tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post5685664793412655730..comments2024-03-29T01:47:48.560-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Reds on #Writing: @LucyBurdette aka #RobertaIsleibJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63964197743083242592016-07-26T21:30:18.209-04:002016-07-26T21:30:18.209-04:00Yay, I won! Hank Phillippi Ryan, I sent you an ema...Yay, I won! Hank Phillippi Ryan, I sent you an email yesterday. I hope it didn't get sent to your spam folder.<br /><br />This is something I've thought about. We always bemoan TV shows and book series that get dropped early, but in a weird way, sometimes I wonder if being cut down in their prime was better than them just fading away. It makes me so sad that The Simpsons, which is my favorite TV show, has been bad longer than it's been good. Or the massive hype and letdown of that lackluster 4th season of Arrested Development.<br /><br />That being said, I'm really sad to hear about your series cancellation. Death With All the Trimmings was one of the books I read and reviewed for the Save Our Cozies Readathon, and I greatly enjoyed it. Just checked out Killer Takeout from the library today, as a matter of fact. Best of luck in your future endeavors.Mia P. Manansalahttp://murderisdelicious.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28938095949745608762016-07-26T17:40:52.967-04:002016-07-26T17:40:52.967-04:00Sorry to hear about your character's death. I...Sorry to hear about your character's death. It's always sad when a beloved friend is gone, but in this case she lives on. Maybe a book at a future date, that kind of ties up all the loose ends and can be just a ebook?<br /><br />As to series length, I am torn. Some series I want to go on forever, and some play themselves out quickly, depending on how much of the main charcater's story there is to be said. If it just continues as a mystery, and not much new with the lead, then maybe it's time to leave. But also, as a practical note, many of us readers so not have unlimited budgets, and series that have 20 or 30 books gets quite expensive, and yet we can't quit on them. I like to try new authors and new series, so find the sweet spot of feeling you've said enough, leaving them still wanting more, but also giving them new characters and settings. And if you particularly like a setting, use it to form a community of bookstore owners, and cupcake shop owners, and beauty parlor owners, etc. Like Debbie Macomber does with Port Orchard.Kristin Lundgrennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29940182353493812962016-07-22T11:53:56.730-04:002016-07-22T11:53:56.730-04:00Thank you for sharing, Lucy. I read your Food Cri...Thank you for sharing, Lucy. I read your Food Critic mysteries. My library has your books. It was serependity (sp?) that you met a new friend at Malice who was philosophical about this issue.<br /><br />Look forward to reading your new books in the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51916259518014785212016-07-22T11:53:17.919-04:002016-07-22T11:53:17.919-04:00thanks Jennifer!thanks Jennifer!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75456468002777133602016-07-22T08:19:57.755-04:002016-07-22T08:19:57.755-04:00I'm sad that the series won't be continued...I'm sad that the series won't be continued by the publisher, but I'm glad that it won't stop. Although I'm also excited for your new projects! Good Luck with them :)Jennifer Rummel https://www.blogger.com/profile/02326637639055539691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27091823787268236022016-07-22T07:25:01.104-04:002016-07-22T07:25:01.104-04:00thank you so much friends. I can't tell you wh...thank you so much friends. I can't tell you what it means to hear all your comments; even the sadness is a comfort, as it mirrors what I felt (thank you DebR, Coralee, Denise, Barb, Brenda, KathyR!)<br /><br />So interesting about how books pale when added to a series after an author dies--Moosenotes, glad your mom has found something new. As I am not yet sprinkled in a forest, I will find the right "next" too!<br /><br />thanks again Reds, you mean the world to me!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-23043701443743299872016-07-21T23:49:48.493-04:002016-07-21T23:49:48.493-04:00I'd already heard this news in the FB cozy gro...I'd already heard this news in the FB cozy group, but even having the knowledge already in my brain it is still hard to comprehend why the Key West series had to end. But I know your next series will be even better. How do I know this? Because I read the Deadly Advice and Golf Lovers mysteries back when you wrote "under that other name" (LOL!) and with each book you get better and better. All of us fans will be here, waiting to pre-order you next book. Promise :)Ritter Ameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061350506378402974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-89100330599106167202016-07-21T23:24:56.483-04:002016-07-21T23:24:56.483-04:00Roberta, I have to admit that I was most upset to ...Roberta, I have to admit that I was most upset to find out the Haley Snow series was not going to be renewed. I just can't imagine no more Haley or Miss Gloria or any of the great characters living their lives in Key West. I do hope that they reappear somehow, somewhere. I am happy that I will have more to read from you. <br /><br />I would think it's rather hard for an author to know when a series should end, unless they determine that they are bored with it. I love long series, even when I'm just discovering one and have up to twenty books to read in it. There's only one series that I read that I started thinking the author needed to give it a decent burial. No one here, of course.