Writing a series in the romance genre differs from a series in any other genre. Generally a series follows the adventures of a single character and his/her companions or friends through a number of books. Think Harry Potter, Ron and Hermoine. But a romance is, by common definition, the love story of a couple which ends with their commitment to one another. Some authors continue that love story over a number of books, but that’s rare. And there’s a lot of debate over whether a romance that doesn’t end at the end of the book is truly a romance.
So then, what’s the alternative? How do you write a series of books that remain true to the romance construct? You create a world filled with living, breathing characters, then give ‘main character’ status to a different couple in each book. Those main characters become secondary characters of subsequent books, or at least pop in and out from time to time.
In my latest romance series, the Feral Warriors for Avon Books, I tell the tale of a band of powerful male shape-shifters, each man able to shift into a different animal, each the last of his unique line. The nine are the only shape-shifters left in the world, and all that stands between us and potential destruction by the evil forces that are once more gathering to rise.
Book 1 of the Feral Warriors series, DESIRE UNTAMED (which just hit shelves yesterday!), is the story of Lyon, the Chief of the Ferals and a lion-shifter. He’s the only one with the ability to find the missing Radiant, the one woman born to access the deeper power of the Earth the Ferals desperately need. When he finds her, he discovers the woman, Kara, has been raised by humans and knows nothing of his world or her role in it. Book 1 is Lyon and Kara’s story, but each of the nine Feral Warriors plays an important part in the book. You’ll be introduced to Tighe, the tiger-shifter with a charmer’s smile who will be the hero of Book 2, OBSESSION UNTAMED, and Paenther, the dark and dangerous panther-shifter whose story is told in Book 3, PASSION UNTAMED. Lyon and Kara may find their true mate in one another at the end of Book 1, but they won’t be riding off into the sunset, never to be seen again.They’ll continue to remain an important part of the story in subsequent books. Just not the main characters.
Like other series, romance series may or may not follow an external plot arc. By ‘external plot arc’, I’m referring to the rising action and conflict that sometimes continues from book to book. In the Harry Potter books, the external plot arc was the conflict between Harry and Voldemort as the villain attempted to rise and destroy the boy wizard who all but ruined him. Each of the seven books, while a brilliant story unto itself, was also a chapter along the arc of that greater external plot.
In contrast, Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series has no real external series plot. Though the characters and relationships grow from one book to the next, the plot of one book rarely if ever carries into the next book and the books are fairly easy to read out of order.
The Feral Warriors series has a definite external plot arc. The Ferals have enemies bent on world destruction and the situation is not going to resolve itself in a couple of books. Like Voldemort, the villains grow stronger, demanding more and more from the Ferals as they fight to save the world from the deadly draden, the evil Mage, and the Daemons who seek to rise again.
Writing a series presents both pleasures and challenges. The biggest challenge for me is juggling the ever-growing number of facts, and keeping everything straight. But that minor inconvenience is balanced by the pleasure of not starting from scratch when I start each new book. I’m picking up where I left off in the last one. The world is built and the characters are already alive and breathing and tapping their powerful, shape-shifter feet as they wait impatiently for me to tell their stories. I actually enjoy being forced to start each book where the last left off, working within that set of parameters and constraints. It’s very real world. We do it every day as we live our lives, playing the hands we’re dealt. Working within those parameters limits me in ways that writing paranormals does not. When the possibilities are infinite, it’s nice to have some limits.
My question for you: What’s the last series you got hooked on (romance or otherwise) or what is your favorite series? The two series I can’t get enough of at the moment are JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood and Karen Marie Moning’s Fever books.
A Random Poster will win a copy of Pamela’s new book Desire Untamed!
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Marisa
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 6:59 am:
Welcome Pamela! So glad you’re back with us and congratulations on your new series! It’s exciting to read a bit about your process – not having to start over again with each new book, but rather picking up where you left off. To be able to have the characters play important roles in each book of the series and not just pop in and deliver a bunt cake must be quite a challenge.
I happen to love series and I have quite a few that are near and dear to my heart – you know, the kind that you hope never end. My favorite series range from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood to Suzanne Brockmann’s Trouble Shooter series. And I’m still hanging in with Christine Feehan’s Dark series. When it comes to historicals I’m really enjoying Lisa Kleypas’ Hathaway series. And of course I can’t get enough of J.D. Robb’s In Death series. And then… well I could go on. I’m a ’series-kind-o-gal’. Give me a either a continuing story arc or continuing characters with no continuing story arc and I’m there. I guess there’s a part of me that always wonders what happens AFTER they live HEA…
Sunny
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 7:06 am:
Hi Pamela. Your series sounds very exciting and challenging. I can’t imagine how hard it is to write a series where the main characters stay central to the overall plot throughout all of the books. Do you have a lot of index cards, or a huge file with all the rules of the world? How do you keep it all straight?
Two of my favorite series are Suzanne Brockmann’s Tall Dark and Dangerous and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters series.
