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Home » Writing Craft

Writing Craft

Beyond Book One: The Art of the Fiction Series (part 1)

By Lynette Easonon July 16, 2025
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Let’s talk series. I don’t know about you, but I love to read books in a series. I find myself investing in the characters, the town, and everything else and can’t wait for the next book to come out so I can return to that world. If you’re thinking of writing a series, there are some things to understand and consider before you get started.

The first step is to choose the type of series you plan to write. Are you going episodic or sequential or hybrid? Let’s talk about the differences.

Episodic Series

Definition: An episodic series is a collection of books featuring the same protagonist and/or recurring characters, where each book tells a self-contained story, but with elements that connect them to the larger series.

Key Features:

  • Standalone plots in each book
  • Recurring characters or locations
  • Minimal need to read previous books for context
  • Often used in genres like mystery, detective fiction, and romantic suspense

Examples:

  • Nancy Drew Mysteries (Carolyn Keene): Nancy investigates a different mystery in every installment, with no significant carryover of plot.
  • Jack Reacher Series (Lee Child): Each novel follows Jack Reacher through a new case, often in a new town, with new characters. Readers can jump into any book.
  • Love Inspired Suspense Series (not counting the continuity series which you would definitely want to read in order): While sometimes grouped in small arcs or trilogies, most books are self-contained romantic-suspense stories with recurring settings or themes but different lead characters and plots.

Why write this type of series? Because it:

  • appeals to readers who want flexibility in reading order
  • is ideal for long-running series with a consistent hook
  • is easier to manage with multiple authors or publisher guidelines.

 

Sequential Series

Definition: A sequential series tells a continuous story across multiple books. Each installment builds upon the previous one, often featuring cliffhangers, ongoing character arcs, and a central conflict that escalates throughout the series.

Key Features:

  • One overarching plot spans all or most books.
  • Character development progresses across installments.
  • Books are best read in order.
  • Common in fantasy, science fiction, dystopian, and serialized thrillers.

Examples:

  • The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins): Follows Katniss Everdeen’s journey through a dystopian rebellion, with events in one book directly affecting the next.
  • Harry Potter Series (J.K. Rowling): Each book follows Harry through one school year, but the story, relationships, and conflicts build toward a final confrontation.
  • Left Behind Series (Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins): Chronicles the tribulation period from beginning to end in a linear, progressive fashion.

Why write this kind of series? Because:

  • it encourages deep investment in characters and long-term plots
  • it is deal for exploring complex world-building and high-stakes arcs
  • readers often binge the series in order.

 

Hybrid Series (what I write)

Definition: A hybrid series combines elements of both episodic and sequential storytelling. Each book typically introduces a new lead character or couple with their own story arc; but all books are connected through a shared world, timeline, central event, or overarching thematic thread.

Key Features:

  • Each book focuses on a different protagonist(s)
  • Shared universe or community
  • Overlapping character appearances or events
  • May contain a loosely connected series arc or emotional throughline

Examples:

  • The Riverwood Chronicles: Each book features different main characters (law enforcement officers and survivors of violent crimes), but all are connected by a shared past event and support group called “The Survivors.” The setting and recurring characters create continuity.
  • Romantic Suspense Series (this is what I write): Each book features a new romantic pairing and a new suspense plot but takes place in the same town, organization, or family, creating thematic and relational ties across books.

Why write this kind of series? Because:

  • it offers both familiarity and freshness—readers get new stories but within a beloved world
  • it enables greater flexibility in character focus while maintaining series cohesion
  • it encourages exploration of different viewpoints while building a larger narrative puzzle.

Some think writing an episodic series is easier and new writers should start with that. I don’t agree. You have to track details no matter what, so if you want to write a series, go for it. I started with the big hybrid series and you can too. But having a tracking system will save you a lot of work and a lot of headaches. Trust me. I’m speaking from experience.

How about you? What kind of series are you writing and what drew you to that type?

 

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Category: Writing Craft

What Do You Do AFTER the Conference?

