We're happy to have Author Mellanie Szereto talking series with us today! Welcome, Mel!
Series… Readers love them. Authors often have a love-hate
relationship with them. Of my thirty-one published romances, twenty-two are
part of five different series, with more on the way—a lot more, according to my
to-write and works-in-progress list!
Staying organized is one of the biggest challenges of
writing series, so many authors create series bibles to keep characters,
timelines, settings, plots, character arcs, etc. in one place and prevent hours
of searching manuscripts for specific details. I call it a cheat sheet. I’ve
used handwritten pages and typewritten documents on my computer, but having
notes on paper works best for me. As with most things related to writing, no
single method or process works for everyone. Figure out what works for you!
Since I’m mainly a pantser, I start with whatever
information my musing brain gives me. Usually, a character or a kernel of an
idea will pop into my head, with one or two major plot points. I write down those
details, because I’ll definitely forget if I don’t. Sometimes, the story starts
as a title and I build on it from there. Brainstorming with writer friends can
help with this step, whether it’s characters, plots, or titles. Makin’ Bacon, the first book in my new
series, was born through this process!
As I begin writing, I note everything I know about the main
characters—age, hair and eye color, height, personality, occupation,
mannerisms, backstory, etc. I continue to add information as the story moves
along and I get to know them better. When new characters are introduced, I add
them to the supporting-cast list with their connections to the main characters
and any quirks that may be important later in the story or for characters who might
get their own books. This gives me a head start on the character list for the
next book(s) in the series (and it was a huge time-saver for the audiobook
character lists I provided to my producer for The Homegrown Café Book Club
series).
Since I’m still getting to know everyone in the story, I jot
notes about additional plot points and possible goals, motivations, and
conflicts as I write. Much of the development happens in my subconscious and
comes out as “Aha!” moments, but those ideas can help generate plausible
conflicts and resolutions.
Tied to the plot points and character arcs is the timeline.
I use dates and times to prevent the inevitable mistake about when an event
occurred and how much time passed. This is particularly helpful when a previous
book in a series has a major event that is referred to in a later book in the
series. A reader will notice if the hero who doesn’t know the first thing about
cars changes his flat tire in only ten minutes. I also add chapter-number
notations to the major plot points to make the events easier to find if I need
to make changes or check details. For those who despise writing synopses, a
timeline can be invaluable for a chronological summary of the story.
Sometimes, I need to research specific details for the
story. I bookmark, download, and/or save the link to that information for later
use. Yes, I have PDFs on Ohio’s foodservice regulations, chicken farming
requirements, guardianship laws, and many other topics to be sure I get the
details right. Will I ever need that information again? Maybe. Maybe not.
However, finding those resources again would take hours if I hadn’t saved them!
How about a peek at my new seasoned romcom series?
The women of The Homegrown Café Book Club are
over 40, single, and loving it. Fate, however, has a different plan with a
younger man for every last one of them.
Makin’ Bacon (The Homegrown
Café Book Club 1) Available now!
Heroine is 42; hero is 35.
Divorcée Tate Madison wasted fifteen years of her life with a liar
and a cheat. Now she’s returned to her hometown to open The Homegrown Café,
find a sperm donor, and spend time with her family and new friends. Encouraged
by her fellow middle-aged book-club buddies, she begs a favor from her younger
brother’s best friend—father the child her ex-husband denied her. Complications
abound when she discovers she’s attracted to the man who wasn’t supposed to be
more than an anonymous profile at the clinic.
Pig farmer Jim Cochon knows all about in-vitro fertilization, but
he’d rather do things the old-fashioned way with the irresistible redhead he’s
wanted to marry since he was five. Too bad she refuses his proposal the morning
after their attempt to make a baby. He’ll have to convince her second chances
are worth taking when happily-ever-after is at stake.
https://books2read.com/makin-bacon
Heroine is 47; hero is 39.
Organic farmer Riley Fenniman is happily single
at forty-seven and refuses to acknowledge an attraction to her younger
accountant, let alone surrender to it. Unfortunately, a legal catch in her
farm’s ownership and a health scare give her no choice in the matter. The women
of The Homegrown Café Book Club have the perfect plan to ensure Riley’s cousin
can’t get his greedy paws on her legacy, but it includes a husband and two
pubescent girls.
CPA Deacon Jeffries has carried a torch for his
favorite client for over a year, but she would probably sooner light him with
it than return his affection. She makes an offer he can’t refuse to save her
farm, one that makes his wish come true and gives his daughters the mother they
need—except for lessons in dropping f-bombs. When the secret she’s keeping
reveals itself, he’ll have to choose between self-preservation and love.
https://books2read.com/the-farmer-takes-a-husband
Heroine is 43; hero is 37.
After six broken engagements, butcher Petra
Lochsley wants nothing to do with men and romance. Her hobbies include throwing
axes, discussing books and having raunchy conversations with her middle-aged
friends, and eating the occasional Boston cream doughnut—when the flirtatious
baker doesn’t insist she prostitute herself for the decadent pleasure. One game
of tongue hockey is enough with the guy she used to babysit. So what if he’s
hot and is a good kisser?
Baker Auggie Hofmeier didn’t mean fall in love
with or accidentally marry the butcher, but his heart seems to know what it’s
doing. Besides, his new wife invited him home for a wedding night and more,
that is, until the conniving interference by The Candlestick Maker, the old man
who owns the shop he and Pet both want to buy, threatens their
happily-ever-after. What’s a knave to do?
https://books2read.com/the-butcher-and-the-baker
When Harry Met Wally (The Homegrown Café Book Club 4) Coming soon!
Heroine is 50; hero is 40.
Heroine is 45; hero is 38.
Website: https://www.mellanieszereto.com
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto
What a great post, Mel! I consider myself organized if my socks match--you have totally terrified me. Also given me much to think about. Thanks for coming today, and good luck with the series. I love your titles, too, BTW.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips for carrying into the new year, Mellanie! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Keeping those series details organized is no easy feat! Thanks for showing us your system.
ReplyDelete