Interestingly, this is one such topic that never gets old as the authors regularly keeps on enquiring about the tricks behind creating an addictive book series! So, what are those tricks that helps the authors in creating an addictive book series? Why are these tricks so important for the authors? Well, these tricks are nothing less than the ‘Trade Secrets’ in the field of book business and that is why they are so vital for the authors!
Well, there reasons for the authors to believe that an addictive book series can be the game changer for them. As you see in the case of the all-time greatest author of the modern days, J.K. Rowling who created the legendary ‘Harry Potter Series’ tasted tremendous amount of success all around the globe. Moreover, this is just one example and to be more specific almost all the top authors around the world are following the same pattern of creating a mind-blowing book series. This trade secret is now no more a secret or rather one can say this to be an Open Secret.
Indian Authors too had joined this race of creating these larger than life book series, and if you wondering that who all had done so then I will give you a hint – what comes to your mind when I say Amish Tripathi! In addition, several more Indian Authors had not only created some larger than life book series but also had tasted huge success by doing so! Well, people say that learning from the greats helps us to perform better and yes, this seems to be absolutely true over here. This probably is the greatest reason why a huge section of the young and the budding authors in India are planning to create addictive book series to mark their presence in the literary world.
To be honest, creating a compelling book series is a terrific way for the authors to expand their author platforms and attract the readers to their brand. It also helps the authors to ensure that the readers they have brought on board thus far remain their biggest fans and supporters. So, let us focus on some of the points, which helps the authors in creating an addictive book series –
1) Create a world that readers want to revisit over & over: One of the key things to remember as you create a series is that it is not about plot or narrative. It is about creating a world that your readers want to escape to time and again. Think about some of your favourite book series; chances are, when you remember your favourite aspects of them, you do not think about plots or structures, you remember the world and its characteristics.
How do you create a compelling world? With lots of great details that make it seem ‘Real.’ Keep a notebook that contains descriptions of various aspects of the setting in which your story is told. Add to it as much as you can, even if the details never make it into your story. The idea is to make a place that seems like it has lived in by real, relatable people.
2) Stock your world with compelling & relatable characters: Your amazing fictional world is not complete until you populate it with great characters. Remember that the readers are not going to come back again and again because of your ability to plot a story; they are going to revisit your world because it’s a cool place to hang out. Give them a cast of irresistible characters, and they will become incredibly loyal followers!
3) Move in a clear direction: One of the more frustrating things about series that do not work is that they lack a clear direction or focus. Readers can tell when an author is simply filling pages to pump out the next sequel, so you have to be able to justify your series’ existence. This does not mean plotting out the entire series before you write a single word, though. It means thinking about your characters and their world, and then giving them conflicts to work through that make sense for the setting and their specific traits. A character should always be working toward something, and your audience needs to be invested in the quest.
In addition, do not stuff your stories with multiple cliffhangers to keep readers interested! Cliffhangers and intrigue are important, but you need to reward your readers with cool reveals and memorable instances of character development from time to time.
4) Have fun with your series: Writing a series is a great strategy for building your author brand, but it should not feel like hard, tedious work. Have fun with it and make sure that the world you create and the characters who inhabit it are worth your time and energy. Readers can tell when an author’s heart is not in it, so make sure you move forward with a series only when you feel excited by the prospect of sticking with it.
Written By NEEL PREET – Author of the Books, Voice From The East (2016); Journey With Time Place And Circumstances (2018) & Indian Defence Files (2021).
