About Writing ... Just Between Us ... 

Creating the Miniseries
Or
You don’t have to wear a mini in order to write one, for which I am very thankful!

Four couples have been hanging out with me lately. That is, hanging on the wall of my writing room. Each couple lives in their own section of a large newsprint sheet on top of which is written, PILGRIM COVE STORIES--OVERVIEW. These four heroes and heroines, their characteristics and conflicts—printed in magic marker living color—not only keep me company, but also keep me on track as I tackle this series.

The premise or concept for the series—the idea that pervades all the stories—is printed boldly across the top of a second large sheet. Here is where I visit with the rest of the town of Pilgrim Cove. I know the Quinn and Parker families very well by now, and as for The Lobster Pot and The Diner on the Dunes—well, everyone knows where to go when they want a great meal. Information about the families, businesses, and geography is printed on large neon colored Post-It Notes. 

This patchwork “wallpaper” has been up for two years and will remain in place for another year until the last book of the miniseries is submitted, copyedited and released.

Three years! A long time, you think? Not to me. The muse struck while I was writing my third stand-alone book for Harlequin Superromance and under contract for my fourth. Somehow, my brain shifted into overdrive, and the concept for this miniseries took shape. Can anyone explain the creative process or control it? I wouldn’t dare. So what if I was in the midst of two other important projects? I believe that when the muse strikes, go for it! Fortunately, my editors went for it, too.

THE PITCH: Concept to contract took a long time. With “wallpaper” in hand as well as a one page synopsis for each story, I pitched the series at the 2001 RWA Conference in New Orleans. Two months of non-stop creative development went into those synopses, and as it turned out, worth every minute of effort. My heart was still racing by the end of the hour, but when my editor and the senior editor started smiling, nodding and discussing the plots and characters in depth, I knew Pilgrim Cove would become a reality at some point. 

I had to submit a standard proposal—three chapters for Book One and a full synopsis for each of the other books before a contract could be signed. I prepared this while fulfilling contracts for my third and fourth stand-alone books. At the Denver conference in 2002, I produced most of the proposal and left knowing we were going to contract. And now I’m having the time of my writing life!

THE CHALLENGES: The time of my life? How could that be when the work is not four times but perhaps twelve times the amount of writing four stand-alone books? Not only are the stories joined by place (fictional Pilgrim Cove, MA) and family/friend relationships, but by the thread that runs through all the stories—a question that won’t be answered until the fourth novel.

The amount of material, planning and organization is formidable. No question about that. To handle the project, I created my own “bible” for the four stories. (Publishers do this when the House develops a continuity series). In addition to the full synopses, this large binder includes concept sheets, family sheets, intertwining threads among families, physical descriptions of environments, as well as separate folders for the research I do as needed. My “bible” is overflowing.

Other challenges include finding ways to present familiar characters and reintroduce common backstories in each book so that loyal readers won’t get bored. In addition, new readers to the series must be able to start with any book in the series and not get confused—even a little bit.

THE REWARDS—Despite all the effort involved, I’m as excited today, with almost three Pilgrim Cove books completed, as I was when my editors said “yes.” While their vote of confidence can’t be overestimated, I think my excitement stems from something else. I love to read miniseries myself. Always have. My favorites are not only on my shelves (Some are browning nicely!), but also in my mind and heart. Write what you love to read! That’s our motto for finding our niche in the genre, and that’s what I did when deciding to tackle the miniseries. 

Research says I’m not alone in my love for the miniseries. The vast majority of romance readers love them, too. So, on a practical level, I hope the series attracts new readers—a lot of new readers. A successful miniseries can boost a writer’s career, a goal we all have. 

On an intrinsic level, I believe the reward for trying something new lies in the satisfaction of doing it. Despite our trepidation. Whether it’s rollerblading, a first job interview or taking that first flight in an airplane, we grow stronger for the doing of it. In our case, as writers, the reward comes from the satisfaction of having written. It always does.

Note from Linda: This article first appeared in the January 2004 edition of Happily Ever After, the monthly newsletter of the West Houston Chapter of RWA)