What is it about a continuing series?

I just finished writing the nineteenth story in a continuing series, (big sigh of relief here!!!) and I've been thinking about a pivotal scene I wrote in Wolf Tales 10, between an ongoing character and a new one—my über alpha and pack leader, Anton Cheval and Liana, the goddess who was supposed to watch over the Chanku, but who failed at her job so badly she was kicked out of her immortal realm. Now she's forced to learn how to live as a mortal woman.

During the interaction between Anton and Liana, I found myself slipping into their dialogue almost as if I were channeling two real people. I knew exactly what Anton would say because I've been writing his lines now for five years, but everything that came out of Liana's mouth was a surprise. I learned more about her during their conversation than when I originally developed the character, while with Anton, the fact that his responses were exactly what I expected gave me a deep sense of satisfaction.

And of course, this made me think about how many of us write an ongoing series. I think all of the Quills have written or are writing a continuing series—I just read Stella's Cyprus Nights and definitely need to hunt for more of her stories set in Toussaint, LA, loved Elizabeth's Blue Smoke and Murder and I want more about the folks at St. Kilda's Consulting. I'm doing better with Susan's latest—after reading Cutting Loose, I was on the lookout for Bending the Rules and read that one last night. It's wonderful, by the way and I'll be watching for the next one. And of course, anyone who gets my newsletter has heard me rave about Jayne's Arcane Society stories—so cool to connect the concept through three different series under three separate pseudonyms! Every one's a keeper, and I'm always on the lookout for the next. Lori's done a number of connected books—I think I have just about every book she's written, though her fighters are among my favorites, (I loved Causing Havoc!) but then, so are her books as L.L. Foster—and once I read one, I HAVE to have all the others.

My husband made an interesting observation tonight. He said when he reads a stand alone novel, he's almost always depressed when he finishes because he's got an investment in the characters, and when the book is done, it's like the time he invested in getting to know them is lost. (Of course, he doesn't read romances, and that's probably why he's depressed when the book ends, but we don't need to get into THAT argument!) For me it's the continuity, the fact that the settings, the characters, the world the author creates, are familiar and in many ways comforting.

I love getting to know characters, watching them evolve and change as the stories progress. My Wolf Tales lead character, Anton Cheval, for instance, is not a perfect man, yet he's one who will readily admit his failings and always strives to do better. When he really screws up, we all know that his beloved Keisha will straighten him out. I've been surprised by the number of notes I've gotten from readers who want to see more of Anton, which makes me wonder what it is about reading stories with an ongoing character. What is it that keeps your interest?

Is it the familiarity, or maybe the connection to a particular character that makes you want to know more about their fictional lives? Of course, therein lies the problem—after writing about Anton for the past five years, he's become more flesh and blood than I ever expected. He and Stefan and their mates, Keisha and Xandi, are old friends to me now, and with each new character I've added to the series, I see the circle growing wider until I have familiar voices and faces staring at me each time I sit down to write. Is this a good thing or bad? Each one of them is an individual to me, but am I kidding myself to think that the same characters will continue to hold reader interest?

Is there a point where a series gets too long? My publisher keeps asking for more in the same world, and I'm wondering if that's a good thing or not? So far the demand for more books is holding, but at what point is enough enough? Of course, I'm convinced I'll need therapy when Wolf Tales ends—but I don't want to make my readers crazy, along with me!

Anyway, totally off topic but kind of on—here's the newer cover for my next Wolf Tales. We've officially lost the Roman Numerals and gone to Arabic, but I think this is one of the best covers I've had so far and I really wanted to share!

And, for any of you in the Washington, DC area, the RWA National conference will be held there next week. A bunch of us will be signing books Wednesday night July 15 at the Marriott Wardman Hotel from 5:30-7:30—Jayne, Lori, Stella and Susan—right? (And if I'm wrong, please correct me!) and a few hundred others of our closest author friends...