<br /><br />Rhys, I'm going to pretend that I didn't read your thoughts about the Molly Murphy series. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-15397642153208112012016-07-21T19:28:25.844-04:002016-07-21T19:28:25.844-04:00Gosh, I hate to see you go through this again. I g...Gosh, I hate to see you go through this again. I guess that's All Part of The Game, as we say in horse racing. Ups and downs, I get, except none of it feels much like a game, even if it is entertainment. That includes horse racing.<br /><br />After watching friends like you survive the abrupt ends of their mystery series over the years, I kind of think it would be nice to have some closure or perhaps even a continuation of the story on another platform. Even if the continuation is only to close out the series to move on to something else. Whatever the case, we fans will follow your imagination wherever it takes you. <br /><br />TV networks have learned how a show's fans mourn when a beloved series -- even if beloved by relatively few -- gets dropped by a network. The closest mystery fans get is with the Save Our Cozies Facebook page. Perhaps we're too demure to send execs a deluge of letters like scifi fans do. <br /><br />Most of us are afraid to, in case it ruins our chances at a spot in The Game. ("Rhonda Lane? Hey, I remember her. She sent us a whole bag of letters urging us to keep the Key West Food Critic mysteries. Nut job, that one. Stamp her query 'Not for Us,' but refer her to Rebecca Butterman.") <br /><br /> <br /><br /> Rhonda Lanehttp://rhondalane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11288543738305884332016-07-21T16:19:39.450-04:002016-07-21T16:19:39.450-04:00As far as I am concerned, a series I love can last...As far as I am concerned, a series I love can last forever -- there is always a new way for the character to interact with the world. I have read all of Lucy's series, and they are each great -- entertaining, lively, interesting, and fun. I am very sad to say goodbye to Key West -- I almost feel as if I could say I have been there with Hayley!!<br /><br />Good luck with whatever you choose to do --- you have got "it" and you we are so lucky that you share!!Denise Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02790883493798517829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75821773391466902902016-07-21T15:57:33.942-04:002016-07-21T15:57:33.942-04:00I think that is is "easier" to end a ser...I think that is is "easier" to end a series when a character has achieved some growth or some substantial life change or has completed an overarching story plotline (for example, protagonist has been dealing with a missing family member the whole series and now found her). In those cases it does not feel so abrupt and the readers don't feel like they have been cut adrift from characters/settings that they have grown attached to over time. I do think the much sadder case is when an author has grown tired of characters/a series and continues to write them, with the original feel being lost in that process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16673646206187843522016-07-21T15:31:16.838-04:002016-07-21T15:31:16.838-04:00As sad as it is, having a series cancelled like th...As sad as it is, having a series cancelled like this, it's better than having a series continued by writers after the author dies. Robert B. Parker's characters are not the same. There are entirely too many words on a page! That goes to show what how good he was with his writing. Btw, I attended Northeastern University when he was a professor there. One of his classes was the most popular on campus. Th subject matter? Star Trek! <br /><br />Archy McNally wasn't the same after Lawrence Sanders went to the great publishing house in the sky. So, being Pollyanna, you're still with us, Lucy/Roberta. Please keep dipping that pen in the ink. Lots of us are rooting for you!xjerseygirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05566279119245996947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-16392393444117945082016-07-21T15:30:17.210-04:002016-07-21T15:30:17.210-04:00Roberta, you are awesome, your books are wonderful...Roberta, you are awesome, your books are wonderful, and when a door closes, a window opens. I can't wait to read your "next chapter." xo S.Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47122558968128121822016-07-21T14:45:28.980-04:002016-07-21T14:45:28.980-04:00Dear Roberta,
