Writing an Ongoing Series

[Syzoth]

Hi,

I've posted several chapters of an ongoing series ("Sharing My Wife Amanda").

For any writers reading this who have also written an ongoing series, my question is this: do you describe your characters again in every chapter/separate submission? Or do you feel it's unnecessary?

Example: my wife is obviously the main character, so I've been describing her and background details in every chapter/separate submission to the point where I can simply cut and paste (I would never do that, but you get the idea).

I have many readers who tell me that it's tedious reading Amanda's description and other background info in every chapter. While it's awesome that they're following the the series, I also realize that each chapter draws new readers who haven't read my earlier works in the series. So I feel the need to give them a frame of reference to what's previously transpired.

Your thoughts?

Thank you for your help.

-Syzoth

 

[KeithD]

How far apart are you posting the chapters? More than a couple of weeks apart, you probably shouldn't assume anyone will have retained much information from the previous chapter. I submit the next chapter the day the previous one has posted, in which case I don't do much repeating.

 

[Syzoth]

How far apart are you posting the chapters? More than a couple of weeks apart, you probably shouldn't assume anyone will have retained much information from the previous chapter. I submit the next chapter the day the previous one has posted, in which case I don't do much repeating.

Thanks for the feedback. And you brought up a great point.

My stories are typically 20+ pages long, so my submissions can be weeks or months apart.

Thanks again.

 

[ElectricBlue]

)For any writers reading this who have also written an ongoing series, my question is this: do you describe your characters again in every chapter/separate submission? Or do you feel it's unnecessary?

I wouldn't have thought it necessary. If it's an on-going series, readers are clever enough to understand the concept of chapters. Character descriptions in chapter one, on-going character development in chapter two onwards.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I just follow up with what I think is enough information to get a new reader up to speed, or to remind an old one of the original background. I don’t describe the characters in detail again. I figure if they start halfway through and like it, they’ll go back to the start.

It’s also the way I read traditional books...

 

[ElectricBlue]

It’s also the way I read traditional books...

What a peculiar concept - continuity. It will never catch on .

 

[tomlitilia]

An info dump in the beginning of the story is rarely a good idea, independent of the story being a continuation of a previous one or not. So I wouldn't do that. If it's labeled e.g. "sharing my wife ch. 2," I think most readers who are interested in your story will read the first chapter. If it's only loosely based on previous chapters and can be read as a stand-alone story, tell it as a stand-alone story. Characters can for instance have a discusdion about previous events to fill readers in on necessary back stories.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Hi,

I've posted several chapters of an ongoing series ("Sharing My Wife Amanda").

For any writers reading this who have also written an ongoing series, my question is this: do you describe your characters again in every chapter/separate submission? Or do you feel it's unnecessary?

Example: my wife is obviously the main character, so I've been describing her and background details in every chapter/separate submission to the point where I can simply cut and paste (I would never do that, but you get the idea).

I have many readers who tell me that it's tedious reading Amanda's description and other background info in every chapter. While it's awesome that they're following the the series, I also realize that each chapter draws new readers who haven't read my earlier works in the series. So I feel the need to give them a frame of reference to what's previously transpired.

Your thoughts?

Thank you for your help.

-Syzoth

I work on the theory that readers who are still with you after a few chapters are doing so primarily because they are invested in the characters. So, I will only occasionally make reference to physical characteristics. For example, if it's a windy day I might write "Her auburn hair rippled in the wind."

I think readers who come into the story late are likely missing out on other information that is a lot more important than physical appearance, such as the characters shared histories and the nuances of their emotional relationship.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Depending on the length of the story, I tend to throw in the occasional reminder. But a full run-down in every chapter is excessive.

Having said that, keeping a record of your main cast is a good idea for long series. I have read enough stories where details change between chapters. Violet has red hair and green eyes in one chapter and is a brunette with grey eyes in another, plus her name has magically changed from Violet to Viola.

