Posted by Webmaven Maggie on June 21, 2006 at 14:12:56:
In Reply to: Loved the book, but dang - that girl's exhausting. posted by Jared on June 19, 2006 at 21:59:32:
: she tries to have it both ways with seemingly random segments involving the lives of Lynley and Havers, and that is where her books can start to loose their focus.
A treacherous (but worthwhile) line to walk, don't you agree? Serials are compelling because, if done properly, the reader is in a "must know what happens next" frame of mind at the end of their read. Comics, especially, but this applies to just about every medium. So, how do you make each book unique without sacrificing the comforting recognition one feels with beloved characters? And how to merge the two seemlessly?
Okay, so George stumbles a bit for you. What authors do you think are good at smoothly integrating their characters' personal and professional story lines?
Reminds me how much I appreciate Hammett's The Continental Op. Forget his personal life, you don't ever learn his name!
Maggie
webmaven@gregrucka.com