Writing Techniques ~~ Writing a Successful Book Series

According to a poll conducted by Goodreads in 2015, more readers liked reading books that were part of a series than stand-alone books, although it was close. Knowing this, many writers embark on the road to writing a series.

The key to writing a successful book series is creating a believable world and lovable characters. Book series are popular IF readers fall in love with the characters. If readers love the characters, they will want to know more about them and their journeys in life.

Preplanning for a series is imperative. Before writing a series, a writer needs to do a lot of prework and answer a series of questions:

(1) Will the series be about the world where the characters live or about the characters and what happens to them? A writer should determine what the focus of the series will be. Consider the novels of James Michener that were long and could have been broken individual series. He wrote about places and the people who lived there. The characters came, changed the place, then died or moved on. The next characters in time came and picked up the story of the place. His focus was the world of his novels. The most successful series ever written was about the characters of Harry Potter and his friends. The wizarding world was an important element of the series, but the characters were the focus of the series.

(2) What is at the core of the series? An overarching antagonist or evil to be overcome should weave its way through the whole series. Harry Potter didn’t kill Voldemort in the first book; it took the whole series to bring him down. Smaller enemies and problems (subplots to the whole story) were resolved by the end of each book in the quest to take out Voldemort. The same can be said of the original Star Wars movies. The characters resolved battles by the end of each movie, but the overarching nemesis of the Empire wasn’t destroyed until the final movie.

(3) How does each book end? Don’t end the first or second book with a cliffhanger or end a book mid-scene. Each book should have its problems or issues (subplots) that are resolved by the final page, but leave the reader wondering if the final victory will be won. That’s what draws them into the next book.

(4) Where does the story take place? The writer must create the world where the characters live; not only create it but describe it in great detail. 

(a) Draw a map on paper. Find pictures of what the imagined world looks like and keep them close. 

(b) What does this world physically look like? 

(c) What kinds of people are in it, and how do they dress? 

(d) What are the ethics and beliefs of society? 

(e) What issues are facing the population? 

(f) Do they have enemies and allies?

(g) Who are the characters? All the characters must be defined before writing. What do they look like and how to they act? Who are their immediate family members, and how were they brought up? What notable physical traits and what special powers or skills do they have? What morals do they hold, and what would it take to push them outside of their beliefs?

(5) Whose point of view (POV) will be used? Most series are written in third-person limited to one or two characters’ POV unless the focus is on the place.

(6) When will the story end? Through the course of the series, the characters should move from their faulty beginnings to their new and improved selves. The best series have happily-ever-after endings. The reader can hope for the same.

Readers who like series generally waited until all the books in the series were out before starting the first one. Writing, then releasing two, three, or more books at once may seem intimidating. Releasing them one at a time may result in more sales after the last one comes out.

Please check out these helpful resources:

https://www.thebalance.com/writing-fiction-in-third-person-1277122

http://www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com/2015/05/character-101-building-complex-interesting-memorable-characters/

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/tips-on-world-building-for-writers-how-to-make-your-imaginary-world-real

I invite you to visit my website which has all my books and their links  www.cskjar.com 

                           

My blog is found at www.cskjar.com/blog

I’m on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cskjar/

I’m on Twitter at @cskjar

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you, Carol, for this well-crafted guest blog to assist writers who desire to author a series of books.

My friend and fellow author, C.S. Kjar, (pronounced "care") lives with her long-time first husband in their empty nest in Boise. She spent her life doing many different things. She’s been a stay-at-home mom, a teacher, a secretary, a statistician, a literacy tutor, a newsletter editor, a timber sale accountant, an archeological technician, and best and longest of all, a technical writer/editor.  

After retiring, Carol focused on writing fiction. Her novels are sweet and wholesome, suspenseful with a touch of romance. She has also written children's, middle age books, and one non-fiction book about quilting. When not writing or traveling with her husband, she loves to quilt, sew, read, draw, paint, and read to her grandsons.

