Do you have a story that is so rich that you need to write a complete series? Are the main characters so complex that their character arcs need multiple books? If this is so, then you are a lucky man! The journey of writing a series of books is amazing. It raises many questions about the writing process and the careful planning required.
The journey begins when writers write the first piece and readers are aware that the two and three are underway. Time to celebrate! You are on the way to being listed as a good author. Nevertheless, if you wish to secure that place in the readers’ hearts for a longer time, then this blog is designed for you. In this journey, you will come across some of the tips that can help you write a successful series books. So fasten your seat belts and begin this journey.
But what exactly is a series?
Let’s make it a simple way. Series are connected novels or multi-novel stories that revolve around a common storyline, common characters, and a common setting.
A series is dynamic. This means that each book is built upon the previous one. They have the development of one or more new characters with some new events.
A series can be static. This means that the characters will remain the same throughout the series. Instead, there will be new obstacles or adventures in each book, and the hero of the story will overcome all those challenges till the end of the book.
Tips for writing a series books
- Do your research
A common mistake often observed that series authors commit is skipping the research part and jumping directly to the writing part. However, extensive research and prep work are essential to achieve success from the start.
So, what does research here refer to? This means…..
- Reading through the comparative titles
- Knowing the common structure of a series of your chosen genre. Would it be a dynamic or static series, or which is the common one?
- Grabbing the popular themes from the researched material and applying them to your work
- An understanding of the genre.
Getting hands-on with all these pointers will secure your stronger position in the success bar.
- An understanding of the importance of the first book of the series
The first book of the series will set the stage for the rest of the books of the series. This is not just in terms of the story arc and character development, but also for the sales and financial success. The sales of the first book will determine the sales of the remaining parts. Only those who have read your first part, out of those, there might be some who will read your remaining versions. This is common for all series writers.
This means that the pressure is stronger when it comes to making the first book perfect. Therefore, it is essential that you hire a book proofreading service. You should set up the grounds and meet the expectations of the readers, not just for that book but also to glue the readers to read through the rest of the series.
- Keep your side notes alongside
This is a definite point that when you have decided to write a series books, you will have a document where all the details about the series will be noted. These details will act as reference points. Make sure that you maintain them either digitally or in a notebook. The level of detail is completely dependent on the individual author. For a sample, you can add details like:
- A description of the settings
- A list of all the characters and a road map of when to introduce which character.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. You can add more pointers to make your notes more detailed. The main point is to make your life easy. When you begin the writing journey, reading through all your books is impossible.
- Each book should give a feel of being complete
Heard of the term book syndrome? This is something common that readers complain about: the sequence was not as good as the original. This is a common sign of an incomplete arc in a mid-series book.
Although the series has an ongoing story arc, each book must contain a complete narrative that can leave the readers satisfied. Before you book an appointment with a service like a book printer for hire or a book cover designing firm, check if your manuscript is ready for the printing process.
- End each book with a hook
What is it that draws readers to move from one chapter to another? And keep them moving on?
This happens when authors have offered a resolution to the story arc of the individual book. The readers must be left tied enough to buy the next book. How can this be achieved? The core of every reader’s motivation for reading is that there is something they want to know. It is the job of the author to fuel this drive with unanswered questions, clues, and hints that will be uncovered in the future to come.
In other words, the hook. Introduce a hook at the end of each book that will guide the readers to move to the next one.
FAQs
Is series writing a difficult task?
Yes, series writing is a difficult task. The author needs to put the plot, structure, pacing, and character development in a logical sequence. This will drive the reader towards the book, and they will enjoy going deeper into it. This is something difficult for new authors.
Why is reading a series of books beneficial for children?
Series are known for their unique pattern of storytelling. They help in building reading habits among children. A story that is in a logical flow with some suspense left that can be disclosed in the next series. The children will read such books and develop their reading habits.
How can writers write their series books?
The process is simple. They just need to brainstorm all the characters, storyline, and plot points for the series. Look and read through some of the series books in their genre to get an idea of the structure. This will help them develop a unique idea.
What can make a series book successful?
Try to write a compelling story that can hook readers. This is one of the keys to a successful series book. Secondly, a strong belief in your abilities is essential.
The final words
A successful book series requires a blend of creativity, planning, and persistence. By developing a clear overarching narrative, crafting compelling characters, and maintaining the quality of the book, authors can build long-term success.
Using strategies like outlining story arcs, pacing releases, and staying connected with your audience plays a critical role in keeping readers engaged and invested. The process is challenging, but with dedication and thoughtful preparation, writing a book series can be a rewarding experience for both the writer and the readers.
