fun.

]]> By: Julie Leto http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31783 Julie Leto Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:36:13 +0000 http://www.plotmonkeys.com/553/books-in-a-series/#comment-31783 ev, you and me both! I'm not ready to give up on Marisela and I do hope we can find her a home in the future. ev, you and me both! I’m not ready to give up on Marisela and I do hope we can find her a home in the future.

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