Think about the last time you read a book you didn’t want to end. That longing for more is a significant part of the appeal of reading. A series allows readers to spend more time in a world they’ve grown to love, with characters they’ve become attached to. It’s like catching up with old friends. There’s comfort in returning to a familiar setting, and excitement in seeing how characters evolve over time.
But there’s more to it. In a series, the depth of character development is unparalleled. Readers witness characters growing, learning, and, often, healing. This depth creates a strong emotional connection, making readers invested in the characters’ journeys. Each new book in the series builds on this, deepening the relationship between the reader and the story.
So let’s talk about writing such a series — why is it a smart business strategy and how exactly do you plan one?
Why do authors and readers love series?
A series offers authors a canvas larger than any standalone book can. It gives us the space to explore complex narratives, to delve into intricate character backstories and relationships. This depth and breadth can be incredibly fulfilling creatively.
Moreover, a series can be a wise career move. It allows for the building of a loyal reader base. When readers fall in love with your world and characters, they’re more likely to return for subsequent books. This means a more predictable and often larger income stream. It’s about establishing a brand, your unique signature that readers come back for.
And there’s the practical aspect of marketing. When you have a series of interconnected books that can each be enjoyed on their own, each book becomes a marketing tool for the others. It creates a ripple effect. A reader who discovers book three may go back and buy the first two. In essence, each book you add to the series amplifies your visibility and reach.
But here’s the most beautiful part: A series can evolve with you as an author. As your skills and interests develop, so can your series. This evolution can keep your writing fresh and exciting — not just for your readers, but for you as well.
I believe there are two types of interconnected series: the subgenre series and the trope series. These are most common in the romance genre, but the principles can be applied to any dramatic fiction genre.
The subgenre series
Imagine we’re talking about a small-town romance series. Picture a charming, tightly knit community where everyone knows everyone. In this kind of series, the setting itself becomes a character. It’s not just about the individual romances that bloom in each book; it’s about how these romances thrive in the unique environment of the small town.
In each story, while the main characters and their love story change, the backdrop remains constant. The local diner, the quirky neighbors, the annual town festival — these elements give a sense of continuity and familiarity. Readers come for the romance but stay for the community. They fall in love not just with the characters, but also with the town itself. Each new book feels like returning home and discovering a new love story blossoming in a familiar place.
This doesn’t just work with the small town subgenre. Swap in vampire romance and you’ll find a group of vampires with old ties and grudges. Or a witch romance with coven politics. A science fiction romance might take place on a ship or in an alien world.
It’s the elements and setting of the subgenre that tie the series together.
The trope series
Now, let’s shift gears to the trope series. Here, we’re focusing on a specific romantic trope. This type of series weaves different stories, each revolving around this central theme, and the beauty here lies in the variations this trope can take.
Let’s take the marriage of convenience as an example. One story might be a historical romance where an heiress marries to save her family’s estate. Another could be a contemporary small-town setting where two friends marry to save the ranch or because it’s in grandma’s will. Or it could be a sci-fi romance where an alien and a human bride marry for an intergalactic treaty.
The settings, time periods, and characters differ, but what ties the series together is the trope. Readers who love this trope get to see it reinvented in each book. It’s like having a favorite flavor but trying it in different desserts. The familiarity of the trope is comforting, but the diverse settings and characters keep it exciting and fresh.
Both the subgenre and trope series have their unique appeals. In the subgenre series, it’s about falling in love with a world and seeing different facets of it through various romances. In the trope series, it’s the joy of exploring a beloved theme in myriad ways. As a romance writer or reader, these series offer rich, diverse experiences while still providing that comforting embrace of the familiar — be it a cherished setting or a favorite romantic theme.
How to plan an interconnected series
To help us plan a book series, let’s look to the small screen.
Creating a television season for a 60-minute drama involves intricate planning, especially in crafting the season arc and ensuring each episode contributes meaningfully to this overarching narrative. Let’s break down this process by overall season arc and individual episodes.
