On Writing a “Series” (2024)

FAQs

On Writing a “Series”? ›

When writing a series, remember that the first book's job is to grab the reader and convince them to stick around for the ride. This first book must lay the foundation of what's to follow, but in a way that engages the reader and leaves them wanting more.

To map out your book concept, you will need to know how to plot a series by creating a general story arc. Spend time detailing the beginning of your series, the central problem or dilemma that drives the series, and the ending of the series.

You may choose to write a series of novels about a circle of friends -- perhaps exploring each character's backstory in a separate book. Or you could have the same group of characters go on a number of adventures, making a different character the focus of each story. There are many possibilities.

Should you write a book series? It's definitely worth considering. While not every story needs to become a series, many stories would flourish if allowed to breathe over multiple books. And even better—Once you create one book series, it'll be easier to make another and continue to reap the above benefits.

So take each Episode and break it down into 3 strong component parts – the beginning, the middle and the end and write succinct, visually driven and clearly realised paragraphs marking the journey of the main story line (bringing in all your other characters at what ever point they appear as the Narrative Through line ...

The Structure of a Television Series Script. With an hour-long television series episode, you write a Teaser scene, followed by Act One, Act Two, Act Three, Act Four, and sometimes Act Five, depending upon the show.

The best plots combine strong writing with original ideas and have a very good understanding of what drives and motivates characters. If you've listened to a friend or colleague tell a rambling story with no coherent beginning, middle, or end, you already understand the importance of structure.

Five-Act Structure

Act I – Introduce the characters and the problem they are facing. Act II – Accelerate the problem. Act III – The worst possible outcome. Act IV – Characters scramble to overcome this worst-case scenario.

Once you have an idea for your story, try to summarize the plotline in 1-2 sentences. Use descriptive language to help your logline sound unique and pique the interest of someone reading it. Include the main conflict of the episode in your logline so readers know what to expect from your script.

Storyline may refer to: The plot or subplot of a story. The narrative of a work, whether of fictional or nonfictional basis. The narrative threads experienced by each character or set of characters in a work of fiction.

What is the most profitable book series? ›

Having sold more than 600 million copies worldwide, Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling is the best-selling book series in history. The first novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, has sold in excess of 120 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.

A series writer has to make each individual book attractive and compelling while leaving enough open ends to justify a further book or three. They have to create characters that continue to grow in unexpected yet authentic ways which hold our attention, sometimes over hundreds of pages.

Use a comma to separate items in a series (three or more things). You should even place a comma between the last two, although some writing style guidelines now omit this comma. In academic culture, we still use the serial or “Oxford” comma, so even punctuation rules have a rhetorical context.

series noun [C] (SET OF EVENTS)

a number of similar or related events or things, one following another: There has been a series of sexual attacks on women in the area. She gave a series of lectures at Warwick University last year on contemporary British writers.

Titles of book series or editions are capitalized but not italicized.