Let us be frank; a lot (if not all) writers would totally jump at the chance to join the status of bigwig names such as George R. R. Martin, J. K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and a lot more. Right?
But have you ever thought about what these authors have in common? Well, they all have at least two periods in their names, ha! No, silly! They all have written mesmerizing series that span multiple books that transport fans to an entirely different reality. Oh, right, right!
So, even if you don’t want to add multiple periods to your pen name, worry not! Because in this blog, we are going to focus on how to write a compelling book series. Really?
Now, we know the word “book series” conjures up different emotions in different writers. Some might grin at the thought of spending multiple books unraveling the world and story they have created.
Others might rub their hands at the potentially profitable benefits of a long-running series. And, some might simply cry in terror, “A series?!” writing one book is a daunting task indeed.
If done right, it can be a strikingly effective marketing strategy, especially for indie writers. So, grab that spine-tingling, mind-boggling, rip-roaring story idea you wish to continue writing about for many years to come. And let us jump into the basics of serial writing, what say?
A Beginner’s Guide To Writing A Book Series
Brainstorm Storylines, Characters, And Plot Points For Your Book Series
Creating a book series from square one can be pretty overwhelming and exciting at the same time. What kind of characters will be the driving force of the story? What kind of realm will they inhabit? What will your characters try to achieve? And more questions of the sort.
It is significant to tailor characters with flaws, motivations, depth, etc. that will make the readers root for your characters and become interested in their journey. With the perfect amount of creativity and thought, the writing possibilities are unfathomable. If you think your characters lack an oomph factor, then feel free to get help from any online book proofreading service. These experts will help you add some much-needed spice to your books.
Research Other Book Series In Your Genre To Develop A Unique Concept And Get Ideas For Structure
If you want to develop a unique concept and gain inspiration for your own work, nothing works better than exploring other book series in your genre. By investigating the structure of a successful book series, you can identify what has worked for other authors and apply the same strategies to your very own masterpiece. Incorporate whatever you learn and think would fit the most for your series as a jumping-off point to tailor something new and intriguing that stands apart.
Create Detailed Character Profiles With Personal Motivations And Backstories
Tailoring detailed character profiles is a must when it narrows down to creating a captivating story. Every character must have a personal motivation and backstory that drives their measures throughout the plot. It is significant to consider everything from their innermost desires to their upbringing to properly flesh out a character’s personality.
By doing so, you will help your readers connect with the character seamlessly. Moreover, it also offers a clear understanding of why they act a certain way. A well-curated character profile can add dimensions and depth to your story.
Write A Series Bible To Keep Track Of Timelines, Relationships, Locations, And Major Plot Points
Writing a successful book series requires juggling an array of intricate details. As the series proceeds forward, the timeline becomes increasingly complicated, and the relationships between the characters evolve with time. Furthermore, to build a visually captivating experience, a lot of scenes take place in different locations. Therefore, in order to keep up with all of this information, a series of bible is necessary.
It serves as a guide to help the writers stay on track and makes sure that the story maintains continuity. Thus, by keeping up with all of this information, authors can save themselves from the headache of remembering all the teeny tiny details. Rather, they will focus on tailoring compelling stories that will keep the audience hooked for more.
Develop A Timeline For Each Book In The Series And Establish Deadlines Or Goals For Yourself
A timescale can be a useful tool in organizing your thoughts and keeping your writing on track. When it narrows down to writing a book series, building a chronological timeline for each book can make sure that your work is cohesive and consistent throughout the series.
Furthermore, setting goals or deadlines for yourself can give focus and motivation, thus, helping you to achieve success in your writing endeavors. By having a crystal-clear plan in place, you can steer clear of feeling overwhelmed by the extent of your project and stay on track towards attaining your literary goals. No matter if you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, developing a timeline and setting achievable deadlines can help you bring your story to life in your masterpiece.
Stick To An Outline But Allow Room For Improvisation As You Write
Lastly, but most importantly, an outline is not an alpha and omega factor that cannot be changed. It is vital to include some allowance for spontaneity, and this is where improvisation kicks in. While writing your outline, do not be afraid to sprinkle some unexpected ups and downs.
Yes, it is vital to stick to your outline, but allow your creativity to flow freely and we assure you that you will end up with a piece of writing that is captivating and well-structured. You can also get a book cover designer for hire to have your book cover designs and scribble any changes on a hard copy.
- How do you plan a series of books?
There are a lot of ways to plan a series of books. Some of the most useful ways are:
- Find a central idea
- Brainstorm key points for each book
- List ideas for each book’s end goal
- Decide on the broad setting of your book series
- Study successful series’ plot structure to gain insights
- Brainstorm characters who will carry your masterpiece
- Outline your series’ main themes and events
- Strengthen arcs between books later and much more
- What is the structure of a book series?
Each and every single book within a book series needs to have its own goal or plot. The plot must be structured as a rising action, inciting incident, resolution, and climax. And every book within the series needs to have the same structure in order to engage and entertain readers.
- What makes a great book series?
Introduce your world and characters in each book. Even if your readers have already read the previous books of the series, it is significant to reintroduce your world and the characters that inhabit it. By doing so, you will help new readers understand the story’s context and feel more engaged in the character’s journey.
- What is a book series called?
Multi-volume books are normally known as a book series. A lot of people usually call a set of two books “a duology”, a set of three books “a trilogy”, and a set of four books “a quadrilogy”. However, the trilogy is so much more common than the sets of two, four, or more books. A series of books with more than four books is mostly known as just a “series.”
Summing It All Up!
We do agree, that book series writing is a serious (series-ous) business! From planning characters and plot twists to tailoring comprehensive series bibles can tire anyone out. However, by incorporating these strategies to plan out the narrative in advance you can shape the writing process and stay on track to create a captivating and engaging story. Always keep in mind that it is important to stay flexible even while following an outline.
You must allow yourself to be inspired by your own ideas of where the story should go. Permit your characters to grow as you write. By doing so, you will guarantee to make your series more dynamic and breath-taking. So, why are you still here? Go on and start working on your masterpiece right now. By keeping the tips mentioned above, we know you will write a great one in no time. Yay!