The season arc
The season arc is the backbone of the series. It’s the central storyline that spans the entire season, guiding the characters’ development and the main plot points. In a 60-minute drama, the season arc usually involves complex, emotionally driven narratives that evolve over the course of about 13 episodes each season. This arc often includes:
- A Central Conflict or Goal: The driving force of the season. It could be a personal challenge for the protagonist, a significant event affecting all characters, or a combination of both.
- Character Development: Key characters undergo significant changes throughout the season. Their personal journeys are intertwined with the central conflict, providing depth and emotional stakes to the storyline.
- Rising Tension: As the season progresses, the tension and stakes should increase, leading up to a climax. This buildup is crucial to keep viewers engaged.
- Thematic Cohesion: A strong season arc often revolves around a central theme or set of themes, explored through various subplots and character interactions.
Individual episodes
Each episode in the season contributes to the overall arc, but also has its own mini-narrative. A well-structured episode in a 60-minute drama typically includes:
- An Opening Hook: Grabs the viewer’s attention and ties into either the episode’s mini-arc or the larger season arc.
- Character Focus: While contributing to the season’s narrative, each episode might focus on specific characters, giving them a moment to shine or delve into their backstory.
- Progression of the Main Plot: Each episode should visibly move the season’s main plot forward, even if it’s just a small step toward resolving the central conflict.
- Subplots: Smaller, episodic narratives that usually resolve within the episode but can also tie into the larger arc. These add depth and complexity to the story and characters.
- Climax and Resolution: Every episode should have its own climax, resolving the episode’s mini-arc while often leaving open-ended questions or cliffhangers related to the season arc.
- Foreshadowing and Setup: Episodes often include elements that foreshadow future events or set up important plot points that will be crucial later in the season.
Romance season example
In a 60-minute drama about a team of lawyers, the season arc could revolve around a single high-profile, challenging case. Each episode would then contribute to this arc by exploring different facets of the case. But if this were a romance series, each episode would delve into the personal and professional challenges of one lawyer in the firm, paying particular attention to their love life either with someone in the firm, or someone tangentially related to the case. Each weekly episode, or book, would go through all of the necessary beats of a romance, while gradually revealing layers of complexity surrounding the case. In addition, with each episode or book, the viewer or reader would be treated to subplots that might involve the other lawyers’ personal lives, internal conflicts within the team, or ethical dilemmas — all tying back to the central theme of justice and morality.
Now it’s your turn:
- What’s the central conflict in your world? Look to the subgenre of romance in your book. Is it a small town under the threat of a big developer coming in? Military romance where the soldiers live with deployment on the horizon? Romantic suspense with a world-ending MacGuffin ticking away in the background?
- Who are the characters that tie people to this world? Again, nosy neighbors in a small town where everyone knows everyone? Or perhaps a fish out of water has come to town? In the military romance, perhaps it’s a band of brothers who form a found family. The romantic suspense could be set in a law firm or detective agency.
- What are the stakes if the Big Bad wins? With each book, plot out the stakes the same way you would your act breaks in a single story. At the end of book one, raise the stakes on the interpersonal level. For book two, raise them to include an external obstacle to everyone. In book three, introduce a moral dilemma. Book four throws in a time crunch. Book five is the revelation of a deep, dark secret.
- What themes are you exploring? The small town could be exploring themes of family and connectedness. The soldiers could explore redemption after they lost someone in battle. The romantic suspense could explore themes of right vs. wrong, good vs. evil.
I’ve created a series planning workbook as part of my free Pace Your Series course if you’d like more guidance to work through these questions (sign up here). Just like constructing a season for a 60-minute drama is about balancing the ongoing development of the season arc with compelling, self-contained stories in each episode, this applies to a serialized story or a series of interconnected standalones. With this structure, you’re ensuring your audience remains engaged with each book, while also being invested in the overall narrative of the series.
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