Should You Write a Series? How Much is Enough?
by Laurie Schnebly Campbell
Say you’ve just written the best book ever. You love it, your readers love it, your publisher loves it, and all is well in Authorland.
Should you turn that book into a series?
Or say you’ve just written a book that feels pretty good. You’re pleased with it, your readers like it, and your publisher wants you to write something similar.
Should you consider doing a series?
At first glance, that might seem like a terrible idea. If writing the first book wasn’t an absolute piece of cake, why on earth would you want to write two more? Or (gasp) five more? Or (clutch your chest and stagger) an open-ended series that lasts for 10, 25, or even 50 books?
Well, there are people who do it and love it. Which is lucky for readers who love series ... and there are a LOT of ‘em!
THE BEST OF SERIES
After all, we each have our favorite series. More likely, we each have our favorite six or eight series—some of which may be relatively obscure and others which are followed by millions of readers. While the less celebrated series can still be great, those ranked as favorites tend to become bestsellers simply from word-of-mouth.
Because, really, who HASN’T heard of the Wimpy Kid? Inspector Gamache? Katniss Everdeen? Eve Dallas and Roarke? Whether or not you’ve read their series, you very likely know something about ‘em ... whether it’s just “yeah, I’ve seen those books” or “the next title is due out in __ weeks.”
What makes these series so popular?
There aren’t QUITE as many opinions as there are readers, but most fans agree on at least some of what they especially like. The characters. The plots. The setting. The suspense. The humor. The drama. The voice.
Yet those are the same things readers love about stand-alone books, as well. So why do the series books tend to rank higher on the bestseller lists?
It’s because there’s strength in numbers. If a reader can choose one fabulous stand-alone title or one fabulous series of books, they’re more likely to choose what offers them more hours of enjoyment. Same as choosing an exquisite piece of sushi or an exquisite five-course dinner: when the quality is good either way, people tend to go for quantity.
But does that mean you should write a series?
Well, there are some advantages. And some disadvantages. Which of them speaks more loudly to you?
WHY TO WRITE A SERIES
If you have a story that’s just too big to contain in a single book, a series gives you the freedom to provide all the fascinating details and plot twists and character development that you’d have to leave out if the story needed to be confined into a shorter space.
We already know, readers love series. They’ll happily grab Book Three or Book Twelve as soon as it comes out, whereas—before buying a stand-alone—they might need a bit more persuasion that this IS a book they’ll enjoy. Once they’ve committed to a series, they’re likely to stay on board.
Setting and character development are easier when your series features the same characters in the same place. Sure, it’s the same amount of work up front, establishing who & when & where these people are, but once you’ve figured that out you don’t need to repeat the same amount of work for subsequent titles.
WHY TO AVOID A SERIES
It may take more time than you have (or want) to invest. If your schedule doesn’t allow much writing, you might rather use what few hours you DO have to create a book that can stand alone and be enjoyed as is—without needing additional books to support the overall story arc.
If you love the adventure of creating new people and new worlds and new situations with every book, you might feel too constrained by a series. Why commit to something that’ll leave you bored and frustrated while readers are demanding more of the same?
Readers have higher expectations of a series. If the shop sign has changed color or the character’s motivation seems to have shifted between Book Two and Book Three, they’ll complain about it. They want things to stay the same, but they don’t want TOO much repetition ... which is a tricky balance.
So, weighing the pros and cons, suppose you’re thinking about a series. That leads us right into:
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Before embarking on a series, there are several issues to address besides the fundamental one of “do I really want to do this?” Those include:
- Type—What kind of series will this be? Is it suited for the genre you enjoy writing?
- Arc—Along with the individual story arc for each book, what will your series arc be?
- Character/s—If there’s a main character, will this person be static or dynamic? How about the secondaries?
- Exposition—How will you keep long-term readers engaged without confusing the newcomers?
- Time—How much time can you commit?
- Style—Will this be first- or third-person? What will the books have in common? What will make each story different?
- Evolution—How long should this series last? How can you keep it fresh for you AND your readers?
Those are just a few of the things to consider, and they lead into our:
PRIZE-DRAWING QUESTION
What can make you decide you Do or you Don’t want to write (or read) a series?
