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| Anne Perry |
A Serial is most often used for Thrillers and Mysteries. It can also be used for multi-generational dramas, or a Con, Heist & Prison Break series.
A serial can have as many books as the author cares to write. Anne Perry's Mystery series with Inspector Thomas Pitt has 34 to date and her William Monk series has 24. Diana Gabaldon's Outlander is a long running serial.
The protagonist appears in each book and faces a similar overall story problem such as a murder, a dangerous threat to one or many, a family conflict, etc.
In each book, the main cast is introduced. The hero has special knowledge or a skill set to solve the problem at hand.
The antagonist is often different in each book. In some spy novels, the antagonist remains the same but there are different cases involved. The enemy spy is nearly caught, a major minion is apprehended or killed, but the case itself is resolved at the end.
Most mysteries are serials with a different crime to solve in each book. In the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, there is a recurrent antagonist like Professor Moriarty, but each murder is solved at the end of each book.
Friends and allies are often a continuing thread, but it is possible to add and subtract cast members as the serial progresses. Focusing on different friends and foes in each serial leaves plenty of room for growth and offshoots.
The internal dilemma is usually the same throughout the serial, especially if it is a love interest. Their bond is tested as the books progress.
The protagonist's internal dilemma can also be a sick family member, a child, or responsibility for another character that causes problems for him as he navigates the overall story problem. He may have a personal issue to solve: an addiction, an affliction, or an internal struggle.
The book covers follow a theme, but the titles can be unique. Anne Perry is a good example of how to keep naming a serial as it stretches out. It helps to have a subtitle such as "A Thomas Pitt novel."
Next week, we will take a look at the Relay series.
Related Topics:
Mystery Subgenres
Mystery Skeleton
Thriller & Suspense Subgenres
Thriller & Suspense Skeleton
Con, Heist & Prison Break Skeleton
Literary Subgenres
Literary Skeleton
Free tools and forms are available at www.dianahurwitz.com. You can also check out the Build A Plot Workbooks for Mystery, Thriller, Con, Heist, & Prison Break, and Literary Drama.
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