Lily
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 7:10 am:
Hey Pamela, looks as if you’ve got your hands full. I admire authors who can write series and juggle all the characters and action over the course of many books. I’m one of those readers who loves a good series. I especially love it when they are back to back.
One of my favorite series was Kathryn Smith’s The Brotherhood of the Blood series. I was so sorry to see it end. I’ve just discovered the J.D. Robb series and I must say I’m excited that there is such a back list of these books, I’ll be reading them for years.
Jerri
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 7:26 am:
My favorite series has got to be J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. I recently picked up Linda Lael Miller’s Montana Creed series and I must say it is most enjoyable.
Roberta V
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:22 am:
Pamela I really loved your Esri Series and I’m looking forward to reading this new one.
Favorite series? Hmmm…. I think I’d have to say that right now I really like Jeanine Frost’s new series for paranormals and for contemporaries I really like Erin McCarthy’s NASCAR series. The first has the overarching story plot you talked about and the second has continuing characters.
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:44 am:
Hi Marisa! I’m so happy to be here. I always love visiting RNTV. I’ve never started Christine Feehan’s series (which is embarrassing to admit), but I’ve read and loved Suz Brockmann since she first started her Tall, Dark, and Dangerous series for Silhouette. Gotta love those SEALs!
Maria Lokken
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 9:09 am:
Hi Pamela – congratulations on your latest release.
I am a total series girl – and I really can’t say which one is my favorite. When I get hooked on a series, that’s it for me, I want each book to come out in monthly installments, but I know that’s not always possible. Although I do love it when the publishers release them back to back – but it’s got to be hard on the author.
The wonderful aspect of a paranormal series, like yours, is the world building – that’s what keeps me coming back for more.
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 9:46 am:
Hey Sunny! I keep all my info on the world on my computer (which is a little scary, sometimes). Lots of backing up. I have a file for each of my characters, one for laws of the world, etc. Eventually, I’ll be putting a lot of this up on my website. Hopefully, my readers will find it interesting, plus it keeps it in a place I can’t lose it if my computer ever crashes!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 9:53 am:
Hi Lily! Juggling it all can be a real challenge, even with a hundred files. Fortunately, I have a couple of wonderful critique partners who read all my books before I send them to my editor, plus a really brilliant editor. I’m not saying nothing will ever slip through the cracks, but with four of us keeping track of things, hopefully we’ll catch any anomolies.
Writing the first three back-to-back wound up being a real blessing in disguise. There were a couple of times where one of my characters said something about the world, usually just a throw-away line, that wound up being untrue when I delved deeper into that aspect of the world in the next book. Since I was able to make changes at the copyedit and page proof stages, I was able to go back in and change these things. It really got me spoiled. Now that the first three books are out, or in production, things are set in stone. No more going back and tweaking!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 9:55 am:
Hi Jerri. Thanks for posting!
Roberta, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Esri series! I have two more books coming out in that series, though I’m still waiting to hear when. One of them is written, the second I’ll be working on soon. Once the second’s done, they’ll schedule them for release.
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 10:01 am:
Hi Maria! Writing books back-to-back is definitely a challenge since they have to be written FAST. But, as I mentioned above, I found some incredible advantages to it, especially in starting the series. Plus, it’s easy to keep it all in your head. No time to forget anything. After writing the first three Feral Warriors books, I wrote the sequel to my upcoming time travel, SAPPHIRE DREAM (which comes out next week from Berkley). These books take place in 17th century Scotland. Talk about a departure! Now I’m back writing the fourth book in the Feral Warriors series. And then write the fourth book in my Esri series for Nocturne. I’m not having any trouble keeping things straight with the Feral book, since it was such a short time ago that I finished the last one. But I’ve already decided that the first thing I’m going to do when I start on the Esri book is read the first three.
I Heart Book Gossip
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 11:15 am:
Hi Pamela!
Two series I am super addicted to are the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon and The Carpathian series by Christine Feehan.
Continue the great job!
Count me in for the contest please.
Kim
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 11:46 am:
Hey Pamela! The series I’m addicted to?? The Feral Warriors! I LOVE Lyon and he is totally Jason Lewis to me. Yum. Congrats on the new series!
Kerry
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 11:49 am:
Hi Pamela
Congrats on your book, it looks fab. Definalty a 3 hour bath book
I love your book cover, makes me want to pick it up and devour it!!!!
Two of my favourite series a the moment are The Last Chance series by Christy Reece, highly addictive and The Breed Series by Lora Leigh, just can’t get enough of them!
x
Kimberly
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 1:05 pm:
I am hooked on the Harry Potter series (don’t know how many times I have read them and the Fever and Highlander series from Karen Marie Moning. I look forward to beginning yours.
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:32 pm:
Hi I Heart Book Gossip!
I love Sherryilyn Kenyon, too. I have a great new contest on my website for a sterling silver lion charm. http://www.pamelapalmer.net to enter!
