@crcollins #ScribesAndMakers #TTMD #Serial #Serials 2/2
Tips
Remember, readers, will be reading a bit at a time over months, if not years. Every chapter should include reminders of what just happened. The more subtle the show, the better. Tell is obnoxious used this way. If you later release in novel format, you can go back and edit where this is janky.
Per above: You need to keep your readers interested over a long period of time. They will not forgive you for breaking your initial covenant with them. (See fanservice below.)
Have a clear picture of your characters and/or world. Otherwise, your work will wander all over the place. Remember, you don’t have the luxury of going back and editing it for consistency.
Per above: Once it's out there, it’s out there.
Readers are more forgiving of McGuffins. You need hooks for later and foreshadowing. Chekhov’s gun only applies if the gun is smoking.
The pace is different. There is less room for info-dumping, transitional chapters, etc. On the flip side, there is more tolerance for something that is interesting but may not advance the plot.
Readers like some fanservice, but don’t let it take over. I define fanservice as something your specific audience enjoys, be it sex, food, fights, or heroics. Spread it out, and if you notice that you have delivered on the goodies for a few EPs/chapters, throw something in. If you republish as a novel, you can edit it out if you don’t like it.
Anchor each character with some identifiable traits so readers don’t lose track of them.
There are a bunch of them, more than enough to give you something to think about.
- Oh, yes. YMMV/ Rules are meant to be broken. I am not a kami of writing, just another hack doing my best.
