| Harry Potter has "disapparated," A Series of | | | | advances on royalties -- as long as you keep up with |
| Unfortunate Events has come to its tragic ending. So | | | | your deadlines. |
| what's the next great children's book series? And | | | | Convinced? Consider one more thing before taking the |
| more importantly, could you be the one to write it? | | | | plunge. |
| It seems every other writer wants to pen "the next | | | | Avoid this big mistake many writers make |
| Harry Potter." But before plunging headlong into the | | | | I know, I know. You've got a whole world mapped out, |
| world of juvenile series fiction, there are a few things | | | | including spin-off books, histories for all the characters, |
| to consider. | | | | toy designs, and casting suggestions for the movie. But |
| Why write a series? | | | | reign in that enthusiasm for a minute. |
| The benefits of writing series fiction for kids boil down | | | | The biggest mistake most writers make is trying to |
| to three essentials: | | | | plan the whole series before taking care of the basics: |
| 1. Hone your craft. I learned the craft of mystery | | | | writing the best possible first book. |
| writing by selling the Chet Gecko Mysteries series and | | | | Before even thinking about selling your series (to say |
| having to write the books on deadline. Series teach | | | | nothing of the merchandising rights), start by writing an |
| you about plotting, character, motivation, maintaining | | | | amazingly good first book of the series. Make sure |
| consistency, and how to sit down and write when your | | | | your tale has these essentials: |
| Muse is on vacation and you'd rather be off surfing. | | | | - A strong voice, |
| 2. Hook readers. Series are "training wheel books." The | | | | - A sympathetic lead character, |
| familiarity of the characters and world make it easier | | | | - Colorful, lively writing, and |
| for the reader to enter with each succeeding tale. This | | | | - A well-constructed plot. |
| builds literacy skills and creates new readers who will | | | | Most editors don't want to see all 12 manuscripts and |
| want to read whatever you come up with. | | | | your 20-page marketing plan. They want to see one |
| 3. Get a steadier paycheck. Let's face it: those of us | | | | wonderful story and hear why you think your series is |
| who are serious about making our living as fiction | | | | unique. |
| writers lack the steady paycheck of the nine-to-fiver. | | | | And if you can manage that, you're one step closer to |
| Selling and writing a series gives you predictable | | | | creating the next Harry Potter. Good luck with that. |