I must have the next book!
In my last post, I touched on openings of your novel. And, how it must grab your reader by the balls. Well this post is on endings. This mostly pertains to series writers. How do you grab your reader so they want to buy your next book? In my series, I write a journal entry, which touches on my MC, having a feeling that something is up.
I try to mention about a reoccurring dream or the knowledge of a coming visitor. I have the next three novels planned out for the Logan Wolf Chronicles series. Which the order keeps changing. Over at Erica Orloff’s blog she touches on the issue of what in your life effects your characters. Well you all know that my cat died last month. In my novel, it translated into a death scene. I can’t go into it with out spoilers so I will stop there.
Back to the main idea. What makes you, the reader, coming back to the same series book after book?
posted by LA Burton @ 1:41 PM
8 Comments
8 Comments:
For me, it's all about the characters. If I don't connect with them,it doesn't matter how much I liked the book - the series will be put on hold until I'm bored with my other options while I read books whose characters I like.
I've been trying to translate that (in my writing) into creating likable characters, and then leaving them at the end of one book so that it feels to the reader like the character is at the end of a chapter. I try to give hints about what might be in store... but then, I've only finished one of the drafts that I'm working on, so I don't know how well I'm going to do on this point, overall. :)
I have put so much of myself into Logan that you can't help but think of her as a real person. If I can't think of my characters as real how can anyone else.
The characters, I completely agree. They don't have to be Good characters, just engaging, intriguing and well written.
And foreshadowing, I like foreshadowing (especially in trilogies, especially if it's done well). Mark Chadbourn's Dark Age Trilogy is a good example of most excellent foreshadowing (and writing), unfortunately he doesn't have a U.S. publisher, for shame.
And writing styles, if I don't like the writing style I'm less likely to read the next book in the series; I read the first 3 of the Dresden Files and decided that, no, I definitely didn't like his writing. Stories = good, but there was just something lack, IMO. Though that comes down entirely to the reader. =)
Charlie, I also agree with writing style. For instance look at LKH's Anita Blake verses Merry Gentry. The writing style is very similar. I couldn't get into Dresden Files either but I couldn't put my finger on why.
I'm a very picky reader.
Exactly, characters that I care about. Though, if the plots start getting repetitive or it starts going into territory I don't like I will stop buying.
I agree - characters. If they've engaged my interest, I'll buy the next book. For example, Sunny's Mona Lisa series. I don't think they're necessarily the best written or most original books in the genre, but the characters keep me involved.
Lisa, how many of the Dresden File books have you read? I didn't really get hooked until the fourth book.
Naomi, I couldn't get past the first book.: (
I think the third book is where the series really kicks off. It's like the characters have suddenly become real to Butcher and everything goes up to a new level.
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