Someone who answers will win free registration to Writing A Series, my May 4-15 email class on that very thing. On Thursday evening I’ll have random-org draw a name and post it at the end of the comments, so check back soon because class will start on Monday!
******
About Laurie
After winning Romantic Times’ “Best Special Edition of the Year” over Nora Roberts, Laurie Schnebly Campbell discovered she loved teaching every bit as much as writing ... if not more. Since then, she’s taught in-person and online workshops including the upcoming Writing A Series, and keeps a special section of her bookshelves for people who’ve developed that particular novel in her classes. With 60+ titles there so far, she’s always hoping for more.
Top Image by Bronisław Dróżka from Pixabay
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97 comments on “Should You Write a Series? How Much is Enough?”
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I think this is an "it depends" situation. At times characters call out to live again. Other times they say, "Thanks for the memories" and walk away.
I just finished a powerful novel in which the main character struggles with his purpose. The character is memorable, but the theme was epic. It's difficult to imagine the character or the writer taking on a lesser theme.
I created characters I want to revisit. However, none of them are involved in a situation as epic as that of the novel mentioned.
Also, writers can get tired of characters. Just ask Arthur Conan Doyle, if you can find him.
Paula, good point about when a hugely powerful theme makes a series impractical, and the risk of a series going on too long…those are both smart reasons to opt for stand-alone titles.
Because the first book is only the beginning. They are only just finding out who/what they are and there are so many more adventures to be had, things to learn, and a place with friends to grow with. Besides…if it’s mythic, at epic levels, and the adventure and characters are real and exploring…I want to be there with riding with them.
Penny, I'm so sorry I only now found your post! I think a few extras got approved after I'd already read to the bottom but I should've kept checking from the top...anyway, you've got VERY good reasons for wanting a series; especially at the mythic epic levels. 🙂
😀
Hi Laurie.
Many thanks for posting this article about writing a series.
I have just completed writing fourteen episodes based on my novel A Dangerous Love Affair, and today received a request to look at the pitch I have written for it.
Wish me luck and best regards
Colin Guest
I find writing a series comforting. I can revisit a setting I love and I know the characters who live there, so it's easier to get into their heads. As for reading a series--it's all about the characters and if I connect with them. If there's a dog, that's a plus 🙂
Colin, congratulations on getting that request—what encouraging news! I hope you’ll get a confirmation soon…do me a favor and let me know? Just email (all one word) Book Laurie at Gmail com.
Sylvie, you’re so right about the comfort of familiar characters and settings…there’s nothing like revisiting people and places (not to mention a dog 🐶) we already love!
As a mystery reader, I like a series (when I find a good one) because I already know the characters and do not have to invest as much energy getting into new ones. I also enjoy a series that has some unresolved element (say, a romantic interest) across the series so it makes me want to find out what happens. Also, like reading a favorite author, you feel safe going into it knowing there is a better chance you will enjoy the book. As an author, I like a mystery series for the same reasons (like the characters I created) but also the hope of reader fans buying the next book for "read through" income.
Lisa, your observation about liking a series (when you find a good one) is SUCH an important reminder. We all have our own ideas of what makes a series good, and you hit on a lot of those right here!
Thanks for bringing this issue to the surface, Laurie.
As a reader, I am drawn to series written by authors whose work I love because of the familiarity in style, content, characters etc and the likelihood that my trust factor will be satisfied.
As a writer, I've been wrestling with this precise dilemma. Do I write a sequel because, though the first book can comfortably stand alone, there is definitely more to tell, characters to grow, relationships to develop, and dilemmas to question and resolve, and readers who have asked 'What happens next?' Or do I write one of three other potential standalone novels I have outlined?
And, perhaps more importantly, how to stop overthinking the dilemma and just write!
Mazzy, talk about a great illustration of the dilemma -- with strong reasons to choose Series AND Standalone, no wonder it's a tough call. (I vote for starting Chapter One on EACH potential book and seeing which grabs you the hardest.)
Sometimes a really good first book will suck me into a series, but it’s rare lately, and I actually resent it. Ha! I just feel so busy with my kids and trying to write and all the stuff there is to do that I like a standalone book so I get the complete narrative arc in one small(er) package! But there is something to be said for having one of your favorite books have another to read and another, if they’re done well. Magical!
