Another Series question

Sunshine13 · Jul 21, 2008

OK, is this even a style of writing?

I had an idea of doing other books after this one, but it follows the history of the world versus the same characters (though some books would still be the same characters introduced in the first).

For example, my second book might have the supporting character in the first as the MC in this one. Different problem, different plot, etc. And the 3rd book might be about the 1st books MC's antagonist. But it's possible in each of a reprising role from other characters. Am I losing you yet?

I've sort of read around here about series, and I don't think this falls into that category now even though I did at first. Because from what I've read about them they follow the same plot and group of characters. So what exactly would this be? And is it recommended? I know it all depends on how good your first book is, but let's say for the sake of getting some answers to the question, it gets published.

Writer2011 · Jul 21, 2008

Sounds good to me

pretticute80 · Jul 21, 2008

I hope so -I am in the process of writing a series similiar to what you are describing. It's taken me way too long to understand the different societies and creatures in my new galaxy not to at least get a couple stories out of it (even if they never see the light of day, my conscious just won't allow otherwise).

Writer2011 · Jul 21, 2008

I'm working on a series that takes 30 years--YES thirty years. This is something I have been wanting to do for quite some time. And now I'm doing it.

As for this story, it will be a mixture of journal entries and the flash forwards written in first person. Then again, the whole thing might be written in first person..who knows

It all depends on what works best

Prawn · Jul 22, 2008

Orson Scott Card does exactly this. His first book follows Andrew as a child hero among other brilliant children. The second book his Andrew and his sister as adults. Subsequent books go back to their childhood and tell that story again from the perspective of other children involved in the action.

Sunshine13 · Jul 22, 2008

I meant to post this last night but had issues with the forum.

I think I got my answer. Chronicles of Narnia is similar to this as well. There are some stories that have the same characters, or a reprise of introduced characters that aren't the MCs of that particular book. But the central story in each book revolves around the world of Narnia.

Is there a NAME to this kind of series? World Series? Anything? Just wondering.

shelboselby · Jul 22, 2008

There are all different types of series. The only important thing is that they have SOME sort of connection - yours is that they all kind of are contained in the same world and the characters are pretty connected.

I've seen series were the only connecting factor is that all these people go to the same school. You hardly ever see a character outside of the one book they 'starred' in, but they all coexist in the same school.

So yes, your idea is a series.

superman skivvies · Jul 22, 2008

I remember Louis Sachar did this with Holes and Small Steps, but the plots of the two books were not connected, it only used a character from Holes once he got back home. It wasn't really a sequel to Holes, but the MC was one of the characters from Holes. I think you can make it a series though, if the plots are connected, and it would be fine.

Nateskate · Jul 22, 2008

Actually, if you can pull it off, it will make your world/story even better. This is what Tolkien did with Lord of the Rings, where the fellowship splintered into differing sub-plots. Frodo/Sam, Aragorn/Gimli/Legolas, Merry and Pippen.

Kryianna · Jul 22, 2008

I've seen this kind of series in romance books quite often. It works well there, because each book needs to have an HEA. With a guaranteed HEA, one of the few options to have a series is to have it in the same universe. So the next book in the series has as a MC the sister of the MC in book one, or the next door neighbor, etc.

Honestly, I'm finding that I really like this kind of series, as opposed to 10 books with the same main characters. You don't get bored with the MC's, and look forward to cameos as well.

shannonmac · Jul 22, 2008

I think that's a good idea...it's kind of like following the story in each book from another person's POV...which in turn makes it more interesting, b/c you start to related differently to all the characters, they will start to have more dimensions to them...

good luck and happy writing!

writersprite · Jul 22, 2008

Call it a 'spin-off'?

It's a very sound idea for a series premise, and it is an idea that I have been infatuated with for 10 years. Mostly due to the fact that characters are jealous by nature and demand their own novel in the world that I've created. YA writer Judy Baer did this with her series, having the focus switch to different teens in the same high-school click of friends. The series was titled the name of the school (which I have since forgotten...).

So, perhaps your greatest challenge would be to discover the title for the series as a whole?
:idea:

IceCreamEmpress · Jul 22, 2008

Am I really the first person to point out that this is exactly what Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" books are all about?

The technical name for these is roman-fleuve, but that's not used outside of literary criticism. In the real world, what people say is "A series of books set in the same world/universe/alternate history/city/extended family."

AJ Clare · Jul 22, 2008

I can't see any problem with it as long as each book works just as well as a standalone. Like IceCreamEmpress says, Terry Pratchett does it very well - the world building extends outside of one book. Jodi Picoult does something similar with her lawyer character Jordan McAfee and his investigator Selena Damascus - they have kind of recurring cameo roles in her books, so although her novels aren't labelled 'Jordan McAfee novels', Jordan and Selena are kind of a background serial in their own right, and often provide a lynchpin to ground the setting of the novels. It's an interesting way of doing it, I thought.

Sunshine13 · Jul 22, 2008

writersprite said:
It's a very sound idea for a series premise, and it is an idea that I have been infatuated with for 10 years. Mostly due to the fact that characters are jealous by nature and demand their own novel in the world that I've created. YA writer Judy Baer did this with her series, having the focus switch to different teens in the same high-school click of friends. The series was titled the name of the school (which I have since forgotten...).

So, perhaps your greatest challenge would be to discover the title for the series as a whole?

I figured it out years ago, and I love it.

I'm excited now lol. I was sort of dreading the idea of writing another novel but not so much now.

Another Series question

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Writer2011

pretticute80

Sade -Soldier Of Love

Writer2011

Prawn

Writing is finite,revising infinite

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

shelboselby

One Girl Mediocrity Machine

superman skivvies

Wannabe Writer

Nateskate

Kryianna

shannonmac

Typing Boxer Types The MS

writersprite

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

AJ Clare

Don't get me started

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!