Children’s and young adult fiction are other genres that are suitable for series building. Some publishers prefer fantasy series over individual fantasy novels, because fantasy series tend to sell better than standalone fantasy books. [2] X Research source
Did you just finish a novel and don’t want to say goodbye your main characters? Or, have you developed a fantastic plot that is so wide-ranging it needs to be told over several installments? The former motivation could lead to a long-running series, like a group of mystery novels, while the latter could lead to a trilogy. [4] X Research source You will also need to figure out whether you will have an ensemble cast that appears throughout the series, or whether you will primarily have a main character who meets new characters in each book.
For example, you may have a goal page count per week that you have to hit. Or you may have a certain number of chapters you have to complete every month so you can get the book series done. You will need to be prepared to write and publish frequently as a series writer. Your audience will want to know what happens next to your characters. You also don’t want your readers to move on to other books or series if they get tired of waiting for your next installment.
Your main character will sustain you, and your readers, through the length of your series, so make sure it is someone who will not wear out their welcome. Your protagonist will be viewed as a member of your readers’ family or a close friend. Readers will care about what happens to them. For example, you may have a main character who is a teenage high schooler who wants to win a spelling tournament at their school. This way, your protagonist is motivated by the need to win.
For example, your character may have an addiction or a divorce in their backstory. This can make them seem more real. You may have a protagonist that have a difficult childhood or that has struggles with their identity or their sexuality. Keep in mind that issues like an addiction or a medical condition will need to ring true throughout your series. In other words, you can’t have your character obtain a “miracle cure” if you’re tired of writing about this problem by the third novel.
One option is to go for a profession where your main character can interact with a variety of people. This will increase your ability to create new problems for your character to solve that relate to their job. For instance, your protagonist could be a hair stylist who continually finds himself drawn into the mysteries and personal lives of his clients. Or, she could be a corporate lawyer whose expertise in white collar crime makes her sought out by the police for help on new cases.
For example, maybe your main character has a best friend that they grew up with and are still close to. This relationship could then be central to their life and affect their decisions or experiences. Their best friend may turn out to be a con man, for example, which will complicate the main character’s relationship to them.
Minor characters are a useful way to introduce personalities that can challenge or work against the main character. Recurring characters can also be used to offer occasional comic relief if your main character is typically involved in solving grisly murders.
Remember that characters you introduce in the first book will probably play a role in subsequent titles. For instance, if your main character is divorced with two children, those children will have to play some role in future books. Family trees can also be useful for keeping track of the extended family of your main character. [11] X Research source It is useful to keep your character information all in one place, either in a notebook or on a spreadsheet.
You should have the entire series sketched out before you begin writing the first book. [13] X Research source Outline any key events you have in mind and keep the outline in chronological order. [14] X Research source
If you know the course of action for the series, it will be much easier to write how your characters will get to the final resolution.
For example, you may have a series of books that are linked with the same characters, settings, and problems. Or you may have a series of books that focus on different characters within the same world or setting. Keep some problems unresolved in the first book. Allow the characters to grow. [16] X Research source Don’t assume that readers of subsequent books will have read the first one. Include background information on characters and references to previous plots and situations where necessary. [17] X Research source
Subplots are also useful in giving the reader some satisfaction of plot resolution. In other words, if your overarching plot carries through several novels, the resolution of a subplot or two can give your reader a sense of satisfaction. For example, you may have a minor character subplot where a minor character gets into a fight in your book. This could then lead to repercussions for the minor character and affect the main character in some way.
Avoid having a surprise or twist at the end that does not feel earned. Your reader may find it unsatisfying if a new concept is introduced at the end of the book that then saves the day. For example, you may have an ending that answers a few questions presented in book one of the series. But you may leave a few questions unanswered, allowing your reader to feel satisfied but also curious about what might have happened to a few minor characters or to the main character’s relationships in the books.
Setting can be used to establish a mood throughout your series. For example, if you are writing a gritty detective novel, you could focus on the dark alleyways and seedy underbelly of an urban area. [20] X Research source If you are writing a science fiction or fantasy novel, your setting will involve a fair amount of world building. You will be creating a new culture, government, terrain, and even climate.
Information on your list should include names of key buildings and streets; distances between landmarks, stores, and restaurants the characters frequent; and directional data, like which streets run north/south and which are east/west. [21] X Research source You should also include information on the paint color and furnishings of rooms commonly featured.
If your characters will age significantly over the course of the series, keep in mind that other minor characters will need to age accordingly.