Brenda, it makes perfect sense to want standalone when your time is limited and series when you've got more time to devote to books...good for you on recognizing where you're at during this point of your life!
I guess the biggest question for me is how much do I love these characters/world? Because if I don't absolutely adore them, then who wants to get roped into writing about it into perpetuity? Then there's the obvious question of whether it'll take off with readers (do you have more ideas or ways for things to keep going)? I'd say if you can honestly say yes to both of those things, then a series is in order.
I honestly hadn't thought about people who'd get bored writing a series because I haven't encountered that yet. ;>)
Heather, you were clearly born to be a series writer...I don't think I've ever seen a standalone book from you, and there's no reason you should go that direction as long as you've got those fascinating worlds in play. 🙂
I may be the odd one out, but I don't readily invest in a series from an author whose work I'm not already familiar with. If I've enjoyed two or three of their standalone books, then I'm in no matter the length of the series. As for writing one? That's happening for me right now, and I'm loving it. It wasn't my plan when I started the first in the series, but I soon fell in love with the setting...and with various characters who often stop by uninvited. It's a comfortable place that I decided I'd like to settle into for a while, so I did. Here's hoping readers will feel the same way when they discover it. 🙂
Debora, you're sure NOT the odd one out...the comments so far are showing a pretty even division among people who prefer series or standalone. And you've got a great story of how the love of series can arrive unplanned!
My initial reaction is to consider whether I'd be looking at an open-ended series -- which can be quite a commitment -- or a more limited series, like a trilogy or even a pair of successive trilogies. My considerations as either a reader or a writer are fairly similar:
With an open-ended or simply longer series, will the author be able to find a satisfactory point to eventually close it off? Or will the series leave me hanging? (Or, are the books separate enough that it could cut off at any point and still leave me satisfied?) For a shorter setup -- a trilogy or a duology -- is there going to be a coherent, overarching plot that ties them together?
That is, of course, leaving aside all the usual considerations that would affect whether I wanted to read *any* book, series or standalone.
Michael, what a great analysis of the situation...all those questions are definitely things to consider (in fact, each one is its own lecture), and your conclusion about whether you'd want to read EITHER type of book is highly appropriate. 🙂
Even though I LOVE to read a series, I've never written one... until now. What made me want to turn my book into the first in a series was that my characters weren't done. There was still so much of their story to tell, so my series is going to be (at least) three books.
Natalie, that's a wonderful reason to dive into a series -- when you know there's still a whole lot left to tell, it makes perfect sense to keep the people and their story going for however long it takes to feel satisfied with the conclusion.
I write romance and series are big, but so are standalones. However, I think it comes down to the story itself. If it can support a big picture plot and character arc, then I think you do what you can to support it. In the end, do what's best for the story.
Torri, you're right about series and standalones BOTH being big in romance, which is nice because you're not forced into either. Good call on the big picture plot and character arc being the most important factors in choosing which way to go.
Hi Laurie, I've never considered writing a series but on reflection, the idea makes a lot of sense.When I'm reading a romance novel I love seeing the heroine of a previous book pop into the story.I think my biggest problem if I were to try writing one would be keeping track of everything and everyone, especially if it ws a small town setting with quite a few secondary characters. now Im warming to the idea I'd love to write a series with the same feel as the Gilmore Girlswhich I absolutely love..
Janet, I'd forgotten about the Gilmore Girls as a series -- you're right that the same questions apply to TV as to books. And with your small-town settings and numerous secondaries, you're in a very good position to do a series!
You've really got me thinking, Laurie! I do have higher expectations for series as a reader. Recently, it seems like popular writers have been using sequels or prequels to fix continuity errors in their first book! I used to only read series but now I can appreciate a well written standalone, even if it is a little long to accommodate for all of the world building and character development.