To avoid that, have a second document open with a short character synopsis for your main and/or peripheral cast. Distinctive physical features, names, personality traits - as much reference material as necessary to avoid tripping up over the details.

 

[UsuallyPresent]

With the backstory I've got going in Hinn, I would take a whole Lit page covering 'what has gone before' - no way I can do that too often. I just started writing 'Part II', though, so maybe I should spend the page... Hrmm...

 

[SimonDoom]

I quickly checked out your Amanda series. You should be giving advice, not asking for it. You've scored multiple red Hs for the chapters of your Amanda series, which combines wife sharing and gay male stuff and encompasses multiple categories, including the troll swamp of Loving Wives, with seemingly exclusive readerships. You should write an essay on how to survive troll attacks. Your first chapter has over 100,000 views and a score over 4.5. Well done.

To answer the specific question: No, I don't think you need to repeat descriptions. Do what MelissaBaby suggests -- throw in references to the color of her hair, her figure, that sort of thing. But no repeated info dumps.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I rarely describe my characters, except in generalities...

"She was very pretty, with blond hair and deep blue eyes. A slim waist with breast that fit your hand."

That way the reader can picture maybe someone they know and like as the woman I'm writing about.

I may never mention her looks again unless it's appropriate to do so.

 

[Syzoth]

I work on the theory that readers who are still with you after a few chapters are doing so primarily because they are invested in the characters. So, I will only occasionally make reference to physical characteristics. For example, if it's a windy day I might write "Her auburn hair rippled in the wind."

I think readers who come into the story late are likely missing out on other information that is a lot more important than physical appearance, such as the characters shared histories and the nuances of their emotional relationship.

MelissaBaby,

Thank you for the feedback.

I was only using physical description as 1 example. Sometimes I'll feel the need to describe, again the relationships between characters, too... again, just as an example.

But I get your point.

Thank you. I'm just trying to continue getting better at writing, so I appreciate your response.

-Sy

 

[Syzoth]

I quickly checked out your Amanda series. You should be giving advice, not asking for it. You've scored multiple red Hs for the chapters of your Amanda series, which combines wife sharing and gay male stuff and encompasses multiple categories, including the troll swamp of Loving Wives, with seemingly exclusive readerships. You should write an essay on how to survive troll attacks. Your first chapter has over 100,000 views and a score over 4.5. Well done.

To answer the specific question: No, I don't think you need to repeat descriptions. Do what MelissaBaby suggests -- throw in references to the color of her hair, her figure, that sort of thing. But no repeated info dumps.

Wow, thank you!

-Sy

 

[DryLips]

I’ve just posted my thirteenth chapter of Eighteen and I have yet to repeat descriptions of my characters. I haven’t had any complaints about it. I do have a paragraph at the beginning of each chapter referring them to the intro in chapter one if they want info on the story. I have, on occasion, written a comment or two about the chapter when I felt it was necessary though.

I have quite a few chapters left to go and I don’t plan on repeating descriptions as I continue.

 

[Syzoth]

I’ve just posted my thirteenth chapter of Eighteen and I have yet to repeat descriptions of my characters. I haven’t had any complaints about it. I do have a paragraph at the beginning of each chapter referring them to the intro in chapter one if they want info on the story. I have, on occasion, written a comment or two about the chapter when I felt it was necessary though.

I have quite a few chapters left to go and I don’t plan on repeating descriptions as I continue.

Thank you for the feedback. I'm just trying to keep getting better as a writer.

I'll have to check out your stories.

Thanks again!

-Sy

 

[MelissaBaby]

MelissaBaby,

Thank you for the feedback.

I was only using physical description as 1 example. Sometimes I'll feel the need to describe, again the relationships between characters, too... again, just as an example.

But I get your point.

Thank you. I'm just trying to continue getting better at writing, so I appreciate your response.

-Sy

Understood. But, yes, the same thing applies to other aspects of the story. Too much "Hey, folks, don't forget what happened in Chapter Two!" turns off readers.

