How do you expand a one-shot into a series?

[TheRedLantern]

I'm not asking about the mechanics of creating a series in the Control Panel and adding stories to it, there are threads about that and I'm pretty sure I can figure it out.

I'm asking authors who have written what they thought would be a one-shot story only to get some encouragement to follow it up. In terms of the world-building, I used the "iceberg method", coming up with just enough detail that it hopefully looks like the reader is seeing the tips of large icebergs, but usually it doesn't go much past the surface level other than the POV character herself having a lot of unexplored depth. That's fine and I can do the work to support a longer plotline. There are also very logical next steps (in the story, the POV character helps her team win a conference championship and that ends the chapter, so the national championship still lies in her future).

So I'm not stuck and I don't really have a problem. I'm looking for thoughts on how other authors approached this type of challenge because the next story will never be easier to change than it is right now. Did you just double down on what made the first story work? Did you take things in a different direction and, if so, would you do it again? Did you change your POV character? Did you try to layer something new into your story to revitalize it (or yourself)? Did you just click "New Story" and let your muse take you where it takes you?

My twin worries are underthinking it and releasing a sequel that's lazy, and overthinking it to the point where I have to title it "Winds of Winter."

 

[StillStunned]

Figure out what makes the characters or the setting or the plot work. If it's the characters, put them in a new situation. If it's the setting, think of new characters to throw into it. If it's the plot, apply it to different characters in a different situation.

Even if you're using the same characters - which is the most likely kind of sequel - don't be afraid to let time pass. Letting time pass gives you scope to change the situation or the setting, and shorthand some of the character development.
"Too Cold Not to Fuck" was a one-shot about a brother and sister, until I wrote a sequel that takes place four months later, when the brother has a girlfriend. The sequel to "Flesh for Fantasy" happens much later, when the characters are already in a stable relationship.

 

[Writer61]

I had a few ideas for one-off stories that took more shape when I realised that a character created for one was very similar to one in another.

That got me thinking about other possible crossovers. Having spotted some, I began to think about how to connect their stories coherently. That required some planning, particularly tracking characters' ages and developing an overall timeline. I now have more than 50 stories in various states of completion.

What I would do differently is write the stories in chronological order. Avoiding continuity errors is time-consuming and limiting.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Did you try to layer something new into your story to revitalize it (or yourself)? Did you just click "New Story" and let your muse take you where it takes you?

My best example of this is my story, The Floating World - The Madelyn Chapters, which was inspired by a real encounter in the street with a young woman, who introduced herself as Maddy. We exchanged some words, walked several blocks together, then I went into the building I worked in, and she continued on. Straight into a story as Madelyn, a narcissistic, possibly pathological, bitch.

A year or so later, I imagined the original Maddy recognising herself in the opening scene of a Literotica story, and she gets in contact with the author. She is not like Madelyn at all (how could she be? Other than opening scene, Madelyn is a fictional character), and she's Madeleine, in a story of her own: The Hyacinth House.

The second Series goes very meta - the same inspiration, but two completely different versions of Maddy, and the confusion of an author being the leading man of the original story.

I occasionally get tempted to write a third series, where the real Maddy recognises herself in two Literotica stories, and asserts herself as the "real Maddy."

 

[iwatchus]

I am not sure I am the best exemplar, but I started with exactly what you are describing. My very first story was really just a snapshot of one event, a fantasy I had had. It was a short (3K) with just enough characters to make the fantasy real. The day after I finished it, I realized I wanted to turn them into real characters, add more depth, explore what happens after this. It encouraged me that the lone comment I got on that first story wanted to know what happened next. The series became all about the characters, with events driven by them, rather than the other way around in the original story.

My hardest part was figuring out where to end it; I knew many things I expected to happen to them, but I had not thought about where I was taking it until more than 200K words later.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

I have two, what I consider series stories here, so I'll focus on those as examples.

The first is my "Before They Were Stars" stories. They share a common theme, that being the fictitious sexual escapades of of a famous woman before she was. I started with one woman with no concerns over who the next one would be. Sometimes I will see someone, or read a bio on someone that feeds my inspiration to do a new story on them for the series.

The second example is my "Uncle Sugar Daddy" series. Here, the theme and characters remain the same, but each story follows a different plot. I could have written this as a chapter story, but felt that it worked better in an episodic series format.

I have a few stand-alone stories that readers have requested be made into a series, but I don't envision that happening with any of them. I also have several novels that are part of the same "universe", sharing some common characters through generations, but they all stand on their own just fine.

 

[Bamagan]

I'm not asking about the mechanics of creating a series in the Control Panel and adding stories to it, there are threads about that and I'm pretty sure I can figure it out.

I'm asking authors who have written what they thought would be a one-shot story only to get some encouragement to follow it up. In terms of the world-building, I used the "iceberg method", coming up with just enough detail that it hopefully looks like the reader is seeing the tips of large icebergs, but usually it doesn't go much past the surface level other than the POV character herself having a lot of unexplored depth. That's fine and I can do the work to support a longer plotline. There are also very logical next steps (in the story, the POV character helps her team win a conference championship and that ends the chapter, so the national championship still lies in her future).