-Hannah, who has definitely read over 80 Nancy Drew books as a teen and never got tired of them
Hannah, what fun to meet another Nancy Drew fan -- it'd be fun to go back and read one now to see if / how they've evolved since our teen years. Good point, too, about sequels and prequels; those are always useful tools. 🙂
I enjoy writing stories that are stand alone but are within something that connects them usually setting. It's fun to have characters from a previous story pop up for a cameo appearance. I enjoyed writing my Small-Town Sweethearts series but by book #8, I was wanting to try something new so I created Finding Forever in Sandy Shores, a new setting all the way across the country from Loon Lake. While it was exciting to start writing about someplace new, I realized all the places I'd created for my other town no longer existed and I had to start over from scratch creating new hang outs for my characters. My first reaction was "Oh no! What have I done?"
And I will say it can be a balancing act giving enough information for new readers to the series to understand without boring the readers who've been with you from the first book.
Carrie, what a great description of how changing from one series to another can be a LOT harder for the author than for the readers! And you're right about that tricky balance between educating the newbies and boring the veterans...sigh.
Going back into and reading about a group of characters I'm familiar with and love is like going home. It's the same with writing a series for me. Great post, Laurie.
Steph, I like your analogy -- after having just BEEN to my hometown and seeing a lot of old friends, it's especially poignant to recognize that same wonderful feeling in a series. And I sure see why you gravitate toward those!
I enjoy reading a series but have noticed that I've been buying standalone books. This is making me think the days of long series are dwindling. Writing a series of three books...okay. I'll do that, but anymore? No. An idea: if readers really love a particular world, consider a spin off series. I think those appeal to readers, but the days of 6,10, or more series are done (IMO).
Yes! Mary Balogh does that really well. She'll have a trio or quartet of books, then does a spin off of that series to start a new series. I love them all!
Gina, you're doing beautifully at the spinoff concept with your band of brothers...it's interesting that your'e buying standalone more often. Is that because of a change in your available reading time, or a change in available books?
Hi Laurie!
To be completely honest I usually only pick up the first book of a series if someone recommends it to me (and hopefully the series is already completed). If it’s a good first book, I make sure to read the rest of the series regardless of how the other books are just because I’m invested in the characters at that point. That being said, I return to my favorite few series over and over again because I love them so much and am always looking for another world to dive into 🙂
Madison, good point about returning to favorite series again and again...when we love returning to a world, it makes sense to choose a world that'll last longer than one which surrounds only a single book!
Hmm, I tend to primarily read series...I like to be immersed in the world the author has created or the family/town/friends the author has created. That said, my exception is Nora Roberts' stand alones. I read those pretty much without fail. *LOL* I can see the benefits of both to authors (and readers), but my heart will always belong to series. I love to outstay my welcome. *LOL*
A series can feel TOO LONG when each installment feels too "alike" and if it's the same character (say for a murder series), if there's not character growth--that gets old fast for me. For instance, I used to love the Stephanie Plum series--but eventually I got frustrated because the character never seemed to change or evolve and it didn't feel authentic. BUT there are readers (and I presume the author) who loves the setting/characters just for that fact. They're not reading the story for satisfying character arcs, but reading it for the setting/characters and predictable hijinks.
If you're going to undertake a series as a writer, I think you might want to consider that going in. I think the most common way is to keep the setting/town but change the main characters. That way things can feel fresh but you don't have to recreate the wheel for a family/cozy town/secondary characters. It allows structure but also freedom to play.
Series with the same main character--I love them, but I think they may be a little harder to write--for the reason that it may be harder to show the character evolving or you may end up writing the same story over and over (feels stale to readers). Right now my favorite series that always feels fresh but also familiar is the Veronica Speedwell series. There are 10 books, I think...and I would love at least 10 more. I find it wild that there are like 50 books of the JD Robb Dallas series--and it still feels fresh and evolving. I do not know how she makes murder seem different every time, but she manages it.
Speaking of an expert in the series category--Nora Roberts--she seemed to perfect the trilogy before she undertook the ongoing Dallas series. So having series of 3-5 books seems to be the sweet spot. It's a nice world to live in for a time, but then you feel you might be ready to move on. If I tried for a series, I would try for that sweet spot. 🙂
Fran, way to go on figuring out your sweet spot before embarking on a potential series -- that sure makes it easier to choose the overarching story and sprinkle the turning points among each of the individual books. Which, you're right, Nora Roberts is INCREDIBLY good at.
