Writing a Series: Consistency and Continuity

A book series is captivating for readers, but this isn't always so for writers; in fact, the thought of starting a series can be quite overwhelming.  Regardless of its genre, one of the key elements of a series that keeps readers coming back for more is consistency and continuity. Here's what you need to know for maintaining consistent flow and coherence.

Before you head into the writing process, you want to lay a strong foundation for it. It helps to start by planning your series and creating a reference document that outlines important details about your characters, major plotlines, and key world-building elements. Keeping a reference bible doesn't just prevent you from losing track of important details, it also allows you to maintain continuity. With it, you can ensure a seamless progression of events and keep everything aligned and coherent.  

Readers build strong connections with characters, and any inconsistencies in their portrayal can disrupt the reader's immersion in the story, which can reduce overall enjoyment. You should make sure that your characters remain consistent in their personalities, traits, and how they were first introduced. However, this doesn't mean characters can't evolve. When character development is needed, it should be both believable and interesting. It keeps the reader even more engaged in your story when your characters adapt and grow in response to the story's challenges.

Evolution keeps a story fresh and engaging. As your series unfolds, it is only natural that the world expands, and the overall theme of the story evolves. Including subplots and introducing new characters, when done right, will enhance your story.  Just make sure they are being integrated seamlessly into the main story. Expanding shouldn't mean abandoning consistency, so you should maintain the core elements that define your world while introducing new locations, cultures, or elements. 

Overall, you want to foster a sense of anticipation and involvement. Recalling past events and subtly reminding your readers of events from earlier books reignites their connection to your story, the same as foreshadowing in earlier books. Subtle hints about future events create a sense of anticipation, which could entice readers to read further into your series in order to uncover the promised payoffs.