Good luck with your writing.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I read some chapters of Amanda, and I think you have some effective and some jarring repeat descriptions, callbacks and references.

Some of your repeat descriptions of Amanda are fine: they’re short, they move with the flow of the chapter and they’re not distracting. For example, in some chapters, you briefly mention Amanda’s hair color, breast size and toned figure in passing. Those references are very likely enough to inform new readers or remind past fans.

On the other hand, you have some repeat instances where you break up rising action—particularly before sex scenes—for lengthy and, in the moment, unnecessary explanations of your wife’s cup size and/or how much she runs each week. Those jarring asides don’t propel the action in the moment and therefore could come off more like a humblebrag of your FMC. Give your readers credit that they’re reading the story, in part, because they already accept/agree that Mandy is hot; trying too much to convince them of that and on repeat could be irritating.

Additionally, you frequently use bracketed references to prior chapters. Bracketed references are highly unusual in fiction on Literotica. And you also tend to overuse them. For example, you have a very helpful Author’s Note at the beginning of Ch. 14: “This ch follows both 13 and The Hot Babysitter”. But in the following first four or five paragraphs of ch.14, you twice bracket references of [See The Hot Babysitter], which is not only obvious from the Author’s Note, but also from the context of the story. Similarly, in other chapters, you regularly make bracketed references such as [See Ch 5] and even [See Chs 8, 9, 12].

I would strongly advise against such references, not only because they’re unusual in the fiction on this site, but mover over because they come across like you’re underestimating your readers’ intelligence. Brackets usually suggest that additional information needs to be reviewed for precedence, support or explanation. But your story is not so unusual thematically, stylistically or contextually that your readers would need to review past chapters for any other reason than adding to their own enjoyment of it. You may be overthinking the time gaps in your posts; many readers are skilled at picking up on the highlights of a story where it’s left off, and many readers are adept at picking up a story in media res.

If you feel there’s specific background information that a reader needs to carry over before starting a chapter, perhaps you could include that briefly in an Author’s Note. A/Ns are a mixed bag, and some writers and readers love them while others hate them. I personally think they are very helpful and engaging when short, to the point and informative, such as your A/N before ch. 14 cross-referencing “The Hot Babysitter” and I find them cloying and pedantic when they’re filled with personal commentary, tell a reader that he should start at Ch. 1 and/or are used like shoring to support an underdeveloped story.

I am writing an ongoing series, too, which when finished will be around 480k words in six novels, along with a handful of side stories. At the beginning of each chapter, I start with a short A/N that abstracts the current novel and gives the chronological order or the published novels.
Edit: Here’s an example of that A/N.
If there’s anything else I want to remind/inform the reader of, like past plot points or characters’ looks etc, I weave those elements tightly into the fabric of the chapter.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[Syzoth]

I read some chapters of Amanda, and I think you have some effective and some jarring repeat descriptions, callbacks and references.

Some of your repeat descriptions of Amanda are fine: they’re short, they move with the flow of the chapter and they’re not distracting. For example, in some chapters, you briefly mention Amanda’s hair color, breast size and toned figure in passing. Those references are very likely enough to inform new readers or remind past fans.

On the other hand, you have some repeat instances where you break up rising action—particularly before sex scenes—for lengthy and, in the moment, unnecessary explanations of your wife’s cup size and/or how much she runs each week. Those jarring asides don’t propel the action in the moment and therefore could come off more like a humblebrag of your FMC. Give your readers credit that they’re reading the story, in part, because they already accept/agree that Mandy is hot; trying too much to convince them of that and on repeat could be irritating.

Additionally, you frequently use bracketed references to prior chapters. Bracketed references are highly unusual in fiction on Literotica. And you also tend to overuse them. For example, you have a very helpful Author’s Note at the beginning of Ch. 14: “This ch follows both 13 and The Hot Babysitter”. But in the following first four or five paragraphs of ch.14, you twice bracket references of [See The Hot Babysitter], which is not only obvious from the Author’s Note, but also from the context of the story. Similarly, in other chapters, you regularly make bracketed references such as [See Ch 5] and even [See Chs 8, 9, 12].

