When series diverge from the premise

[nicksouth]

Hey folks, a question on series management.

I have a series "Hot Tub Threesome" (yes, very original) and obviously there is only so long before the plot escapes the tub.

Already by the third chapter I'm avoiding use of any hot tubs (at least temporarily) because there is only so much you can plausibly do in one, and I don't want to force every chapter to start there.

What do folks do when subsequent chapters drift off like this, especially given the expected drop-off in interest in later chapters of a series?

Just keep going and let people follow the story or start a new series?

I've seen some series up in the 50+ chapter range and it seems to make sense to build a following.

Just wondering what people's experience has been

-Nick

 

[pink_silk_glove]

If there's not enough material for a series, don't make it a series. If it's already a series, come up with a satisfying way to end it and finish it up.

Also, this would not be a problem if you wrote the entire story before you started publishing any of it. If you do that you will know if it is long enough to be a series and how many chapters/episodes it may be.

 

[nicksouth]

If there's not enough material for a series, don't make it a series. If it's already a series, come up with a satisfying way to end it and finish it up.

Also, this would not be a problem if you wrote the entire story before you started publishing any of it. If you do that you will know if it is long enough to be a series and how many chapters/episodes it may be.

Yeah, in this case, I thought it would be three chapters. I had them planned but not drafted, but then Chapter 03 opened up more possibilities as I drafted it, and I'm considering how to handle that.

I'm probably 40% plotter, 60% seat of pants so I was mostly expecting this to happen.

 

[StillStunned]

My series "The Rivals" is about two adventurers in a love-hate relationship. But by the end of the fifth instalment they've resolved their differences and have their HEA.

But I like the characters too much to drop them. I've already written another story about them, but from a third person's POV.

I'm working on a bunch of other stories, but they won't be called "The Rivals". I'll probably add them manually to the series, so interested readers can find the related material, but the names won't refer to the original title.

 

[MillieDynamite]

I have had stories that took left turns into hell for me. Often, I've fucked them up so bad I gave up because what I wanted to write was what appeared on the page.

 

[Voboy]

If their formative (early) experiences revolved around them being a Group Of People Who Did Things In A Hot Tub, then that's the way they can continue to refer to themselves even after they get out and towel off. In other words, the idea of threesomes in a hot tub continues to define them even without the hot tub; it's how they identify their group dynamic.

Put them in a bed or a car or a campsite or whatever, give them a raucous orgy, and then have one of them make a wry (if cheesy) comment such as, "Well. Turns out we can still have great sex even when we're not in a hot tub!" Then everyone guffaws and they start boning again.

On an unrelated note... fifty chapters? That's a LOT of committment you're asking a reader to give you.

 

[nicksouth]

If their formative (early) experiences revolved around them being a Group Of People Who Did Things In A Hot Tub, then that's the way they can continue to refer to themselves even after they get out and towel off. In other words, the idea of threesomes in a hot tub continues to define them even without the hot tub; it's how they identify their group dynamic.

Put them in a bed or a car or a campsite or whatever, give them a raucous orgy, and then have one of them make a wry (if cheesy) comment such as, "Well. Turns out we can still have great sex even when we're not in a hot tub!" Then everyone guffaws and they start boning again.

On an unrelated note... fifty chapters? That's a LOT of committment you're asking a reader to give you.

Thanks, to be clear, I'm not proposing 50 chapters, just that I've seen a few works with that many, which does seem rather a lot.

Thanks for the advice !

 

[Cagivagurl]

Hey folks, a question on series management.

I have a series "Hot Tub Threesome" (yes, very original) and obviously there is only so long before the plot escapes the tub.

Already by the third chapter I'm avoiding use of any hot tubs (at least temporarily) because there is only so much you can plausibly do in one, and I don't want to force every chapter to start there.

What do folks do when subsequent chapters drift off like this, especially given the expected drop-off in interest in later chapters of a series?

Just keep going and let people follow the story or start a new series?

I've seen some series up in the 50+ chapter range and it seems to make sense to build a following.

Just wondering what people's experience has been

-Nick

IMO...
Regardless of where the story goes. Leave the title the same.
People who invest in a series usually do so because they enjoyed your writing, your characters and the plot.
They may have been attracted by the title because it's their thing. However, if they've stayed invested and are continuing to read then they're there for the characters, not just the kink...
Let the story take you where it does.
Keep the title the same, because if you change it, you may lose the readers who're looking for the next chapter.

Cagivagurl

 

[MyBareTorso]

I see my stories a bit like the James Bond (!!!) books and movies, featuring a recurring MC in different "adventures", but with some recurring characters who pop up from time to time. I feature (sometimes to my detriment, I think) the words "Oz Beach Boy" in my titles to unite the stories and give them consistency and recognition. This approach might work if you want to retain your characters, but get them out of the hot tub and into some new situations and new adventures...either way, have fun with it!!

 

[Kelliezgirl]

IMO...
Regardless of where the story goes. Leave the title the same.
People who invest in a series usually do so because they enjoyed your writing, your characters and the plot.
They may have been attracted by the title because it's their thing. However, if they've stayed invested and are continuing to read then they're there for the characters, not just the kink...
Let the story take you where it does.
Keep the title the same, because if you change it, you may lose the readers who're looking for the next chapter.