I wrote a series if two books counts as a "series". I guess it does. And I decided to do that because the heroine finally got away from the bad guy and all was well since he went to jail. However, since he didn't actually kill anyone, you can guess what happened. Duh! He got out of jail and continued pursuing the heroine. So it was easy to segue from Book 1 to Book 2. I could still go on from there, due to the number of characters involved; but I decided to write a standalone after that because it's what I love to do - new people, new ideas, new...everything.
Patti, it's nice to have had experience in writing BOTH continuing stories and standalones, and your motivations for choosing each option are easy to understand. That said, loving new "everything" is a wonderful reason for single-titles. 🙂
If I fall in love with an author's writing, I sometimes binge read their series as a form of mental vacation from life. It's all about escapism for me.
Regarding writing a series, it depends upon what is rolling about in my mind.
Great article, Laurie. Thank you!
Ellen, I like your idea of series reading as an escapist binge...it IS so much easier to remain in that vacation paradise for as long as you like when you have e a lot more books to choose from!
A book series to a reader is like a television series to a tv watcher. A television series allows you to follow the development and daily life of the actors and actresses. A book series does the same: the characters grow and lead their lives with you as their witness. And you experience growth in knowledge and empathy as a result of the process of reading about them. I don't watch series on television (life is too busy for me to keep track of them) but I am committed to reading (and writing) novels in a series.
Carol, I just finished reading Garry Marshall's memoir about producing Happy Days back in the 70s, and you summarized the whole reason for that series right here! And while TV can be convenient for people with lots of time, books are even more so...whew.
I'm writing a mystery series. My sleuth remains the same but the location changes, similar to Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series. However, each also needs to "stand-alone". It's a balance. My sleuth has too many adventures for just one book.
Laurel, I like your parallel of the park-ranger series to the forensic-engineer series...especially because both those women have such COOL careers for solving mysteries in all kinds of exciting, even exotic, locations. 🙂
Hi Laurie,
I saw a link to your page and blog post titled: “Should You Write a Series? How Much is Enough?” on the author page of prolific fiction writer & friend, Harvey Stanbrough, who has written over 120 novels. Which includes four different series containing 55, 22, 10 and 4 volumes respectively.
I am not writing to be a contestant. I only want to encourage your readers as writers to keep writing whether it is a one-off book or a series.
I myself am continuing to write a series, The Black Book Investigations of Michael Grant & Associates. I have just started the next book in this series.
Prior to becoming a novelist I had written thousands of poems. So why a novel and to answer your first question, “Should You Write a Series?”.
Prior to 2008, I wrote a long poem. Like the majority of my poetry, that poem contained a story.
Almost immediately upon finishing that poem, I said to myself, there’s more to that story. The poem explored the events between two characters who were not named in the poem, just the location, circumstances, their actions which built to an open-ended denouement. In other words a partial resolution—life goes on. I wanted to know who these characters were and what happened to them. So the story continued.
The series now contains 36 books, and 37 is now in progress. As to the last of your two questions, “How Much is Enough?” Any story, like life itself, ends when it ends. The author’s job is to let the characters tell their story. If you trust your characters they will show you when and where the story ends. And when that first book ends and the characters drive you back to the keyboard because they have more life to live and more stories to tell, well then, you’ve got the makings of a series.
The “How Much is Enough?” part is an ambiguity. The author keeps writing as long as he or she is motivated by old and new characters, their situations and their actions to keep going. As the writer… you will absolutely know when enough is enough.
P.S., For the avid reader of a series, if they love it, there is no ‘enough’ for them.
Robert J. Sadler
Author website: robertjsadler.com
Robert, what a small world -- it's nice seeing you & Harvey here; and your observation about there being no such thing as 'enough' for avid series readers is absolutely true. Good thing there are a lot of those readers out there!
I had not set out to write more than the first book in the Jitterbug Dress series and although the book had a satisfying ending, there was still more story to tell. It ended up being 3 books! Now I plan ahead. I personally cannot see my way to more than a trilogy as far as planning ahead and it seems to work best for fantasy and crime novels. Jitterbug was historical with a dual timeline and there was a lot to tell of both the characters stories. Not sure how other writers do other genres.
