The other day I was on Youtube and I found a video on Ariel Bissett's channel that was over a year ago saying that she hated trilogies. I had a good time watching her video and she did a good job ranting about trilogies- why she hated them and that she wanted more stand-alones. I found that to be an interesting topic and so today, I am here to share with you my opinion on trilogies/series and stand-alones.
To watch Ariel's video, click here.
In my opinion, both series/trilogies and stand-alones are great. As long as they appease my need for a good and entertaining story, I don't have anything against them. However, I do have a few things in mind to say about trilogies/series and stand-alones.
Trilogies/series
I used to love reading trilogies/series a few years ago. I liked the idea of going on many adventures with the characters because it was so much fun and addictive, and I'd usually go for series instead of stand-alones. Now? Not so much.
Usually the first book in a series/trilogy is considered as the most entertaining and exciting, because you're introduced to a fresh idea that you know nothing about. You get to see how the author builds the characters and the world around them, and it's fascinating. But then, I get all excited about the rest of the story, invest my time and money to buy and read the rest of the books, only to find that they're boring and not what I'd expected, which is disappointing. More than often when I'm looking for any new books to read, I veer away from buying series because I don't like to stop halfway through a series even if I don't like it, and if I don't enjoy it I keep hoping or thinking that maybe the next book'll be better. Should I buy it? It's frustrating.
Now I get that writing a book is a magical experience. It's okay to write a bad book -not everyone's perfect. However if you're going to write a series/trilogy, make sure that the rest of the books are as good as the first one, or maybe even better. If you get negative reviews on your second book, then be sure to write a better third book. People are counting on you to construct a story that they would love, that they feel it is worth the money, the time used to read your work, and that's important. If you want readers to stay up all night reading your book and get excited about the next one, then be responsible and write a good series.
Of course, not all trilogies/series are bad. For example, the Harry Potter series. Trilogies/series are good if you want an adventure or stand-alones are too short for your taste. I love a good trilogy/series as much as I love a good stand-alone -it all depends on the story.
Usually the first book in a series/trilogy is considered as the most entertaining and exciting, because you're introduced to a fresh idea that you know nothing about. You get to see how the author builds the characters and the world around them, and it's fascinating. But then, I get all excited about the rest of the story, invest my time and money to buy and read the rest of the books, only to find that they're boring and not what I'd expected, which is disappointing. More than often when I'm looking for any new books to read, I veer away from buying series because I don't like to stop halfway through a series even if I don't like it, and if I don't enjoy it I keep hoping or thinking that maybe the next book'll be better. Should I buy it? It's frustrating.
Now I get that writing a book is a magical experience. It's okay to write a bad book -not everyone's perfect. However if you're going to write a series/trilogy, make sure that the rest of the books are as good as the first one, or maybe even better. If you get negative reviews on your second book, then be sure to write a better third book. People are counting on you to construct a story that they would love, that they feel it is worth the money, the time used to read your work, and that's important. If you want readers to stay up all night reading your book and get excited about the next one, then be responsible and write a good series.
Of course, not all trilogies/series are bad. For example, the Harry Potter series. Trilogies/series are good if you want an adventure or stand-alones are too short for your taste. I love a good trilogy/series as much as I love a good stand-alone -it all depends on the story.
Stand-alones
Recently I have tried to read more stand-alone books. Why?
To be frank with you, IT SAVES MONEY.
And if I didn't like the book, then fine. I don't have to worry about the next book.
Stand-alones are often a pleasant and easy read. I get to know what happens to the characters all in one book. It's nice. I finish this story, and I get to move on to my next book. Great.
One thing that I don't like about stand-alones is that usually, endings are rushed. Sometimes I want to know more about what happens to the characters, sometimes I just can't enough of the book and I WANT MORE!!
But the thing that happens with stand-alones all the time is that the endings tend to be vague and hastily written. One thing I've learned from reading is that ENDINGS ARE IMPORTANT. It changes my rating of a book -I could go from meh to THIS IS SO FREAKIN AWESOME!!1!1!!
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ENDINGS.
To be frank with you, IT SAVES MONEY.
And if I didn't like the book, then fine. I don't have to worry about the next book.
Stand-alones are often a pleasant and easy read. I get to know what happens to the characters all in one book. It's nice. I finish this story, and I get to move on to my next book. Great.
One thing that I don't like about stand-alones is that usually, endings are rushed. Sometimes I want to know more about what happens to the characters, sometimes I just can't enough of the book and I WANT MORE!!
But the thing that happens with stand-alones all the time is that the endings tend to be vague and hastily written. One thing I've learned from reading is that ENDINGS ARE IMPORTANT. It changes my rating of a book -I could go from meh to THIS IS SO FREAKIN AWESOME!!1!1!!
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ENDINGS.
So these are my opinions on stand-alones, trilogies, and series. I like both; when I'm not in the mood for long stories then I usually prefer stand-alones, but if I am in the mood for adventures or just a good, lengthy story then I'm all for trilogies/series.
What are your thoughts on series and stand-alones? Do you have a preference? Feel free to tell me in the comments and I hope you have a great day! Happy reading!