When I first started writing, the idea of having a finished series under my belt never occurred to me. My thought process was, I should actually have a published book (or at least a contracted one) before I started working on book 2.
When I got that first book under contract, it was with the verbal understanding that the series would almost certainly go six books. That’s a long time to wait for the series to be finished so I didn’t give it much thought.
And then I had the idea for Scouts of the Apocalypse. Initially conceived as a single book, I quickly discovered I had more story than that. And so, I decided it would be a trilogy while only generally having an idea for the third book. I wrote the second (which is published and receiving great reviews) and I am within a couple chapters of finishing my draft of book three.
Now I have to think about what it means to have a completed series.
The first thought I’ve had is, I won’t get to play with these characters anymore. But, the closer I get to being done, the better I am with it. Their story has been told. The characters are already moving on in their lives from the chaos and adventures of the previous books. They are ready to be done. That makes it somewhat easier for me.
I will say, I’ve left some dangling threads with this story. I’ve done that purposely just in case I feel a burning need to pick it up in a new series with new characters. And, even if I don’t, most lives have threads that dangle in them, don’t they?
For those of you worried I may be out of things to write, fear not! š
I have found that I am almost incapable of NOT writing series. For example, the secret project I’m working on right now was only meant to be a one of. Well…it could now be as many books as I want. That’s both good and bad, I suppose.
Then there’s the Jack Kane series JR Murdock and I are writing together. That could potentially go for a while too. And Mik Murdoch? Well, I did say it would go six books and I’m only at book three…AND I’ve got at least one idea for a spin off series there.
So, does this mean I’m only finished the beginning? Or the End of the Beginning? I really don’t know.
