Every now and then, readers ask if I already know what I’ll be writing five or ten books from now.
The answer is… sort of.
Some stories are planned years in advance. The Ghost storyline in my Mirror Estate series, for example, has been building over several books and is heading toward its conclusion in Book 8. That ending has been on my mind for a long time.
What comes after that is where things get interesting.
Do I continue my flagship series with new mysteries? There are certainly plenty of characters whose stories aren’t finished. A large estate like Mirror Estate is full of possibilities, and one mystery solved doesn’t mean there won’t be another.
Or do I follow a character into a spin-off series?
Readers often connect with supporting characters in ways I never expected. Sometimes a detective, an FBI agent, or even someone with only a few chapters begins demanding more page time. Before long, I find myself wondering what happened to them after the last book ended.
Then again, there’s something exciting about starting fresh. That’s how the KC & Orlando Prime series was born. More recently, The Mercer Files gave me an opportunity to write something with a stronger action-adventure flavor while still keeping the mystery and suspense I enjoy.
I’ve learned not to force these decisions.
Usually, the next story is the one that refuses to leave me alone. It’s the idea that keeps returning while I’m driving, taking a walk, or trying to fall asleep.
For now, my attention is on bringing the Ghost story to its proper conclusion. After that… we’ll see where the next trail leads.
I’m curious. Which do you enjoy more as a reader? Would you rather spend more time with familiar characters in an established world, or begin a brand-new series with a fresh cast? I’d love to hear your thoughts.