So Deborah asked, “When a series is finished, how do you pull yourself away from the set of characters? Is it difficult?”
work work work
SW:
It’s not hard to turn away from a series of characters provided I have a new story on the horizon. I do still think about past characters, though, thanks to my readers. It’s the readers who remind me about intriguing secondary characters in past books. “What about Rory and Belinda in the Calhoun Chronicles?” they ask. “And Phoebe Palmer of the Chicago Fire series?” A lot of people want a sequel to The You I Never Knew or Home Before Dark.
I think my most-requested sequel might be a followup for my last three hardcovers–Just Breathe, The Ocean Between Us or Table for Five. This makes sense, since these are mainstream books with a sizeable cast of secondary characters and storylines. Readers tend to get involved and invested in the story, and it seems natural for them to want to see things play out. I love that about readers. Now I’ve wandered away from the question. Sorry.
I’m trying to think of a series of books I loved that had a great photo-finish and left me completely satisfied. Hmmm. Anyone?
The View From Here 
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March 20, 2014 at 9:05 pm
Ana
I just completed the Calhoun Chronicles and enjoyed them very much. I too wonder about Belinda and Rory…they both made some interesting comments about each other. And what about Lucas and June. Did Ryan and Dora have any children we can follow? This was a delightful series. Thank-you so much for writing it. I hope you will be inspired to return to some of these characters and continue on. Thank-you again.
March 24, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Keira Soleore
Susan, what a beautiful, beautiful study. I love how you’re organized it.
March 24, 2009 at 5:19 am
Terry Odell
I think the word ‘series’ covers a broad range. There are ‘connected books’ where the primary characters become secondary, and secondary characters take their turn as protagonists. For me, a true ‘series’ is one where the same characters return in the spotlight over many books. I read a lot of mystery, and it’s usually the recurring lead characters that keep drawing me back.
That being said, I continue to read books by any author because I fall in love with the characters and ALWAYS want to see more of them, whether the book is a single stand alone or part of a trilogy of connected books. So I can’t come up with a single example of a ‘prefect finish’ because if I liked the book, I want MORE.
It’s harder to sustain a romance series — I did write a true ‘sequel’ to my first book, where h/h returned front and center 3 months after the first book ended. As a romance, I had to throw some serious conflict into the relationship. JD Robb does it welll, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough Eve and Roarke.
March 23, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Vecia
I love your office!!!
I love all of your books, seriously, there is not one I don’t like. I also enjoy Christina Dodd’s books and speaking of series books reminded me of her paranormal series. They were really great and had that photo finish you spoke of in your post, well to me anyway. What series did you like that had that perfect finish for you?