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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For those of you who read Book One of The Sabblonti Series and either emailed, texted, wrote a snail mail letter or called inquiring as to whether or not Sarita Sabblonti was making the biggest mistake of her life by getting engaged to drifter Wyn Moreland, well now's your chance to finally find out! Also, just how flush is that Sabblonti outfit when it's all said and done?  Inquiring readers want to know!

It's with great joy that I announce the release of A Stormy Year, Book Two of The Sabblonti Series, which has been fifteen months in the making.  I'm reminded of a quote from Allen Saunders, "Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans."  I guess I could add a few more words to the end of the previous sentence, "or writing a novel."

The cast of characters has blossomed considerably following the publication of Jantzi's Jokers, Book One of this western series.  And that's not the only thing in full bloom in the high desert mountain region ~~ several romances, some old and some new, have developed into a lovely bouquet despite repeated intrusion from the Black Raven.

The hottest country western singers, The Tall Blues, rodeo announcer Cord Calhoun, and rodeo clown Caper Sadler along with Slim Shade's rodeo stock help to make the 75th Annual Ignee County Rodeo & Roundup the best ever!

It was a double blessing to participate in this literary endeavor with Idaho Award Winning photographer, Sharon Breshears, along with premier illustrator, Cathie Richardson. 

Here's the scoop to dial up your copy today which is available online in either print or digital format: 

Print Version: https://www.amazon.com/Stormy-Year-Book-Two-Sabblonti/dp/0989713334/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489082767&sr=8-2&keywords=books+by+sheila+eismann

Digital Version: https://www.amazon.com/Stormy-Year-Sabblonti-Book-ebook/dp/B06XGLRN8B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489082767&sr=8-1&keywords=books+by+sheila+eismann

I'll leave you with a quote from a young woman who plowed right through this book,"I felt like I was watching a mini-series as the characters rode across the western landscape."

If you would like a personal autographed copy, please visit my Etsy shop.  I chose to sign this book in rich purple ink to match the stellar color!

Happy Reading & Ride On!

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Writing Journeys ~~ Write On Schedule

According to Merriam-Webster, any writers' friend, 

According to

If you are currently working on a literary project or manuscript:

• Do you have a writing schedule? 
• Is it written or printed out?
•  Which do you prefer — a certain time frame or a specific number of words?
•  Are you able to adhere to your schedule?
•  What happens when the wheels fall off your writing plan?

According to Merriam-Webster, any writers’ friend, the definition of schedule [noun] is:

·        a plan of things that will be done and the times when they will be done

·        a written or printed list of things and the times when they will be done.

I adhered more strictly to a writing schedule after embarking upon my first western fictional novel, Book One of The Sabblonti Series titled Janzti’s Jokers.  Due to physical limitations, it was easier for me to work for a certain period of time on the days my schedule permitted as opposed to trying to set a goal of a certain number of words.  Now that I am penning Book Two of the series, I am implementing that practice as well.  Just for grins, I record the number of words on a small yellow lined tablet stored close to my computer. 

Prior to writing fiction, I authored primarily inspirational books along with some poetry.  If I had to take extended breaks between writing those genres, it did not seem like it took much to “get back in the river”, so to speak.  

Experiencing quite a few interruptions or having to be absent from Jantzi Belle and the cattle crew in my fictional novel proved to be far more challenging as I would have to retrace my steps and figure out where I left off the last time my fingers touched the keyboard.

Stephen Covey’s sage advice comes to mind, “the key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

I recently started blogging and have found that I enjoy it far more than I thought I would.  One thing that has kept me on track is a blogging calendar.  Businesses typically give out calendars at the beginning of each year, so I pressed one of those into service for my new found writing interest.  Granted, it’s easier to use a calendar for blogging as most posts are short and to the point.  A novel consisting of 80,000 to 140,000 words can seem far more daunting.

Times and seasons can also affect our writing schedules.  As I am typing this, it is a glorious spring day in the mountain west complete with a gentle breeze, bright sunshine, blue sky, and the birds chirping outside my office window.  When the thermometer registers 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the wind is howling, and it’s snowing sideways, it’s much easier to sit at a computer and hammer out mega words.

Let’s consider some things which may help to increase your writing capacity:

• Determine what is your optimum time of day wherein you are most productive, and strive to use that block of time for your writing endeavors.
• Take a long and short look at your calendar.  Mark off some specific days that are set aside just for writing such as you would do for a doctor appointment.
•  Analyze your daily routine to see if you can rearrange it to carve out more time for writing.  For instance, if you have household chores or other things for which you are responsible and you normally do those in the morning, flip your schedule, and do those in the afternoon which frees up your morning to write.
• Assess your writing style.  Are you trying to edit as you write?  If so, this may be cutting into your initial productivity.  Granted, there are different opinions on this matter.  Some writers deem it’s best to get their thoughts down on paper and edit afterwards whereas others edit as they go.  Different key and pen strokes for different folks.
• Some authors outline their manuscript ahead of time while others bemoan even the very suggestion of such a thing.
• Try talking a walk before you write to unleash the creativity within.
•  Mothers with young children can sometimes find another mother with young children and work out a shared arrangement to free up time for each other.
• Comparing yourself to other writers and their schedules is counterproductive.  Do what works for you.
• Join a small writer’s group where the members can assist and encourage you.
• Book fairs, signings, and related events are wonderful incentives to help keep your writing flowing.  Endeavor to associate with writing clubs or organizations which conduct events as this will help you achieve your goal of getting your book published in a timely manner.
• Reward yourself for achieving your writing goals.  This could be something as simple as a pretty bookmark, a fellow author’s book, a canister of your favorite tea, etc.  The higher end, of course, would be that trip to the Bahamas or elsewhere that you have always wanted to take.  J

 I would like to hear from you as to what suggestions you have for fellow writers as to how to stay on schedule, increase productivity, reach your writing and publishing goals, and live happily ever after in the process.

Happy Reading & Write On Schedule!

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