As I said in my previous blog post, (So Begins Buddy Journey), I am writing the next phase of the story as a standalone book that is still a part of the series. I need to provide information revealed in previous books to readers who have not read the others and to readers who have read them but have forgotten, yet I do not want to bore readers who remember everything. Finding the right balance requires experimenting and practice, and feedback from Alpha and Beta Readers.
When reading books that are a part of a series, I look for how the writer handled providing information from the previous books. Paying close attention to this caused me to realize how much I enjoy the mentions of events in the previous books. A sense of satisfaction sweeps over me, I squeal, and I say, “I remember that.” I listen to many books as audio books while taking my long daily walks. When a mention is made of a scene in a previous book, I experience the memory of listening to that original scene and a vivid recall of where I was walking at the time. I enjoy that recollection.
When I write a scene that revisits information I wrote in earlier books, I experience similar feelings. I feel as if I am sitting with old friends and reminiscing about the good old days. I enjoy the feeling. I hope my readers will enjoy it as well.