I'm currently writing the 10th book in my ARKANE thriller series, so I am revisiting the little details that make my characters consistent across the books. I have forgotten so much since End of Days!
Here are some of the things to think about for continuation across series. Watch the video below or here on YouTube.
In the video, I go through:
(1) Continuation of character history, physical and personality traits
(2) How much to repeat in case people don't start with the first book
(3) What I remember vs what I actually wrote
(4) A story in itself but also part of a series
(5) Does the protagonist change within the book or over a series of books?
(6) How to cope with timescale over multiple books
(7) Retrofitting cover design and branding
You can find my series fiction here: https://jfpenn.com/fiction/
Get your free 7 Steps to Write your Novel cheatsheet at: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/7steps
View Comments (11)
I use a continuity editor - she's saved my life more than once :-)
"(3) What I remember vs what I actually wrote"
I lol'ed at this. My memory is SOOOO poor. I'm reading through and doing light edits of a book I started earlier this year. And I got to a part where I had invented something cool all those months ago and completely DID NOT REMEMBER IT. I had to write it in my notes and say, "Oh, hi, Stephanie! Guess what you invented that solved all the initial problems of this world?" Lol.
Ha haaaaa, S.J., I love this!
This is particularly difficult if you edit out something significant which you then think stayed in the final draft :) Framing it another way, perhaps it's fun for readers to find these issues in our books!
A good reminder, Joanna. Everyone who writes in series gets a big high-five from me. I can barely keep the facts straight in my stand alones, let alone sequels!
I'm laughing because I just found a goof-up yesterday in my newest release, where I had changed the MC's ex-husband's profession from concert violinist (in first book) to playing the piano. Oops! And I discovered I had it wrong in my series bible, so now I have to go check the other books.
Thanks for the great tips!
Thank you. Really helpful advice. Now I’m going to look for your videos on writing a series and cover design.
Great post! One thing that works quite well for me is to outline the entire series before starting the first book.
That's very organized of you :) I'm a pantser / discovery writer, so find that form of outlining pretty impossible :) It takes all sorts!
Story Bible. That simple. When you start a book, even if you do not think it will be a series, start a story bible.
Excellent guide! I use a character bible to help me. This helps my challenged recall avoid describing Sally’s green eyes in book two that were blue in book one. My tightrope to trudge is (2). How to balance the old info with the new. Bore the prior book reader with too much repeat story vs. lose the new reader by not giving enough backstory. Yikes!