I would strongly advise against such references, not only because they’re unusual in the fiction on this site, but mover over because they come across like you’re underestimating your readers’ intelligence. Brackets usually suggest that additional information needs to be reviewed for precedence, support or explanation. But your story is not so unusual thematically, stylistically or contextually that your readers would need to review past chapters for any other reason than adding to their own enjoyment of it. You may be overthinking the time gaps in your posts; many readers are skilled at picking up on the highlights of a story where it’s left off, and many readers are adept at picking up a story in media res.

If you feel there’s specific background information that a reader needs to carry over before starting a chapter, perhaps you could include that briefly in an Author’s Note. A/Ns are a mixed bag, and some writers and readers love them while others hate them. I personally think they are very helpful and engaging when short, to the point and informative, such as your A/N before ch. 14 cross-referencing “The Hot Babysitter” and I find them cloying and pedantic when they’re filled with personal commentary, tell a reader that he should start at Ch. 1 and/or are used like shoring to support an underdeveloped story.

I am writing an ongoing series, too, which when finished will be around 480k words in six novels, along with a handful of side stories. At the beginning of each chapter, I start with a short A/N that abstracts the current novel and gives the chronological order or the published novels.
Edit: Here’s an example of that A/N.
If there’s anything else I want to remind/inform the reader of, like past plot points or characters’ looks etc, I weave those elements tightly into the fabric of the chapter.

Hope this is helpful!

Vix_Giovanni,

Thank you for the constructive feedback, I really appreciate it.

-Sy

 

[Hypoxia]

My 18-chapter (The End!) Stanley Steamer series is told by 18 narrators, sometimes two per chapter, who also appear in chapters they don't narrate, with some settings repeated, but all seen through varied eyes. I necessarily repeat descriptions but with (hopefully) enough variation. I've received no complaints so I'd say the technique works.

 

[MelissaBaby]

My 18-chapter (The End!) Stanley Steamer series is told by 18 narrators, sometimes two per chapter, who also appear in chapters they don't narrate, with some settings repeated, but all seen through varied eyes. I necessarily repeat descriptions but with (hopefully) enough variation. I've received no complaints so I'd say the technique works.

It makes sense in that scenario. I have an outline for something along those lines, an eight chapter story told by four POV characters. I'll keep your advice in mind.

 

[DryLips]

My 18-chapter (The End!) Stanley Steamer series is told by 18 narrators, sometimes two per chapter, who also appear in chapters they don't narrate, with some settings repeated, but all seen through varied eyes. I necessarily repeat descriptions but with (hopefully) enough variation. I've received no complaints so I'd say the technique works.

It makes sense in that scenario. I have an outline for something along those lines, an eight chapter story told by four POV characters. I'll keep your advice in mind.

Brings back memories of reading As I Lay Dying by Faulkner. That was a pretty difficult book to trudge through.

 

[ElectricBlue]

My 18-chapter (The End!) Stanley Steamer series is told by 18 narrators, sometimes two per chapter, who also appear in chapters they don't narrate, with some settings repeated, but all seen through varied eyes. I necessarily repeat descriptions but with (hopefully) enough variation. I've received no complaints so I'd say the technique works.

I'm guessing you don't spell things out, and give the readers some credit to figure it out themselves.

The OP's approach, providing cross-references in the text, sounds really peculiar - that's a first, surely? Wouldn't it immediately shatter any suspended disbelief? Being self-referential is one thing (I do it constantly), but spelling it out in footnotes? It sounds like a legal document, not an erotic story.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Brings back memories of reading As I Lay Dying by Faulkner. That was a pretty difficult book to trudge through.

Mine is about strippers.

 

[DryLips]

Mine is about strippers.

His wasn't! I'm sure I'll enjoy your story much better