So I watched season premiere of True Blood the other night. Tradition holds that I enjoy an adult beverage or two while I’m watching my favorite vampire/warewolf/fairy/telepath/God-I-Love-Lafayette TV show. That first beer went quick (it was a hell of a week), so I hit pause to make a quick kitchen run. That’s when I saw the show was already half over.
“No!” I squealed. (Yes, I really did squeal, this is not a proud moment for me.)
Waiting a week for the next episode would be bad enough, but I’ll be twiddling my thumbs for two weeks because as you read this I’m on vacation. And while my parents have lots of fun stuff at their house, HBO is not one of them. I’d like to say that’s the only reason for my outburst, but the truth is that any time I’m sucked into another character’s world I hate having to step out of it.
You know the feeling. You’re speeding through a book and then – wham! – you realize your on the last chapter. How in the world did that happen? Come on, I can’t be the only one who experiences that.
Unfortunately, I’m the same way when it’s my own characters.
Shhhh. Don’t tell anyone but I’ve been staring at the last chapter of A Dry Creek Bed (the sequel to Up a Dry Creek) for a week and a half. I know what needs to happen. I know exactly what to write. I just can’t seem to do it because that means I have to say goodbye to my hero and heroine who I’ve come to love. They’re funny and sexy and passionate. The mystery is about to get wrapped up with a final twist that (hopefully) will leave readers with their jaws on the ground. My villain is dead and as warped as she was I miss her already. So of course, I can’t get moving on that final chapter. If I’m missing the crazy sauce of my villain, think of how bad the mourning will be when I say goodbye to my hero and heroine.
This is the real reason why I wanted to make Up a Dry Creek the first in a series of four, because I have a hard time letting go of the characters I love. Turning it into a series means I get to revisit them in each novel. Of course, eventually I’ll complete the Dry Creek Series. That is a day I’m not looking forward to, but to paraphrase Miss Scarlet – I’ll think about that tomorrow.
I totally know what you mean! That is why I start reading really, really slow when I get toward the end of the book. Also why I really love trilogies and multi-book stories. You get to see all the characters more! 😉
Okay, so you have to tell me, is there some inside squealing thing when it comes to True Blood fanatics watching the show? I kid you not, I had a friend over to watch the premiere with me and she literally was squealing. I’ve never heard her do that before.
I understand wanting more of a good thing, that’s for sure! The only series I’ve ever read that had a definite ending was the Twilight books. I think that made me sad and that’s why I love the ones with at least ten titles. That’s when the characters become like adopted family for me.
I know exactly what you mean. I hate writing endings because I, too, don’t want to say goodbye. So, I create other stories where my characters can visit so that it’s not really a goodbye. More like, “I’ll see you guys soon….Really.” 🙂
I just finished Darynda Jones’s debut book First Grave on the Right, and I’m having a bit of a hissy fit. It’s the first of three, and the second one doesn’t come out until August. August!!!! I can’t wait until August! That’s why I usually refrain from reading a trilogy until the third book is released. Then I can read through them as if I’m eating potato chips. One right after the other! LOL.
I have a bit of a problem with patience. A really big problem.
Congratulations on (almost) finishing, Avery! The great thing about novels is that they never really end. Every time you (and your readers) read your words, the characters come to life all over again. I always felt that the only way to bottle up an emotion is through a book, where it will live on forever.