I’m often asked where I come up with so many story ideas.
The problem is never coming up with new ideas, it’s deciding which one to write first!
Starting a new series is always scary and exciting at the same time. It’s a little scary because I don’t know how it will be received. My readers have gotten hooked on the cast of characters and the location in one series and they might not be ready to make new friends in a new city, so to speak.
It’s also exciting because when I start a new series, I’ve been thinking about it and planning it for a long time. For example, my new series at Whispering Oaks Ranch has been floating around in my brain for over a year.
So what is the process for starting a new series? For me, it starts with an idea. It might be a character, or a location, or a line or scene I want to write. Because I’m always on the run, I create a note on my phone and start keeping whatever information I need in there.
For these books, I created a note called “Cowboy series”. That was all that existed at first. Later I added in names for the male and female main characters as I came up with them.
I made lots of notes about what each story would be and what order I wanted them in.
It might look messy to anyone else, but for me, I know everything I need is in that note and it’s always right there when I need to remember which brother is which book or a detail I added about them.
I’ll be honest, writing the first book in a new series is the hardest. Nailing down all the details, location, introducing all the important characters (which is a lot with SEVEN brothers!). It all feels like a lot to start from scratch. Book two feels like things are set up and it moves on easier from there.
But I love a fresh start! A new series is full of endless possibilities!
Of course, finishing a series is incredibly rewarding too.
What about you? Do you get exciting to start a new series? Are you sad to see them end?
Don’t miss the first book in the Whispering Oaks Ranch series! One reviewer described it this way, “What a great story and the start of a series with lots of brothers needing wives.”
Hannah Jo Abbott is a wife, a mom of four, a homeschool teacher, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She loves writing stories about life, love, and the grace of God. She finds inspiration and encouragement from reading the stories others share. Hannah lives with her husband and children in Sweet Home Alabama.
I love starting new series, but I like getting my hands on the second book in a great series even more.
Both. I do look forward to starting a new series, although as Mary said above, sometimes I am more excited for later books, and I get sad when I get to the end of a series.
this is a wonderful post. I am the same way about quilting. I have so many ideas and plans, it becomes which do I start first. LOL thanks for sharing today
I love starting a new series! I’m kind of sad when a series ends, but I always look forward to a new series!!
I love starting a new series and with 7 brothers this one has a lot of potential. Book 1 is awesome and I cannot wait for book 2. It is always sad when a series ends but there is always the possibility that an author will get another idea and write another book in the series or start a new series with our friends as characters.
I love your writing!
Hi I love the title of your new series Whispering Oaks Ranch, that is a great name. Yes, I love book series and it is also sad when a series comes to an end. Have a great rest of the week and stay safe.
If feel both emotions. It is sad to have a series come to an end when the characters feel like family. It is also exciting to see what new friends can be made. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I love new series but also do get sad with old series.
I enjoy new series. Old series ending it depends on how the series was that makes me feel different ways.
Imagination is still the most important factor in transporting the reader to a location. I admire authors who can use their skills to create a believable setting even if they have not physically traveled there. I love to visit small town America when I read.
Both, I get excited to start a new series & sad at the end of one. Especially if I am invested in the characters lives, I miss them afterwards and wonder how they are doing. It’s a funny cycle!
Meeting new characters is exciting too, because it’s like meeting new friends :-)
I really enjoyed this story <3