Y’all might wonder how a post this long can be a Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse post. The answer is near the end but it has to do with the making of a series, and some of you.
Howdy, Ma’am was going to be the only book when I wrote Caulder and Velia’s story.
No series.
One book.
One ending.
Though the first book is a full novel, complete in itself, the hero and heroine in the Bull Rider Series books had so much more to tell after the first book. Hey, Cowboy materialized when I neared the end of Howdy, Ma’am, and a two book series had been born. Can two books be called a series? Mine was called a series. Now, it could be called a trilogy, I suppose.
During the writing of Hey, Cowboy, all of my promo stated this was for the final book in the series. Doggone it, I began thinking about how I could write a third book if the mood struck me to continue the series—so I removed the words “final book” from my website. When I wrote the end to Hey, Cowboy, I truly meant it to be the “end.” But, I still kept an open mind.
Just in case, I laid the groundwork, and in the back of my mind, I knew which two characters deserved a story…if…if I made a future decision to include a third book, which I didn’t want to write. But, what if?
Back when this ide
a materialized, the idea of connecting these two characters was far-fetched, but my muse sat on my shoulder, tapping now and then against my temple. The taps turned to hard flicks and she hounded me, repeating on occasion, “Book three, book three.” You can imagine how I struggled with myself over this said third book, when there was only supposed to be one book and one ending.
After publishing Hey, Cowboy, Book #2, readers asked to see one of the other young bull riders get his own story. How could I say no? This happened to be the same bull rider I had imagined getting his own story early on. What could I do but sit down and begin writing? This was done before I announced a third book. I mean, what if I couldn’t write this character a whole story? No way could I tell readers I’d started a book only to learn I couldn’t “bring it”?
As it turned out, I almost couldn’t “bring it” due to being sick, blah, blah, you know the story. I suppose it was destiny to write a third book. These two characters didn’t get their own book, though, but instead they share their story right alongside Velia and Caulder in Christmas at Love House: A Bittersweet Interlude.
This week’s “inspiration” stems from fans of this series. Without you, Velia and Caulder’s story would’ve ended with Howdy, Ma’am. Bull Rider Series fans? This book was written because you asked for book three. Thank you.
Cover Reveal is Coming This Week!
Oh, by the way…
Cowboy Boss and his Destiny was only intended to be a short, sweet and sexy holiday tale about a single father who happened to be a rancher. One book. One ending. We all know what happened next…it became a series. If I had planned on a series, I would have plotted out the whole series in advance. Instead, I had to go back while still writing the first book, and fit in leads, plus add a couple more brothers to the story.
With the new spin-off series to the Double Dutch Ranch Series also coming out in 2016, I intend the first book to be part of a series from the beginning, and I have at least two other books planned. Personally, I love writing a series where my characters continue to pop up in the other books.
Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth
I have heard other authors say they hadn’t planned on writing a series when they had written the first book. This is probably common among some authors who have written a series, but of course, I can’t speak for other authors.
How about you, series authors? Did you plan out a series from the beginning, or did you get part way through the first book and say, “Hell no! There’s more to tell”? Or did your readers encourage you, too? I’m curious to know whether your series started out to be a series.
Check out the HOME page for a a quick glance at all my books. Thanks for visiting today. Have a super week!
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
10 thoughts on “Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: A Series is Born”
catherinewolffe53
Thanks for sharing, Mary. I appreciate your delima and look forward to the cover reveal. 🙂 I’m in the ‘hell no’ category. Still have a forth to complete in The Western Werewolf Legend and a third in The Loflin Legacy series. Working on neither at the moment. But ideas abound so I’m waiting until the creative juices steer me in that direction. Have a great evening.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Catherine, don’t wait! Just start typing. On the other hand, been there done that, so I understand. It’s exciting and scary to do a cover reveal after hyping it up. I don’t think I can go wrong with JT on the cover, and you know who I mean. My heart is already pounding to think about publishing another book. It’s scary and exciting times 1000!
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catherinewolffe53
I know. I should just start jotting down stuff. I’ll forget more than I remember if I don’t. With JT on the cover, all things are good! He’s on my next cover, and I can’t wait. Congrats on the cover reveal! I love it so much. Perfect expression on their faces. It’s wonderful. Shared and reshared. I think of the release of a new book like jumping off a cliff. Hopefully, JT will be there to catch me. Lol (wink-wink)
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Oh, I can see Jimmy waiting at the bottom now. Can you imagine falling into his arms? YIKES! In my dreams! Thanks so much. I’m glad you like the cover. Me too! The expression on their faces is what did it and the reason I chose that one. It’s just so Caulder and Velia. Thanks so much, Catherine.
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D. Wallace Peach
Really interesting thoughts, Mary. I’ve written stand-alone’s and serials at this point. A series is beyond me for some reason. When a stand-alone is done, my muse shouts, “Move on to the next one!” (Even when the fans want more). I’d have to plan it from the beginning in order to convince the old muse to go along. I think the key is always to trust your muse and creative energy. 🙂
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I agree, Diana. We do have to trust and listen to our muse and creative energy. Do we have a choice? LOL I didn’t know you wrote serials. Did I? :0) Thanks for reading.
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D. Wallace Peach
Just one tetralogy and I haven’t publicized it as I’m doing a bit of editing as I take the rights back from my publisher. I’ll give it a little splash on the blog at the end of August. 🙂 Working on another one – The Rose Shield (also 4 books for some unknow reason ??) that I hope to have out spring 2017.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Ooh, I did know about The Rose Shield. You’re a busy lady, too. Have fun with it all.
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Teagan Geneviene
This is a charmingly entertaining post, Mary.
LOL. As for The Guitar Mancer, I only see one book there. But my other unfinished draft (Tatterdemalion, the Electric Zucchini) is definitely a series — and I was too overwhelmed by the extent of it to finish… Maybe one day. 🙂
Back in 2012 when “Ralda Lawton” went to “Atonement, Tennessee” I planned for a series. There’s plenty of room in that “universe” for more, if not so much time for it in my own universe. But not with an epic like “The Dead of Winter” (if I ever publish it) — but it’s big enough for a series on its own!
I’m awed by the fact that you’ve completed and published so many. Keep on writing. Mega hugs.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Hi, Teagan, Thanks for the kind words, and for talking about your series and not-to-be series. I have some stories tucked away that will never be a series. I’ve been so busy with the series I have now, that the others will remain on the back burner for some time. Your “One Day” will come. With the Dead of Winter, think of how many serial installments you’d have, but I’m talking about publishing them on Amazon for the world to read. 🙂 Have a cheery day!
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