Cagivagurl

Absolutely agree with this. If you are still enjoying writing about those characters then keep it going. Maybe throw in a nostalgic hot tub scene in from time to time.

 

[Rob_Royale]

IMO...
Regardless of where the story goes. Leave the title the same.
People who invest in a series usually do so because they enjoyed your writing, your characters and the plot.
They may have been attracted by the title because it's their thing. However, if they've stayed invested and are continuing to read then they're there for the characters, not just the kink...
Let the story take you where it does.
Keep the title the same, because if you change it, you may lose the readers who're looking for the next chapter.

Cagivagurl

I will third this. But, I think you painted yourself into a corner with the title. Backyard Banging would have at least given you a little more of a playing field, ya know? Maybe end the story after part three and if you have more for the characters, start a new adventure for them?

 

[nicksouth]

I will third this. But, I think you painted yourself into a corner with the title. Backyard Banging would have at least given you a little more of a playing field, ya know? Maybe end the story after part three and if you have more for the characters, start a new adventure for them?

Yeah you could be right there! Going to think on this and see where it ends up

Thanks to everyone for the advice, I really appreciate it

 

[THBGato]

Hey folks, a question on series management.

I have a series "Hot Tub Threesome" (yes, very original) and obviously there is only so long before the plot escapes the tub.

Already by the third chapter I'm avoiding use of any hot tubs (at least temporarily) because there is only so much you can plausibly do in one, and I don't want to force every chapter to start there.

What do folks do when subsequent chapters drift off like this, especially given the expected drop-off in interest in later chapters of a series?

Just keep going and let people follow the story or start a new series?

An alternative might be to end the series then, if you want to retain the characters, have them feature in a new series.

I've seen that done a lot, and done well, and have done so myself. Loyal readers seem to be happy to see familiar faces again and keep following those characters they love, while new readers aren't put off by the fact that it is Ch 23 in a series they haven't started.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Hey folks, a question on series management.

I have a series "Hot Tub Threesome" (yes, very original) and obviously there is only so long before the plot escapes the tub.

Already by the third chapter I'm avoiding use of any hot tubs (at least temporarily) because there is only so much you can plausibly do in one, and I don't want to force every chapter to start there.

What do folks do when subsequent chapters drift off like this, especially given the expected drop-off in interest in later chapters of a series?

Just keep going and let people follow the story or start a new series?

I've seen some series up in the 50+ chapter range and it seems to make sense to build a following.

Just wondering what people's experience has been

-Nick

I started writing a series about a swinger couple, and after a few chapters, I deleted them and started over with three chapters of how the couple got together and why they viewed sex so casually.

But after going onward with more of their swinger activities in my "Lifestyle..." series (having re-posted those earlier ones with the new series title), I decided to write stand-alone stories with just enough background from the series to maintain the context and characters as already built. I can now start writing a new, stand-alone story, and draw those characters for whatever I want.

My most viewed story with over 100K views ("What Were You Thinking?") has those two swingers from the 15-chapter series. But the title of that stand-alone better catches the attention of the Loving Wives crowd, which is why it has so many views!

EDIT: One reason I stopped the series is that I realized that new readers picking up at "Chapter 16" were unlikely to go back and read 15 earlier chapters to build the full context of the series characters. And my earlier stories were not as well written, as I've learned more about writing with the later ones. So, give each new story enough material in a prologue to attract new readers. I think two to four chapters in a series is about all any new reader might tolerate and take the time to go back to enjoy the whole series.

 

[OldDog_NewTricks]

Coming from a completely new and inexperienced writer, could you expand the “series” with titles like “Hot Tub Threesome at the (fill in the blank)” or something similar? (…in the…with the…etc.) It might give followers a recognizable title and yourself a chance to write different scenarios with the same characters. Each could be written as a “stand alone” but draw on previous experiences the group has had.

 

[Naughtylit81]

Consider moving the characters to a new series with a new premise. One of my series I really like the characters and so when the premise is fulfilled I plan to create a new series for further adventures featuring them but not bound by the original plot.

 

[CherryCupcake]

It's perfectly reasonable if you have a couple stories in the tub-- which strikes me as a thin premise for more than one story-- so long as you use the same characters. After all, no one stays in the tub all day. Or all night. If you're doing an orgy or something, then you can move from room to room, but returning to the tub, which i assume triggered what happened.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's up to you, but if it were me I'd just end it and move on to a new story. I don't understand (I'm trying to be careful not to say "I can't imagine") wanting to indefinitely continue a series. Just move on to a new idea and new story.

 

[nicksouth]

It's perfectly reasonable if you have a couple stories in the tub-- which strikes me as a thin premise for more than one story-- so long as you use the same characters. After all, no one stays in the tub all day. Or all night. If you're doing an orgy or something, then you can move from room to room, but returning to the tub, which i assume triggered what happened.

Thanks. Ended up wrapping it at 5 chapters, some of which don't take place in the hot tub