I’m honoured and excited today to have as my very special guest Elizabeth Spann Craig, best-selling author of not one, not two, but three terrific cosy series. As if being a highly talented writer weren’t enough, she writes an award-winning blog, Mystery Writing is Murder. I learn from Elizabeth every time I visit her blog, which is, erm, every day. Elizabeth is a model for us other writers out there, and I’m so grateful she was willing to stop by today on her blog tour to celebrate the release of her second Memphis Barbecue novel, Finger Lickin’ Dead. So please help me offer some Confessions of a Mystery Novelist hospitality to……Elizabeth Spann Craig!
8 things to consider when designing a series that sticks:
I’m a huge fan of reading series.
In fact, if I know a book is part of a series, I’m even more likely to read it. That’s because, if I like the writer’s style and his or her characters, I want to read more. Starting out with a new book is a big investment of time—it’s nice to know that, if I really like a book, there are more that are similar to it that I can enjoy without searching for a new author or novel.
But I’m sure we’ve all been disappointed by series that get stale. In fact, this is one of my biggest disappointments as a reader…I want to keep reading the series: I’ll love the characters, adore the setting, know all the inside jokes—but then something just doesn’t click anymore. The plots are recycled, the characters trite. The author seems stuck in a rut—and I sure don’t want to be stuck in it with him.
Since I’m currently writing two series, I’ve come up with some tips that I think ensures a series’ success:
Write a character that can grow in a realistic way over time. This growth could be professional or personal. When your character grows instead of being static, you end up with a more complex character—one that a reader will be happy to explore through a series.
Use subplots that continue from one book to the next. Although the focus of the main plot will be the protagonist resolving the book’s conflict, a subplot (like a slow-developing romantic interest, etc.) carried over the course of several books can keep a series reader reading.
Don’t bore with backstory. Weave backstory into the plot (don’t dump it at the beginning of the book) with dialogue, quick identifying tags for characters, etc. As long as the reader won’t be confused , then we should be on the right track. 
Experiment with supporting or secondary characters. Sometimes the protagonist’s friend or co-worker (someone the reader is familiar with from previous novels) can become a central figure in a book or create conflict for the main character to resolve.
Write characters who are consistent, even while they show growth. Characters shouldn’t continue to make the same mistakes over the course of a series. And if your character has been written as a lighthearted, happy person, suddenly portraying him or her as grim or solemn without explanation will come as a shock.
Pull in readers by making them feel they know these characters. Would your reader recognize them if they saw them on the street? Do they know what they do in their spare time, how they approach problems, what their interests and passions are?
Have something fresh in each book. To keep your series from seeming stale, have some new element in each book—a new setting, relationship, new problems facing the character, etc.
Keep some consistency in your writing style. Risks are important, but there’s also a need for some familiarity. Do all your other books in the series employ some humor? If the next book in your series is a humorless tragedy, your readers may go along for the ride…they may not. It wasn’t, after all, what they were expecting when they bought your book.
Some authors can successfully write a long running series without sacrificing quality. Series like the Cat Who… series by Lilian Jackson Braun, and Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone mysteries come to mind.
For most of us, though, there comes a point when it’s time for us to bring a series to an end—while it’s still satisfying for readers.
Are you a series writer or reader? Do you have any additional thoughts on important elements for strong series?
Thanks, Elizabeth, for your ideas about keeping the magic alive in series. It’s not easy to do, and you’ve got some terrific tips. Folks, Elizabeth’s newest release, Finger Lickin’ Dead, is now available!!!! It’s the second in her Memphis Barbecue series which she writes for Penguin/Berkley as Riley Adams. Elizabeth also writes the Southern Quilting mysteries (coming your way in 2012) for Penguin/NAL and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink. And don’t forget to visit her amazing blog, the award-winning Mystery Writing is Murder (named in 2010 and 2011 by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers). Elizabeth can be contacted at her blog or on Twitter: @elizabethscraig
Also, check out The Writer’s Knowledge Base – a real treasure trove for writers!
Very interesting post – I’m a reader, not a writer, but much of what you write resonates. I too love reading series but will drop them if they become predictable and formulaic (eg J D Robb’s Eve Dallas or Lindsay Davis’s Falco series). Even when the characters change over time, the formula can make this predictable and hence tedious. Other ways to lose readers is to turn a series into something else, as you write – I enjoyed the first few books by Karin Slaughter but I was so repelled by a recent one about women who were kidnapped and tortured horribly (we discovered how in hospital scenes) that I have stopped reading her – the books were always slow but add in some gratuitous torture unnecessary for the plot and you’ve lost me.
