Elizabeth
asked
Barbara Gregorich:
How do you feel about the 'series' books that are so popular? Are they fulfilling the need of the author to say more? The reader wanting to hear more? The publisher wanting to sell more?
Barbara Gregorich
Thanks for the question, Elizabeth. I discussed the pros and cons of series books on my Facebook Author Page in November, 2014. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbar...
In general, I think series, which have been around for at least 200 years, possibly 300 (nobody knows or agrees on what the first book series was), are a good thing. Readers crave knowing more about the characters they love, and writers enjoy expanding upon what they have created. These are positive things.
On the negative side, it's very difficult for a writer to keep visiting the same characters once a year, every year, with no end in sight. Creativity dries up. Routine sets in, as does predictability. Publishers pressure writers to write the same thing that sold before. Sometimes this works successfully, sometimes not. I think each series has to be judged on its own merits.
In general, I think series, which have been around for at least 200 years, possibly 300 (nobody knows or agrees on what the first book series was), are a good thing. Readers crave knowing more about the characters they love, and writers enjoy expanding upon what they have created. These are positive things.
On the negative side, it's very difficult for a writer to keep visiting the same characters once a year, every year, with no end in sight. Creativity dries up. Routine sets in, as does predictability. Publishers pressure writers to write the same thing that sold before. Sometimes this works successfully, sometimes not. I think each series has to be judged on its own merits.
More Answered Questions
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more