Seems someone tried to hack my account or something and when I finally got back into the Lair I had spam comments everywhere. Luckily, Blogger had put those in the appropriate place and they didn't appear on the blog...along with the other nasty comments I get that I just delete. (rolls eyes)
Anyone can leave a comment on the Lair but I do moderate them and if your comment is just an attack on serial fiction, it won't see the light of day here.
So for those of you who ARE interested in writing series and treating short stories like TV episodes, it's business as usual. :)
Actually, that brings me to a question. How many of you out there are actually following this method? Leave a comment here or email me of you want to stay private. I'd like to know how you guys are doing.
P.S. If anyone read the magazine "Heavy Metal" (or saw the animated movie), they are making a live action TV series starring actors such as Joe Flanigan (Stargate: Atlantis), James Marsters (Buffy, Angel), Rutger Hauer and others.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI've commented before but for reasons I shall explain I'm now responding under my Cheri identity.
I'm really interested in your method and in serial fiction in general. I have several novels under my real name but over a year ago I discovered the world of short fiction – yes, erotica, which explains the supersecret Cheri identity. Now that I'm making a comfortable living in that genre, having put in the work and paid my dues, I'm looking into branching out.
I was all set on following the Dean Wesley Smith method of pumping out short stories every week in different genres. My first few efforts, however, failed to sell well and I got discouraged. And then you came along on KB and here to explain the world of serials and again I'm feeling the urge to write mainstream.
So to answer your question...
I'm not actively following this method YET but I'm working on one right now, have the general outline done and I've almost finished writing the first installment. At this point though, this is more of a hobby for me. I keep seeing the allure of my money-making erotica, especially now that I have a bona fide hit on my hands.
In short, I want to get in the game, I'm planning to, but I'm not using the serial method yet.
Hi Cheri,
DeleteOf course you should follow the money. If writing a non-erotica series is just a fun sideline for you, it's all good.
What a lot of people fail to realise is that this is a business. As authors, we should make the best business decisions to suit us.
Comment from Jason:
ReplyDeleteI'm following this method with a few pen names.
Trying a couple of different approaches. Stand alone short cozy mysteries and then sci/fi and horror TV series style shorts that contain a full story plot as well as a developing overarching storyline.
Looking forward to following your series if you decide to use one as an example.
Jason,
DeleteI'm still deciding if writing an example series would be a good idea or not. Sci Fi and horror are great genres for series.
I sent you a PM on WC about the site's being down 'cause I couldn't remember the email and was too lazy to find it in my email account.
ReplyDeleteI was, for a time, writing an almost episodic series. It was selling more than I thought it would (but not really a lot) till I lost momentum. So, I know it can work. I'm back on that one now.
Right now, I'm mapping out a sword-and-sorcery, fantasy-adventure series redolent of Conan and Howard. I think I can pull this one off. In any case, I'll let y'all know if and how it works out.
I've been writing some literary-ish, Flannery O'Connor-esque short stories simply because I wanted to write these. And, as I expected, the sales have been abysmal.
Anyhow, keep up the good work here. It's appreciated.
WyattM
I'm sorry you're still having to put up with nasty comments. Negative comments make no sense (here or on that KB thread). If they don't like serials or don't think they work, don't do it. Simple as that. Seems like their time could be better spent...oh, I dunno...watching paint dry. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm not following this method yet. I actually had this idea a couple years ago and wrote two episodes of a historical American western and outlines for about ten more. I didn't want to release just those two episodes and not write the rest. Good thing, because real life stuff got in the way and I never wrote the other episodes. I'm thinking now's a good time to rework it a bit and see if I can get one season out anyway.
Thanks for the blog! It's helping a lot.
I got an idea for a serial story recently. I have also been listening to the self-publishing podcast and I love how they do their serial ebooks like a TV series. Your posts have been wonderful. It's very helpful as I try to figure out how to execute the idea that I have. I can't wait to hear more of what you have to say. Can't thank you enough!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy both this blog and your posts over at the Kindleboards and I don't really understand what the haters' problem is. After all, you were only sharing information. But I guess some people don't want to hear anything that challenges their worldview.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a serial writer. I mostly write standalones that range all across the genre landscape. And the one series I have isn't selling all that well. But my current WIP has serial potential, even though it was initially planned as a standalone.
So anyway, thank you for this blog. I've been following your posts with great interest.