Do you usually read Christian fiction series? Secular series?
Do you prefer stand-alone books?
Have you ever thought about why you gravitate to one or the other, even if you like both?
There are all kinds of readers and all kinds of series. What is it that draws us to series?
First, what kinds of series are there?
If you’re a series reader, you likely know that there are different kinds of series. For example, one overarching story through the series with mini-goals to accomplish in each book, normally with the same set of characters and setting. (Think Harry Potter.) Quite a few thriller and mystery series follow this model, with one detective and multiple situations, crimes, or mysteries to tackle. Sometimes these series get very long! People enjoy the heroine or hero (or team) and want to keep reading about their exploits.
Another type of series has different characters, but in each book, there’s a common thread, such as setting, profession, members of the same family, a group of friends, or some other common interest.
Pros and Cons of Series
A series gives continuity and a sense of comfort with the familiar. Readers know the character and/or setting, and that gives you a sense of knowing what kind of reading experience you’ll have. If you had a good experience, you anticipate another one.
When you read a Christian series, you know for at least a few books, you won’t have to fear what you’ll stumble on in the book, nor search high and low for your next inspiring author. That’s a plus!
If you want to read books in order, though, it might be hard to find the next one. Maybe it is hard to find out which book is next, or maybe you have trouble finding it.
What Kind of Series Do I write?
All of my series are the second kind. In my Brenner Falls series, each book features a different character, but all the stories take place in the fictitious small town of Brenner Falls. Also, all the characters know each other at some level, from mere acquaintance to a sibling or best friend bond.
In my Second Chance Series, the genre is women’s fiction instead of romance (but there are always romantic elements!) Typically, a romance will bounce between the guy’s point of view and the woman’s. In this series, four slightly older women were friends in college, but are single twenty-five years later. Two are widowed, and two are divorced. They decide to renew their friendships years later. Each book is about one of the four women, though all four of them make an appearance somewhere in the book to keep the friendship thread alive. And by the end of the series, you feel like they’re all friends of yours!
Drawn to Provence
In the Love in Provence Series, the common thread is not only the scenic setting of Provence, France, but the characters of each are two best friends and business partners.
What’s great about writing a series?
A Small-Town Feeling
I love writing a series because of the continued story and setting. I like to weave some of the characters of an earlier book into later books. Once a book ends, you don’t have to leave the character there. The next book might not be about that particular character, but her story is still part of the book. She goes from being primary to secondary, but you still get to hang out with her! Or them! And, as noted above, the setting is known, comfortable. You’re almost at home there!
What’s hard about writing a series?
Sometimes, the timing in view of previous books can be tricky. I need to be aware of the season in the previous book and how long it takes for something to happen. For example, I needed to pick a realistic length of time for Rick Russo to have recovered from drug addiction.
But that can be a strength too, since so many elements and people show up in all the books. These are a strength too, since they give readers familiarity with the town, the characters, their relationships with each other, and their issues and goals.
Another difficult thing is getting all the details straight! Was Johnson’s grocery on Summit Street or Warren Street? Where does Amber live in relation to the vital statistics office, where she must meet Ben for part of their historic research? You get the idea.
Staying on a schedule. I normally can’t write more than 2 novels a year (though last year I wrote 2 complete novels and 1 first draft!) I have other things I’m doing, like writing nonfiction travel books on France, a bit of French teaching, and holding all those things together! So, it’s a challenge to do the thing I love most…writing fiction. I don’t like too much time to pass between books in a series, in case readers are waiting for the next installment. So, I try to keep that in mind, even though I’m spinning a lot of plates sometimes!
Let me know what you prefer reading and what guides your choice between stand-alone or series. Make a comment or send me an email. I’d love to hear from you!
My Goal…relevant to series!
One of my goals is to have my books available in all formats, with audio in all storefronts (including my author direct store), in hardback, and large print. (Right now, they’re available in audio on Amazon Audible, but I can’t use those files anywhere else. I’m working on a better solution!)
Within my online store, there’s a lot I can do that I can’t do on the big platforms. For one, I can create a community, host special events, and offer deals you can’t get elsewhere. I can also create bundles that you won’t be able to get at other stores. Some of the special formats (think a hardback series with a box cover, each book with a ribbon bookmark…). These will only be available on my Author Direct store.
It’s more difficult to develop a community if everyone buys from different places. Of course, you might have your favorite spot to buy books. So, I offer one more! With perks! I hope you’ll visit from time to time to see what’s new. (Link to the Store)
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you soon!
Kyle
PS Did you know you can read Chapter One of any of my books on Kyle-Hunter.com? Click on the book cover and it takes you to a page dedicated to that book. Below the description, look for the phrase Read Chapter One and click on it. You’ll be able to read the full first chapter to get a feel for the book!