Readers aren’t the only ones who enjoy a connected series; authors like the comfort and familiarity of stories that spiral out from a central idea, town, character set, etc, as well for writers become invested in their characters’ lives just as their readers do.

However, there comes a time to say goodbye to those beloved characters to move to the next set of unknowns.

Goodbyes are never easy, even when you’re leaving behind fictitious characters (or an idyllic little town, such as the case with my Emmett’s Mill series) but the great thing about goodbyes is that they are invariably followed by hellos when you introduce yourself to new characters, places and story lines. Stepping into a new series is like embarking on a first date. The butterflies are in place, the anticipation is building and the possibilities are endless. The questions in your head mount, such as where will I go with this series? Who are the central characters and what roles will they play in the big overall plot threads weaving themselves throughout the series? Which characters will need to die for the most emotional impact/character growth? (I know it seems morbid to talk so blithely about character demise but it’s a necessary evil and one not taken likely, I can assure you!) All these questions and more zing through a writer’s brain as they start a new connected series.

But even as the prospect of a new series is intoxicating in the beginning stages, please keep in mind a few useful tips.

First, make sure you’re not importing too many similarities from your previous series into your new one. You want to make it as fresh and new as possible. Each writer tends to gravitate to certain character traits, themes, etc, and it’s important to really know who your characters are, not just superficially, in order to get inside their heads and pull out a deeply character-driven story that readers will love.

Second, try to step out of your comfort zone. If your last series was centered in a small town, try to branch out into something different the next go ‘round. It will hone your skills and keep your readers intrigued as to where you’re going next. However, this comes with a caveat, of course; write what you enjoy because if you don’t like what you’re writing, neither will your readers!

Lastly, but certainly most importantly, be sure you love the central, connecting idea before you commit yourself to it. When I started my Emmett’s Mill series I thought the connection was simply the three sisters, Natalie, Nora, and Tasha but it wasn’t until I was into the series, immersing myself into the creation of these families, that I realized it wasn’t so much the people that were the connection point: it was the town of Emmett’s Mill itself. And suddenly, this place was like it’s own character. Luckily, I loved this town (as have my readers) and the prospect of following the stories of the townspeople felt natural but if I hadn’t invested myself properly, I might’ve chaffed at the thought of continuing when I thought the series should be finished.

For myself, ending a beloved series has been bittersweet. The various characters still chatter in my head without a clue that their stories have come to an end and the sound is comforting. But now there’s a new set of characters, gently nudging the old out the door with a basket of parting gifts, and their voices are the ones I’ve started tuning into so that I can do justice to their stories.

The butterflies are fluttering; the imagination is churning out some wonderful stuff and quite quickly, the sadness of a goodbye is replaced with the joy of a new beginning.

*

Kimberly Van Meter writes for Harlequin Superromance and Silhouette Romantic Suspense. The last in her Emmett’s Mill series is on shelves now and her first Silhouette releases in August.

For updates and information on her backlist, go to her website at www.kimberlyvanmeter.com

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