One of the main reason I play social games like this one is to better understand a portion of my target audience. Within this thread I hope to further my understanding. Here I'll pose questions as they come to me. Feel free to answer any of them at any time. I'll try to post the page number any additional questions are on frequently. Question one-Would you enjoy reading a book series where the timeline skips around from book to book with many omissions of events until other books in the series, or would you prefer a more linear story line with fewer omissions revealed later on in the story?
I suppose I should divulge a key aspect of the work as well. The protagonist suffers from chronic amnesia. Also each book would be linear with itself until the omissions start to piece the books together.
Lots of real big words Speaking from someone who Published a book at a young age (me) I'm going to have to say, skipping around would just be confusing, and a lot of extra work. keeping it simply and just getting the details out and getting the readers to relate to the main character is what you might want to think about.
I like skipping around sometimes. It makes the book more enjoyable. Also, it keeps me on my toes. However, it is challenging to read those types at times. That's why I also love books that are linear. I find them to be more enjoyable when I just want to relax.
Second question-If the character perceived and portrayed as the main character of the series dies at the end of the first book of the series, would you even bother with the second book?
Q1: Both options. Option 1 is good because it has many events,but it isn't good because of the missing events and omissions. Option 2 is good because it's linear,but it might not be interesting enough. Q2:I might. Only if there's another character that I LOVE!! Or if there's a cliffhanger/continuation...
Artemis, It's a debatable question. In some circumstances, the antagonist or a close one of the dead protagonist kinda becomes the main chara. I'd read it if that's what happens. Vengeance is a sweet sweet goal. Like Sasuke with a sweet tooth. ;o;
THE NAMELESS BOY IS TOO FUCKED UP TO HAVE A DAMN PERSONALITY! I'M TOO LAZY TO EVEN BEGIN THE DAMN MIDDLE OF CINNAMON. CINNA WILL HAVE TO FIND HER BOYFRIEND ALONE. e.e
Third question-If option one was taken from the first question, and the cast and location in book two was completely different, would you continue reading to see where I was going with this?
Fourth question-If the climatic showdown ended in a cliffhanger,and was followed by a prequel that depicts what is to follow, would you be satisfied with the story ending there would you expect a followup?
I would expect a follow-up... As for your first question, if the cast and location were to be different than the first book, it depends again. It should have something to do with your original story, if it's a trilogy and such. It's fine if you switch protagonists, just make them relate to the original storyline.
Depicting what is to follow isn't satisfying enough for the readers. A cliffhanger is a cliffhanger. You're expected to continue it. In some series, like my favorite one, it ended with the two main characters trapped in an elevator that broke or something. Then there wasn't another episode. Which was extremely random and just doesn't fit. If you want a legit cliffhanger, it has to be one that matches the fate of the person that was expected from the readers. If it isn't a legit cliffhanger, a follow up is the only option. Give the readers what they want. Just try to compare two endings and see which one makes more sense.