It seems that all my favorite books are series…

From Anne of Green Gables and Nancy Drew as a kid, to the mystery series I read today!

When you open the next book, you meet your old friends again!

My first reading was golden age mysteries, so continuing detectives. I gravitate to series.

Hello from San Diego! Thanks for inviting all SinC members!

Hi, Tawn! Welcome!

Question to all of you: regarding Connie’s “unfolding” the story of the character… do you have any guidelines you use to make sure you’re not “springing” anything on your faithful readers that they should have known in Book 1?

Would it be possible to have a cozy series where the protagonist is always traveling?

Andrew brought up point of view. How do you decide which point of view works for your story?

That makes sense, Andrew

How do you now when the series has run its course? When do you end it?

Question- do you know how long your series will be, and did you know how many books there would be when you started?

Or someone who is on the run from....whatever?

Ah, Carol, our questions are similar

I finally figured something out. While I'm reading a novel - I luv it. I think of the characters. I think about what has happened, and of what will happen. Then when it's over. When the book ends, I get mad at the author. I would think to myself that's a bad ending. In actuality, upon reflection, it's not a bad ending. I just mourn the fact that it's over and I miss the characters. My question is, how do you know how to end and when to end? And, are you ever criticized for doing so...?

I'll add a little bit to my question. Do any of you get tired of writing your main characters?

Troy Soos’s character was a ball player who traveled with his team to different cities. but not a cozy.

Right, how would you keep the series fresh if you’re growing tired of writing it? Whether it’s the character, the setting, or other aspects?

Is it important to incorporate references to prior books in series?

I thought book 2 was just a sequel.Book 3? A trilogy. But then book 4 came along and I suddenly had ideas through book 8. Thought I was done there but then had a great LGBTQ idea for book 9 which led all the way to book 12. Book 12 seems to tie everything up in a bow. Then book 13 explores PTSD with the returning hero and now books 13-20 are going to be the secret pregnancy books for the MC. Hiding the baby’s identity through books 25-36 while in adventures and books 37-48 when people now know baby is hers but are trying to find out who dad is. Books 49-60 is the struggle for custody and protection of baby leading to the big wedding to end the series, right? Oh boy, now my brain has planned books 60+ as a couple! Somebody stop me!But to answer the question when is your series done? When your brain tells you it’s done. Or…when you run out of alphabet or numbers for titles. 😉 I’m using colors for titles. I may have to switch things up for books 60+. Sorry so long! 😜

Kudos, Mary!!

Does that NOT depend on the "universe" created by the author for their character?

Fiction is 'spozed to take you some place else. Right!

Mentioning song lyrics and movies from current times can also date your MS.

Mystery solved = resolution, right?

When you include truths from Real Life people in your life, how much do you have to change (besides their name) to protect yourself from getting in trouble...

In 1st person I treat phone conversations like in person conversations, but I set it up as a phone call first.

In a series, sometimes bad guys live to come back in a future book. Oh, the suspense!

I use dialogue to let readers know the relationship between characters and they allude to what got them there. “Well now I’m with somebody else because you left me for your career. Please just let me go.” Don’t need the whole back story. They’ll go back and read the other book!

I use real life events from my life occasionally and think how would my MC deal with this. My MC is from Whitehall.

Without "place" -- the "THERE"/Universe I referenced in my question -- there really can not be a story. It is the environment in which every thing takes "place." RIGHT????

Halfway through book 1, my MC takes a job as a stewardess on a private jet company. That’s when I knew I had a series where MC travels the world.

Love that, Mary!

Eileen, yes! The question is it totally fictional or is it based on a real place?

Yes, season is very important to me too. My poor MC was stuck in winter for a few books. :) I notice that Louise Penny tends to change seasons with subsequent books.

Does anyone use a cartographer to draw their fictional village or county?

Seasons are so important. Hurricane season in FL, for instance.

Becky Sue, I don't. I know some SF writers who do that.

Becky Sue and Eileen, same. I’ve seen SF do this, but it would be a nice investment for your fictional village if you like. Jennifer Crusie did that for Welcome to Temptation, for example.

Although I use lots of real references, I can’t in some cases. T.A.T. Ristorante di Familia is the oldest restaurant in Columbus, but beta readers who aren’t from Columbus don’t understand the T.A.T. Part of the name so I had to rename it. Also, if I say something negative, I have to make up a place.

Could anyone put me in touch with a cartographer?

Becky Sue Epstein try your local university.

I fake my readers out when it comesto killing my darlings. 😎 my aim is to wrench their heartstrings and giving them a huge surprise later in the book!

Game of Thrones, too. Sigh,

I was shackled by a promise to my daughter to never kill anyone! 🥸

Fantastic information today -- thank you all so much!!

Can we all unmute and say THANKS!

This was wonderful! Thank you all.

Thanks!

Thank you!

Thank you for doing this. It was great. I'm from southern Indiana and belong to the Louisville SinC chapter.

Thanks! Great session!

Thanks for coming!

Thank you for such an informative presentation!