How to Outline a Series {Part Two}
Some stories need more than one installment to tell. Sometimes, that’s the author’s decision from the beginning. And other times…those stories inform us there’s more to be told! While I don’t always outline my writing projects, I thought it would be fun to take a look at how I approach writing series when I outline them.
In the first half of this series, I talked a bit about how I outline a planned series. For the second half, I’ll be talking about how I approach an unplanned series!
Which happens a lot. Because I have a very difficult time not chasing after shiny new ideas.
Anyway…
Sometimes, it’s an open plot thread that prompts the thought of a sequel. Other times, it’s a vivid scene or line that starts to paint the mental image of what a sequel could be. I try to let the ideas simmer for a bit before deciding whether or not to start writing them.
As with planned series, I have some questions I like to consider when brainstorming the idea as well:
Does the sequel focus on the same characters? How long after the first book does this one begin? Will this installment be the same format as the first (short story/novella/novel)?
I’ll also go back through and look at the first installment and see if there are any other storylines that I want/need to close. Then, if the idea feels developed enough to pursue, I start piecing the details together:
Book Two:
- Main events:
- What are they?
- Order of occurrence?
- How are they influenced by the first installment’s events?
- Characters:
- How have they changed from first installment?
- How does that affect the story?
- Are there new characters?
- Who are they?
A few notes:
My
outlines are usually only marked by major events. I like having the
rest open so the story can take its own turns. This is also why I don’t
spend a lot of time trying to figure out my subplots until after the
first drafts are done—I usually don’t know what they are until then! :)
Have you ever written a series? Tell me about your process! Any tips?
Comments
Post a Comment
Hi, and welcome to Lovely Whatsoevers!
Feel free to comment—I love hearing from you!
(If this is your first visit to LW, I'd love to hear how you found this little corner of the internet!)
Thanks for stopping by!