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mbarkerWriting Excuses 12.45: Structuring a Series
From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2017/11/05/12-45-structuring-a-series/
Key Points: There are various kinds of series: one long continuous story, broken into parts (aka serialized); episodic, or continuing adventures of...; Ensemble series, with a cast and each book tells one person's story; etc. Can you read it out of order or is there a required reading sequence? Consider the types of protagonists, varying from the hero who grows to the iconic hero who never changes. In many cases, the iconic hero acts as a catalyst for change in those around him/her, but does not change in the process. To structure a serial story, know the ending, and construct a large plot arc, then cut it into pieces. For an episodic story, do world and character building, then pick out some stories to tell. Another strategy is to start by writing a standalone book, to get the characters and world worked out, then build an outline for the rest of the series. Think about the way we describe history, with a narrative thread tying together a large chunk of events, a framework for many stories. In structuring a series for readers who want the same but different, consider the same/different balance, and what will be the same, and what will be the different, that you are offering. To take a successful standalone and turn it into a series, make sure to identify what people liked that keeps them coming back, and what new thing you can add that they don't know they want but they will love.
( Book 2, Book 3, Book... )
[Brandon] We are out of time. Mary, you were going to give us some homework?
[Mary] Yes. What I want you to do is I want you to go to a book that does not have a sequel. This can be one of yours or a published one. Then, I want you to write down five sequel possibilities. These can be a series, or they can be individual standalone. Your choice.
[Brandon] You can try out several of the different ideas that we talked about today. All right. This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses. Now go write.
From http://www.writingexcuses.com/2017/11/05/12-45-structuring-a-series/
Key Points: There are various kinds of series: one long continuous story, broken into parts (aka serialized); episodic, or continuing adventures of...; Ensemble series, with a cast and each book tells one person's story; etc. Can you read it out of order or is there a required reading sequence? Consider the types of protagonists, varying from the hero who grows to the iconic hero who never changes. In many cases, the iconic hero acts as a catalyst for change in those around him/her, but does not change in the process. To structure a serial story, know the ending, and construct a large plot arc, then cut it into pieces. For an episodic story, do world and character building, then pick out some stories to tell. Another strategy is to start by writing a standalone book, to get the characters and world worked out, then build an outline for the rest of the series. Think about the way we describe history, with a narrative thread tying together a large chunk of events, a framework for many stories. In structuring a series for readers who want the same but different, consider the same/different balance, and what will be the same, and what will be the different, that you are offering. To take a successful standalone and turn it into a series, make sure to identify what people liked that keeps them coming back, and what new thing you can add that they don't know they want but they will love.
( Book 2, Book 3, Book... )
[Brandon] We are out of time. Mary, you were going to give us some homework?
[Mary] Yes. What I want you to do is I want you to go to a book that does not have a sequel. This can be one of yours or a published one. Then, I want you to write down five sequel possibilities. These can be a series, or they can be individual standalone. Your choice.
[Brandon] You can try out several of the different ideas that we talked about today. All right. This has been Writing Excuses. You're out of excuses. Now go write.
