Guest Post: Cyborgs And Writing An Open-Ended Series With Cynthia Sax

The Adventures of the Everyday Fangirl welcomes author Cynthia Sax as a guest today to tell us about Cyborgs and writing an open-ended series.

Take it away Cynthia…

Cyborgs And Writing An Open-Ended Series with Cynthia Sax

A series is a grouping of stories that are linked in some way. In SciFi Romance, these stories can be stand alones (they can be read out of order and on their own) or they can be connected (they have to be read in order).

Series can also be closed (the writer knows exactly how many stories will be in the series) or open-ended (the writer doesn’t know how many stories will be in a series).

Crash And Burn, my most recent release, is the latest installment in my open-ended cyborg series. Reading buddies ask me how many stories I plan to write in the series and I have no idea. Each story is crafted to be read on its own.

Open-ended series are great for writers in some ways and not-so-great in others. The writer can stop the series whenever she wants. If she runs out of original ideas or passion for the series, she can end it…either permanently or temporarily. If there’s no reader interest (i.e. sales suck), the series can be ended. If the series is a sleeper and interest builds over time, it can be restarted.

But open-ended series bother some readers. Some readers want to know exactly how many stories are in a series. They want to ensure they can read all of them. Some of these readers don’t like to wait to read the next stories so they buy the series only when it is completed. Writers of open-ended series don’t have that last book in the series sales bump. They are unlikely to interest these readers.

There are also some things that are challenging (though not impossible) to do in open-ended series. The main one is having an overall series arc. For example, the good guys are fighting the bad guys. Readers want to see the outcome of this battle. They’re reading to find this out. Writers are likely to end the battle during the last story in a series.

Except in an open-ended series, there ISN’T a last story. The battle never ends. Readers never find out who wins.

I have a bit of an overall series arc with my cyborg stories. However, this arc isn’t core to the stories. It doesn’t make a huge impact on the main characters. It is part of the setting rather than the plot.

What is your preference as a reader or a writer? Do you prefer open-ended or closed series? Does it bother you if a series changes from closed to open-ended midway?

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Cover for Crash And Burn

Crash And Burn
Now available to purchase on Amazon US, Amazon UK, ARe, B&N, or Kobo

Crash was manufactured to be one of the best warriors in the universe. The cyborg has spent many human lifespans fighting the enemy. But, unlike his battle-loving brethren, he doesn’t enjoy killing. When he escapes the Humanoid Alliance, he vows to never end another life.

Then he meets Safyre, an infuriating human female, and he considers breaking his vow.

Safyre will do anything to save her friend, the being she loves like a sister. She’ll ravish a huge hunky cyborg, kiss his best friend, and invoke scorching hot desires the male never realized he could feel. Dark soulful eyes, a quick wit, and a tempestuous passion won’t divert her from her mission.

Love, and a planet-destroying weapon, however, might stop her permanently.

About Cynthia Sax
USA Today bestselling author Cynthia Sax writes contemporary, SciFi and paranormal erotic romances. Her stories have been featured in Star Magazine, Real Time With Bill Maher, and numerous best of erotic romance top ten lists.
Sign up for her dirty-joke-filled release day newsletter and visit her on the web at http://www.CynthiaSax.com
Website: http://cynthiasax.com/
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