I love your Key West books and I lo...Dear Roberta,<br /><br />I love your Key West books and I loved your golf series. I think I only read one of the Butterman books, but I enjoyed that as well.<br /><br />You will land on your feet because you are a good writer with a wonderful attitude. Keep those great characters coming!<br /><br />Brenda B.Brenda Buchananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161539130987122737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48847698889685604812016-07-21T14:07:07.934-04:002016-07-21T14:07:07.934-04:00I am a huge fan of the Key West mysteries as you k...I am a huge fan of the Key West mysteries as you know, and I'll be very sorry to see them end. I'm glad you're feeling more philosophical about it this time around, but it is still a shame for the fans.<br /><br />I love Ruth Rendell's Wexford series which spanned 50 years in real time. And though her detective didn't age in real time, her town of Kingsmarkham changed from a sleepy English village to a suburb with a large and diverse population, which I always thought was cool.<br /><br />Though I never tired of the books, Rendell herself did. She made no secret that she preferred both the books and the readers of her Barbara Vines and stand-alone psychological suspense. So I guess that's the other side of it. Leave before the readers tire of it, and before you do, too.Barb Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16470220932617188498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33414477859637161452016-07-21T14:06:52.804-04:002016-07-21T14:06:52.804-04:00Oh dear. Like everyone has said above I was a fan...Oh dear. Like everyone has said above I was a fan of the characters and the plots. If it were not for Hayley, I would not have known about the Cat Man at Mallory Square. I hope that Hayley and crew will appear again. I will miss Ms. Gloria especially. <br /><br />When should a series end? If it is plot driven, when the story is told. If character driven when they have nothing left to say. I am bothered when characters do not grow over time. To me, that is sloppy writing. Realistically, if sales have dropped off markedly, perhaps this is the readers saying the series should end. <br /><br />It does seem strange that Publishing houses do mistreat their authors. It is like a farmer stomping out his crop before it has a chance to grow. Things really did change a generation ago. I hope that the continuing change will once again bring financial benefits and quality contracts to the authors. Coralee Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06691335135691119400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25312486231739389402016-07-21T14:03:26.953-04:002016-07-21T14:03:26.953-04:00It is true the reader can tell when the author is ...It is true the reader can tell when the author is phoning it in. Or not letting her character grow, as in making the same mistakes book after book. I hated to see Margaret Maron end her Deborah Knott series but she was probably smart to do it. I didn't want to read about Kezzy going to meet his maker. I think you have a lot of Key West stories left Hallie. Perhaps you could write some e-novellas to give us updates on Hayley? And the rest of the gang?Pat Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27790224876565275782016-07-21T13:54:01.600-04:002016-07-21T13:54:01.600-04:00This is a really good question.
I'm slowly pu...This is a really good question.<br /><br />I'm slowly putting together my first book in a whimsical series that could go on forever. It's sort of a kid's mystery series for grownups. Even if I don't find a publisher, if the stories keep coming to me, I'll keep on writing them and self-publish until I'm sprinkled in a forest somewhere.<br /><br />But some series need to end. Sometimes the whimsy and charm of cozies seems better preserved set across fewer books. I haven't read your books, but five is a good number. I love the idea of a series that ends with five. It's not too few or too much. It seems just right.<br /><br />Five Star published my mom's first two books in her Shakespeare in the Vineyard series, and then they decided to go country western and dropped mysteries in favor of John Wayne romances. Or something like that. I don't really get it, but I guess they're following the money.<br /><br />Meanwhile, she finished her third book in the series, but publishers don't want to pick up a series that was first published by someone else. So it seems her only option is to self-publish or move on to a new series. While waiting to hear back in response to her queries, she was asked to write a short mystery story for a book that's being published this fall, and she whipped right through it, much to her surprise. She loved the experience of doing this, and now she's working on turning that story into a full-length book and possibly a new series.<br /><br />So, you loose one and gain another sometimes. :o))MooseNotes.comhttp://www.moosenotes.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-43026173535843059622016-07-21T13:46:48.730-04:002016-07-21T13:46:48.730-04:00Roberta, I am so sad to see the Haley books come t...Roberta, I am so sad to see the Haley books come to an end. You created a great ensemble cast and I cared about all of them. And they were funny and the setting was great and there was food... but you know all that. Hopefully we'll get an update one day on Haley--maybe a short story?