PJ
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:32 pm:
Congratulations on the release, Pamela! I have a copy and can’t wait to start reading it. I’m a total series girl. I love them!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:34 pm:
Hey Kim! Oh, yeah, totally Jason Lewis. HOT!!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:36 pm:
Hey Kerry! The cover’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? Avon’s doing a brilliant job with these covers, IMO. I signed ARCs of Desire Untamed at the Romantic Times convention in April and they did posters of the book covers. I have a 48″ x 36″ poster of this cover! He’s practically lifesize. Talk about inspiration!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:37 pm:
Hi Kimberly! No series will ever compare to Harry Potter for me. JK Rowling is just brilliant. But I can’t WAIT for Karen Marie Moning’s next Fever book to come out. She left us hanging!!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 2:38 pm:
Hey PJ! I’m so glad you have the book!! Hope you enjoy it. : )
Kerry
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 3:51 pm:
Pamela, i’m actually having visions of a life size poster on my bedroom wall. Wud definatly look good and wat a thing to look at while falling asleep lol
x
Kairn
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 5:28 pm:
Congratulations on your new series. It sounds very interesting and I look forward to diving into the Feral world. I love series and read tons of them. Some of my non-romance favorites have been the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and the ongoing SIGMA books by James Rollins.
As for romance, there are really way too many to count but my current favorites are: Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld, Larissa Ione’s Demonica series, Lisa Renee Jones’s Knights of White, and The Bullet Catchers by Roxanne St. Claire. There are definitely a few series that have been mentioned in the comments today that I want to check out now.
chey
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 6:10 pm:
Hi Pamela,
The last series I got hooked on was Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series. My favourite series is Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:07 pm:
LOL, Kerry. The only problem is finding a frame big enough!
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:08 pm:
Hey Kairn! Oh, Lord of the Rings is amazing. And I really want to get into a lot of the romance series you named. I don’t have as much time to read as I want to. But how many of us do?
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:10 pm:
Hi Chey! I love, love, love Diana Gabaldon. She was the first author I felt absolutely compelled to write to after reading Outlander. I was so blown away.
delitealex
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:11 pm:
Hi Pamela
Your series sounds great. I can’t wait to check them out. The series that I’ve gotten hooked on are Keri Arthurs Riley Jenson books and Karen Moning’s Fever books.
Karin
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 8:17 pm:
I know, Pamela. If only there were more hours in the day to read, I would be a happy person and my TBR pile would be much smaller. lol
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 10:20 pm:
Hi delitealex! Thanks! I love Keri Arthur, too. I’m reading her latest Riley Jensen book right now. LOVE getting back into her world.
Pamela
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 10:20 pm:
LOL, Karin. Mine, too!
Caffey
on Jul 1st, 2009
@ 11:41 pm:
Hi Pamela! I’m just coming by to say hi!!! And to tell the other readers to go get this one tomorrow! Its absolutely awesome!! I loved reading it and getting to talk about it. Loved Lyon and so can’t wait for Tighe!!
(don’t put me in the contest) I have it on the keepers shelf!
Edwina
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 1:43 am:
To cite one external series plot in Evanovich: the funeral home and Spiro. The home burns in book 2 and Spiro is involved in a Fort Braddock scam. In a later book, Spiro apparently returns from the dead, tying up the throes of another military scam. Another external series plot, extending over many books, is Valerie’s wedding.
Pamela
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 8:08 am:
Hey Caffey! Thanks for popping in!!
Pamela
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 8:13 am:
Hi Edwina! I admit I’m behind in my Evanovich reading, so she may absolutely be putting more external plot lines in than she did before. Too, there are varying degrees of external plots in series. Sometimes they’re more subplots than true plots, which these may or may not be. I don’t know since I’m not caught up. But thanks for posting. Now I’m curious! I’m going to have to get back to my Evanovich reading. : )
Pamela
on Jul 2nd, 2009
@ 8:13 am:
Thanks for having me, Marisa and Maria!
Marisa
on Jul 6th, 2009
@ 6:57 am:
Pamela – thanks so much for joining us and congratulations on your new release!
Congratulations to Lily – your name was picked from the hat and you’ve won a copy of Pamela Palmer’s Desire Untamed. Please send your snail mail address to alphamail@romancenovel.tv with “Pamela Palmer” in the subject line and we’ll send you your book.
Melissa
on Jul 7th, 2009
@ 11:45 pm:
Hey Pamela,
I just wanted to say i got your book Desire Untamed just by chance when i was at borders i have to say by far it is my favorite book it was the best book i’ve ever read and i can’t wait to read Obsession Untamed!! Your such a great writer!! I’m so excited to read more of book.
Edith
on Jul 9th, 2009
@ 10:24 am:
My latest favorite series is Susan Mallery’s Lone Star Sisters. I just finished reading the third book, Straight from the Hip, and I *loved* it! I love when an author creates characters that feel so much like real people that I get deeply invested in their emotions. When they cry, I cry. Susan Mallery’s writing is very emotional, and funny, too. Since that’s pretty much how I move through the world, she speaks to me.
BTW, that is Fabio on your cover isn’t it? He still looks darn good!