Friday Again, and October 2nd, no less. My friend, Maggie Toussaint, joins us today to end a series story by starting at the beginning. Authors don’t just create characters. They learn their stories inside and out. Do they become invested and emotionally attached? Read on . . . ~ Donnell
Saying Goodbye to Characters
By Maggie Toussaint
Author Maggie Toussaint
My writing space is filled my favorite things. It has a thick door to keep football, Judge Judy, and talking heads newscasters out. For years now, I’ve imagined and dreamed and written within these walls. Everywhere I glance holds a memory or two, and a cornucopia of characters.
As it happens, series books run their course. In the case of my Dreamwalker Mystery series, it was very hard to say goodbye. Two things happened that made me close this out. But to talk about the end, I must go back to the beginning.
This series sprang from the need to speak with my late sister. I drew from every ghost story I’d ever heard and invented a main character who reluctantly answered the call to action. When the Dreamwalker job was literally killing her father, she had to assume his duties or else the chore fell to her 10-year-old daughter. No way would she let her daughter’s childhood be sidetracked like that, so Baxley Powell became the Dreamwalker, seeking justice for the dead and solace for the living.
What attributes would suit her, I wondered as I fleshed her out. I liked the ideas of touch-inspired visions and also of answers coming to her in her natural nighttime dreams. I decided she’d be outdoorsy, so I made her a pet-walker and a landscaper. Both vocations would move her into a widespread smattering of homes and locales.
Baxley needed flaws. She’s broken in heart and pocketbook. Her hair turns white after she assumes the mantle of power. People still shy away from her weird family, and she still wants to be normal. Her husband is missing from his elite soldier job. The army declares him dead, but he’s not. She knows because she’s searched the afterlife for him.
She also needed room to grow. Her journey to self-acceptance took seven books, and many mistakes were made along the way. To keep her character fresh for each book of the series, I added a new paranormal talent to help solve the crime du jour.
And, oh, what fun I had drawing on my love of mythology, folklore, Cherokee lore, local events, history, and obituaries for story fodder. Baxley’s Other World mentor, Rose, is presented as an undercover angel. Rose’s agenda never seems clear…until the last book. She puts Baxley through the ringer every time and charges her an hour of her life for any favors granted.
Throughout the series, I wrote about selkies, Little People, a ghost dog, energy vampires, a witch, movie people, too many Bubbas, and even an invasive vapor that took over human personalities. With all the mystery solving, Baxley’s character strengthened in each book. She located and said goodbye to her missing husband. She got a boyfriend, then a husband, and a baby. With each step along the way, she came to know her psychic abilities, developed self-acceptance, and accepted that the impossible was possible with the help of friends.
One of the unintended consequences of having her explore a new psychic power each time was that the villains, or the antagonists, also had to become stronger or the fight would be unequal. So by the time I reached book seven, I needed to wrap it up with a super villain to fight a super sleuth. Everything is laid on the line in book seven. Not just Baxley’s community is at risk; the entire planet is at risk of dying, as well as the spirits in the afterlife being consumed by an evil entity.
Now, after seven books, the series is over because Baxley’s character arc is complete. But it’s also over because I’ve been immersed in this story world for nine years. That’s a long time to grieve, but I’ve become stronger too. It’s time to move on to happier climes.
The last Dreamwalker mystery, All Done With It, is sandwiched between releases of two new books in the culinary cozy genre, with Spawning Suspicion coming out in November. That new series is set on a sunny island and the stories are less weighty, though the characters are just as real and flawed as those in other books. After all, where would any of us be without our flaws? They make us stronger, and that’s the nexus of character growth.
So, yes, I’ve said goodbye to Baxley Powell, her family, and her friends. Readers have asked for more. Though I’m tempted to say “no” outright, it’s always better to say “maybe” because you just never know when characters will demand another story. And you thought I was in charge—ha!
For information about my books, visit my website at https://maggietoussaint.com .
