To Series or Not to Series, That is the Question

Everyone loves a good story --

One that engages

One that makes you feel

One that ends.

I started reading a book series a year ago, recommended by a friend, and 8 books in, I read the grand conclusion...only to learn there were an anticipated 8 more books to come. Over the next decade. (That number has since been upped and last I heard, it's supposed to be 22 books in total!!!  !!!)

Ugh.

I don't know about you, but I would have waited for the whole thing if I'd known.

Some people prefer an ongoing story. Some want to have it all, right now. 

Which are you?

And yet, there is joy in taking a journey, one episode at a time. Because writing and editing isn't enough, I've been elbow deep in video editing (and getting better all the time), writing descriptions, and scheduling posts out to the moon and back. Although I'm totally a consume-it-right-now girl, we're putting out a series. One minute at a time.

Our awesome co-hosts this month are Kate Larkinsdale, SE White, JS Pailly, Olga Godim, and Natalie Aguirre!

Happy 15 year anniversary, IWSG!!!

Today's question: Do you have a favorite character archetype you tend to gravitate toward in your writing?

Do I ever! The tortured, brooding hero is definitely a favorite (with religious/moral roots), as is the snarky female lead. Oh, and the geeky, misunderstood character. And the quiet, bullied underdog. And the righteous Javerts (justice seekers, for those not familiar with Les Miserables). --All those with a side of ridiculous support characters whose personalities are usually the opposite of my lead. 

We're inviting friends to support an author this month through the hop. Unfortunately, about six months ago, my publisher pulled the first book in my series with the intent to repackage and rerelease. I don't have a date yet, but books 2 and 3 are still available, along with several anthologies I've contributed to. I'll list just my books and one anthology here. 

MOONLESS

SOULLESS

TIMELESS

PARELLELS

Do you like series? Would you rather have it all right now or in snippets over time? What's your favorite type of character to write/read?

The Big Stupid: Making Adult Decisions Like an Adult (and How Not To) IWSG edition

What is your big dream? Something you thought impossible?

Every year I feel my age more and think about things I want to do. The things I have done. The things that are no longer realistic.

My husband is the same way, and this year he decided to do something about it.

So he took back up rollerblading.

At first, he was lucky to keep his balance. I kept my mouth shut...until he came home bruised from a fall.

He bought protective gear.

He watched YouTube videos and learned how to fall, new techniques, then practiced them in our garage. 

Occasionally, he came home with another booboo, but for the most part, he did pretty well -- until he could go out for an hour each day, cruising the neighborhood.

The rest is his story, and you can read it if you'd like: 

Click on me!

It boils down to this: he chased a dream, he achieved the dream, he got confident, he made a bad decision.

And now he's recovering from reconstructive shoulder surgery. For his dominant arm.

Chase your dreams. But stay humble. Listen to that little voice that warns you when you're about to make the big stupid. Hubris goes before the fall.

Our awesome co-hosts for this month are: Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

The question: Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

So, so much! Alas, if wishes were lollipops... (Don't ask me where I'm going with that. LOL!)

I think the biggest problem the industry used to have was a HUGE barrier to entry, and now it's the opposite.

Everyone should have the opportunity to reach for their dreams, but it doesn't seem there's much reaching when it's too easy to obtain. I'm not saying writing a book is easy, and there are many things to learn when it comes to publishing.

I mean that with the ease of publishing, the market has been flooded by scammers, AI agents, etc. who are looking to make a penny. And I can't blame them. Everyone needs to eat. There are even people who sincerely put out their best work...whether it's ready to see the light of day or not. And my heart aches for them -- because this is a brutal world and you learn that through reviews.

The sheer number of books released (good and bad) make for a lot of noise and sometimes a breakdown of trust between readers and the publishing world. Where is our quality control? I guess that's what I'm trying to say--because we've gone from one extreme to the other. There's a perfect middle ground somewhere. I think.

What dream are you holding back on? Have you ever made a big stupid? Broken a bone? What are your feelings on the publishing industry?

I Hope...

Why do you get up in the morning? Why do you eat breakfast? Why do you go to work?

One word:

Faith

Image courtesy of ladyrlawyn

And I'm not talking about a religion. I'm talking about belief, but belief that is so powerful it motivates us to act. In Serenity (one of the best movies of all time), Shepherd Book urges Mal to believe in something, to believe so fully he's ready to put everything on the line, to commit to a course of action based on his conviction.

You get up in the morning because you have confidence the sun will rise and start a new day. You eat breakfast with the belief your body will receive the nourishment it needs. You go to work with the trust you will receive payment for the hours of labor invested.

You have faith. Faith is action based on a belief. It doesn't necessarily have to be a strong belief. In fact, it may be a weak one that strengthens as you act--such as a child first putting a pencil to paper. He has seen others create pictures this same way, but does he believe he can actually create one? Kids naturally possess unlimited optimism. They press forward with hope. That hope guides them to action. That action builds confidence, and in time, certainty.

Faith comes with time and practice.

I feel like the child picking up a pencil when it comes to publishing. I've seen what I'm supposed to do. I've studied other's actions, but my hand doesn't appear as steady as my exemplars. I have hope, but what I'm working on now is faith--acting without knowing for sure things will work out.

I believe they will. (Hard enough I'm going forward like a steam train.) I have confidence the reviews coming in will be good. I believe there are readers who will identify with my messages. I trust this will be the beginning of a long and fulfilling career.

That's why my book is releasing next week. That's why there will be an amazing blog tour. That's why I keep writing.

What is it you're trying to build faith in right now?