How to Plan a Book Series | NY Book Editors

YOU ARE READING: How to Plan a Book Series | NY Book Editors AT PhebinhvanhocEN

Don’t just stuff your novel with extra content that deserved to be in the editing room.

but, if you have a story that can’t be intelligently told within a novel (and you’re sure it makes sense to go with a series), then go full force.

You are reading: How many books are in the series

I recommend that you set out to accomplish at least one thing within each book. if you’re planning a multi-book story arc, it’s okay to have a larger unresolved story at the end of the book. however, resolve smaller plots in each book to keep the reader satisfied. otherwise, you’ll end up with a reader who doesn’t trust you.

planning is everything

This is especially true with a single story arc series.

This is why:

If you don’t plan, you’ll create plot holes. That’s officially the worst thing that’s ever happened. nobody likes incoherence in the narration.

And if you gain loyal readers, they’ll know your characters almost as well as you do. no doubt they will detect the continuity problems in their series of books.

so, to avoid plot holes and angry readers, plan your story from start to finish.

Also, I recommend threading the same themes and motifs throughout your multi-book story. creates a much-needed cohesion that will help tie your story together.

And it doesn’t just happen by magic. You’ll need to plan carefully so that your story, no matter how many installments, reads smoothly, which brings me to my next point…

study your previous novel(s)

be sure to follow the threads you’ve already created.

For the sake of continuity, please pay close attention to the following:

names and descriptions of supporting characters
character motivations
key events (such as birthdays, anniversaries, and other pivotal moments)
characters’ language and phrasing (how they express themselves)
characters’ habits
ideals they have about themselves, their world and their future

check, double-check, triple-check your story to make sure there are no plot inconsistencies.

perfect tense

Along with planning, it’s crucial to time your series so that you take advantage of your reader’s memory. They. Will. Forget.

Spacing your series to a book every two or three years is impossible. This is especially true if you are a new author looking to increase your readership. consider publishing the next book in your series no more than a year after the last.

Also, consider how much time you need to spend inside the world of the characters. some novels immediately dive into the action hinted at in the previous novel. others jump decades into the future or past.

keep growing the characters

“and they lived happily ever after.”

You’re probably not using this last line of your novel, are you? especially if you read this post: everything you need to know about writing completions.

But if you’re thinking of ending the first novel in your series on a happy note where all loose ends are tied up, consider this: why should the reader keep reading your series? you haven’t left much room for further development of your characters. If you don’t have an impending plot hanging in the background waiting to destroy your characters’ happiness, there’s no need to write a second story.

I have come across many, many stories where the ending was satisfying and I had fallen so in love with the characters that I wanted to follow them on facebook. I just wanted to know what happens next, now that they have this new life. that’s usually because there’s a question in the back of my head that says, are they really going to stay happy? or I wonder how this protagonist would handle this problem.

That didn’t happen by accident. it is the author’s job to plant these questions. you can do this through amazing characterization. or you can do this by creating a plot that is big enough to take several books to solve.

don’t regurgitate the same story

This is what I call the scooby doo method for writing strings. every story is predictable. she’s going to find problems, she’s going to solve them with guts and sarcasm. yawn.

If you’re following the same protagonist, rather than doing the same story with a slightly different setting, consider focusing on different aspects of that main character. uses the plot to develop and flesh out the character. by the end of the series, the reader will have a deeper understanding of who the character is.

but if you prefer to stay within a set formula, think of ways you can evolve the character, however subtly, to bring interest and excitement to your story. If I’m reading 10 installments of your mystery series, I want to feel the protagonist become more self-aware.

dominate the medium

the middle book tends to be a confusing mess. they are generally slow and vulnerable to padding.

However, I recommend delving into character development during mid-work. this is your chance to explore the backstory and shed light on the character’s motivations.

but remember to incorporate a smaller self-contained story arc within each book. the character needs something to do, not just wait for the grand finale. and this plot should serve to propel the character forward.

create a character bible

When you create a series, having a reference file for your characters is extremely helpful. This will help you avoid inconsistencies and create a believable, dimensional cast of characters.

Take the time to understand the characters, their stories, and their motivations. As I recommended in this post, develop a character bible where you define everything about the character, including demographics, backstory, moral code, body language, and dialogue.

Also, see this post for guidance on creating secondary characters.

Remember to introduce your characters early on, but spread their backstories throughout. there’s no need to give it all away, especially if you have room to pace yourself.

understand your world

When you’re writing a book series, you definitely need to have a clear understanding of the world your characters live in. most likely each of your novels exists in the same world.

create a file that addresses the following:

what is the physical description of the world?
what kind of people live there? (what do they look like, how do they dress, what are their beliefs)
what kind of language is spoken there?
what is considered normal?
what are the social classes and how do they relate to each other?
what do they believe about wealth, poverty?
what kind of government do they have?

the more details, the better.

know when to quit

Not every story needs a sequel, a prequel, a different angle, a spin-off, etc. some of the best stories are standalone.

By forcing a sequel (especially if that sequel sucks) you can embitter the reader and discourage them from buying another book you write. I know that’s not what you want, so make sure you have a compelling reason for choosing a book series, and if you do (and even if you don’t), we’re here to help.

to you

What is your favorite book series and why? let us know in the comments below.

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