Creating a Series from an Old Story

 

Happy Groundhog Day, everyone!! Audra, here. I hope Punxsutawney Phil DOES NOT see his shadow! It's time for warm weather to blow across Colorado again!

Anyway, frigid temps aside, it seems like an eternity since I’ve written something new for a book. And it’s all coming back to me now:

·         The characters

·         The setting

·         The conflicts

And countless other details.

I guess you know you’re chosen to be an author when no matter how hard you try to put writing behind you, stories always seems to find a way of creeping back into your mind, winding through your heart and eventually, hijacking your fingers (or voice if you dictate) demanding attention.

I have a story – a series really – that has followed me for at least two decades. I found a floppy disk containing my first venture into this story with the title and date neatly printed on the yellow plastic.

1999

Someday I’ll try and access that disk, when I find a floppy reader and have access to a WordPerfect program. It’s not necessary, though. I know exactly how I framed that story back then – dark, mysterious, aloof – exactly how the historical romance writers of the time wrote their bestsellers.

I’ve revisited this series from time to time with little luck in finding a voice and a tone that felt right. Until now.

I’ve opened up a new binder in Scrivener and have begun working on a new series reflecting my old concept.  You might think “wow, piece of cake! The book is essentially written. All I need to do is tweak here and there and I’m done!” Mmm, not so easy. You see, all those years of simmering behind the scenes has led to many changes in my characters and the series itself. I talked about brainstorming ideas for this story/series back in October. In just a couple of days, I had brainstormed and outlined 6 novellas to accompany the original novels.

Fast forward to present day

I’ve started a new binder for my series. I’ve incorporated all my notes so I have everything all in one place. I’ve even scrounged around and found photos of characters to rekindle inspiration.

I use Moleskin for my daily planner. For my "bullet journal," I use any dot paper notebook I can find that's cheap!!

Ready! Set! Go! Let’s write! Right? WRONG!

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years of reading, writing, workshops, conferences, etc, it’s that you have to have a plan. Not the plan for your character arcs or black moment, or all the other elements of story.

There needs to be a plan in place for your SERIES.

A series needs a blueprint just as much as the first novel. Think about your favorite author and your favorite series. Beloved characters and villains probably made guest appearances in stories beyond their own. Settings contained consistent details. Seasons and fashions progressed with the stories. All of  these details go into a Story bible, but the creation of those details requires insight and vision. Let’s look at a couple of blueprint points.

TIMELINES

When I think about my series of novels, I have 3 books, each occurring in succession with circumstances based on outcomes of the previous book. That’s a relatively easy timeline to realize. Incorporating historical events aside, I’ll need a simple timeline to make certain seasons, holidays, schedules, etc all coincide.

When I look at my 6 novellas that compliment my first book, they all happen simultaneously. I am looking at a period of a week where I have dozen primary characters interacting with each other and, at times, the characters of the featured novel. AND, the dozen primary characters all have their own conflicts and desires that sometimes clash with their love interest and characters not necessarily involved in the novella I’m working on. Do I need to know where all these characters are at all times? Yes, I do!

CHARACTER PROFILES

Let me start by saying, I’ve never been a big one to fill out the routine hair color, eye color, height, etc forms. When I write a book, I’m dealing with 2 primary characters, and I can pretty well look at their pictures and visualize the scene. When I start thinking about a series of novellas that all wrap up in the same week, I better keep in mind which character has the green shawl, the silver reticule, the blue satin slippers. This may be a large estate, but people will interact and personal affects from one character’s situation in one book must show up in another book if the detail is noteworthy to any extent.

SETTING

In a prior lifetime, I was a licensed interior designer. Blueprints and creating purposeful environments are still second nature to me. I love researching the layout of an old manor house to see how I can modify it for my purposes. Creating presentation boards remains a tool I use to keep me in sync with the setting of any project. It’s fun; it’s creative; it’s essential.

These are just a few story points in keep in mind when formulating your next series. Or even, stand-alone book if you have a lot of details to keep straight. Create your own “binder” either by hand or using writing program like Scrivener.

Truth is, I’m not an organized person. I was desperate. I’ve modified Plato’s famous quote to fit: 

Desperation is the mother of invention.

I’d love to hear how you keep story details ordered and accessible. Let’s brainstorm!!

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 RSV

Audra Harders writes "rugged stories with heart" featuring fearless men who haven't a clue about relationships, rescued by ladies who think they have all the answers. In real life, she's married to her own patient hero, has two adult children, and a very strong-willed Corgi. She began writing right after her second kidlet was born and sold her first book to Love Inspired mere months before that same young adult graduated from high school. Surviving those years in between reminds her God does have a plan for her life...and that He has a tremendous sense of humor. You can visit Audra at:

Website: www.audraharders.com