Fiction Serial: The Most Popular One So Far

~ beetleypete

***If you haven’t finished reading the latest serial yet, then don’t read this post***

 

HOUSE

Now that my recent serial ‘Home About Six’ has concluded, I am writing an overview of the process, as I usually do.

I decided that this serial would be approached in a different way to the others.
I would intentionally make it a little ‘silly’, in the hope that I would have fun writing it, and readers would enjoy the change of mood. It seems to have worked, as it is the most-read serial so far, with an average of more than 150 views for each episode, and more comments than previous stories, adding up to 3,750 views in total. Many thanks to everyone who stuck with it, and left great comments.

Thanks also to David Miller for his relentless efforts at punning every episode.

For those of you who like to read the complete story in one sitting, it will be published over the weekend.

Another idea I had was to make fellow bloggers and followers the ‘Stars’ of the story. I used real names in some cases, and partial names in others. This proved to be very popular, and nobody complained, or asked to be removed from the text. I would like to thank all of those who allowed me to use their names.

Anita is Anita Dawes.
Jane is Jaye Marie. They are both British writers and bloggers, who share a website.
Mike is Michael, a German Blogger.
Mick Steeden is a British blogger and writer.
Jude (Judith) Harley is a British blogger and photographer.
Sue Judd is also a blogger and photographer.
Claudia Hyslop used the surname of Fraggle, a British blogger and photographer.

Shaily Agrawal is an Indian blogger. She hasn’t read this story yet!
Richa Soni is also Indian, a blogger based in New Delhi.
Ian Hope is a British blogger. I don’t think he has read this story either
Betsy Pike is Elizabeth Slaughter, an American blogger based in New England.
Pete Springer is a retired American teacher and blogger.
Audrey Driscoll is Canadian, and also writes and has a blog.
David, Mum’s fiance, is David Miller, an American writer, blogger, and punster.
Nick Rossis is a writer and blogger, based in Greece.

And my thanks also to the other ‘characters’ who are all ‘real names’ and writers or bloggers.
Lisa Howeler.
Lorraine Lewis.
Jennie Fitzkee.

Cathy Cade
Don Ostertag.
Joan Hall.
Lucinda Clarke.

 

Some of you have pointed out the over-use of ‘cliffhangers’at the end of each episode. That was deliberate of course, and was reflecting the filmed serials that I used to watch at the cinema as a child. There was also the constant use of 6 pm (and other uses of the number 6) that appeared throughout. Again deliberate, and supposed to be ‘silly’.

The very last line of episode 25 was the original thought for the whole serial, and was worked back from that point, to achieve a ‘circular’ conclusion. Inspiration for the story came from the original ‘Final Destination’ film, as well as a documentary I watched about a real missing person.

As a lady was being interviewed about her missing (never found) husband, she tearfully said, “He left that morning, and said he would be home about six. I never saw him again”.

41 thoughts on “Fiction Serial: The Most Popular One So Far”

  1. I loved the series and want everyone to know that I am now fully recovered from my injuries and no longer require nursing help while Claudia is away.(If you haven’t read the series, ignore this comment.) As for my favorites, I liked the American murder mystery more, probably because I was so taken in by the unreliable narrator.

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  2. Count me in as one who loves the cliffhanger at the end of an episode. There are never too many. I’m glad to hear (and not surprised) that it was your most popular serial. Best to you, Pete.

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  4. I didn’t think there was an overuse of cliffhangers. I thought that was the point of serials. I post a novel in progress so it’s not really set up as a serial and therefore it doesn’t have cliffhangers every week but it’s a different way of sharing. Anyhow – nice job on it. I enjoyed it!

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    1. I like to do these after every serial, John. People used to ask me about inspiration, research, and how long it took to write, etc. This not only explains most things, but I also get to thank everyone.
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  7. I tend to overthink things, but there have been times when I’ve avoided using a name because I didn’t want a real person in my life to be somehow offended by some of the character’s shortcomings. Your story proves that feeling wrong; I was delighted to be a character. I laughed a few times, realizing my character’s life sounded much more interesting than mine.

    I also look forward to reading David’s puns each day, and I love it when you purposely set him up.

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    1. Thanks, Pete. The history between me and David is a good one, though we have never met. I do enjoy ‘baiting’ those surefire puns, and he always exceeds my expectations.
      Glad you enjoyed your ‘bit part’. 🙂
      Best wishes, Pete.

      Liked by 1 person

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    2. I am glad both of you like my blog. It is a pleasure to be recognized by writers like you two.
      for those of you who aren’t familiar with Cindy’s writings I strongly recommend her blog and her two excellent novels, both of which can be found on Amazon. And I look forward to seeing Pete’s serials bunched together in a book.

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  13. I really enjoyed this ine Pete. I didn’t find the cliffhangers a problem. I loved them. As you know, you have inspired me to write my own series using Fandangos Daily Word Challenge. It is such fun to do and I now hope to write more such stories. So you have. Done something really wonderful in inspiring another writer to try something new. Your own writing is amazing and I will alwats read you. Thankyou Pete.

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