Tam, I like your observation that a satisfying ending doesn't automatically mean a story is finished...when there's still more story to tell, expanding a standalone into a series makes perfect sense. And trilogies combine scope with convenience, which is sure handy.
I think it's easier to do if you have platform In any case, it is vital to have an engaging protag who will capture the hearts and minds of readers for as long as the series exists and promo is paramount. It also requires a tremendous amount of energy.
Joan, you have a lot of good points -- a platform and an engaging protagonist and promo (hmm, the three Ps?) are all big factors in making a series successful. And it could be that energy is the most essential factor of all!
I read very few series and find at some point they all start to sound to similar. I wrote a trilogy and found little joy in writing the third book. Three seems like an ideal place for this writer to draw the line in the sand and say enough. I have a novel I couldn't find an ending for. My immediate idea was to write a sequel. I have since baled on that idea and am letting it age in a file until the ending comes to me. Sometimes less is more.
Dave, good decision about letting a work-in-progress age until the ending takes shape...you're showing respect for the material rather than forcing it into a less-than-satisfying conclusion. You're right, less CAN be more.
My favorite series (well, the first that comes to mind as "favorite") is Jean Auel's "Earth's Children" series - you know, the one that starts with "Clan Of the Cave Bear." The woman is brilliant, she did her research well, and she conveys emotion clearly. Also, I've met her, and she's that good company in person too.
As for me, I'd like to follow some characters I've created over the years. What decides me against re-using them after two or three times is my age - I'm near enough to the end of my own story that I don't want to set us all up to feel unfinished.
Meg, what a kick that you got to meet Jean Auel -- that's a story I'd love to hear! And you have a good observation about timing; not knowing how much longer you have to complete a series is a good argument for standalone books. 🙂
What makes me decide to write—or read—a series often comes down to how naturally the story continues. The best ones, in my opinion, are driven by characters whose stories still have more to tell.
When I wrote my first book and it sold, I knew I wanted to propose another. It only made sense to stay in the same small town I’d created, which led to a third book as well. By then, I was excited about an idea that felt perfect for a four-book series, so I planned to wrap things up there.
But as I prepared my proposal for my editor, a new character stepped onto the page and opened the door for one more story—what I expect will be the final installment… but my characters might have something different to say about it.
I’ll miss that town, but I can always visit it again. It’s inspired by a real-life vacation destination my husband and I discovered years ago—the place that first sparked the story world.
And while it’s hard to say goodbye, I’m just as excited about what’s ahead—a new four-book series that may require a little more travel for “research,” which I’m not complaining about.
Thank you, Laurie, for your post that sparked this reflection 🙂
Chris, it's always fun learning what inspired a series -- and how cool that you can engage in "research" travel anytime you feel like starting a new one. Plus, of course, a few extra trips to see how the setting feels at different times of the year....
My experience as a reader of series has shown me how complex and difficult it is to sustain reader interest if too many elements of the series become repetitive and if the story world, key characters and/or overarching problem aren’t complex or flexible enough to survive each new book in the series. I’m thinking, in particular, about crime/detective/mystery series. I’ve often tired of a series after a few books when they seem to be just variations on the key elements of the first book. I think the pressure on authors to produce series books so quickly makes this very tough on authors.
Daphne, that's a good observation about authors getting pressured to turn out series books quickly -- and makes it all the more impressive when someone can DO that while still keeping each new story feeling like a whole fresh experience!
I've loved writing my series and can't wait to start publishing it. But it worries me that I've invested a lot of time writing 4 books so far - what if they don't like the first book and don't carry on reading the rest of the series?
Suzanne,
As a reader, I've often discovered a series on book 2 or 3 and then backtracked to read the first book later. If each book is a standalone (my preference), I see going back to earlier books as a 'prequel bonus'.
I also tend to be a little more forgiving of a first book if I've read the later ones because I realize the writer was still growing in their craft. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series was like that for me. The first book 'Fantasy Lover', while set in the same world and using Greek gods, had little to do with the battle-scarred warriors who hunt Daimons in the later books. And she hadn't really discovered her author 'voice' yet. But since I'd already read several Dark-Hunter books when I read it, to me it was a 'bonus' story. Don't know that it would have compelled me to buy book 2-3-4,etc if I'd read it first, but I'm sure I would have discovered the later books anyway.