<br /><br />Can't wait to see what you're working on next, though. I'm sure it will be fabulous.<br /><br />The series question is a tough one. There have been series that I never wanted to end, and there have been series I got bored with. I think you can usually tell if the author is bored.<br /><br />And thanks, Ann, for the nice compliment on Duncan and Gemma. Just finishing a book makes me sad, because I love my characters so much. But more on that tomorrow!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42968509057412732982016-07-21T13:04:50.147-04:002016-07-21T13:04:50.147-04:00Oh man, jeez. Phooey. On Facebook, I saw a -- I...Oh man, jeez. Phooey. On Facebook, I saw a -- I'm not sure what it was, to be honest -- but it was an event in support of cozy writers who have been cut recently. Meanwhile, I heard the Poisoned Pen (don't quote me on this) is actively seeking cozy writers! What a crap shoot.<br /><br />I'm sorry you're a victim (but not acting like one!) of the shoot. I look forward to hearing about your future projects!<br /> Lisa Alberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12591430453957883948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70717651333404911732016-07-21T12:58:19.743-04:002016-07-21T12:58:19.743-04:00Roberta/Lucy:
When I recently went to your book s...Roberta/Lucy:<br /><br />When I recently went to your book signing in Milford I was devastated when you announced that there would be no more Hayley books. I felt ( and still feel) as though I had just experienced a death in the family.<br /><br />Usually, I finish your books in a day or two. This time around I dragged it out as long as possible because I did not want to say good-bye!<br /><br />As for continuing a series, I always hope the authors will continue the books for the rest of their lives. Two favorite series authors died within the past few years, and were publishing new books up until the end. I read every one of those books, and I mourn the loss of the authors and their characters.<br /><br />I hope Hayley shows up again soon.<br /><br /><br />Edith, I have missed Lauren!<br /><br />Deb RomanoDeb Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650858888197217258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51689961459474983732016-07-21T11:49:04.855-04:002016-07-21T11:49:04.855-04:00I'm debating this very subject right now. I...I'm debating this very subject right now. I'm up to book 17 in the Molly Murphy series. I still enjoy spending time with her but the drive to solve crimes has become harder for her now she is a mother. Also I have many ideas that do not fit into one of my series. Do I make time for them? I'd hate to get to the end of my writing life and think "I wish I'd written that book."<br />I can't see abandoning Lady Gerogie for a while. I've still plenty of stories for her!Rhysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31693949924031728522016-07-21T11:44:49.646-04:002016-07-21T11:44:49.646-04:00I think both Cassie and Hayley had many more books...I think both Cassie and Hayley had many more books in them. It's not about you or the books, it's about contractions in the publishing business. The purge to "save money" and they do it to series authors AND to editors who've gotten too expensive when young ones can be hired at a fraction. We may love the publishing business but it doesn't love us back.<br /><br />I've read some of one of Lucy's work in progress and it's terrific. A little darker and grittier, probing psychologically and gripping. Rooting for it.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31947927043698919812016-07-21T11:08:35.384-04:002016-07-21T11:08:35.384-04:00I'm sorry to hear this, Roberta. Especially si...I'm sorry to hear this, Roberta. Especially since you had so many Key West fans.<br /><br />When should a series end? Tough. If the author still has stories and a love for the characters, keep going. But as soon as you feel you're "phoning it in," you should stop. Problem is, for traditionally published folks, you don't always have the power to choose. If the publisher wants a book a year and you have a contract, you HAVE to keep writing. And sometimes it goes the other way (as with you).<br /><br />But yes, as others have pointed out a) you're a writer and we'll be looking forward to your "good news" post (because there will be one) and b) there are so many options out there for writers these days that the door may never be truly, completely shut.<br /><br />Hang in there!Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56588919518127972942016-07-21T10:36:35.953-04:002016-07-21T10:36:35.953-04:00As an outsider looking in, and knowing that some a...As an outsider looking in, and knowing that some authors have multi-book contracts, I often wonder if some of the books aren't forced because of the grueling writing schedule. It would certainly stifle my creative spirit.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.com