My younger daughter just whined, "Puss n' Boots" is fat, Mommy!"
I looked up from my laptop. "Huh? Where'd you see Puss N'Boots? What are you talking about?"
Then my older daughter said, "It's in another yucky Shrek movie."
That gave me pause. Whereas, we didn't enjoy the third Shrek movie, we loved the first two.
Can a series go on too long?
Can one bad movie or book, kill a series?
Personally, I'm willing to give Shrek another try. Just like I'll usually give a restaurant a couple tries if one meal wasn't so good. And I'll give an author a second try if I didn't enjoy their first book.
If I liked previous books (meals or movies), even though I didn't enjoy the most recent, I'll definitely give something another try.
How many people do that?
I just asked my daughters if they want to see the next Shrek movie (to test my theory).
Their response?
My older daughter said, "I'm not so sure."
My younger daughter thought for a few moments then said, "I'll wait for the dollar theater."
When it's a book, the reader may wait to borrow the book from the library or buy it at a used bookstore, but not new.
Maybe it would be better to end a series on a high note, book or movie? Instead of running it into the ground.
The old show business addage still holds true - "Leave them wanting more."
Recent posts you might like to read:
Author Interview: Marcia James
Author Interview: Elaine Hopper
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What Do You Want in a Romance Hero & What Do You Want in a Real Life Husband?
Rejection: Where Do You Go Next?
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You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)
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8 comments:
I'm always willing to give a second chance...and maybe a third. It really takes a lot to piss me off.
Case In Point: Harlequins and Danielle Steele. I started reading HQ in high school and after ten or so, I got tired of the repetitive nature, so I quit reading them. Fifteen or so years later, I was offered the chance for free books, so I started reading them again, and enjoyed the updated ones.
Likewise, DS. I used to read everything she came out with....and then got tired of her. Picked her up a year or so later and enjoyed the next few before stopped reading again. This cycle will probably continue until she retires!
Hi Ashley, good post. I think things can go on too long-even for some writers. But it's a fine line between hitting the highpoint and knowing when to stop. Cheers~
Mollly, I loved M.A.S.H., but the last season or two started to bore me. I, too, started to get tired of the HQ even though I used to love them. Then HQ started a series with older heroines and I loved it. Then they canceled it. :(
Nancy, I have one series, and three different sets of sequels that could become series. One of the sets my editor and I decided together probably shouldn't continue. Another one has more life, I believe. You're right - it's sometimes hard to tell when something should or shouldn't continue. I hope I make the right choice.
Thanks for the comments. I just thought I'd give you another idea if you decided to change the look of your site - I didn't change the template (but I did save it anyway) I just changed the background, swapped the sidebar and main wrapper, and tweeked my header. Barely any work at all and no fear of messing anything up :)
Just wanted to let you know your name did go through - it does just take a moment to show up.
Will this be your first blogfest?
Yes, Lilah, this will be my first blogfest - unless if you count I signed up for 3 or 4 listed on your bloginfestation page. This weekend, I plan to sign up for more as I have time. :)
I asked myself that same question last week; when should a series end. I've written my trilogy, and have been having issues with that final THE END.
But I like to read novels in a series; I hate to see favorite characters end our association. And I tend to stick with authors when I like them. Once I become enamored of an author, I'll read everything. It takes more than one or two duds to end the relationship.
I think perhaps I get too involved with a story . .
.........dhole
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