Let’s Talk with Terry Odell
Starting Anew
by Terry Odell
Wishing everyone a very safe, prosperous, and happy 2017. January is half over and the holidays are behind us. Time to get back to whatever “normal” means for each of us. For me, it’s back in the writing groove.
I published three Triple-D Ranch novels in 2016, as well as two audio books. I’m continuing my audiobook production—all my Triple-D Ranch books and all my Mapleton mysteries are in the queue. As for writing, after spending all that time on the Triple-D Ranch, I thought I’d start something new for 2017—or sort of new, anyway.
I eased into the Triple-D series by connecting the first book to my Blackthorne, Inc. series. I had a good time writing my free short story A Night of Grace which was a prequel to the Blackthorne books. (If you haven’t read it and want to, it’s a gift when you sign up for my newsletter.)
When I finished, I realized I missed the men and women of Blackthorne. However, just about all my heroes and heroines in that series connected with their Happily Ever Afters, not to mention they’re getting a bit long in the tooth for some of the covert ops work they do. Why not bring in some new blood?
And that’s what I’m doing. Bailey Cashman is the hero of my yet-to-be-titled novel. He’s the only character who doesn’t come from a military background, so he has a lot to learn—especially about following orders. Before he can ‘graduate’ to covert ops, however, he has to do a stint in Blackthorne’s Security division. He’s sent to Colorado (easier to write about familiar settings!) to protect Holly Granger, who doesn’t know she needs protecting until Bad Things start happening.
I’m having fun meeting new characters and seeing some of the old guard show up on the page as well.
As readers, do you like it when books are “blended” so you can see familiar faces along with moving into a new world? Do you like spin off series, or do you prefer to keep characters from crossing lines?
Do you know of any multiple series where characters cross over? I can think of John Sandford’s Virgil Flowers who shows up in the Prey series as well as his own. Share yours in the comments. One commenter will get a copy of In Hot Water, book 1 in my Triple-D Ranch series. (US only for the print version; a digital copy will be substituted for an international winner.) For more chances to win, you can enter the Rafflecopter contest.
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Posted in Let's Talk, with Terry Odell, zed: Former Authors • Tags: Blackthorne series, BLB Discussion, contest, Let's Talk, Starting Anew, Terry Odell | 12 Comments
Michael Connelly spun off Mickey Halley from the Harry Bosch series and then Rachel Walling.
I just finished Connelly’s The Wrong Side of Goodbye with both Harry and Mickey. Harlan Coben did a YA spinoff, and created Mickey Bolitar who appears in Home, too. Wonder what it is about the name Mickey!
I love it when book universes mesh, though I can’t think of any right off the bat, not by one author anyway. I do know I had a great time watching my Tai & Trey and Jim Jackson’s Seamus McCree interact in a short story we wrote together.
That’s even more fun, when 2 different worlds intersect. Harry Bosch met Elvis Cole in one book (but I can’t remember if it was a Crais or a Connelly where it happened)
I can’t think of crossovers in terms of multiple series except for the superhero shows on TV. I do like it when fresh characters enter a familiar universe. I’m reading a spinoff scifi series now by Mike Shepherd.
Thanks for sharing. Will have to check it out.
You stumped me on the question. All I can think of at the moment is Diana Capri who had success of using Lee Child’s character Jack Reacher as a story hook, wherein her characters were searching for Jack…
Pretty hard to stump you, Maggie – I’m sure you’ve read some.
I always enjoy finding old characters in new books. When I was younger, my first experience with that was with Barbara Michaels. Her books weren’t series books by any means, but she did have characters make cameos. It was like finding a hidden surprise for her fans.
I totally agree. That can give readers that “inner smile” as they recognize people they’ve met before.
The only books that I can think of are the Kindle World books I’ve been reading where another author writes in their setting. For example: Marina Adairs St. Helena’s books, Melanie Shawn’s Hope Falls, Erin Nicholas’ Sapphire Falls
Yes, that take me back to the days when I was learning to write with fanfiction. A lot of character crossovers there. And in addition to Kindle Worlds, many Harlequin “series” were written by different authors using a basic setting, etc.