tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post1829572237740374378..comments2024-03-29T06:33:18.758-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: Writing A Trilogy, Part One: Book OneElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-46091713075961215122013-07-16T14:10:24.147-06:002013-07-16T14:10:24.147-06:00Thank you so much for these posts! I knew what nee...Thank you so much for these posts! I knew what needed to happen in book two, but I couldn't really put words on it, which you've done nicely here. I'm editing the first book in my own trilogy right now, but I wanted a plan for the next to make sure that I do introduce everything important. Although the end of my first book isn't happy... a bit of a failure, really.<br /><br />It's sort of a "just when you think things can't get worse, they do" ending... thrice. Government retaliation for a failed mission, a character death who represented hope for the future, and then a twist that shows the government is still winning and the MC doesn't know the half of it.<br /><br />Work's been terrible today because I keep thinking of scenes to add and ideas for book two, so thank you!Rochellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15018509020490710154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-75784221993062513592012-10-12T15:11:20.987-06:002012-10-12T15:11:20.987-06:00THANK YOU!
I'm stopped on book one right now ...THANK YOU!<br /><br />I'm stopped on book one right now because I tried to shove in too much plot and I'm having trouble thinning it out. Maybe part of me knew you were going to write this :)<br /><br />Already it's a help.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745686632918324803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-14367363805374342792012-10-11T18:25:02.274-06:002012-10-11T18:25:02.274-06:00I'm currently working through the edits of #1 ...I'm currently working through the edits of #1 in a trilogy. You make some great points to think through as I finish up. Thanks for this. And I love Save The Cat!!Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-37699893077801293092012-10-10T13:21:14.664-06:002012-10-10T13:21:14.664-06:00I would love for you to explain how to treat the f...I would love for you to explain how to treat the first book in a trilogy where the books are companion books, like yours. Do you still focus on the six things that need fixing, and what if you switch main characters? Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16922871961153388205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-78905127658673014402012-10-10T11:00:48.924-06:002012-10-10T11:00:48.924-06:00I've written several trilogies. My problem is ...I've written several trilogies. My problem is when I write a stand alone most of my critique partners tell me it ought to be a trilogy. Sometimes I agree. Sometimes not. Currently trying to find an agent for my one trilogy (all three are written but the last two need many revisions)Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13813034388044650466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-19069006327280162372012-10-09T23:23:53.274-06:002012-10-09T23:23:53.274-06:00I adore trilogies, which is amusing since I genera...I adore trilogies, which is amusing since I generally hate sequels in movies. <br />But, by the time I reach the end of book one, i'm invested. I almost always want more. <br />I'm wanting to write my current WIP as the first of a trilogy, so your post is particularly helpful--and timely.<br />Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04342262917285991152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-37150952671574174742012-10-09T18:48:14.970-06:002012-10-09T18:48:14.970-06:00Thanks so much for a really valuable post. This on...Thanks so much for a really valuable post. This one is a true keeper. I'm gonna bookmark it.<br /><br />I kind of rue the prevalence of the trilogy in YA. Sometimes I just want to finish the story in one book and be done with it. There are so many great stories and reading trilogies is so time consuming.<br /><br />I've had to skip finishing several because I just didn't have the time, even though I loved the story.<br /><br />What started this trend? Twilight?June Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08570382577796763370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-25449877086320089502012-10-09T14:41:31.585-06:002012-10-09T14:41:31.585-06:00Yay, yay, yay! I am so happy that you are sharing...Yay, yay, yay! I am so happy that you are sharing what you learned whilst writing your trilogy. There is not enough info out there on this topic. Thanks so much!<br /><br />Christy Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16922871961153388205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-13099495207032662212012-10-09T09:49:51.802-06:002012-10-09T09:49:51.802-06:00Great post and thanks so much for it! I'm curr...Great post and thanks so much for it! I'm currently writing (no joke) three different series! I know, I know, glutton for punishment. Because of that, I've been trying to find more posts on serialization, so I'll definitely keep checking back for your series. I'm sure they'll be helpful to me! :DLiesel K. Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860816358217211833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-8357486912851124822012-10-09T08:48:11.222-06:002012-10-09T08:48:11.222-06:00I really need to revisit Save the Cat! I totally f...I really need to revisit Save the Cat! I totally forgot about the "six things that need fixing" -- and I love the way that you've tied this to the formula for a trilogy. Also, congrats, congrats, congrats on getting through the trilogy and all the success. That's wonderful!<br /><br />MartinaMartina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-87525066089575919482012-10-09T01:23:47.586-06:002012-10-09T01:23:47.586-06:00When I decided to write a 3+ book series, I starte...When I decided to write a 3+ book series, I started writing on the wall--seriously. Each book had a column and I wrote in all my ideas. I like to be able to step back and see the big picture. The story arc for each book and the Grand story all at once.<br /><br />Also depend heavily on the beat sheet. I used it for each book and for the Grand book :0Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687047513163296827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-16022242036536298732012-10-08T23:25:21.026-06:002012-10-08T23:25:21.026-06:00I started a trilogy, but after working with my edi...I started a trilogy, but after working with my editor it turned into a four-book series. As funny as it sounds, I had a hard time saying goodbye to my plan of a trilogy--guess it's the sound of it or something. I found that I had to make changes in the overall story arch and minor changes to each of the books before I could move forward.Rachel K. Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12385553817191108280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-89336551426468712932012-10-08T22:39:01.619-06:002012-10-08T22:39:01.619-06:00Best outlining class ever. You've saved me hou...Best outlining class ever. You've saved me hours and hours of wasted writing. I seriously have the beat sheet taped to the back of my desk. amberargylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058327741777322247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-18436876858991270752012-10-08T22:32:57.187-06:002012-10-08T22:32:57.187-06:00Great post - thanks for this.
