Study Buddies discussion

I was wondering when you (MVS that is) sat down to write Poison Study if you had all of the books already in mind. Did you always plan on it being a trilogy? Or did you plan only to write Poison Study, but as you went along the character's story developed into more books?
I guess along the same lines, was Storm Glass in your mind as you wrote Fire Study?

Oh, that's a good question. Series planning is always very interesting to me. It takes so much forthought.

Hello! I plan to properly introduce myself on the welcome thread, but thought I answer questions first :)

I'm a seat of the pants writer (aka Pantser). When I wrote Poison Study, I thought it would be a once and done novel. When I reached the end, I thought I could write another book about Yelena's magic education, but I wasn't going to start it until Poison sold.

When my first editor called me to offer me the contract - it was for 2 books - she said, "You have another one, right?"

My reply was, "Yeeesss....when do you need it?" LOL

After Magic I knew Fire needed to be written. But once Fire was done - I was out of ideas. My editor planted a little seed in my mind about how Opal was such an interesting character. I had agreed with her, but couldn't think of anything for her to do. And then in the middle of our conversation a plot idea popped into my head and Storm was born ;>

Some authors do put a lot of forthought into their Series - CE Murphy knew she was going to have 9 books in the Walker Papers. We call these authors....crazy...er...I mean Plotters ;>

Maria

Wow. Thanks for the answer. I've always reading about different author's writing processes really interesting.
And I was probably thinking about it because I'm doing nanowrimo this year. I'm probably somewhere between a 'Pantser' and a 'Plotter'. I don't think I could ever figure out the plot for 9 books in advance, but I don't think I could start without a plan and still reach 50k words.

Thanks again for answering. Much appreciated!

This is really fascinating, thanks Maria!
I really can't imagine plotting out a 9 book series! Yikes! Being a 'Panster' sounds like a lot more adventurous and exciting! I am really looking forward to Storm Glass!! :D :D

I'm glad that it went beyond 2, I cant imagine have to live with only 2 of them and I am so exited about this next set in the series.

Oh yeah, I definitely agree! Although I probably could have handled just two, but much prefer three and the fact that a whole other set is coming is soo incredible!

Yes I am getting very impatient, I'm starting to act like my kids when they want something new LOL but hey I see no problem in that :) I really would like to see where she takes Yelena and Valek after this series is done. and I would also love to hear more of Janco and Ari.

LOL Yeah, I agree with you, but at the same time I have no problem waiting for a good book. I would rather wait for a good book than don't have to wait for several that aren't so great.
But yes, it would be cool to see what happens to Yelena and Valek, and of course more with Ari and Janco would be awesome!

When I was a kid, I planned out an ABC mystery series, but I don't think I got past the titles. I was stealing the idea from Sue Grisham, but thought it was ingenius. Now, I could barely plan a trilogy, nonetheless 9 books, nonetheless find time to write. Although I do want to eventually.

I have been trying to write a book myself but I got thru the first chapter them my charas decided that they don't want to talk any more :( I hope they come back soon. But I am think in the lines of a one book deal not a series

Oh, they decided that they didn't want to talk or did you decide not to listen?
Books are hard to write....I always get hung up on the plot and what the overall themes are.

they were talking like crazy then they seemed to go on vacation and never came back LOL but I am still trying to contact them LOL

I just write stories now.. but even that has slackened lately. I just got way too busy to keep up with any writing. I tried to pick it up over Winter Break, but didn't get far.

I understand that the kids dont allow much time to write I usually get mine when I am laying down for the night, I had to put a book buy the bed so I could write down quick notes so I dont forget them, Im only getting bits and pieces now but I guess that is better than nothing, and its not even about the same one I started before LOL

I just read more than I write nowadays. I'm busy with my fulltime job, my parttime job, and my night classes. I never have enough time it seems.

ummm yes I would say that you are a very busy woman, not sure how you have time to read any to tell you the truth.

I can read sometimes at my full-time job when its lax in the library. My night job I can read at when I'm not doing homework or chatting. I only have 30 minutes of shelf-reading that I do there (another library) and then just putting AV materials away. That's how I find time.

