Writing a series in one go; yay or nay?

As a reader I am always eager for the next book in a series that I love, and although my impatient side really wants the author to complete the book and release it, I also love the build-up for the books release. As sad as it sounds it means I always have something to look forward to.

As an author, I now understand the excitement and pressure in writing the next book and having it ready for its allotted release. Firstly, I want to say that I don't feel under pressure for getting the next book in the Blood Series done. I'm very lucky and grateful that those of you have have read either or both She-Wolf and Cranberry Blood have enjoyed it, and seem to be excited to read the next instalment, which is really awesome and makes me very happy.

The pressure and excitement I feel now I am writing the untitled Book Two is from myself and the sheer knowledge that a fair amount of time has passed between me finishing She-Wolf - which I wrote after Cranberry Blood - and this next book. The main reasons for that are a) trouble with the original publisher who had both books. After Cranberry was released things started going downhill and I just thought, "no, I'm not even writing the second book until I have the rights back for these two and can self-publish them." At the time I actually thought I would be waiting a very long time until I got my rights back, but actually it was a year. And b) I'm not one of those authors that write series in one go. I know that a lot of authors don't do that. They do one book either a year, or they will write and release a book in a series and have something completely different in the works.

Well, I'm starting to see the appeal of writing a series in one go. Writing each book. Finishing the entire series, and then releasing them one at a time over the course of so many months. To know that the book is there and ready for release and you have books to release while working on new projects.

It seems like a good idea. Time has passed and I find myself questioning what I am writing. All authors do that no matter what they are writing, but I suppose the biggest benefit will be that you are already completely immersed in the universe you are writing that perhaps everything will flow; rather than having a couple months to a years break and having to refresh yourself with it all again.

What do you think authors? Do you prefer to write a book at a time, taking breaks in between to write different stories? Or do you like to work on a series as a whole and have it completed and done?

I don't know if that is what I am planning to do with the rest of the books in the Blood Series. It seems like a good plan because it actually has been four years since I last worked on the series, and I really would like to complete it because a) I know some of you have been waiting a long time for it to continue, and b) I would like to see what happens next, c) this series is my baby and I would love to see it completed because d) I have other worlds I so want to dive into, and another series I also need to re-release and finish.

So, I can't make any promises because I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet. All I know is that Blood Book Two will be complete and releasing next year, and I really hope you will all enjoy it. :)

Series or Standalones?

Firstly, I just want to apologize for the sometimes lack of posts. Last Monday my internet connection went funny on me and well, the last couple of weeks I have been a complete airhead and forgot to give Dianna questions or topics to post about. So, it is totally my fault, and I am very sorry.

Dianna's question for me today: For reading and writing: do you prefer series books or standalones?

As refreshing as a good standalone story can be as both a reader and a writer I find a prefer series. To be honest, it applies with films as well. I always find that I am curious to know what happens next. Although, I am happy that - in most occasions - the hero and heroine get their happily ever after, or the world is saved or whatever good ending takes place in these particular books/films, I want to know what the next challenge is, because naturally, there will be more to the characters lives than that one event.

Perhaps it's greed. Or perhaps it is the simple fact that I fall for a lot of characters and want to know and read more about them.

Looking at my bookshelf it is actually full of series. Ignore encyclopaedias, poetry books, and autobiographies, I think I actually own three fiction books that are standalones, and two of them I haven't read yet. Give me an ongoing series with complex characters, a thrilling world, and a mind-blowing story plot and I am so there.

So yes, as a writer I prefer series also. I mean, I do enjoy the simplicity of a standalone. A single plot which doesn't need to twist and turn in more complex directions and therefore can be extended. It's nice to concentrate on one solid idea. It breaks up the careful planning and rules of a series.

But then again, as I said earlier I always want more, and I find that sometimes my characters have far too much going on; too much to tell and before I have finished planning a book I'm figuring out the next one and the next one, and it's blowing up into a series. This was certainly the case with The Blood Series, which I will be continuing with in 2014.

So, the short answer is, I prefer series. I like bigger story arcs. I like cliffhangers. I like seeing characters progression and their struggles to find their happily ever after.

What about you, do you prefer a solid standalone, or an ongoing series?

Zombie Prejudice?

So, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned the end of one of my favourite series Being Human. I was major gutted that it had ended since it was the only British Paranormal Romance series going and I totally loved it.

I'm not someone who watches television, unless, I become addicted to the show eg. Dr Who, which is re-starting this Saturday and it looks freaking amazing can I just say. But after the last episode of Being Human finished an advertisement for a brand new series was shown . . . In the Flesh. 

It is a Zombie series, but it is set after the Zombie apocalypse AND the zombies have been treated and have now been released back in to Society as PDS (Partially Deceased Syndrome) victims. And none of the surviving humans are happy, oh no, and can you blame them?

People who were once Zombies, who ate their family and friends are now back in their neighbourhood trying to lead normal lives again. Even though they can't eat, and they have to wear special make-up and take medicine . . . 

How freaking awesome is that for a story idea?

Life after being a zombie. Zombies now becoming the minority in society, being the focal point of prejudice, and being hunted by small groups who fought against them during the apocalypse.

 It is just one of those programmes that, as a writer, I can't help but think, "damn, I wish I had thought of that." 

It really is such a unique idea. The programme itself is dark. Kieran who is the main character has flashbacks of his life as a Zombie, which I have to say, it must be damn awful remembering eating people . . . *shudders* I mean how do you cope with that? It is witty, and funny, and really thought provoking.

Needless to say, I dig it. I think if you are a fan of Zombies this is definitely a series you should watch. I mean, we have so many films/stories set before the Zombie apocalypse and during, but not a lot set after, and especially not a ton that involve the rehabilitation of former Zombies. Partially Deceased Syndrome. Ha. Don't you just love that?

So, yeah, major pimp-age post today. I think it is a fantastic series and definitely one you should all watch. It's on every Sunday night at 10pm on BBC 3 - for those of you in the UK. For everyone on the other side of the pond you may have to do a little google-ing/youtube-ing to see if you can hunt it down, but if you can, watch it. There has only been two episodes so far so you don't have a lot to catch up on, but you are seriously thrown in to the story straight away.

Have a fab week. :-)