Read summaries of successful series plot structure for insights. However, each book within the series must also have its own mini dramatic premise. The plot against america official website for the hbo series. Series is the new plot series is what author stuart horwitz says should replace plot. In anthology trilogies, each book is only loosely related to the others.
Exploring three ways to structure your book series wellstoried. How to preplot a series martha alderson aka plot whisperer. Outline your novel fast with a simple story template. The first thing you want to do is solidify the ideas you have. For one thing, it is a term with nearly unlimited associations. If you are writing a trilogy, or a longer series, there is one important thing you need to know about plotting a series of books. How to outline a series of bestselling books helping writers. The official website for the plot against america on hbo, featuring full episodes online, interviews, schedule information and episode guides. It tells a story from several different perspectives. The one thing you need to know about plotting a series writers. The real story is basically a novella, laying the groundwork for the fireworks to come. Learn how to effectively plot your novel and save time in the editing process.
Thus, the trilogy has officially gone from 3 books to a 9 book series. The framework for the greenleaf series is a memphis megachurch, the greenleaf family, and a crime. Each individual book should have its own contained plot that feeds into the. Learn more about the hbo series the plot against america. In his book blueprint your bestseller, stuart explains why he dislikes the word plot. Once you know the world, and your overarching plot, you can cheerfully pants the novels. If anything concerning character, plot, or setting. Make the hardest part of writing that little bit easier.
Plotting just one novel is challenging, never mind plotting a multibook arc. Youve now mapped out the plot of your entire story as best you. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The 10 best completed sf and fantasy series according to. Make every character in your novel want something and pursue it. Every book in a series should still have a miniplot. Each book stands alone and the books can often be read. As i have been outlining and plotting this series, ive had several characters reach and demand their own stories and voices. Some static series do repeatedly feature a prominent antagonist, but most series of this nature dont contain a serieslong plot arc. So my vote is, yes, do an outline, and especially for a series, if you are publishing that series book by book. Even if your readers have read the first novel in your book series, it may have been years ago and they might not remember all the plot elements.
However, there is one much larger story plot that each couples smaller plot ties into and it will not wrap up until the final book. Heres a worksheet to help you plan the perfect plot for your series. The first rule of writing a book series is having enough content to justify more than one book. On a plot planner, divide the number of books you envision in the series by the 4 parts of a story. Plot structures for books in a series ensure your plot structure will grab the readers attention when writing a book series, it is important to keep plot structures in mind. Hes fighting more with our other cat, because he wants to play and she does not. Register your seat in how to plot a series that rocks and get the tools you need to map out a series.
If these were standalone books, you could just start over and write something new, but for a series, you have to finish that final book. The witcher netflix series turned out to be quite good phew. I thought harness training would get some of his energy out, but its doing the opposite. I have used this to plot out my two speculative fiction series. Find out how to get your plot structure organized when writing a book series. You dont want to realize awesomeness could have been. Some of the most treasured books in all of literature were written in series form, such as. If youre a pantser, and hate plotting me, too, spend time on your framework, and the rules of the world of your series.