This is very interesting to me, because as a reader I avoid long series because I feel the story will never end! LOL. So I prefer standalone books or trilogies. But I guess as a writer I should see it different :)
Another request, and sorry if I'm asking too much, but I was wondering if you could do a video where you cover how to pre-plan a series. Say your goal is at least 5 books, do you plot (at least "big picture" - wise) each book before you dive into book 1, or do you spend most of your energy on perfecting book #1 in a way that lends itself to a future series, and then just "pants" each book after that? I'd love to know what you recommend in terms of planning for those who want to try to create your advised "anchor series". :) Thank you so much. xoxo
See, this bit I'm getting onto. I have 151 novellas planned in the Wolflock Cases. it's the genre that is.... gah. Think Sherlock Holmes meets Middle Earth...
I looked up your series. Well-branded covers, I think, and interesting concepts. I notice there's no Download Sample option on Kindle, though. I *always* download a sample before making the decision to buy (even if it's a "Buy for Free" deal), and I'm sure there are many others like me. Are you able to offer the Sample?
Just found you today! Binge watching your videos! Love how your advice is so precise and clear, as opposed to vague and abstract. Thanks so much for generously sharing your hard won knowledge. Can't wait for more!
I have plotted a 3 book series each with it's own 3 act structure. Do you need an inciting incident in each book? Book 1 focuses on a fmc who crosses paths with the primary villain, book 2 is plotted to focus on that villain, a mmc facing conflict and staked of his own and battling further villains that were introduced in book 1. Both books 1 & 2 will also be stand alone so they each conclude the story arc. For those interested in what happens next I will conclude or continue the story for the 3rd instalment.
Hello, I love your video series so much, and have been finding all your advice so helpful. Thank you for all the work you've been doing! You're amazing! I have a request. Would you be able to do a video on "elements of a good anchor series" because most of my current "ideas" that I've been contemplating turning into my first book are all based on a standalone idea, and while I've started attempting to "stretch" the idea on several books (after watching your anchor series video), none of them "naturally" feel like they are series material. I would be so grateful if you could explain what you think makes THE best anchor series, maybe based on your most successful series, and then on what you think you will be adding to the new series (aka, new stuff you're experimenting with). Lastly, do you have any advice for niche writers? I feel like no matter how mainstream I make my book, they will still be niche. Can niche books still be an anchor series or are we niche writers doomed to have low sells? Most of the ideas that come to me tend to be genre mashups, which you don't advise using, and they have other "niche" qualities like queer fiction, and then obscure things I don't believe mainstream likes such as "dark themes". I feel all in all I'm heading toward "no sales" -ville . :( Since I haven't written my first book yet, though, I do think I'm able to reconceptualize things to try to make them more marketable before getting knee deep in writing a draft.
This is a great suggestion. I will think on my tips for you! Niche can be great in some cases, tougher to find your audience in others, so it depends. Same with stand alones. Works well in a few genres, not as well in others. There's no one size fits all, so don't get discouraged! It's really good to know what challenges you'll face so you can head them off as you go! In the end, it's so important to write what you want to write. In my opinion, the key is to try to package it in the most marketable way possible. It's hard to explain in a simple comment, but keep an eye on the channel. I'll see what I can come up with to help!
Hi Sarra! Can you share your strategies for keeping your writing organized? I have dialogue and scenes in "pieces" threaded loosely together with my word processor :-) Your videos are great! I have a planner but I now think a TN is really better suited for my lifestyle. Thanks again!
B P Did you watch my video on how I use an old happy planner for my plotting notes? This is a big part of my organization system for my writing notes. I would like to do a series of videos from beginning of an idea to actually writing etc.
Loving your videos! Thank you for being so generous with your advice. Not sure if this is the place to post this, but I did have a request/idea for a future topic: When you're a new author, how do you amass reviews for later books in a long series? First and second books naturally seem to have an easier time garnering reviews than later books in a series. And if everything I've read about reviews being important for "triggering" vendor algorithms is correct, keeping the (honest!) review train going is critical!
I generally have an idea of the overall series arc, but I don't have specific events or plot worked out ahead of time. I tried plotting things out ahead, but it didn't work for me as the story always shifts and surprises me as I'm writing it. 🤣 For the most part, I know the big questions of the series and have an idea of the ending of the series, but in terms of details, I figure them out after the previous book is done and it's time to write the next. With that being said, I think it would be very valuable to have more worked out earlier so I could insert more foreshadowing and clues along the way. I already do some of this, but preplanning is on my list of things to work on, because I think it could make the overall series much stronger.
This is very interesting to me, because as a reader I avoid long series because I feel the story will never end! LOL. So I prefer standalone books or trilogies. But I guess as a writer I should see it different :)
Another request, and sorry if I'm asking too much, but I was wondering if you could do a video where you cover how to pre-plan a series. Say your goal is at least 5 books, do you plot (at least "big picture" - wise) each book before you dive into book 1, or do you spend most of your energy on perfecting book #1 in a way that lends itself to a future series, and then just "pants" each book after that? I'd love to know what you recommend in terms of planning for those who want to try to create your advised "anchor series". :) Thank you so much. xoxo
Makes sense to build a world in which to create spinoff series, just like the Star Trek, Stargate, Star Wars, etc.
