Structuring A Series: The Trilogy

There are several ways to structure a series. For the next few weeks, we will examine a few of them. We will start with the Trilogy.

The protagonist usually faces one powerful antagonist and his or her minions over the course of a trilogy. This is the typical format for Fantasy and Science Fiction for adults and young adults.

Book One covers the introduction of the cast, often with the protagonist learning they have powers or tools to defeat the antagonist. There is a central conflict introduced as the overall story problem with two or three turning points before the climactic engagement with the antagonist. This battle arc is completed, but the antagonist lives to fight another day. Friends and foes can perish or suffer. The hero and love interest live but may have been weakened and need to recoup and gather tools, information, or allies for the next book.

Book Two follows the second attempt to defeat the antagonist in the central conflict. There are two to three more engagements with the antagonist before the decisive battle. The antagonist lives to fight another day but may be weakened or appear to have the upper hand. Casualties on both sides often occur to add poignancy. The hero must gather more tools, skills, or allies for the final showdown.

Book Three is the final showdown with two to three skirmishes leading up to the deciding battle. The hero and his allies have all they need. They fight with everything they have. It may appear after the second or third skirmish that they could lose, but they rally at the climax and usually defeat the antagonist and his minions.

The hero's internal conflict can be the same for all three books or change. This can be a love interest, family member, or friend relationship. It can be a debt the character feels he owes, atonement for a past wrong, or an issue that sparked revenge. If a relationship is not involved, the internal layer can be the protagonist's struggle with responsibility for saving others or fighting a battle he didn't choose. He may pay a price, sacrifice something dear, or give up on the future he dreamed of.

Occasionally, there is a different antagonist in each book. In this case, there are several conflicts that lead up to the final confrontation where the next antagonist is revealed.

Friends and foes add interpersonal conflict. There are secondary characters with stakes and relationship issues. The tighter the cast, the more effective it is.

The external layer goal of restoring cosmic or paranormal balance to the story world is successful in most cases. If there is a second trilogy, the antagonist may appear completely defeated or retreat to rebuild his strength or a second antagonist emerges for the antagonist layer.

The covers should be similar with the series as a subtitle. It helps to note which book is number one, two, three, etc.

Next week, we will examine the Serial format.

Related topics:

Science Fiction Subgenres 

The Science Fiction Skeleton 

Fantasy Subgenres

The Fantasy Skeleton

Free tools and forms are available at www.dianahurwitz.com. You can also check out the Build A Plot Workbooks for Science Fiction and Fantasy.