By Steve Laubeon July 14, 2025
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You just spent many hours, even days, at a writers conference. You go home to a pressing question: “Now what?” What do you do when you return from a writers conference? Tell us in the comments below. Meanwhile, I’ll share some thoughts. Re-entry Blues Coming down from the high of a retreat or a conference can be a jolt. Especially when the daily routines kick in. Make sure to avoid resenting …

Read moreWhat Do You Do AFTER the Conference?
Category: Conferences, The Writing LifeTag: Get Published, Strategy, writers conferences

Infographic: 16 Embarrassing Writing Mistakes to Avoid

By Steve Laubeon June 23, 2025
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Below is a nice visual reminder from Grammarcheck.net about basic writing mistakes that people make. Do you have others to add?   Source: www.grammarcheck.net

Read moreInfographic: 16 Embarrassing Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Category: Grammar

Mastering Subtext in Fiction – Part 3

By Lynette Easonon June 18, 2025
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Words can lie. Actions rarely do—unless someone is a really good actor/actress. But taking that element out, there’s a reason for the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” I talked a lot about subtext in the last two posts. So, let’s dig a little deeper into the topic one more time. For example, a fictional character may say, “I’m fine.” But the tremble in her hands is in direct …

Read moreMastering Subtext in Fiction – Part 3
Category: Craft, Writing Craft

Tension: The Key Ingredient for a Novel That Readers Can’t Put Down With Cara Putman

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on June 10, 2025
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Have you ever started a book that grabbed you from the first page, but somewhere in the middle, you started to lose interest? Maybe you drifted off or didn’t finish it at all. That can happen to your readers, and you may not even be aware of it. If you’ve ever wondered whether your novel is gripping enough, you’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges writers face is keeping …

Read moreTension: The Key Ingredient for a Novel That Readers Can’t Put Down With Cara Putman
Category: Writing CraftTag: faith in fiction, fiction, Writing Craft

How to Write a Novel Faster Using Dictation Software With Misty M. Beller

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on May 13, 2025
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The Apostle Paul didn’t write his letter to the Romans—at least not by sitting down alone with paper and ink. He dictated his ideas to an amanuensis, a scribe or secretary who took dictation in shorthand and later rewrote the letter in full. This explains Paul’s conversational yet intricate writing style. And Paul’s dictation of the book of Romans isn’t some fringe …

Read moreHow to Write a Novel Faster Using Dictation Software With Misty M. Beller
Category: Technology, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Technology, The Writing Life, Writing Craft, Writing tools

How to Write a Story That Lives – A TED-Ed Presentation

By Steve Laubeon May 12, 2025
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If you missed this before, spend a little time this week with this great four-minute animated video written by Nalo Hopkinson on writing great fiction. It is also helpful for the nonfiction writer because you, too, tell stories. But yours happen to be nonfiction! Once you are done watching, you can take a short quiz and even go deeper on the TED-Ed site. (Click here for the quiz.) !

Read moreHow to Write a Story That Lives – A TED-Ed Presentation
Category: Craft

The Right Conference for Me?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon April 16, 2025
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I joke that if I didn’t like my husband, I could arrange to be away at writers conferences 90% of the time. The truth is, Christian publishing blesses industry professionals with many excellent opportunities, including classes, worship, professional speakers, the chance to meet top agents, editors, and writers, along with mentorships and fellowship, to name a few. Each conference is unique and …

Read moreThe Right Conference for Me?
Category: Conferences

Mastering Subtext in Fiction, Part 2: Subtext in Dialogue

By Lynette Easonon April 9, 2025
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Let’s dig a little deeper into how subtext in dialogue works and what it looks like. In the previous post, I talked about how people rarely say exactly what they mean—especially when under stress or in a sticky situation—or maybe when the truth would hurt someone’s feelings. We dodge, deflect, soften our words, or hide our true feelings behind sarcasm or politeness. Great fictional dialogue works …

Read moreMastering Subtext in Fiction, Part 2: Subtext in Dialogue
Category: Craft, Writing Craft

How to Write Your Novel From the Middle With James Scott Bell

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on April 8, 2025
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  Are you starting your book in the wrong place? I’m not referring to giving too much backstory. I mean, are you starting your story in the wrong place? Pantsers often start at the beginning and just let the story unfold. Plotters often want to outline the entire story from beginning to end before they write the first page. But what would happen if you started writing your book from the …

Read moreHow to Write Your Novel From the Middle With James Scott Bell
Category: Craft, The Writing Life, Writing CraftTag: Writing Craft
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