Friday, December 21, 2012

Guest Post ~ Writer Carrie Fancett Pagels ~ Why do a serial?




Why would authors write an anthology together?
  1. Fellowship in writing. It can be a great process to share ideas, brainstorm, and discuss possibilities--because typically most writers are working solo.

  2. Practice. Some serials are like a writing challenge almost. There is a serial I was involved with two years ago, that will just be coming out in a blog hop in 2013, in which you had to write the next section to CONTINUE the story. Now this is a stretch, let me tell you. Because if the previous writer left you with a conundrum you had to solve that, plus you had to go over all the earlier information with a fine-tooth comb to be sure that your section was CONSISTENT with the characterization and storyline. Honestly, part of the fun, though is that VOICE will be different for each author and so such a project does showcase each author’s voice.

  3. A gift to readers. The reason I asked the Colonial Quills authors if there were some willing to do a Forted Frontier Christmas anthology with me was because I wanted to have something as a present for our faithful readers. So each week from November through mid-January, we have short sections of a story. This type of format is very different from the other serial I referenced, and is easier in many respects because each author could add characters and storylines to the serial because this was not a writing challenge nor a single story per se—rather all of these characters by all of these authors were enroute to a destination near where our original characters were forted.

  4. A chance for unpublished authors to demonstrate a sample of their writing skills in fiction. Within our group there are a number of us who are not yet published in fiction, including myself. Within our anthology, even other members got their first chance to read some of their colleague’s writing! And hopefully readers will discover some writers whose books they have not yet read but whose sample, in the anthology, intrigued them.

  5. Practice in writing shorts. Doing a complete clean section takes focus, especially if you are mindful of what came before and what is coming after your section.
Come on by and visit us at Colonial Quills to read our serial anthology and see how this all works. http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_4.html

Thanks for having me Anne!

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Bio – Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D

Carrie Fancett Pagels (www.carriefancettpagels.com) writes “romantic” historical fiction. She is represented by Joyce Hart. ACFW MidAtlantic Zone Director. Blogs at “Colonial Quills” (http://colonialquills.blogspot.com) and “Overcoming With God.”



33 comments:

  1. Enjoyed the blog today. Blessings, Susan Fryman

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  2. I too enjoyed this blog today. Thanks for your posting Carrie!

    Blessings!
    Judy

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  3. Susan, so glad you came by! Now you know some of my rationale for our CQ anthology!

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  4. JUDY, you are such a blessing, thanks for coming by!

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  5. CARRIE, it's so exciting to have you here today! Thanks so much for your willingness to help me out :) I'll be in & out through the day...

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  6. Thanks for having me, Anne! We have a Christmas eve post going up in the serial that will be full of great stuff! So fun working on this!

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  7. EXCELLENT post, Carrie and Anne -- I happen to LOVE serials because I am a series writer and love the ongoing saga that hooks me in and deepens my relationship with the authors!!

    I've read most of the serials CQ and really enjoyed them, so THANK YOU for that sweet Christmas gift.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. Thanks, Julie! We're glad you like them and you write such great series that I can see you'd enjoy these small anthologies, too! Blessings!

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  8. I will say that I had a lot of fun writing my installment, which is yet to post.

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    1. Had fun reading it, as will those who get to see it in a couple of weeks!

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  9. It's always a pleasure reading the wisdom of Carrie Pagels! I've been following the anthology and it is wonderful. I highly recommend it to readers! Looking forward to Carrie's Christmas Eve post!

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    1. I dk about wisdom, but thanks! The Christmas eve post will have a big section by Susan Craft that is not to be missed! And we've got characters from the other posts chiming in, too!

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  10. great answers, Carrie. I thought it was because we were all crazy. ;) It has been a great pleasure reading everyone else's chapters, to sample their voice and style, and as always, to learn historical tidbits from the best. What fun!

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    1. HAHA, Kathy, I forgot that part. Maybe Anne can go back and correct the post?! It has been fun!!!

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  11. I think it's such a lovely gift to readers and have so enjoyed the different writing styles of each contributor to the anthology! Such talented ladies! Wow!

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  12. Hey, Carrie, love this. And I wish to thank you and the other ladies for such a wonderful Christmas gift in the CQ anthology! I have enjoyed each and every one of them. I am so happy that you are feeling better. Have a wonderful Christmas and God bless!

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    1. This has been on my heart all year, Debbie, and even when someone tried to postpone it I wouldn't let them, because I felt God nudging me to do this! Hugs!

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    2. Way to stick with it, Carrie! I am proud of you! Never give up, never surrender! :) Hugs!

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  13. Carrie, I love the vision you have for this serial and what it turned out to be--a blessing to the readers and the authors. I'm looking forward to doing the January blog hop serial-story tour with you and the other authors involved in the project.

    xoxoxoxox
    g

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    1. Thanks, Gina! The upcoming blog hop serial was written first even though this one went up first. Thank you--yes I DID have a vision for this for some time. Fort Providence is very real to me. Looking forward to our blog hop coming up!!! Hugs!!!

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  14. I think it's wonderful that each of you ladies contributes to the serial and we readers get to be the recipients of such a blessing! I look forward to the next one.

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    1. I love seeing how each author brings a unique perspective to a story, Anne!

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  15. Thanks for sharing your motivations for the anthology, Carrie. And BRAVO to you and the other contributors for the way it all weaves together so beautifully.

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    1. Much clearer now, huh, Janet? Sorry you couldn't join us. Thanks so much for your kind comment!

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  16. Megan, this serial anthology is available FREE at Colonial Quills! It will be novella length when it is done in mid-January. Many blessings!

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  17. Great post CARRIE and ANNE!! I love a good series and especially love how I can be introduced to new authors through some of them! Happy Christmas to you both!

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    1. Thanks Noela! You MAY be in for a big surprise for the Christmas post, hint hint. Hugs!

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  18. I'm so happy that Carrie came up with this idea and that I could be a part of it. I've never done something like it, except when I particpated in anthologies with my critique group. The Forted Frontier Holiday has been such a joy. I love reading all the other parts and looked forward to each one with the eagerness of a child waiting to open a gift.

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    1. HAHA Susan, maybe I was trying to self-gift because I, too, look forward to each one with that same anticipation! Your wedding scene will be up very soon and I know our readers will love it! So glad you came in on this!

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  19. I haven't finished reading it yet but so far it is very exciting!

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    1. Thanks, Anne! So fun working on it. Glad I have the other one after this ends!

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I am so delighted that you've taken time to come by and comment. Blessings for a joy-filled day!

1 Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.