A serial novel is basically a set of short novellas that follow a story line. Think like a graphic novel but fiction. Think a TV season but fiction.
The length of each story can vary but for my series We Need Him, I’m aiming for 11,000 to 14,000 words per story (or “part”).
I’ll admit, as a reader, I am not always a fan of short stories. But that’s mainly because I like to get lost in my characters and the story. Sometimes, I think regular novels are too short because it ends and then the characters and gone and what am I going to do when I can’t learn about their lives anymore?!
So my idea to create a serial story was born. I wanted to create characters and follow their journey, I wanted to keep the story going beyond just one book. When I love a book, when I like a relationship dynamic, I want the story to keep going. And that’s why I’m writing a serial story. So the story can keep going. So you can keep living with the characters, enjoying their bedroom romps, cry with them during the hard times and get frustrated when they’re assholes or idiots.
I’ve also found it’s easier for me, as a writer, to write this way. As with many writers, I can’t tell you how long I’ve been writing, it’s just always been there. And I always find it hard to write the “middle bits”, the stuff in between the action and the sex and the major plot points.
While writing my serial story, I’ve found I don’t need that stuff. Each part is short so I need to get to the good bits and get out. I can’t waste time on meaningless scenes and it’s less of a struggle for me to write this way.
I’m having a lot of fun delving into the minds of Jamie, Jake and Brett and I currently have 7 or 8 parts planned out plot wise so you should be with these three for a long time!
Share: Have you ever read a serial novel? What’s your favorite part about them?
We Need Him Part 1 is now available for pre-order! Release date is October 7th and I’m so excited!
