After all the fun I had at the RWA conference, seeing my Love Inspired sisters, meeting with my editor and agent and getting an award for 25 books, now it seems I have to get back to work.
Back to work for me means crafting a new book in a new series. Before I left for San Antonio, I finished the last book in my Brides of Amish Country series and I introduced readers to a new family and a new location for my stories. The new series, which I hope to call The Sons of Isaac Bowman, takes place in Bowman Crossing, Ohio. A fictional town near the real town of Berlin.
It's hard creating new characters after coming to know and love the people of Hope Springs so well. Much harder than I thought it would be. I hope readers enjoy the new family as much as they have enjoyed my other families. If you haven't read one of my Brides books, the latest one, The Amish Nanny, is in stores now. It's book # 10, but you don't have to read them in order.
My Brides of Amish Country was never meant to go on for so long. The first three books in the series were all I had planned. As it turned out, I did 13 full length books, one on-line read and one novella. In all 15 stories revolving around a fictional place that has become almost real to me. I believe I could draw a map to get there. In fact, I have a map I created of the town and surrounding area.
I've been told readers enjoy series. Do you? What is it about going back to the same place that you enjoy? Is it seeing what old characters are up to? Or is it the anticipation of meeting new characters?
I'd love to hear your take on this. Why do you like reading series?
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Pat,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a satisfying end and a new beginning. The cover is awesome.
Pat, congratulations on your 25 books. I think readers are as attached to the characters as the author. They become like real people--friends, and we want to know what happens to them.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy series and am sad when a favorite has to end, as they all do. Looking forward to your new one.
ReplyDeletePat, I'm glad you had such a great time at Nationals. Congratulations on your 25 books.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading a series. The characters become my fictional friends. I love it when characters from a story I enjoyed appear in later ones.
I enjoyed seeing everyone. It was nice to see you again, Pat.
ReplyDeleteIt was great seeing so many of you at RWA. Thanks for stopping by today.
ReplyDelete25 books is good, but I'm aiming for 100. I'll be very old, but I might make it. lol
For me books connected in a series creates a virtual community that I as a reader get to be a part of.
ReplyDeleteIf you think about it, soap operas are similar and hugely popular, whether daytime or night time ones.
Congratulations on 25 books!
Congrats on 25 books, Pat! I like revisiting series to both meet new people and see what the ones I know are up to. :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 25-book award! I enjoy series and getting to know the characters in the town in much greater depth than can occur in a single book. The place and people do start to become real.
ReplyDeletePat, it was so nice to meet you at conference. I am in awe of your 25 books. Amazing.
ReplyDeletePat, that's amazing how your series grew! Congrats on that! And on the recognition for 25 books. It was fun to celebrate your accomplishment at the Harlequin party!
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