Although I normally write by the seat of my pants, when I began the Templar Vampires I had a clear view of where I wanted this series to go. I might not have had all five books mapped out, but the ending had played out in my mind like a movie even before I wrote the first word. And then I got published with them and the Templars were no longer only mine. They belonged to my publishing house, my editor, and most importantly, to any readers who might find their way to my books. I rethought the series and in doing that, I found another pack of vampires – just as ferocious – only of the female persuasion. I thought, “perfect! I can use them in the Templars series.” All was right (and safe) in the universe.
It would all work out.
At least that’s what I kept telling myself, ignoring the nagging in the back of my mind that I was charting my writing by playing it safe. When the nagging became too much, I bounced my original idea off of some (very) trusted friends. They told me to go down the safe road, without saying those exact words. I was warned that readers are loyal to a series and its characters and you do not let them down by taking risks. I chewed on that for months, though it left a bitter taste in my mouth. I simply couldn’t believe readers wouldn’t want to read something different – something risky.
And then a few nights ago I told my editor about my original plan for the Templars. She thought it was risky as well, but it was a risk worth looking into. What I wanted to do made sense to her. It made sense for the series. We brainstormed and came up with something amazing and risky and wonderful.
When you write a single title book, what you do in it doesn’t directly affect future books. With a series, one word in the right place can set in motion events for the subsequent books that can either make or break a series. Especially if each book in the series is more or a less a continuation of the last book—only with a new hero and heroine. That’s the Templar Vampire series. Now do you see why I was afraid to take a chance? With five books to write, it would have been all too easy to put that one wrong word in the right place – or rather, that one wrong event that could make or break the series. But the risk needs to be taken. Why? Because it would be wrong of me not to take it. If I’m afraid to take a risk of with my writing today, what will I be afraid to to with my writing tomorrow?
~ Rene Lyons
Where the damned come to play
www.renelyons.net
Very interesting topic especially since I’ve been thinking about writing a mystery series. And you’re right you have to be cautious and think it all out completely but at the same time, you want to be daring and go for the new challenge.
In an odd way, it’s about finding that fine line between writing for your readers and writing for yourself. I think if you let your readers dictate what happens and how in your books, to the detriment of your own plans, you aren’t being true to yourself as a writer.
Look at JK Rowling, she’s already put it out there in book 5 that either Voldemort or Harry Potter has to die for the other to live. Millions of kids will be devastated if HP dies in book 7, but if it comes down to it, and it serves her story, I think JK needs to do it, no matter the reaction. (Even if I will be one of those devastated kids. hee.)
Rene, I absolutely love your Templar vamps. They’re so individual and powerful and each book invokes an emotional response. For me, that’s what writing is about – creating a character or set of characters in a series that can carry the reader along with them to the conclusion of the story. It’s pretty rare for me to really go ‘wow’ over a book but your Templars have that ‘wow’ factor.
Yes, readers will feel a certain ‘ownership’, but they’re not writing this series. You are. I’m not going to say safe is boring, because in your series I don’t think such a word exists LOL, but risk is something that your readers will surely recognise and appreciate as something integral to the series and to the characters.
Gut instincts are rarely wrong. You’ve had the original idea in your head for months and you’ve examined all the possibilities and permutations. Nobody else knows the series more than you do, so whatever risks you decide to take with future books, you will know how it feels and if it’s right.
I have every faith in you and your characters. Take the risk – it’s worth it.
Rene,
I agree with what everyone else is saying. You have to write the way the story dictates. (I am talking from personal experience and forgive me but—) If you chose to walk along the safest path in an attempt to keep your current readers, your writing may falter slightly. If your other vampire sect has a place in the templar series and you deny them that—I think you know where this is going and my muse is on a coffee break
Having read the first two books, I can say that you already hinted at at least one additional sect of vampires that oppose the Templars. This may not be the same group you are now elluding to, but I would say your readers are already predisposed to the possibility of “others” (IMO)
Yes, there are some readers who will walk off, but there are some who will replace them. An example from my reading trends is the Stephanie Plum series……there are readers who will abandon the series if Stephanie choses Ranger, those who will leave if she choses Morelli and those who will leave if she continues to be indecisive. (shrug) You just have to write what you have to write and let the chips fall as they will.
Good Luck, Barb
I have to say, being partial to authors who write what they feel instead of what they think I want, your blog makes me want to read your Templar Vampire series something fierce!
If every author writes what they (or the publisher) thinks we want, why would we need more than one book? I want the real story, the one in that author’s heart, the one begging to be told. Even when it tears me up inside, even when it takes a turn I didn’t anticipate or even want, if the story is true to itself and the author’s vision, I can accept just about anything.
The purpose of a book isn’t necessarily to make me agree with everything that happens, but to make me believe it, and make me feel it.
I hope that makes sense? I know it always scares me when I hear that writers, publishers, or moviemakers think a story needs to be greatly altered because of what the public ‘wants’ to see. And I hope knowing that some readers, at least, want the real story you have to tell eases your mind a little.
See, and that’s one of the many reasons I prefer writing stand alones. I know series have bigger readership. But I seem incapable of maintaining interest in something for that long.
Fascinating topic, Rene.
Series always demand a lot more than a single book. You always have to be thinking so many steps ahead.
I think it’s good to take risks and follow your gut instincts. In the end, your the one who has to write the story and live with what you’ve written. If your muse is staring you down a certain path, it makes sense to pay attention.
You’ve really thought long and hard about this, so you know deep in inside what you have to do.
I have to take risks when I write. My series is full of risky things and I am fully aware that readers may or may not like what happens. I once found a quote in a book on promoting: “Write first for yourself, then write for everyone else”. That’s exactly what I did. I wrote these books for myself. The things that happen in my series come to me. I follow the path that my characters create. I bring them to life how they want to be brought to life.
Personally, I love reading (and writing) books that are part of a series. I feel like I am part of what’s going on. The characters are like family to me. I know many readers feel that same way.