I love spinoff series. They offer something refreshing. And I'm a fan of the Star Trek world. :)
See, this bit I'm getting onto. I have 151 novellas planned in the Wolflock Cases. it's the genre that is.... gah. Think Sherlock Holmes meets Middle Earth...
I looked up your series. Well-branded covers, I think, and interesting concepts. I notice there's no Download Sample option on Kindle, though. I *always* download a sample before making the decision to buy (even if it's a "Buy for Free" deal), and I'm sure there are many others like me. Are you able to offer the Sample?
Just found you today! Binge watching your videos! Love how your advice is so precise and clear, as opposed to vague and abstract. Thanks so much for generously sharing your hard won knowledge. Can't wait for more!
Carol Benavidez Thanks so much, Carol! Video is new for me, so your encouragement means a lot!!
Me too- so binge watching today... :-)
I love your content, and also the way you present it, in a natural, relaxed way. I feel really inspired by you and wish you all the success you want!
I have plotted a 3 book series each with it's own 3 act structure. Do you need an inciting incident in each book? Book 1 focuses on a fmc who crosses paths with the primary villain, book 2 is plotted to focus on that villain, a mmc facing conflict and staked of his own and battling further villains that were introduced in book 1. Both books 1 & 2 will also be stand alone so they each conclude the story arc. For those interested in what happens next I will conclude or continue the story for the 3rd instalment.
Hello, I love your video series so much, and have been finding all your advice so helpful. Thank you for all the work you've been doing! You're amazing!
I have a request. Would you be able to do a video on "elements of a good anchor series" because most of my current "ideas" that I've been contemplating turning into my first book are all based on a standalone idea, and while I've started attempting to "stretch" the idea on several books (after watching your anchor series video), none of them "naturally" feel like they are series material.
I would be so grateful if you could explain what you think makes THE best anchor series, maybe based on your most successful series, and then on what you think you will be adding to the new series (aka, new stuff you're experimenting with).
Lastly, do you have any advice for niche writers? I feel like no matter how mainstream I make my book, they will still be niche. Can niche books still be an anchor series or are we niche writers doomed to have low sells?
Most of the ideas that come to me tend to be genre mashups, which you don't advise using, and they have other "niche" qualities like queer fiction, and then obscure things I don't believe mainstream likes such as "dark themes". I feel all in all I'm heading toward "no sales" -ville . :(
Since I haven't written my first book yet, though, I do think I'm able to reconceptualize things to try to make them more marketable before getting knee deep in writing a draft.
This is a great suggestion. I will think on my tips for you! Niche can be great in some cases, tougher to find your audience in others, so it depends. Same with stand alones. Works well in a few genres, not as well in others. There's no one size fits all, so don't get discouraged! It's really good to know what challenges you'll face so you can head them off as you go! In the end, it's so important to write what you want to write. In my opinion, the key is to try to package it in the most marketable way possible. It's hard to explain in a simple comment, but keep an eye on the channel. I'll see what I can come up with to help!
How many characters do you feel is enough to start out the series with?
10
Hi Sarra! Can you share your strategies for keeping your writing organized? I have dialogue and scenes in "pieces" threaded loosely together with my word processor :-) Your videos are great! I have a planner but I now think a TN is really better suited for my lifestyle. Thanks again!
B P Did you watch my video on how I use an old happy planner for my plotting notes? This is a big part of my organization system for my writing notes. I would like to do a series of videos from beginning of an idea to actually writing etc.
Loving your videos! Thank you for being so generous with your advice. Not sure if this is the place to post this, but I did have a request/idea for a future topic: When you're a new author, how do you amass reviews for later books in a long series? First and second books naturally seem to have an easier time garnering reviews than later books in a series. And if everything I've read about reviews being important for "triggering" vendor algorithms is correct, keeping the (honest!) review train going is critical!
kdjonesflute Very good topic! I will definitely add that to the list and have a few good tips for you!
Heart Breathings Thank you!
Do you plan out a series before you write it? Or do you do one book and then work out the second book from what happened in that one?
I generally have an idea of the overall series arc, but I don't have specific events or plot worked out ahead of time. I tried plotting things out ahead, but it didn't work for me as the story always shifts and surprises me as I'm writing it. 🤣 For the most part, I know the big questions of the series and have an idea of the ending of the series, but in terms of details, I figure them out after the previous book is done and it's time to write the next.
With that being said, I think it would be very valuable to have more worked out earlier so I could insert more foreshadowing and clues along the way. I already do some of this, but preplanning is on my list of things to work on, because I think it could make the overall series much stronger.