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.
Just going by what I have read about a few big authors like Tolkien. He had an entire world planned out with many events leading up the point where he began his story. If I think about Lord of the Rings it does seem one could describe the overall structure in acts as well as each act following a three act structure. Kind of cool I think. Glad you are wondering because it is becoming fun to think about these things.
Yeah, I was thinking of Lord of the Rings as well, and though I don’t think I’ll ever become as great a writer as him, his works are definitely worth pondering and learning from. I’m totally a LOTR fan! I was told my someone, who isn’t always perfectly reliable, so don’t take my word for it, but he told me that J.R.R Tolkien spent the his first thirty years planning that world! I would never be able to do that! LOL! He even wrote history books to go along with his novels! Yikes!!
That is also what I understand about Tolkien from a book put together by his son after his death. Spending that many years pondering a new world is over the top compared to what we may be trying to do. It said he even wrote out the Elven language. Writing the story was not the goal. I believe it also said he met weekly with C.S. Lewis to talk writing. How would you like to be in a room with those two while they are discussing writing?
My book has something like this going on as it is called the Time Shift. I have spent a year and a half now pondering and modifying the aspects of what it would be like to operate in this faster mode of movement. Building a world is not something that could be accomplished in a few months. My opinion is if you enjoy thinking about it, take the time to consider every day aspects of living in this different world.
I would ABSOLUTELY love to sit with them! I would have so many questions! LOL! Thanks for the advice, dwell on a world I am not a part of… yet. Haha!
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.