Fighting Series Fatigue

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Someone asked an interesting question at our last Reds & Readers livestream (and again, please do join us!) about series fatigue. We didn't have the chance to get into the issue too much, but it’s something almost all of us have dealt with.

 

I’m tackling the issue head on right now by writing a non-series book! Yes, after twenty years, I’m leaving Millers Kill for a summer vacation in New England. We’ll see if it goes anywhere (or if anyone wants to read my work when it’s not about Clare and Russ) but it’s like eating a lemon ice after a heavy pasta dish - just cuts through all the taste buds and resets at zero. 

 

Previously, I’ve helped stave off, well, boredom with the social issues I have running through my plots. They always involve something I’m extremely interested and enjoy learning about, so they keep things fresh for me, despite staying with the same characters and setting. 

 

It’s an issue because none of us ever want to get to the point where we feel like we’re churning out the same ol’ same ol’ just because we have a contract and a deadline. I’ve read later series books where the author seemed to be going through the paces without any passion; it’s not great. It helps me understand why poor old Arthur Conan Doyle sent Holmes over the Reichenbach falls.

 

So, Reds, how have you dealt with series fatigue in the past? And if not, can you recognize the signs in other books you’ve read?

 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh, great question! And yes, remember how Agatha Christie said she grew to hate Poirot?

 

 Ah…hmm. I just talked with Nita Prose about why she’s ending her marvelous The MAID series..and she was lovely and wise about it. She said–things just run their course. And everyone always demands to start with book one, so newer books may suffer as a result.  She’s an extremely experienced publishing insider, and an incredibly successful editor as well as author. And did not want to stay too long at the party.

 

In writing my TIME series, and the Jane Ryland series, I always had a million more ideas. Still do.  But frankly, basically the public likes NEW. Publishers like  NEW.  And attention spans are growing shorter every second. Been-there done-that is the death knell.

 

Having a long-running series is a treasure and an honor and a massive massive challenge. 

 

RHYS BOWEN:  I made a vow to myself that if ever I thought Oh God, I’ve got to do another Molly/Georgie book I’d quit the series right then. Because if I’m not enjoying writing these books, then my readers are not enjoying reading them. I’m up to book 22 with Molly and book 19 with Georgie, so definitely long running series. I think I’m lucky with both as the settings are so rich and varied. The number of stories in New York City in the early 1900s is endless.  And Lady Georgie travels, has a rich ensemble cast to focus on, and also makes me laugh when I write the books.

 

I have to confess I am glad that Clare has taken over the major burden of the Molly books, doing all the research and coming up with the details of the story after we’ve thought out a broad storyline and theme. As you know I put Molly on hold when I couldn’t tackle three books a year.  I did try that once and it was overwhelmingly stressful. 

 

But the Royal Spyness books can continue for a while yet, although I’m not sure how I would come up with fun but relevant stories once we reach WWII. Life wasn’t exactly a hoot then!

 

And I’m lucky to have my stand-alone novels that present a quite different challenge each year.  So we may be up to Royal Spyness book 50 one day!

 

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Here I am on book #20 and I have to say I have never felt tired of my series. I love my characters, I love London and my other UK settings as much as ever, and if I’ve been slow, it’s not because I’m bored. I always have ideas for the next book nagging me as I write!

 

JULIA: Although, Debs, your main characters have grown and changed (and grown a family) so much over the years it's kind of like writing new stories all the time! 

 

HALLIE EPHRON: I wrote a series with a co-author, a friend who’s a neuropsychologist who loves to read mysteries and never thought he’d write one. The partnership was fun, with books named after various neuropsychological afflictions (AMNESIA, ADDICTION, DELUSION….) and featuring a sleuth based on my co-author. When it stopped being fun, we stopped doing it and I went on to write my standalones. 

 

It’s hard enough to write a compelling, believable character arc across a single book, harder still to write one that spans multiple books. I admire anyone who can.

 

LUCY BURDETTE: I loved those books Hallie! Love all these Red long series. Maybe that’s because I prefer reading series to standalones (if I love the characters and setting, that is.) I am about to send in book 16 of the Key West series, which I find astonishing! I had actually written book 15 so it could have been the end, but then the publisher asked for more and I’m delighted to continue. I did request some extra time in this current contract so I could try something different, and then go back to book 17.

 

In the publishing world, there are pros and cons. I have devoted fans who consider my characters to be family and can’t wait to read more. Other readers, as Hank pointed out, want something different. I think the author has to feel enthused about writing the series, and it has to be selling for the publisher to continue. 

 

JENN McKINLAY: Series fatigue is real. While I love my long running mystery series Cupcake Bakery (16) and Library Lover’s (16), I’m ready for a hiatus. I have plots for the next in series for both but I want to pursue writing something new (cozy fantasy) for a season or two while also writing the summer romcoms, which are single titles and allow me to travel (research!). If I get the chance to revisit the mysteries I will, but for now I need to recharge the murder battery. LOL. 

 

JULIA: Lots to think on here, but the common threads seem to be a combination of the author still feeling that zing and the publisher still feeling enthused. What's your take, dear readers? Do you enjoy the long-running serial, or, do you, as Hank points out, crave the new? Can you tell when an author's gotten tired, and does that matter to you?