Good luck and don't give up.
Thanks, Lee.
That is a very good point and one I should think about more as I hadn't really considered that readers might not start with book 1.
Suzanne, I'm so sorry I missed this yesterday! Lee C has some good advice here, and you also might want to release Book 1 as a 99-cent teaser, since (when other books are immediately available) readers who DO like #1 will be happy to pay for the remaining titles.
I want to write a series because I have a story that just won't let me go. I drafted what I thought would be a standalone, but then I realized the protagonist's backstory deserved its own book. I'm now 60,000 words into the backstory (Book 1) with Book 2 on the backburner. I have a very sketchy outline for Book 3. This is a series set in the 1760s through 1770s. Too bad I didn't finish it ten years ago so it could have been published during our 250th birthday year. I'm 73 years old and feel the pressure of my biological clock ticking!
Janet, I hear you about the ticking clock! But it's quite possible that the 250th birthday festivities will make people more inclined to look favorably at books from that era once they've been reminded of all the excitement back then...here's hoping. 🙂
Hi! I think character and setting are things for me. If I really like the character and enjoy not only seeing their growth over time but their ideals which carry them through,and the setting is interesting and can provide lots of opportunities for book and series arcs, then im on board!
Charlotte, those are both good standards for What Makes A Series worthwhile...not only growth over time, but also ideals that may shift & evolve as the series progresses. All, of course, in some highly interesting setting!
I like to read series where each book is still a stand alone story in its own right. If it takes reading all the books to hear the end, what if the writer decides (or can't) finish? Then what?
As for writing... it's something I'm considering!
Sherilyn, you're SO right about the risk of a series where each book leads to the Grand Conclusion. Ideally each one will have a satisfying conclusion of its own, even if the Big Question saved for the end isn't wrapped up...but that's sure not anybody's ideal finale. 🙂
I enjoy ensemble casts (Buffy, Lord of the Rings, Dragonriders of Pern, SEALs, etc.) Having extended family/ friends/coworkers lends itself very well to the series format. Plus reading future books feels like reconnecting with old friends.
Once I'm immersed in a series, I usually stick with it, unless the author betrays my trust somehow.... Stories become repetitive. The crime goes unsolved. Beloved characters killed off solely for shock value rather than to serve the story. So many errors (14 month pregnancies, etc.) that the story becomes too confusing to follow.
It takes a lot to cause me to lose interest in a world I've grown invested in. So, if you write great characters in an interesting world with a dash of romance and humor, you've probably got a fan for life
Lee, it sure doesn't seem like you're expecting too much from authors who'll win you as a fan for life! And you have a good point about ensemble casts, who not only broaden the scope of the series but let readers enjoy seeing old friends again.
I like the world building of a series, but with different protagonists for each book. It's fun to see the characters from the other books show up along the way. Essentially, books that are interconnected but can stand alone.
Ami, that's a handy way of letting readers feel at home no matter WHERE they start...sure, they need to get to know the story world same as they would in a standalone book, but once they DO know it they can choose any in the series and dive right in.
Thanks to everybody who's been leaving SUCH great thoughts about what makes a series or standalone more appealing to read or to write...I'm seeing all kinds of good ideas that prove, once again, how writers & readers are just naturally more creative thinkers than traditional business people.
I'll check back tomorrow for any additional posts, but I'm delighted to report that there are already enough responses to mean TWO prizes instead of one!
Don't count me for the win.
I find them to be great interconnected reads in romance.
Denise, romance and mystery seem to be the most popular genres for series...although fantasy is gearing up, too. 🙂 You're sure right about romance being great for interconnected reads because there can be a fresh love story every time, while the setting or family or some other element remains the same.
When I make a decision to read a series, it's because, through reading the description, I feel connected to the character's plight which ensures I will keep reading. This same connection results in my writing a series about a specific character, which I am developing in the present.
Dana, coming from a perspective like yours -- feeling "connected to the character's plight" -- and using that while you're developing your own series is a GREAT way of ensuring it'll contain the kind of storytelling that suits you best. Way to go!
