Caridad Pineiro on why we love romance series so much
Caridad Pineiro, aka Charity Pineiro, checks in with friends and fellow authors about why they love their romances in a series. Caridad's own The Calling/Reborn series launched 10 years ago, and her new novella, Vampire Reborn, is out now.
Caridad: When I first sat down to write the first book in The Calling\Reborn vampire novels in 2001, it was a way to deal with the emotional upheaval of 9/11 and the hiatus of the line for which I was writing. I felt like my writing was nowhere. My city was in ruins. Amidst that turmoil, a character that had been screaming in my head for months started screaming again. Loudly. Very, very loudly. That character was FBI Agent Diana Reyes.
From the darkness of post-9/11 New York City, I finally could not ignore Diana anymore and I sat down to write during a Christmas holiday break. Once I started writing, I couldn't stop. In fact, I finished that first draft of Darkness Calls in just a couple of weeks since the pull of the story and of Diana and Ryder was that strong.
Ten years later and with 16 novels/novellas in The Calling\Reborn series, the allure of the characters is still as powerful, and I'm busily mapping out future stories in the series for both new and existing characters that fans have come to love.
Why I love writing series: Each book is like coming home and spending time with wonderful friends. I love exploring where the characters are after their happily-ever-after, both as a writer and a reader. It confirms to me that the HEA is everlasting for these couples. The books in The Calling\Reborn novels\novellas generally stand alone, as each one has a new story, but they do bring back familiar and popular characters so readers can see what's happening in their lives.
What other authors say …
Nalini Singh, author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series. When writing a tightly interconnected series, where there is a story arc that spans multiple books, I believe it's critical to know where the story is heading. Having a strong climax in mind naturally helps keep the series fresh, because nothing is static. Each book is another step toward that climax.
What I love best about having a long-running series is the chance to see the characters and the world grow from book to book, each book adding more richness and texture to both. The stories don't end with the happy ever after. I get to see what happens next, not only with the romantic couples, but with the friendships, the family relationships, the myriad other connections people have with one another.
Gena Showalter, author of the White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld Assassins series. Writing series allows me to follow my characters even after the initial happily ever after. As they experience different highs and lows, they learn and they grow, and their relationships deepen. To me, it's a more realistic picture of life.
Laurie London, author of the Sweetblood and Iron Portal series. I love writing series because I get to spend more time in the world I've created with characters that I love. A new romantic couple is featured in each of my books, rather than the same couple. However, even though their story has been told and they've gotten their HEA, they do make appearances in the other books. It's a way to emphasize to readers that, yes, this couple you fell in love with is still together and going strong. They get a glimpse into their lives today. I love that as a reader and I love that as a writer.
Laurie's favorite series: Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series.
Mary Kennedy, author of The Talk Radio Mysteries. I love writing a series because it gives me the chance to toss the characters into new and ever-more challenging situations. In my upcoming Dream Club Mysteries (September), the Dream Club members spring into action to use their dream interpretation talents and their amateur sleuthing skills to solve a murder in every book."
Mary's favorite series: In the Jeff Resnick series, L.L. Bartlett has taken psychological suspense to a new level. The protagonist has psychic abilities and she's created a unique mix of finely drawn characters with multilayered relationships. I've enjoyed watching Jeff Resnick hone his investigative skills — along with his sixth sense — as the series continues.
Paige Tyler, author of Her Perfect Mate (X-OPS book one). I love writing series because I get to hang out with all my favorite characters and see what they've been up to! That's also why I love reading series.
Paige's favorite series: Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters.
Lois Winston, author of the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series. I love writing series because it gives me the freedom to keep my characters and their world alive. With an ongoing mystery series the possibilities are endless. There's always another crime my amateur sleuth needs to solve. I also like having the ability to further develop relationships between the various characters as the books continue, as well as introduce new characters.
Find out more about Caridad and her books at www.caridad.com.