Sure – why not? They’re a lot of fun.
I started writing my Vegas series because of a set of
circumstances that led me to this outcome. I never started off with the plan to
do so. This seems to be the way of a writer’s life in many occasions –unforeseen
opportunities.
circumstances that led me to this outcome. I never started off with the plan to
do so. This seems to be the way of a writer’s life in many occasions –unforeseen
opportunities.
Our IBC promoter, Carolyn McCray, had an idea for a suspense
anthology called Bullets, Brass &
Babes and offered the group a chance to submit up to 5,000 words to join
her in this endeavor. I was thrilled with her idea and quickly wrote my first
romantic suspense, a short called “You Shot Me”. I waited with bated breath,
nervous but hopeful all at the same time.
anthology called Bullets, Brass &
Babes and offered the group a chance to submit up to 5,000 words to join
her in this endeavor. I was thrilled with her idea and quickly wrote my first
romantic suspense, a short called “You Shot Me”. I waited with bated breath,
nervous but hopeful all at the same time.
You might say I was a mite surprised (floored!) when she
told me that my submission should be a full-length book and she now wanted me
to write the introduction to the characters and their conflicts. And… I had three
days to do so.
told me that my submission should be a full-length book and she now wanted me
to write the introduction to the characters and their conflicts. And… I had three
days to do so.
Never wrote so fast in my life (edits followed later..…gulp!),
and she included in the anthology what was to become the 1st book of
the Vegas Series called “Partners”.
When I actually wrote the full-length book to follow, I changed the title from
the “You Shot Me” to “Roll
the Dice” and the series had begun.
and she included in the anthology what was to become the 1st book of
the Vegas Series called “Partners”.
When I actually wrote the full-length book to follow, I changed the title from
the “You Shot Me” to “Roll
the Dice” and the series had begun.
Of course, even I know you don’t have a series with just two
books and so there had to a third. Of course, I’d planned the next one to be a
full-length, because after all, it would be fine to have a short for the
introduction, yes. But didn’t all the rest have to be novels with higher word
counts?
books and so there had to a third. Of course, I’d planned the next one to be a
full-length, because after all, it would be fine to have a short for the
introduction, yes. But didn’t all the rest have to be novels with higher word
counts?
Nope!
Again Ms. McCray revised that old-fashioned thinking by
saying this. “Why make the readers wait for months before the next book comes
out? Keep them up-to-date in the lives of your characters and give them a
bridge short to keep them interested.” I liked the idea and “Vegas
Shuffle” came next.
saying this. “Why make the readers wait for months before the next book comes
out? Keep them up-to-date in the lives of your characters and give them a
bridge short to keep them interested.” I liked the idea and “Vegas
Shuffle” came next.
It seemed to satisfy then fans of the series and gave me
longer to produce the next manuscript called “High
Stakes Gamble”. Funny thing, I was now so invested in the lives of
my characters that even I loved finding out more about them myself. How they’d grown
and developed because of their struggles. This was pure enjoyment that flowed
beautifully and I think it shows in the story.
I was into the rhythm now. And enjoying being able to fill
in back story by framing it into a brief tale to keep the readers involved.
When Book #5 called “Spin the Wheel” came about, another bridge that will be released
at the end of this month, it was if it wrote itself. Now even I’m hooked. And I
can’t wait to get into the final full-length, “Let it Ride”.
in back story by framing it into a brief tale to keep the readers involved.
When Book #5 called “Spin the Wheel” came about, another bridge that will be released
at the end of this month, it was if it wrote itself. Now even I’m hooked. And I
can’t wait to get into the final full-length, “Let it Ride”.
***Except, is it the final? I don’t know? I cringe whenever
I think the fun has to stop. I might leave a thread in case I want to hook into
the series again. I should, right? Never shut the door to opportunities. RIGHT??
I think the fun has to stop. I might leave a thread in case I want to hook into
the series again. I should, right? Never shut the door to opportunities. RIGHT??
But I do have another series waiting on the back burner…hummm!!
I agree with you. A series is the only way to go. And I like to write the chapters as episodes in the serial. It probably won't work for everyone. But that's what keeps the door open for me.
Caleb, I never thought of doing a series in that way but I applaud your trying something different.
Thanks for the comment.
Mimi
Great article Mimi. It really shows your development as a writer.
Thanks Jodie. I'm still developing – just finished a children's book to really mix up my genres!! LOL