I’m currently working on book 7 of my TechWitch series. I used to think that to write long series, you probably had to be a plotter. Turns out I was wrong. I am very much on the pantsing side of the scale. I really don’t do much in advance of writing a book. I don’t outline, I don’t plot. I kind of wing it and see what happens. I’ve written five book series, two connected trilogies (aka basically a six book series) and TechWitch is going to be at least one more book after this. So far, not plotting has worked out fine for me.
This is why writing advice is weird. We’re all wired differently and we have to figure out what works for us. Some people need detailed outlines and plots and whiteboards full of scene lists. Some of us need a playlist, a vague idea of a direction and to just start writing.
That said, I have developed a few techniques that help me when it comes to navigating a long series as someone who doesn’t plot. Maybe they’ll help you. Maybe you will think, M.J, that is a crazy idea that I would never do. Do what works for you!
1. Keep a good story bible (I write several genres, I’m not the fastest writer in the world and I jump between my series, so it might be a year before I come back to a series. Having a series bible helps me remember what has been happening in the books that came before. Not to mention all those pesky character details, place names and dates.
2. When I finish a book, I make a few notes about plot threads I have left dangling. Then my brain can stew on them in the background until I come back to the next book. Also, it gives me a vague idea where I was going. If I do have any ideas for the next book when I finish a book, I make some bullet points.
3. Have something that brings you back to that book world. I write in Scrivener. I use different fonts and theme settings for my different series, which helps me get the vibe. For me, the biggest thing is playlists. I have running playlists for series that I add to when I hear a song that reminds me of a character. I often listen to one song on repeat for sections of books and putting on one of those at the start of the next book can get me back into the world fast.
4. Follow the weird ideas. When I first started the TechWitch series, my idea was about a woman who lives in the tech world finding out she has magic. So witches, demons and technology. As the series has progressed, the world has broadened out as I followed weird ideas that popped up. If you think it’s a fun idea, probably your readers will as well.
5. Spend some time with your core secondary characters. It can be handy to have some long plot threads for those best friends, coworkers, mentors and enemies that aren’t to do with the main plot or your hero and heroine. It makes nice little easter eggs for your readers (and can be a good source of ideas for bonus stories etc as well).
So how about you? Are you a plotter or a pantser? What helps you write a series?
The next book in my TechWitch series is Wicked Lies (out May 2026).
Latest Release:
Wicked Deeds
Book 6, Techwitch
My mother was a wicked witch. She sold my magic to a demon. I thought that that was the worst that my past had to offer. Turns out, I might be wrong about that…
I survived a journey into the Fae realm that could have ended in disaster. But it was hardly a victory. The dangerous witch we were pursuing went free and a piece of my past came back to haunt me. And even though I’m back in San Francisco, there’s no peace to be found.
Strange creatures are stalking the city. A disgruntled Fae lord and his minions won’t leave me alone. And my worst enemy might have a connection to me that I don’t want to face.
To add to my troubles, the half-Fae girl we rescued from the realm turns up on my doorstep, seeking a fresh start. Understandable but her presence might kick off a dangerous game of power that could end it all. And when the darkness that shaped my past threatens everything I’ve built, I’ll need to embrace dangerous allies and my own magic to survive.
M.J. Scott
M.J. Scott is an unrepentant bookworm. Luckily she grew up in a family that fed her a properly varied diet of books and these days is surrounded by people who are understanding of her story addiction. When not wrestling one of her own stories to the ground, she can generally be found reading someone else’s. Her other distractions include yarn, cat butlering, dark chocolate and watercolor. She lives in Melbourne, Australia. She also writes contemporary romance as Melanie Scott (and previously as Emma Douglas).
Visit M.J.'s website: mjscott.net.
No comments:
Post a Comment