So I'm not stuck and I don't really have a problem. I'm looking for thoughts on how other authors approached this type of challenge because the next story will never be easier to change than it is right now. Did you just double down on what made the first story work? Did you take things in a different direction and, if so, would you do it again? Did you change your POV character? Did you try to layer something new into your story to revitalize it (or yourself)? Did you just click "New Story" and let your muse take you where it takes you?

My twin worries are underthinking it and releasing a sequel that's lazy, and overthinking it to the point where I have to title it "Winds of Winter."

My advice is, if you commit to continuing a one-shot, game out the probable end point so you will have a goal to work toward. It doesn't have to be the complete end (everybody dies!), but one that at least wraps up a satisfying arc for the protagonist(s) and culminates in enough resolved drama that most people will accept that whatever happens the next day (week, month, etc.) doesn't need to be described.
It's certainly possible to just wing it again and again, and some authors seem to enjoy success with that model. It's quite common on TV, where things like Wagon Train spent 8 years (well, seasons) to go from Missouri to California... a journey of a few months even by prairie schooner. M*A*S*H lasted longer than the Korean War. The Simpsons... well, you get the picture. If you get a core of dedicated readers hooked on your characters and/or premise, their hunger for more might keep you busy for a long time. But you might wind up catering only to those readers, as I think a lot of others just breeze right on by My Story: Chapter 136. It's daunting!

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

My twin worries are underthinking it and releasing a sequel that's lazy, and overthinking it to the point where I have to title it "Winds of Winter."

Please God, don't do that. You name it "Winds of Winter" and it'll never come out, and I want to see the next chapter!

Most of my stories have been planned as sequels, so I'll let the other folks who have done what you're looking for answer, because they've got practical experience. But what I would do, is look at the first story, try to figure out what I did right and see if I can tease out a new plot line that adds and compliments what happened in the first one.

In your case, something that goes deeper into the setting - maybe a prequel or practice sessions, or something like that before you get to the next competition - might be a good follow up.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Most erotica is the origin of a relationship, sexual or otherwise, and readers that ask for continuation are hoping to see that relationship bloom into something. If I were expounding on a stand alone, that is what I would do. Add a few hurdles for the MCs, have then overcome them and become closer.

If I've learned anything in my time in the Mature category it's that readers love a happy ending.

 

[SimonDoom]

I've done this, and I've had mixed feelings about it. Especially with respect to incest stories, I frequently get readers say "You have to write a sequel!" My general rule now is not to do so, unless I have good reason. For me, "a good reason" means there's something legitimate to add to the story of the main character(s), and/or I think I can turn up the erotic heat in a second chapter.

I'm doing this right now, writing a sequel to a mom-son story I published last December. I had intended that story to be a standalone, but I ended it on an open-ended note that potentially offered a good segue to a second chapter. I've had many readers say they want a second chapter, and I think I can legitimately use the second chapter to expand on the nature of the relationship and simultaneously up the "heat" level.

So, my advice is to think hard about WHY you want to write another chapter, and also think hard about whether you're better off just writing a new standalone story with new characters. Most of the time, there will be a big view dropoff for the second chapter, so you should think carefully about why you want to do that.

 

[SamBomb]

I go back and write more if a great idea comes up.

 

[ThatNewGuy]

Readers will always want more of a well-written story. That doesn't mean you should write it.

That said, it's motivating when people tell you they want to hear more about your characters. Use that! Explore your characters and possible follow-up scenarios. If you feel there's a compelling story worth telling, go for it! But write the sequel because YOU feel like it's a story that needs to be told, not because your readers are telling you it needs to be told.

I've had readers request a sequel to my story "Abandoned". I've no plans to write it. I told the story I wanted to tell and it ended exactly where I wanted it to end.

Before that, I had a number of readers request a sequel to "Art of Deception." I'd left that story open ended on purpose. I didn't have specific plans for a sequel, but the positive reception from readers encouraged me to really dive in and give it some thought. Like you, I struggled with overthinking it. My big worry was that the sequel wouldn't do the original justice. It took a fairly long time before I finally had a story idea I thought was worth telling.

Did you just double down on what made the first story work? Did you take things in a different direction and, if so, would you do it again? Did you change your POV character? Did you try to layer something new into your story to revitalize it (or yourself)?

I did a little of both. I doubled down on what made the first story work, namely, the tension between a master forger and an art forgery detective who are professional rivals but romantically drawn to one another. I also kept the mystery angle of the first story with an opening hook that drives the remainder of the plot (i.e., why has the forger mailed our art detective a forgery to examine?).

However, I also added new things. For example, I fleshed out the forger's background and motivations (she was more of a tip-of-the-iceberg character in the original story, to use your analogy). I also added a secondary antagonist in the form of a PI who is investigating our art detective for fraud. And I added a reveal at the end that sets up the third and final story in the series.

In your case, I think you've set things up nicely for a sequel.

