When has a series run its course?

[ChristopherDB]

I've written two series of femdom stories. The first one started off well but ratings for later stories were lower, and I was losing interest in the series, so I haven't written any more about those characters, Mistress Raven and Jake.

Lately I've been working on another series about Eric and Miss Julia, which has done very well as far as ratings and feedback. I have ideas for another story but have also considered not writing any more, ending on a high note, so to speak.

When writing a series, when should you stop?

Christopher

 

[lovecraft68]

Just so you know as a series goes on views/votes generally drop.

The first 2 chapters or so get a lot of casual interest but after that people drift off and you get your "core" following.

Scores are generally a bit higher as the series progresses

 

[PennLady]

When writing a series, when should you stop?

When you no longer have ideas, or you no longer have interest, or when you feel it has reached an end point. It's your story so when it's over is up to you.

 

[_Lynn_]

When you no longer have ideas, or you no longer have interest, or when you feel it has reached an end point. It's your story so when it's over is up to you.

This.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

When the readers have stopped following and you have run out of fresh ideas, well, time to pack it in and move on to something else.

 

[sr71plt]

When you reach the well-constructed weaving together and resolution of all of the threads you've laid down in the plotline.

 

[phlight]

If you're writing for ratings, stop when you get upset about the drop-off.
If you're writing to tell a story, stop when the story is done.

If you feel that your characters are compelling enough for use outside of a larger plot, you could use them in one-off stories that aren't necessarily part of your original series.

 

[JamieJ424]

It's over when you start worrying about ratings.

J

 

[MatthewVett]

I've written two series of femdom stories. The first one started off well but ratings for later stories were lower, and I was losing interest in the series, so I haven't written any more about those characters, Mistress Raven and Jake.

Lately I've been working on another series about Eric and Miss Julia, which has done very well as far as ratings and feedback. I have ideas for another story but have also considered not writing any more, ending on a high note, so to speak.

When writing a series, when should you stop?

Christopher

I stop when I'm done telling the story. A lot of times, I feel like everything is wrapped up, but readers keep asking for more. But I don't want to keep writing after everything's set. They've earned their happiness. Let them enjoy it out of the eye of the readers.

 

[JuneSummers]

I think you should go where your inspiration leads you. It will make your stories better and your readers happier, as well as yourself of course.

 

[Stella_Omega]

If you're writing a episodic series it's over when you're tired of writing.

If you have an arc for your characters, it's over when your characters have completed the arc. Or when you're tired of writing and you leave your readers hanging, not that I know anything about this....

 

[polcam]

the end of transition

I think series ends when the subject's transition has finished. A good series will start with the subject(s) in a typical life situation, and ends after the transition to another life situation. When it comes to a series with a sexual theme, the transition often involves going farther down the road of sexual experience. So, a typical series may describe a man going from a bad marriage where he only has sex once a month if that, to someone who's picking up women left and right, then to multiple women, etc. There is a limit though, which is defined by reader's own sensibilities.

Some of the best series are those which bring the subject through these transitions slowly, but which still retain the interest of the reader. They will describe not just the actions, but the thought processes which the subject is going through. Often though, there is pressure put on the writer to develop those transitions quickly. A good writer will develop them at his/her own pace.

 

[ChristopherDB]

All great advice. Thanks.

 

[jomar]

Lots of deep answers here, but the bottom line is that, like all stories, it's over when it's over...you'll know.

 

[sr71plt]

...you'll know.

Not necessarily. I think the file is stuffed with series that should have ended a lot sooner.

 

[jomar]

Not necessarily. I think the file is stuffed with series that should have ended a lot sooner.

I'll buy that, but still...for the most part the story ends when it ends.

 

[gentledemands]

.......

 

[polcam]

circular definitions

That explanation may sound deep and esoteric, but it doesn't mean much. It's like saying "A man has eaten when he has eaten". The statement is true, but it says nothing as to the events and circumstances which define the completion of a man eating. Defining something using the same vocabulary is circular. Like defining a "foofinator" as "something that foofinates". It still has not defined what a "foofinator" is. So, though your statement is "true", it says nothing.

I think a series may go on too long when the subject has developed or transitioned to a different state and remains there. For instance, a faithful wife may decide she's got sex appeal so acts out and has an affair, then continues the affair, then continues it more... The series which successfully continue are the ones where the subject continues to develop and is going somewhere, such as the slow descent of the faithful wife into the slut wife, who eventually destroys herself... or whatever.

I'll buy that, but still...for the most part the story ends when it ends.

 

[SevenSquared]

Usually, the right time to end a story series is about 3-4 episodes before the author actually does.

 

[jomar]

That explanation may sound deep and esoteric, but it doesn't mean much. It's like saying "A man has eaten when he has eaten". The statement is true, but it says nothing as to the events and circumstances which define the completion of a man eating. Defining something using the same vocabulary is circular. Like defining a "foofinator" as "something that foofinates". It still has not defined what a "foofinator" is. So, though your statement is "true", it says nothing.

...

Are you a writer?

 

[elfin_odalisque]

When you no longer have ideas, or you no longer have interest, or when you feel it has reached an end point. It's your story so when it's over is up to you.

Surely, it is not a question of 'end-point'? Patricia Cornwell has re-invented herself several times in pursuing Scarpetta in different lives, changing location and POV in the process.

You can take characters you wrote about and re-invent them in a totally different settings, circumstances and POV.

'Story development is over' means you need a new plot, not necessarily new characters. If you have a story, dig out some of your popular characters - the most successful authors always do - with great success.

 

[PennLady]

Surely, it is not a question of 'end-point'? Patricia Cornwell has re-invented herself several times in pursuing Scarpetta in different lives, changing location and POV in the process.

You can take characters you wrote about and re-invent them in a totally different settings, circumstances and POV.

'Story development is over' means you need a new plot, not necessarily new characters. If you have a story, dig out some of your popular characters - the most successful authors always do - with great success.

Why can't it be a question of "end-point"? I said "When you feel" it has reached one. If you feel you've reached a good point that wraps up everything you wanted to wrap up, then you're done.

And just b/c an author re-invents a character or puts them in a new situation doesn't mean it's a good thing.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Why can't it be a question of "end-point"? I said "When you feel" it has reached one. If you feel you've reached a good point that wraps up everything you wanted to wrap up, then you're done.

And just b/c an author re-invents a character or puts them in a new situation doesn't mean it's a good thing.

True. But preserving characters and ending story-lines is what most NYT fiction writers do - successfully!

 

[sr71plt]

Surely, it is not a question of 'end-point'? Patricia Cornwell has re-invented herself several times in pursuing Scarpetta in different lives, changing location and POV in the process.

And Cornwall should have driven a stake in that depressing series long ago. A perfect example of taking a series/character too long.

 

[PennLady]

True. But preserving characters and ending story-lines is what most NYT fiction writers do - successfully!

So what? Just b/c something is popular/successful doesn't mean I have to think it's good.

Also I think there's a difference between ending a story and ending a series. If you think your characters has room to develop, keep writing. When you feel your character(s) have reached a point of balance, or that they have reached the point you wanted to get them to, then you stop.