I have written one ...Great post - thanks for this.<br /><br />I have written one trilogy and am now working on a second. I learned SO much through doing the first and I now know the importance of planning all three books before you start writing the first. <br /><br />I plan the trilogy story arc and then go back and create smaller story arcs for each novel. <br /><br />Thanks so much for sharing this stuff. It's awesome :)Melissa Pearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04096876704344997093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-6808749449502972882012-10-08T22:07:43.374-06:002012-10-08T22:07:43.374-06:00I'm messing around with a trilogy and you just...I'm messing around with a trilogy and you just handed me the Rosetta Stone. Thanks.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-72028136726571265732012-10-08T20:44:37.653-06:002012-10-08T20:44:37.653-06:00Yes! I totally agree that the trilogy is really ju...Yes! I totally agree that the trilogy is really just the STC acts, lol! I just finished my third, and final, book in my trilogy and it's awesome and fun to pull all the threads back together!<br /><br />Great post Elana! Ali Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907289209780628314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-49221791104831833892012-10-08T19:26:54.475-06:002012-10-08T19:26:54.475-06:00Trilogies require a lot more planning than I'm...Trilogies require a lot more planning than I'm capable of at the moment. I do have an idea for a series of books set in the same place, with some of the same characters, but they'd be stand alones, not a trilogy. Still working on figuring that out!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-8753515165631306352012-10-08T18:40:18.041-06:002012-10-08T18:40:18.041-06:00My brain seems to be auto-set to think in trilogie...My brain seems to be auto-set to think in trilogies. ;) I've drafted the first 2 (okay, more like 1.75) books in a trilogy and have the last one plotted. <br /><br />As a reader, I love the overall plot arcs and pace you hint at in this post. Looking forward to more of your advice.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10680066584646789184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-70863423536833077032012-10-08T17:23:21.921-06:002012-10-08T17:23:21.921-06:00I can't tell you how happy I was to read your ...I can't tell you how happy I was to read your post today. As a first time novelist who is writing an urban fantasy trilogy or quadilogy (haven't decided yet on 3 or 4), this helped to validate some of the assumptions I've made.<br />Look forward to next week's post.LG O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09402084906983323250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-354643327004637762012-10-08T16:38:03.888-06:002012-10-08T16:38:03.888-06:00The thought of writing a trilogy scares me. Seriou...The thought of writing a trilogy scares me. Seriously. <br /><br />I loved Save the Cat and I love how you applied everything here. Awesome!Donna Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09435138934242238545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-2089564105953593142012-10-08T15:27:03.907-06:002012-10-08T15:27:03.907-06:00Touch of Death is the first book of a trilogy. I t...Touch of Death is the first book of a trilogy. I think you sum this up quite well. I especially like the "all is save for this story at the end." You do have to complete each story while still having a bigger ARC to span all three books. It's challenging but necessary.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-78392405788229328402012-10-08T13:15:22.511-06:002012-10-08T13:15:22.511-06:00I just finished writing book three of my trilogy -...I just finished writing book three of my trilogy - books one and two are already published.<br /><br />It was harder than I ever imagined. Book one was easy - introductions of the characters and main conflict, some world building.<br /><br />Book two was more difficult because there has to be a little catch-up from book one and lead-up to book three while telling the middle part of the story.<br /><br />Book three just about killed me. It had to be as good as the first two. Having to tie up the story lines across the three books AND having to say goodbye to a cast of characters I've fallen in love with took a high emotional toll on me. <br /><br />It was worth it in the end, though. I would highly recommend writing all three before trying to publish, though. If you need to change a detail in book one for something in book three to work, it makes it a heck of a lot easier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-51925089599010346062012-10-08T09:21:57.456-06:002012-10-08T09:21:57.456-06:00I haven't written a trilogy but I'd like t...I haven't written a trilogy but I'd like to. I have ideas for sequels but not three books. I've heard you need an overarching plot for all three books as well as a plot arch for each individual book. Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09210398194494998143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-85840270334286057852012-10-08T08:28:04.694-06:002012-10-08T08:28:04.694-06:00I think my book almost ready to go on submission c...I think my book almost ready to go on submission could be a standalone, but I'm hoping to sell it as 2 or 3 books because I have a lot more to say in that world. I've found it hard to keep what I plan to happen in the next books from affecting the first one too much.ilimahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17899071063752311737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-54527521768843154932012-10-08T08:21:09.632-06:002012-10-08T08:21:09.632-06:00I really need to read Save the Cat. I've alre...I really need to read Save the Cat. I've already taken a nip here and there from different things people have posted.<br /><br />For what you shared today, I'd have to admit I'm at a pretty interesting place for the novel I'm pushing out right now. When I started writing it, I wasn't sure what it would be. But as I wrote it an introduced various plot and character items, I realized I'd have to tidy things up with at least one more novel.<br /><br />Now, I do have a couple of other things in mind to write, one being a YA fantasy that I've thought of as a trilogy. But I've mostly been in a "series" mindset where I can write various tales/stories that have a common thread instead of a sequential trilogy. I wonder if there are any main differences to explore? Hmm...Angela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.com