100th Post

One of the downsides of writing sequels is how to cover back story and established character histories without dragging out the current story. I am 256 pages into my 10th book and as I am going along, I am essentially continuing a story that has spanned 4 books--well to be more exact, I am telling the story of two characters trying to resolve a very profound loose end.
The problem is, can a reader who picks up this book understand and grasp what the devil is going on without having to pick up all the other books in the series? My answer is, "Why would you pick up only one book in a series?" That would be like picking up "Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows" without picking up or at least skimming the other six books.

But somehow, in each book of a series, there is enough back story in each to clue the reader into the overall story arc. But if you miss a book in a series, you lose something.

You can't watch "Return of the Jedi" without first watching "The Empire Strikes Back" otherwise you'll be scratching your head as to why on Earth Luke Skywalker would even care about saving Darth Vader's soul.

But for those silly or backward enough to pick up the last book of a series first, how does one give enough background story to keep a reader informed of what's going on?

10 books into my humble career and I am still tackling that issue.

The next topic I'm posting on is in regards to book 11. I am working on a stand alone novel entitled "Silent Uproar". I might have mentioned this story in previous posts but I will refresh your memories. The premise is that a young Deaf girl's parents are mysteriously murdered in a midnight home invasion. A psychic detective takes the case and comes to an abrupt dead end until this Deaf girl starts have nightmares, visions, flashbacks, and odd visits. Now she must somehow convince this detective she has clues as to her parents' killer.

"Dark Returns" - Update

I am about 209 pages into this project's first draft and as I look on what I've written and consult my previous works to tackle any continuity issues with the series, characters, etc... I am pondering if I should consider a major re-write that will make this book more of a stand-alone novel rather than a continuting addition to a story arc. Of course, given that I haven't really attracted a great deal of fans with my work thus far, this issue seems kinda silly. But for those that are fans and have followed along with all my works and characters (esp. Amy Cavanaugh and Robyne Sheridan), I wonder if they'd prefer stories that weren't related to previous works. It might be time for something completely fresh for these characters.

However, that being said, what I have written so far does take well-established characters into a new direction with an unexpected challenge. Some people like long story arcs over several books. Some people form bonds with characters and like to see a long, steady progression of development. I think of the Harry Potter series as prime example of long story arc over several books. Maybe "Twilight" would be another example.

I don't want to follow a trend unless it happens to be what naturally comes out of my work. If a trend can somehow suit my style and needs in a work, I'll try it. But ultimately the story has to rule over any trend or gimmick.

I'm always disappointed by some authors who try and jump on a bandwagon and claim to strand out among a trend. All these vampire novels and series that are coming out frustrate me to no end because they are missing something. They lose sight of what the genre is really about I think. I think they also lose sight of what they are doing to the genre and horror market.

I mean come on... vampires that can wander outside by day? Vampires that can get by on synthetic blood? This is cheating! Where the hell is the conflict? What threatens a vampire that can shrug off the sun and drink fake blood? Where is the challenge or respect for vampire myth and lore? Vampires that sparkle and glitter? Centuries-old vampires who glom over teenage girls in high school? That would make them pedophiles. Even if they had bodies of prepubescent cherubs, their minds and experiences span centuries or decades (unless they were just recently embraced or damned or sprinkled with vampire glamour dust)... 9 times out of 10 vampires of any real age wouldn't play with high school babes. They'd drink them dry and move on. Vampires worth their fangs don't play with their food or become fashion models or teen pin-up posters. There's nothing to gain from it.

As Dracula always said, "The blood is the life." That's all that really matters to these predators. Blood has always been the ultimate goal. That's not to say they can't dabble with love, politics, culture, art, etc... or want to cling to humanity... but as time goes on, a vampire matures, ages, develops, and grows up. They don't remain teenage kids or regress into being high school heart throbs. Even Claudia from "Interview with a Vampire" grew a pair of proverbial balls and stopped being a baby.