neverending story
From the Deborah Bouziden interview: How is writing a series different from writing a single title? Which do you prefer and why?
SW: I love both, and continue to do both. The actual everyday work of writing the books is not so different. I live deeply inside the story, whether or not it’s part of a series. However, with the series books, I’m very aware that every character is fair game. A walk-on in one book might become the protagonist in another. In writing the Lakeshore Chronicles books–an open-ended series about a small town in the Catskills–I never planned to write a book about Daisy, the troubled teen. But she has inspired a record amount of reader mail, and she is so multilayered, that she’ll get her book one day.
What do readers prefer? Books in a series, or single titles?
The View From Here 
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March 21, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Anne Caroline Drake
I like a mixture. When I think of favorite authors, it seems the ones who blend series with stand alone books are better able to keep the series books fresh and exciting.
Like a good plot in a romantic novel, the anticipation is fun.
March 21, 2009 at 6:31 am
Keira Soleore
I have read some marvelous standalone books in recent years, so stories well done are simply that, well done. However, series gives me the opportunity to stay with the characters that I care about for more months and learn more about them. So in the end, series get my vote.
March 21, 2009 at 3:26 am
Mary
I love, love, LOVE series! When I read one of your Lakeshore Chronicles books and see a preview of another book in the series in the end, it makes my day. When I finished the three Virgin River books and read on Robyn Carr’s website that there would be at least three more? I did a happy dance. I also love how Luanne Rice’s books often at least have mentions of other characters and how many of her books take place in the same general geographic area.
I HATE saying good-bye to characters that I have come to know and love. And that is why I LOVE when they come up in other books in the series.