The Journey of a Book Series

If you like to read books in a series, have you ever considered what elements can create a series? Sometimes it can be family. Sometimes a series comes from a location. Other times a series might involve brides, animals, a common cause, or sports, just to name a few. A series might have a combination of these elements.

My Kellersburg series is a combination of family and a town that tie the books together. Eventually my Kellersburg series will have six books. Right now I'm plugging away on book number five, HOMETOWN HERO. How does a series grow? I started with two sisters, Juliane and Elise Keller, who are the heroines of books one and two respectively. The Kellers are the descendants of Kellersburg's founding fathers. In books one and two the reader becomes familiar with Nathan, who is the cousin of Juliane and Elise. He is the hero of book number three. The heroine of book three first appears in book one. Book four is about Nathan's sister, Caroline. Maisey, the heroine of the book I'm working on now, is a friend of Caroline's, and the last book will feature Maisey's brother, Wes. Although I started with the Keller family, the series branched out to friends who live in Kellersburg. 

I don't see the series going beyond six books, but I never know when a secondary character might cry out to have his or her story told. Some authors plan out their series much like they plot their books. I not only write my books by the seat of my pants, but I do the same with my series. I might know the beginning characters of a series, but new characters often appear as I write. 

What kind of a series appeals to you? What elements do you like to read?

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.