My genre at this time is a children's picture book, and a series seems perfect to pursue because it will reinforce the concepts (and offer more cute drawings...) contained in the first book.
Your comments and questions are really helpful for a more complex series, which I have been giving a thought, or twenty to, another story in a different genre. The main thing that feels emphasized is to keep the main character interesting and involved in a meaningful way. Thank you for bringing these questions forward.
Ursula, your first book can be a great series kickoff...now that you've established the style of storytelling and illustrating that readers can expect, it'll be all the more rewarding to see more such stories reaching your current and new readers. And having done one series will make doing another even easier. 🙂
The big key for me is to have the ability to create a complex world and not need to roll it all out at once. I like the idea of Easter eggs and coincidences which will reward the series reader, but at the same time, I want each story to stand on its own, with possibly a different main character, but still tightly related to the overall world.
Tony, good point about the fun of Easter eggs to reward your readers...those are always such a treat to come across! And all the more noteworthy when the series moves from protagonist to protagonist, and it's nice seeing a reminder that there IS a connection overall.
One more big THANKS to everyone who posted such interesting answers! With 40 such people and 38 who didn't mind being in the free-class drawing, I told random-dot-org to pick three numbers between 1 & 38, and it came up with 36, 11 and 18...which means congratulations go to Dana, Natalie K and Madison. 🙂
Congratulations to all of you, and let me know (Book Laurie at yahoo dot com) where I can send your Groups IO invitation for the Writing A Series class that starts on Monday!
Hi Laurie. I recently read the bestselling book Days at the Morisaki Bookshop. I loved the characters and was eager to know what happens to them. And the sequel 'More Days...' lived up to the original premise. That in my view is just perfect. If the author decides to do ,books there, four or forty...i don't think it would work. But then there are books that seem to go on and on and i can't imagine how the authors keep at it.
Adite
Sorry for the typos! My excuse: I'm a lousy phone typist!
Adite, now you’ve got me eager to find those two books — it’s always fun coming from a blog with new TBR titles. And I’m right there with you in marveling at authors who can not only live up to their original premise, but keep it evolving over a long series!
Great blog post on series. Some readers want to relive in certain worlds with wonderful characters and the feeling that comes with the familiarity. As a reader myself, I enjoy visiting those friends again.
As a writer, I also like to go on to something new and write a standalone book. I think switching back and forth is the best. Go on to something new, and then come back to the familiarity of series characters and setting.
Jean, I think switching back and forth between series & standalone is a great idea -- that way you get the full benefits of each, and since there are so many different ones (as well as the consistent happiness of a story that works!) you're broadening the spectrum of enjoyment.
Thank you, Laurie! Such great insights. And love your highlight of the things to consider. Lots of food for thought.
Nan, I'm sorry I missed this yesterday -- and you of all people can make good use of the things to consider if you decide to transform one of your concepts to an ongoing series, which'd sure be fun to see!
Dear Laurie,
Such a fun question . . . nothing would be more joyful for me than to write a series, knowing that the first book was so worth reading that my agent and fans were clammering for another that carried on more adventures! My favorite series go all the way back to Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, and what fun to read them in order and enjoy such pleasures! The confusion and tricky parts for me in writing a series, would be being able to be so clever in my writing, that the main characters, plots and motivations continue to truly involve the reader.
Nancy, you did a fabulous job of summing up one of the toughest parts of writing a series -- keeping it all clever enough that readers will stay truly involved through book after book after book! (Of course, it's easier if you know in advance this'll be a two- or three-book series, but even THAT needs the same amount of fascination for every title.)
Well, I find that writing a series has similarities to reading on:-
* The characters and world make a footpath in your brain, and you have to follow it.
*When it'over, the return to the real world can only be borne with the promise of another visit to the story world.
* The joys and sorrows of the key characters feel real. Though the circumstances may vary from the commonplace.
* The cast become friends, or in the case of a long series. Old friends.
Moya, this is a lovely to the glories of a series...I especially like how poignant the concepts of becoming friends (or, better yet, old friends) and the difficulties of returning to the real world are. Now I want to go dive into a great series instead of teaching about 'em!