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Thursday, February 16, 2006
What's A Continuity and Why Read One?
The Continuity question is one I get often when I speak of my current work in progress. Dedicated series readers know all about continuities and they enjoy them, but for others, let me explain exactly what they are and why they are appealing. A continuity is usually written by the editor of that line, or a group of editors. The two I've done to date were written expressly by Desire's Senior Editor, Melissa Jelinski. What I mean is that she writes a bible complete with storylines, characters and their descriptions, locales and conflicts. We also get the continuity flow as to how each story connects to the next one to bring up major plot points. In the two I've done, the continuity revolved around high-powered wealthy families.
While I think I'm quite creative, I simply marvel at MJ's ability to weave 6 or 12 stories (one book per month) around a family and have all of them interact and connect to lead each individual book to a satisfying ending. Each author gets a month, the title, conflict and plot line with one specific character from the family and then the editor gives us free reign to write the story as we see fit. The six month continuity usually starts in January and ends in June. The longer continuities might flow through with 12 books, one for each month in the year.
My Heiress Beware continuity is a June book, number 6 of the 12 month series. I'm smack dab in the middle of the storyline. But make no mistake, all stories are stand alone as well. Anyone can pick up a continuity and if the author has done their job, the reader will grasp the story without having to read the ones that came before it. Although, it's our hope that our readers start with the first or launch book and continue to read all in the series. It's more fun that way!
It's challenging and a great deal of fun to work with the other authors. While our books revolve around only one of the main characters, timelines are worked out, character flaws, speech and certain scenes are shared amongst the authors involved to make sure our stories are true to each others.
Why do readers enjoy them? Frankly, I love the concept of a series or saga about a family as seen from, not one, but as many as twelve different author's eyes. You get a chance to read about the family, but as a reader, you also get exposed to various writing styles. You're introduced to an author whom you might have never read before. And you get a huge variety of storylines. Each locale, situation and character is different, but they are all linked in one certain way -- the family.
In Heiress Beware, my heroine, born and bred in a exclusive New York locale and working in the family's magazine empire, treks to Colorado on a mission. After an accident she becomes an amnesia victim. A hunky small town sheriff finds her and well ... you'll have to wait to find out the rest. The idea of the story is about the path her life takes from then on and how her experiences in my book will influence the characters in the other books.
Presently, I'm working on Fortune's Vengeful Groom for the Dakota Fortune's Continuity Series that will be released in March 2007. But don't miss out. It's not too late to try the Elliot continuity that started with LeAnne Banks', Billionaire Proposition this January and will continue on throughout the year, with my story, Heiress Beware, book #6 being released this June.
Feel free to post a question or comment about continuities and I hope you'll pick one up next time you're in the bookstore!
Keep your entries coming in for the Valentine's Day contest!
We'll pick a winner tomorrow.
posted by Charlene Sands at 7:38 AM
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2 Comments:
Playground Monitor said...
I've been reading the Dynasties continuities since the Connelly's. I just finished Brenda Jackson's book about Tag and Renee last night. Your book sounds intriguing. I love the whole amnesia thing -- especially when there's a hunky sheriff involved. *g*
Marilyn
7:44 AM
Charlene Sands said...
Marilyn,
Look for Bridget Elliott in the upcoming books. She's my heroine and the one that will trek to Colorado in June! Glad you're enjoying the series. Tag is Bridget's brother, btw.
Enjoy!
Charlene
9:44 AM
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