Book series are popular with readers for many reasons, but they can be challenging to write. You must start out with characters that are entertaining and a story that can be expanded without becoming repetitive or boring. Writing a series can be overwhelming because you feel the pressure to hurry up and get the next installment written. Successful authors of book series have found a formula that both satisfies readers with the current book but leaves them wanting more while waiting for the next. If you want to write a series, consider the following tips that can help you create something your readers will enjoy.
- Plan it out – While you don’t have to create the plot points for each book in the series, you should have a general idea of where you want the series to go. This helps with consistency as you write and helps prevent you from including continuity errors in your books, which readers will notice.
- Write characters with depth – For characters to keep readers’ attention through a series, they must be layered. Your protagonist doesn’t have to be good all the time, and your antagonist can have some redeeming qualities. Include side characters that enhance the story with varying viewpoints to give readers a different perspective.
- Write good endings – Books in a series often end in a cliffhanger, but that’s not the only option. You can also choose to conclude the major parts of the story while leaving some questions unanswered, so your readers want to read the next installment.
- Know when to write the finale – Some book series have suffered as the author dragged them out for too many installments. It’s important to know when to conclude your series and to do so on a high point. Series are often remembered for the way they were concluded, so write your final installment in a way that satisfies your readers.
Writing a book series can take up years of your life, so you want to get it right. Series are very popular among readers because many enjoy the depth of the story and the anticipation of wondering what’s coming next. When writing a series, don’t rush it; focus with a plan in mind to create the best characters, endings, and finale possible so your readers walk away with a positive experience.