About the Author: Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes cozy and paranormal mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction, with twenty fiction novels published. A multi-year finalist for Georgia Author of the Year, she’s won Silver Falchions, the Readers’ Choice, and the EPIC Awards. She’s past president of Mystery Writers of America-Southeast chapter and an officer of LowCountry Sisters In Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where secrets, heritage, and ancient oaks cast long shadows. Visit her at https://maggietoussaint.com/
Thank you for having me, Donnell. I got teary-eyed just reading this post again. We become so close to our characters! And our friends!
I truly think I should say, “My condolences, Maggie.” But the beauty is they come alive every time we read them! What a lovely article!
Thanks for your kind words, Donnell. In a year when so many have lost so much, it seems fitting to close out this series that shows how you can persevere and triumph through adversity. Hope is a precious light in this darkness of 2020.
Thank you, Maggie for great stories, always so full.of heart. I look forward to new books.
This was a good post for me to read. I’m ending my first mystery series and it is because of character growth and the feeling, I can’t do justice to the type of story I’ve been writing with the character now that she has more people in her life who depend on her staying safe. The good thing is I’ve come up with what I hope is a plausible reason for all of my readers to understand and be happy for the character when The End happens in the last book and the series. Thank you for making me feel better about my decision and I applaud you for knowing when a series should end and not drag it out until people no longer want to read a book in that series.
What a beautiful and loving review of your series and its origins. Thank you for sharing so much of how your character and series developed.
I just finished the last book in my P.J. Benson series, and as you said, Maggie, it’s difficult to say goodbye to characters who have become people. I don’t think there will be another book, but never say never. And, I’m sure you’ll come up with another series that will have new characters with amazing strengths that you will also love.
Paty Jaeger, well said. Maggie always has had amazing timing and intuition.
Hi, Maggie! Characters are so much a part of us. Kudos to you for all you’ve done for nine years. But here’s my thought-something may happen to cause you to write one later on. Hugs, VB
Hi Paty, I so get where you’re at with your series. It is always tempting to keep going in a a familiar story world, but knowing when to stop is (in my opinion) as important as writer’s voice. I’m sure your readers will feel satisfaction and rightness after reading your series-ender. Best of luck to you!
Hi Susan, thanks for your kind words. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to explore this much of the characters in my Dreamwalker series.
Thanks for the encouragement, Maris. We are all one big community of readers and writers. I feel blessed to have shared this journey with so many kind and supportive people.
Vicki, Thanks for that thought. I might write a few short stories to keep the series fresh, but right now, I’m in that happy lull akin to the hiatus between high school and college. There’s that sense of accomplishment but also of new, unknown doors opening in the near future. I am walking on faith that another story concept, as engrossing as the Dreamwalker series was, will pop into my head and I’ll be off and running.
As they say: when one door closes another opens. You’re a talented writer and will continue writing fine novels.
Thanks for your kind and encouraging words, Jacquie. Friends make such a huge impact in the life of characters…and authors!
Maggie, great post. I’m in that netherland of does my three book series end or not. I thought there would be at least two more books, but book four has been a struggle since I began trying to write it. Another series author’s thoughts are helpful.
I loved this full circle review of your series, Maggie! So glad you’re still writing and look forward to many books to come!
Hi Helen, everyone had to find their own way. Sometimes a publisher tells us when its over, and that’s always a bummer. I hope you find what’s best for your series. Sometimes when I’m struggling, I’ll switch to another creative endeavor. My subconscious keeps working on the story. So much so that when I return to the keyboard, I can be objective and go back to where I made a “safe choice” for my lead character and stopped the story tension. Then I made a bad choice for her and words flow again. Your mileage may vary.
Thank you, Margaret, and I appreciate the encouragement.
A really fun post, Maggie. I’m also struggling with another in my mystery series. Readers kept asking what happens next so book four will be published this month. I’m trying to wrap my mind around another project but book five keeps jumping out at me. It’s really interesting to read another author’s journey. Thanks for this!
Thonie, if book 5 wants to be written, I say go for it! Best of luck to you!
Great post, Maggie! It’s always hard to say goodbye. Our characters are our children, after all. Best of luck on all your future writing endeavors.