tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5443687009566214150..comments2024-03-28T13:07:54.572-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: GRACEFUL EXITSJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32240314935477968642008-03-20T17:26:00.000-04:002008-03-20T17:26:00.000-04:00Interesting you should mention the last episode of...Interesting you should mention the last episode of M*A*S*H, because I think of that as a lesson in how not to end a series. Another is Michael Moriarty's last episode on Law & Order. Both violated the integrity of the main character for the sake of plot. Hawkeye turned into a fearful bully who badgered a Korean woman to keep her baby quiet, so she ended up smothering it. Moriarty (can't remember the character's name) was always a very compassionate D.A. who looked after the innocents who got caught up in a case. In his last case, he threatened to prosecute a terrified woman for not testifying against the Russian mob and, surprise-surprise, the mob killed her.<BR/><BR/>When a series ends, I want it to be a sad, but affectionate parting. I'd like to think of the characters going on without me. Even if the main character dies, as in the Inspector Morse TV series, I want to feel as if it's part of the natural evolution of the characters, not an artificially created event.<BR/><BR/>One time-to-go sign is if your series is becoming a platform for some kind of agenda. I'm purposely staying away from mentioning books. The "Quincy, M.E." TV show was an extreme example of a mystery series that eventually suffered from "issue of the week" disease.<BR/><BR/>May all your series live long and prosper!<BR/><BR/>MoAliasMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02215864597874551595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16589141056559480212008-03-20T07:55:00.000-04:002008-03-20T07:55:00.000-04:00To answer Sheila's question, sometimes the vagarie...To answer Sheila's question, sometimes the vagaries of publishing mean you don't know your last book in a series is your last. That happened to me with Cassie Burdette. I had just enough time to scramble around and lighten the ending a tiny bit, hoping readers wouldn't feel socked in the gut. And Cassie did appear as a cameo in the first advice column mystery, DEADLY ADVICE. In fact, that was a lot of fun!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-601621124829385322008-03-20T00:36:00.000-04:002008-03-20T00:36:00.000-04:00P.S. - It's great to hear that Kathy's characters ...P.S. - It's great to hear that Kathy's characters are still hiding secrets that we'll have to ferret out as the series spins on. As long as <BR/>Bay and the others are lively parts of Kathy's life, they will continue to be a lively part of ours!<BR/><BR/>And I hope her hubby's strength returns and his recovery is complete. I've learned how to hang and deliver IV's of antibiotics in recent years - sounds like Kathy might have, too. It's tough to get the writing done, but if anyone can, my money's on Kathy to lead the way.<BR/><BR/>Write On, Kathy!Nan Higginsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15751786321997626726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89075129104825212032008-03-20T00:22:00.000-04:002008-03-20T00:22:00.000-04:00Hank Phillippi Ryan's note over on the Guppy list ...Hank Phillippi Ryan's note over on the Guppy list caught my eye. She mentioned Kathryn R. Wall's guest posting on a topic I ponder in my dreams. I came over to see what Kathryn had to say.<BR/><BR/>If we got to do it the right way, we'd stop only when our characters had lost their sparkle. I wait impatiently for the next in the series to hit the bookshelves. It's like the Christmas letter you love to get - catching up on the lives of characters who keep us reading even when parts of the book seem a bit, well, lame.<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that creating a couple different series helps to keep characters fresh. I think Kinsey Milhone needs an alter-ego in another series to keep Kinsey on her toes. Nothing like a little sibling rivalry across series lines to keep the characters fighting for your attention. Of course, the readers would never know of the behind the scenes battle of the characters, but it could keep both series snappy.<BR/><BR/>Write On!<BR/>NanNan Higginsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15751786321997626726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84366315871191104342008-03-19T23:10:00.000-04:002008-03-19T23:10:00.000-04:00I'm looking at your problem from the other end of ...I'm looking at your problem from the other end of the tunnel--my characters have barely started on their fictional lives. Yet it is all too easy to start talking about them to other people as real, and thinking of them as friends. Which I think is the key. Don't we all have friends that go back years, if not decades? They change, we change, but the connection is still there. So as long as you feel that sense of connection with your characters, carry on.<BR/><BR/>But if and when that fades, do you write a farewell book, tying up all the loose ends?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79064536176139792442008-03-19T14:41:00.000-04:002008-03-19T14:41:00.000-04:00Yeah, Kathy--tomatoes are definitely dripping from...Yeah, Kathy--tomatoes are definitely dripping from my monitor! You're so right about that being a good problem to have.<BR/><BR/>If I may be so bold as to enter unknown book territory--I think you'd know. If suddenly--aliens show up in your manuscript. Or your main character decides she has psychic powers. <BR/><BR/>Those may be good stories, but it's not YOUR series.<BR/><BR/>(I wondered if I would know when to stop wanting to wear the newest fashion trend. It happened when I realized that I was on about the third go-round of the same trend. Eyeliner and baby-doll dresses, this means you.)<BR/><BR/>But that said--my brain told me to stop. And you've gotta figure as long as you're wondering about it, but plotting your next book at the same time,it's probably not time.<BR/><BR/>Can't wait to read your latest!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.com