Series that are good are epitomised by Michael Connelly. He has refined his series over the years in a variety of ways, for example by writing books about new characters that subsequently come to tie into the core series; and by weaving in political and social commentary (eg he was first off the mark with criticising the Homeland Security measures after 9/11, and how they were being abused). Also strong in this series along with the best series out there is a strong sense of place – LA is a character in the novel – as is the setting for other great series eg C J Box’s Joe Pickett series and I think a new series I’ve just started, Dana Stabenow’s Kate series set in Alaska.
Maxine, I think you make a great point–*what* the writers add to their series is important, too. If they’re trying to freshen the series up by adding components that turn off dedicated readers, then they’re going to be losing readers instead of holding onto them.
As a reader would be very happy if each series met these high aspirations. Two series that spring to mind are Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole with a sub plot that stretched over three books., and the Sjowall and Wahloo Martin Beck books where other members of the team take a more active part in some books.
Martin Edwards in his Lake District series keeps us guessing over several books whether his heroine Hannah will dump her current fragile lover Marc for a more adjusted model, Daniel.
The romantic problems of reporter Johan Berg and Emma Wingrave cover several books in Marji Jungstedt’s series set on Gotland, although the main protagonist is police detective Anders Knutas.
I think all these series get pretty close to your ideal.
I think you’re right, Norm. An interesting subplot can really keep readers hooked on a series just to see what happens next.
Maxine and Norman – You both give really excellent examples, I think, of series that have and have not held up. Formula and predictability are two big problems with a lot of series; when an author finds a structure, plot idea, etc., that makes a hit, it’s tempting to just keep doing that thing. But in the best series (and I agree about Connelly), there are enough new characters, new situations and so on that readers don’t get bored. And Norman, thanks for your point about stories-across-stories. That’s one of my favourite devices in strong series.
Elizabeth – you’re giving us so much to think about and you’ve offered great ideas. Thanks!
I’m currently writing the second in my series that will be launched in February 2012. When I submitted two teaser chapters for the next book, my editor said I’d put too much back story in about the previous book AND to not let the reader know how the mystery is solved in the previous book. If they pick up book two, you want them to pick up book one and not know the outcome. It makes sense to me NOW.
It’s funny, but I just read a review of my new release that mentioned that very thing…that the reader was glad I hadn’t spoiled the end of the first book because she was reading them out of order. I tried hard not to spoil it…and it would have been easy for me to *accidentally* spoil it for reasons I won’t list here.
This is a wonderful post. The only series I’ve read recently is the Twilight ones. I AM going to read Harry Potter before I die. All of my children have read them. I’ve got to get with it. Every time I start one, I love it.
And for the reasons you post here, Elizabeth. The writer has done everything you say here, and I’m sure you’ve done in your books (which I want to read) to keep the reader coming back for more.
I think basically you do the same thing in a series you do in just one book: create memorable characters and a story that keeps the reader turning the pages. You don’t want formula. You want suspense. You want the unexpected.
Thank you for hosting Elizabeth, Margot. And I’m so glad to see you on WordPress. I just set up one, too, and am working on getting more content. I like the professional, sleek look. But I’m still posting on Blogger, short posts, though, because I have so many friends there. I hope I can get some of them to come over to my WP.
And I love the way you can reply in WP–beneath the comment.
Ann – I agree; WP has so many advantages (at least for me) over Blogger. I’m hoping my Blogger readers will make the change and visit me here, too, and I think that part of the changeover takes time. It’s worth it, though.
Ann, I like the way you put it–just do exactly what you’d do in a standalone novel to keep a book exciting. There’s no need to overthink it, really, but I think so many authors do. If we’ve written an exciting standalone and maybe add a subplot that can carry throughout a series, I think we’ve got readers interested.
Great pointers, Elizabeth! If more writers followed your top-notch writing tips and incorporated techniques gleaned from Margot’s brilliant analyses, there would be an increase in the number of excellent books on the shelves!
I think we need to put a bug in the ear of our favorite authors. I’m sure they’d be so happy to hear from us!
