How to Write a Series Beginning In the Children’s Book Space
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Many writers believe they have an idea that’s worthy of more than one book, and find themselves wondering how to write a series. And especially how to write the beginning of their series, as well as introduce crucial series information in any subsequent installment. Series are especially popular in children’s book genres, whether in the middle grade or young adult fiction categories. Categories targeting adult readers—especially in the fantasy and sci-fi space—can also tolerate a lot of series storytelling.) So let’s dig into how to write a series!
How to Write a Series: Introductions
One thing to avoid when writing a series is a first manuscript that’s merely an introduction to the characters, world, and story. Literary agents and publishers are unlikely to engage with a first manuscript that doesn’t do much except establish the lay of the land. This is probably one of the biggest mistakes writers make when they sit down and really learn how to write a series.
It’s important to introduce your world and cast list in your first installment, as well as moving forward with some kind of introduction in future installments, in case readers join the series in the middle. Deciding how much information to include, especially in your opening chapters, can be a balancing act in terms of how to write a series.
Readers of children’s book series like The Baby-Sitter’s Club might remember that they begin with an overview of the series, the friends, the situation, etc. You don't have to compose a tedious and skippable synopsis for your manuscripts anymore. (Though, unfortunately, you will still have to assemble one when querying a series to literary agents and publishers for potential publication.)
You need to put a premium on introducing your main character(s) in a dynamic way. Readers will want to know what drives your protagonist, what’s going on in their most important relationships, and the forces that shape the world they live in (with a few key facts) at the start of each book. But make sure not to overload the opening chapters with too many facts. This is a big mistake people make when they wonder how to write a series. Second and third installments of a series are especially prone to this info-dump. Remember to jump into the story with every book.
How to Write a Series: Characters and World-Building
Whether or not you’re writing fantasy or science fiction when you’re wondering how to write a series, you need to do some worldbuilding. Even if you’re setting your series in a contemporary strip mall in a small town, you should realize that each novel “world” has its own distinct rules and atmosphere. These details are influenced by character and emotion. For instance, the high school cafeteria looks very different from the point of view of a popular person and an underdog. Be sure to include any other key details from previous installments of your stories, too. When you’re approaching how to write a series, you can have fun by creating inside jokes and Easter eggs for your readers.
Include the necessary context in the opening chapters of every novel in your series, and build in details and context only when they’re needed. To make sure you don't bog the pacing down, be sure to keep everything brief and pertinent. Remember to balance action and information when you’re working on how to write a series (find tips on pacing in writing). By jumping right into the action and continuing the narrative you have already created, you will keep pacing tight.
And don’t save all the good stuff for later installments in your series. Give readers a thrilling conclusion in the first book, then work on raising the stakes and plot points even bigger in book two. Draw readers in as the conclusion of book one falls apart and now the battles or consequences or things the characters must face are bigger in book two.
For example, in Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao, the character is triumphant at the end of book one … only to realize that there’s a much bigger war going on. As you dive into future installments in your series, slip in clues that hint at why they're at war, who their adversaries are, and the stakes. Let the character recommit to their new mission.
But a crucial thing to remember in how to write a series is that you should aim to do all of this in action and scene, rather than in conversation or dense narration.
Leave the juicy backstory of the previous story and various bits of intrigue for later and jump right into big action. You can use the few moments gained to then balance out the story with necessary information, or give your protagonist some reaction beats. Remember, when you’re looking into how to write a series, you have more time to get all of your details down on paper. There’s no rush to express everything you have to say, all at once.
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