Wednesday, May 16, 2012

STAND ALONE AND SERIES

I've read many good stand alone books. I enjoy studying writers' talents; the way they show their versatility by creating new characters, settings and sometimes writing in different genres. Their creativity seems boundless.

There was a time when a series of books didn't appeal to me. Over the last year I became curious about how writers tackle creating a series of books, so between indulging in reading stand alone books, I ventured into reading authors who write a series of books. As a writer and reader I do become fond of particular characters. I am keen to travel more of there journies, to see what else life throws at them and how they tackle different situations.

I've enjoyed reading a variety of series in different genres:

James Patterson - Alex Cross and Michael Bennett. Dean Koontz - Odd Thomas and Frankenstein. Laurell K Hamilton - Anita Blake. Michael Koryta - Lincoln Perry. Patricia Brigg - Anna and Charles. Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum. Jennifer Lyon - Wing Slayer Hunters.

Are there any series of books that you have particularly enjoyed?

Keep writing... and reading...

22 comments:

  1. I do enjoy a series of books, but prefer when the titles within can stand alone. I am not a great fan of a book ending with a cliff hanger. So, that said, my WIP will be part of a series, but it will also be one that can be read apart from the others.

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting and following. It's great to meet you!

    Have a great week,
    Karen

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  2. Hello Karen and welcome to my blog. I totally agree with you. It has happened to me when I've finished a book in a series ending with a cliff hanger and didn't get that 'satisfied' feeling - tho, lol, it did make me want to read the next book in the series. Yes, I have to say I much prefer the series when each book can stand alone. All the best for your WIP. It is great to meet you too :-)

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  3. While I want every book to give me a satisfying ending (cliffhangers notwithstanding) I do love a series, probably even more than stand-alones. When I grow to love a world or characters or storyline(s) I don't want them to end.

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  4. I don't mind a crime series, when it's the same detective etc, but I like each book to be a stand-alone too.

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    1. Hi Rosemary - can you recommend a crime series author for me please?

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    2. I like PD James - and her dtecetive, Adam Dalgleish (though not her recent attempt at a Jane Austen inpired crime!)

      My friend is a crime writer in Glasgow - Alex Gray. Not too gritty. And there's Elizabeth George, whose books were televised.

      Also like the old fashioned classic crime writers like Ngaio Marsh and Dorothy L Sayer.

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    3. Thanks for that Rosemary. Appreciate it :-)

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  5. I prefer stand-along books too. In fact I like to follow one book with another completely different style/author. Having said that I read the Stieg Larsson trilogy almost one after the other and enjoyed.

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    1. Ohhhhhh thank you Maggie May I will be looking up the Stieg Larsson trilogy and give it a go. I do enjoy reading novels with a different style/author.

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  6. Years ago I use to read Michael Moorcock books. He's a English SciFi and fantasy author. I read Douglas Adam's novels but most of the time I read stand along book.

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    1. Hello Paula - thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Thanks too for those names. :-)

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  7. I've thoroughly enjoyed Deanna Raybourn's Victorian-era set Lady Julia Grey mystery series. DR is a very skilful writer.

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    1. Hi Claire - thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. :-)

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  8. If I like any book I'm always pleased to discover it's part of a series as I know I'll probably like the others too. Some series are better than others though - I don't like feeling I should have read them in the right order (If I haven't) because I'm now confused, but neither do I like to have several chapters repeating info to bring the writer up to speed.

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    1. I have to say I have come across that in a series Patsy - where info is repeated over and over. x

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  9. I've recently finished the last in a trilogy by Margaret James that I enjoyed very much. I also enjoy Christina Jones' books which, although not in a series, visit the same characters through her books. Great fun.

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    1. Hi Debs - have jotted those down on my reading list. I like the 'great fun', sounds good. Thank you so much :-)

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  10. Must admit I'm not a massive series fan, but I did enjoy the Shopaholic books. Light, fun reads!

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    1. Hi Talli - I used to avoid series books but since I've been including in my reading authors/genres that I wouldn't usually read I have been pleasantly surprised. Thanks for your comment :-)

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  11. Someone will probably shoot me for saying this... but if you want to see what can really be done with a series, i'd suggest - when you have the time - reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.

    Theres something pretty amazing about an author who, in book 9, can make you exlaim "OH NO HE DIDNT!!" and have you running to your bookshelf to pull out book 2, flip through the pages until you find the bit you're looking for, only to have you exclaim "OMG, HE DID!!". lol. He really did some amazing things with foreshadowing which, to be honest, i've never seen done by any other author. Its like he gives you all the pieces of the puzzle right at the very beginning, but you dont realise how they're all going to fit together until right at the end.

    Having said that the series does have some downsides which have all be discussed to the Nth degree, but I think a lot of his writing can be quite instructional, as much for the bad as for the good.

    S.

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    1. Hello there - thanks for that. I'll have to look into it. It does sound interesting. I appreciate your comments :-)

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