Ahhhh now me understand, you are still a very busy woman. I am wondering where I am going to find the time once I start school, we will see I guess

You'll get used to multi-tasking, I've been doing it since I started college and I haven't completely burned out ... yet.

Well that is a relief I was wondering if I was going to be able to multi task the kids, house, and school hahaha and everyone else's kids, I am the universal babysitter

I do also babysit every once in a while. I'm doing it this Saturday night. I only usually get a call once a month though. It's good money which I usually use to go out with my fiance.

That is my daily job right now, I'm haven't started back to work since my kids where born (hubby wanted me to stay home with them until they were old enough to stay by themselves) so the way I make extra money is keeping everyone's kids thru the week while they work. :)

My fiance says that he will be the stay at home dad if I'm making more money than he is. He'll probably work part time. He's way against using daycare because he was left out in the cold when he was a kid at a daycare.

I don't much care for daycare's If I don't have to because there are a lot of people that are not very nice that work at them and I do not want people to be mean to me kids.

They're trying to change it slowly that preschool teachers will have to be certified, but it's going to be a SLOW process.

yes so until it finally happens I will be keeping them and the rest of the family at home with me.

That's a good plan, and the best way to keep your kids safe.

Thank You that is what we were, thinking. I know alot of people think differently but not me. OK so now I have forgot what this thread is supposed to be about hahaha

How many books were planned... haha. I still think that is crazy to plan out 9 books at a time. I guess if you have big picture goals it would work.

I don't think I could plan that many I am stay with my first answer definitely stick with one book and see where it takes me.

I think it would be interesting to see a book or trilogy about the adventures of Valek, pre-the Study series. All the antidotes to his adventures becoming the very best assassin and assassinating the royalty of Ixia leave me day dreaming of the possibilities. I can only imagine the cleverness and acting skill Valek employed to pose as a woman and not only that, the Queen's personal hairdresser. How fun would that be to experience with him?
It would also shine more light on what Ixia was truly like during that time. On the political climate and the social stresses that formed the Commander and his top assassin. Sounds like fun reading to me!

Oooh. I would love to see a young Valek... what completely happened to him to lead him into his profession.

Alli wrote: "I think it would be interesting to see a book or trilogy about the adventures of Valek, pre-the Study series. All the antidotes to his adventures becoming the very best assassin and assassinating t..."


oh lady you have got such great ideas I would love to read a book or three about Valek and all his adventures before Yelena came into his life.

wow wow wow hold up in wat book does it mention that he dressed up as a woman .... :S:S:S:S:S

Keelin wrote: "wow wow wow hold up in wat book does it mention that he dressed up as a woman .... :S:S:S:S:S"


I think it was when they were telling how he killed the royal family

please tell me that this was in the third one ....:'(
if not ive seriously not read the last two right

ummm I can't really remember but I think it was in the first one but I could be wrong I will have to go back a look

ugh what copy do you have the YA r the adult one..???

its only one more week till i get the third one !!!!!!! woooooooo

its the adult one but the YA are the same like I said I could be wrong on the book, It could have been from one of her short stories I cant really remember

oh well
waiting for books sucks BIG time :(:(:(:(

yes it does but this site helps a little it lets you talk about other and even find the ones you don't have to wait for lol

well a little cuz use lot have all read them n i havnt evn seen the third one in person yet....stupid irish bookshop...grr

awwww that is awful only a little longer what is you next favorite book to read?

dnt knw
ive got a lot of books from christmas to read yet
wer u from ??

What books did you get Keelin? I usually ask for series that I have already read or certain authors who I just started loving.

it a collection of ones for people of a certain age
u got msn ???

thats the problem with my parents knowing me too well
ive got TOO many books to catch up reading with
plus the two my big bro gave me as well

I don't have msn, not sure if Meme does. I like getting books. I've been asking for graphic novels as of late.

i cant think of any graphic novels off the top of my head but ill bare you in mind if any come up