Thanks so much, Margot for hosting Elizabeth today! Elizabeth gives great tips (as usual) and I echo Alan’s sentiments. Now let’s hope I take advantage of the wisdom from both of your blogs (and Alan’s of course) and am able to be an author of one of those excellent books!
Thanks for the compliment, Elspeth! I think you’ve got some pretty good advice, yourself! Love going to your blog for inspiration.
Alan and Elspeth – You are both very kind – *deep blush.* And you’re both right about Elizabeth.
Great tips, Elizabeth! And how wonderful you are to host her, Margot. Really helpful ideas. I’m trying to think what series I like – I like Kate Atkinson’s gang and Louise Penney and I was pretty big on Elizabeth George but I soured on her. I’ll probably go back though. I’m working on book two of the Kitty MacDonald mysteries and I’ll definitely use this as a guide.
Jan – I’m with you – I like Louise Penny’s series and some of the Kate Atkinson novels have been terrific. And yes, Elizabeth has some truly great ideas, doesn’t she?
Jan–I’m totally with you on the series that you mentioned! Good luck with your book 2!
Margot: An excellent post. An author following Elizabeth’s formula is bound to have a strong series. I know I am reading a good series when I start being as interested in what is going to happen next in the lives of the characters as in the mystery.
Bill – I agree completely; Elizabeth has created some very effective ideas for keeping a series interesting over the “long haul.” And I feel the same way you do about the characters in a well-written mystery.
Bill–It’s a great way to make the characters come alive, isn’t it? Because they’re not *just* solving a mystery….they’re living a life, too!
Very informative post, Elizabeth. I hadn’t thought of some of these points. One that caught my eye is continuing subplots into the next book. Great!
Thanks, Margot, for hosting the fabulous Elizabeth.
Thanks so much, Teresa! Yes, the subplot thing is really kind of fun to write–and it’s a great way to keep readers hooked and show other facets to a character.
Awesome post, Elizabeth! These are terrific tips. Congrats on your novel’s release!
Thanks so much, Laura! And thanks for coming by.
Very useful advice – which doesn´t exactly surprise me
Best of luck with the release of your new book, Elizabeth. I am sure it is a terrific story.
Thanks, Dorte! I appreciate it.
Phew, you’ve listed all the things I try to do, so we’re on the same wavelength there, Elizabeth! Some darling person gave me some very good advice about subplot early on in my writing career, and one of the luxuries of writing a series is the opportunity to weave threads through a number of books. Character development is so important too, so your readers get to grow with the characters in a way as they get to know them, but also to ensure the writer doesn’t get bogged down or bored with them, because that definitely shows in the writing.
Great post.
As I recall, you have a successful series with Penguin? You could have written this post, yourself!
I think you make a great point about pacing the character development–doling out new bits of info to keep both the reader and writer interested. If there’s an info overload, then everyone gets bored.
Good tips, Elizabeth! Especially as I’m working on what could be a series.
Alex–And I’m glad you are! I’m enjoying CassaStar.
Elizabeth, you have some excellent tips here! I have to disagree about writing characters who are consistent though – only in the sense that if you have a carefree, happy character and they turn grim/solemn, this can actually be a great, complex development if it’s done well and it would add depth to a character. So I think that while it’s important that a character be consistent (as in, true to character) there should be enough jarring, yet realistic, changes to keep a reader hooked through many books.
Example: George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. Jaime Lannister starts off as a light-hearted, arrogant, cruel man who changes to someone drastically different as the series progresses. This keeps him interesting and keeps readers hooked on him in turn.
On the other hand, having a character change abruptly for no reason or act out of character without good reason for it can make a reader lose interest in the series for good.
Congratulations on the release of your book, by the way!
Thanks, Sangu! And you bring up a good point here. I think that, done well, changes in the form of character development–making a character change in a believable way–can definitely pull in a reader and increase the complexity of the character and plot. As you put it, an abrupt change of personality without any solid, contributing factors wouldn’t be believable…in life or in novels.
Thanks so much for coming by!
Great post! What makes me drop a series quicker than hot coals is when they kill off the main character, or end one of the books on a really, really low note. What’s the point in reading more? The favourite character is dead. And its annoying when a series repeats the same plot lines.
Good point! To me, that’s a sort of “jumping the shark” move, to use a TV term. If the writer can’t think of anything better than killing off the main character, it’s time for the series to end, for sure.