If this is a series that involves the same main character, then all additional main characters, their personalities, growth, issues and challenges all have to be mapped out in coordination with an overall series arc. A series requires a lot of foresight, planning and long-term character development. Plots should be at least lightly sketched out for a few books in advance. If you have an exact number of books planned for your series, then it's even easier. It’s helpful if you have a clear idea of where you want to go with your characters and how you want them to change over the course of the books.
It can all seem daunting, but it is also a lot fun. Personally, I love to revisit my characters in novel after novel. In many ways they have become like family to me. It's fun to plot their activities and watch their growth as people, lovers and friends.
Obviously, I like to write series. The latest book in my humorous, geek mystery series, NO TEST FOR THE WICKED, came out December 1. It’s the fifth book (actually the sixth because there is a novella in the mix) and Lexi Carmichael and her friends are back again for another adventure.
Lexi Carmichael, geek girl
extraordinaire, is headed to high school. Again. Returning to high school is not
something she ever wanted to do over—it was awful the first time around. So why
do she have to go back as part of a new undercover assignment? Because the
universe loves playing jokes on her, obviously.
She’s been
ordered to go all 21 Jump Street and track down the students
who are breaking into the computer system, changing grades, and causing all
kinds of havoc. Although she’s not thrilled about her new gig, at least it
gives her something to do other than worry over the fact that she now has a
boyfriend. And no freaking idea what to get him for Christmas.
Or it did
give her something else to worry about, until she stumbled across a more
sinister threat. Lexi is shocked to find distinct traces of a group of
international hackers inside the network. Why would dangerous cyber mercenaries
be interested in a high school in the middle of Washington, D.C.? What exactly has
she gotten herself into?
6 comments:
Looks like a great series, Julie! I love reading connected books, but have trouble writing series with one character as the main character. More power to you! :)
OMG, Julie. If I'd known all that before writing the Mendenhall Mystery series, I wouldn't have started it. Of course, I didn't know when I wrote the first one that it was the beginning of a series. I guess that's just as well...
I love the premise of your series, Julie, and I hope you have many more stories in it. Congrats on your recent release.
I love a good series, the longer the better. I keep threatening to write one… ;)
I am drawn to writing series and love to read them. I do think once I get into a world I want to spend more time there. The characters are like a new family of friends and I like to hang out with them. Good luck on your series. I've read them all and can't wait to see what Lexi gets into next.
I love a series, J! I'm with Sandy, I like to spend time in a world. Particularly if the author is as organized as you are--then you know you'll have some development from book to book.
Lexi is such a fun character, it'll be hard to read the series end!
I've enjoyed writing my own Murders by Design series and following--developing!--my heroine as she takes on life's challenges. I've also read many series that have been terrific: the Gabalon time-traveler stories, Evanovich's Stephanie Plum as she goes from adventure to adventure, and Silver's Gabriel Allon the Israeli spy/assassin. But I like block-buster stand-alones too.Best of luck, Julie, with your very enjoyable series. Lexi is great fun!
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