I was wondering, for wondering’s sake, if a series has an overall three act structure that plans the whole series, or a different one for each book? Should it have an overall story arc, or could it be separate stories? What really makes sense for that, or does it depend entirely on the story you are trying to tell? I was wondering mostly because I want to write a novel that ends with more story and eventually write a series with it. Should I have the whole series planned out? or would it be a very bad idea to write one book at a time with only a very small idea of where it will lead in future books?
Thanks guys!
-Colleen
Thanks for that, Erin! I think that’s what I’m going to do. Each book is going to defeat an antagonist and get closer to defeating the Mega-antagonist. In the last book, I’ll kill her off too. ;P
Great question, Colleen.
Each book should follow its own structure, but a trilogy will also follow the three act structure in its own right.
For instance, the second star wars (Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back), starts low and ends low. It does follow a typical three act structure in-between, but by cheating the beginning and ending a little bit, it also fulfills what we would need out of a second act.
The third movie (Episode VI: Return of the Jedi), starts low and ends very, very high, but still follows the basic three-act story shape in-between.
My best advice is that series/trilogies are earned. Write one really fantastic book. Write sequels/series/trilogies because of the overwhelming success and demand for the first book. The first book needs to be a complete and fantastic story, or your sequels are basically worthless.
If you tell an incomplete story with the first book, there will not be any sequels.
If you’re following the Novel Matrix system and you’re developing the big world, you’ll be leaving the doors open for future books, but still telling a complete story with the first one.
Write one really good book. Prove that readers love that book, then plan the rest of the series at that time.
Hi Colleen.
I’m working on a series and have done an individual novel matrix for each book as most of the books are different interconnected tales within the universe. Focusing on one novel at a time helps me a great deal.