• Hyunna is off to nationals. What will the competition be like? Who is the next big rival? What is her next challenge in the competition and how does she overcome it?
• You also have the opportunity to flesh out her character and the world with some backstory. How did she become part of the team? If she has a romantic partner, how does he/she feel about her participation? What if her romantic partner was also on the team but on the receiving end at nationals? How would Hyunna feel about that?
• And I'd lean into whatever you feel made the first story work well (for example, the tension between Hyunna treating the event as a performance from which she keeps some semblance of critical distance vs. Hyunna being overcome by her own desires and abandoning whatever strategy she had planned, possibly at the risk of costing her teammates a victory.)

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Candy_Kane54]

You could write a prequel: What led up to the events in your story?

All of my stories are 1PPT so you could write a story from one of the other characters' POV. My first story had a meeting with three characters and I have written two other stories from the POV of the other characters that include that same meeting.

 

[stickygirl]

Most of my stories started as one-shot and then grew. I couldn't help myself. If you love the characters you've created then you want them to have more life. If you love them, the chances are so will your readers.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

That means First Person Present/Past Tense?

Past tense. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[YDB95]

For me, it's simply a matter of whether or not I find the characters interesting enough for another round.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

My Maple Street series started as a quick story intended for the Halloween contest.
The characters were fairly light, but I found myself wanting to change that.
Do you want the relationship to continue is it going to take them (and the readers) to an interesting place?

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm asking authors who have written what they thought would be a one-shot story only to get some encouragement to follow it up. In terms of the world-building, I used the "iceberg method", coming up with just enough detail that it hopefully looks like the reader is seeing the tips of large icebergs, but usually it doesn't go much past the surface level other than the POV character herself having a lot of unexplored depth. That's fine and I can do the work to support a longer plotline. There are also very logical next steps (in the story, the POV character helps her team win a conference championship and that ends the chapter, so the national championship still lies in her future).

So I'm not stuck and I don't really have a problem. I'm looking for thoughts on how other authors approached this type of challenge because the next story will never be easier to change than it is right now. Did you just double down on what made the first story work? Did you take things in a different direction and, if so, would you do it again? Did you change your POV character? Did you try to layer something new into your story to revitalize it (or yourself)? Did you just click "New Story" and let your muse take you where it takes you?

I did this with my first story (Stringed Instrument) and it worked out, but I was lucky to have written a one-off that, not by design, was also suited to being Chapter 1 of a longer piece.

The one-shot: Queer woman who doesn't fit in at work goes to the work Christmas party at her boss's house. Boss makes a homophobic joke, she has sex with boss's hitherto-straight daughter.

The expansion: one-shot turns into a romance, boss's daughter wants to keep it a secret, tensions result, eventually they sort their shit out and ride off into the sunset.

Storytelling generally requires creating some kind of story arc, developing it, and bringing it to some kind of satisfactory resolution. In Literotica stories, the arc is often "narrator wants to have sex with attractive person, and eventually they do", though of course there are many different ways to deliver on that arc.

To get a one-shot that works both as a one-shot and as the beginning of a longer story requires providing enough resolution to make it feel satisfying as a one-shot, while still leaving enough open to make it worth reading on. If the one-shot depended on the tension of "will they fuck or won't they?" and they end up fucking, then you're going to need some new source of tension to sustain an expansion. In my case that was "but can they hold a relationship together?"

IME, "please continue this story" is usually best interpreted as "I liked the way this story made me feel, and I want to read more stories that make me feel like this". I've had that "please write a Chapter 2" feedback even on a story where the protagonist died and her body was found decades later. It's up to you to assess whether you actually have enough to work with for an expansion and whether you want to.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

I... don't know. When I wrote 'Homework is Due? Make a Porn!' I did it with the intention to have something fun, cheap, 'hack work' even... But someone misgendered me, and I took it personally, so 'An Unexpected Turn of Events' happened, and I fell for Brie's charm so badly that I turned her into a GURPS Ultra-Lite Character.

So I guess I expand a one-shot out of spite.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I... don't know. When I wrote 'Homework is Due? Make a Porn!' I did it with the intention to have something fun, cheap, 'hack work' even... But someone misgendered me, and I took it personally, so 'An Unexpected Turn of Events' happened, and I fell for Brie's charm so badly that I turned her into a GURPS Ultra-Lite Character.

So I guess I expand a one-shot out of spite.

Spite is a powerful motivator. Many great things have been achieved in the name of "Fools! I'll show them all!"

and I guess quite a few not-so-great things too

 

[Bamagan]

Spite is a powerful motivator. Many great things have been achieved in the name of "Fools! I'll show them all!"

and I guess quite a few not-so-great things too

I can't post gifs anymore, but this feels like a good place for Ollivander saying, "Terrible, yes, but great."

 

[KittyOfSteele]

Spite is a powerful motivator. Many great things have been achieved in the name of "Fools! I'll show them all!"

and I guess quite a few not-so-great things too

Okay, now I know what should I do if I get Stacnashed.

 

[AchtungNight]

You have to have enthusiasm for the story and characters. Then look into their motivations and what else they might have done in life. Past or future. Then write stories accordingly as long as you remain interested. Best of luck.

 

[SkyBubble]

I never write a story intending to write a series, but sometimes they turn out that way.