For those of you so inclined, pick up your pen or sit down at your computer, and write on. Get that book series published!

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Writing Techniques ~~ Balance

Balance can be associated with gymnastics, scales, scorecards, life, health, walking, wheel alignments, your bank statement, and many other things. How can you implement it in your writing?  Why is it important?

Step 1: Balance helps to establish a sense of progression.

Select a scene toward the beginning of your manuscript and another one either in the middle or near the end.  What has happened to the characters in the interim?  An example would be one in which the opening chapter features a castle in a state of disrepair since your fantasy aristocracy has fallen upon hard times.  In Chapter 12, francium has been discovered by the Cofferer in the northwest quadrant of the bailey.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what%20is%20francium


Eurkea overnight, the cast is dressed to the nines, royal dainties are served non-stop, and the mules have been replaced with million dollar thoroughbreds. Using this basic narrative, what is the net effect of the progression?  Is it positive or negative?  What writing techniques have you used to achieve this outcome?

In one of my prior blog posts, I touched on the flow of writing.  Some aspects mentioned therein could be joined with balance.  Here is the link:
http://sheilassagaciousstirrings.blogspot.com/2016/05/writing-techniques-flow.html

Step 2: Progression achieved through balance reinforces theme.

If you’ve predetermined that your particular project is theme based, balance will be of utmost importance to you.  Careful construction will prevent overuse of your theme or such scant use the reader is unable to discern it in the first place.  For instance, if your basic theme is forgiveness, there are a plethora of ways to weave this into your writing to achieve an even distribution of it.  Does your project include a theme?

Step 3:  Dodge the ditches.

Have you ever ditched something?  In Step 1, we touched on the characters, but what about the plot?  If your story stays balanced, this will help prevent it from getting off in the barrow pit which may cause a reader to ditch it as well. Let’s say you have a scene where an employee is about to be terminated by a well known corporation whose headquarters are on the top floor of a swank high rise commercial building. 

If you devote four pages to explain every step of the soon to be ex-employee leaving his apartment, getting into his car, driving to the meeting, attempting to parallel park on the street; one line where the boss tells him he's fired, and five subsequent pages describing his exit from the building, it could be that some of your enthusiasts will quit turning the pages. They'll be looking for File 13 or headed to the closest thrift shop to add to their annual non-cash charitable contributions.

Step 4:  Pick and practice your act.

A gymnast needs a balance beam to practice his skill.  During the summer months of my brother’s collegiate gymnastics career, he fashioned a set of still rings between two tall cottonwood trees in our yard.  Use what is readily available to you.  Most writers have other books or movies in their homes or apartments.  Select one of your favorites from there or your local library. Repetitive reading or watching can assist you with being able to spot where your fellow author or the filmmaker completed his balancing act.  How would you rate his act along with your own?

Step 5:  The Greek Team.

After you’ve done the best you can with your manuscript, dial up your alpha and omega team.  Instruct your alpha or beta readers to make notations concerning balance as they work their way through the pages.  Your omega team member, i.e., your editor, will definitely appreciate your balancing efforts.  The ones who will benefit the most are your readers because you will have put your work in a steady position or framework so that it does not fall.

As we continue to practice our craft, we can achieve spectacular results. Speaking of spectacular, check out this stellar image relating to balance which is located in our great state.

                                                       

South of Buhl in the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon stands the famous Balanced Rock. Over 48 feet tall and 40 tons, the wind-carved rock balances precariously on a pedestal only 3 feet by 17 inches. Nearby Balanced Rock Park is an excellent spot for a picnic. https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/natural-attractions/balanced-rock-balanced-rock-park/

Fellow authors would benefit from reading your comments regarding how you have managed to apply balance in your writing.  Thank you for your participation.  The rising tide benefits all ships!

Watch for my next blog post regarding additional writing techniques.

In the interim, stay balanced, and write well!

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