How To Plan And Write A Series \\ Video #2: Character Arcs, Story Arcs, & Series Arcs

Рет қаралды 27,205

4 жыл бұрын

Welcome back to Part 2 of an 8-Part series on “How To Plan & Write A Series”. In today’s video, we’re going to discuss the differences between character arcs, story arcs, and series arcs. We’ll also discuss what each element is and how it plays into an overall series.
Be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications in order to see the rest of the videos in this series!
Find the full playlist here: bit.ly/planyourseries
Today’s Blog Post on the Different Types of Series:
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RESOURCES:
The umbrella analogy blog post: www.fictorians.com/2018/03/22/melding-the-series-arc-and-story-arc/
My tshirt: www.etsy.com/shop/APlannedDesign
7 Basic Plots Book: www.amazon.com/Seven-Basic-Plots-Tell-Stories/dp/1472976185
Save The Cat Writes A Novel: www.amazon.com/Save-Cat-Writes-Novel-Writing/dp/0399579745
KM Weiland’s Book on Creating Character Arcs (A must read!): www.amazon.com/Creating-Character-Arcs-Masterful-Structure/dp/1944936041/
James Scott Bell’s “Super Structure”: www.amazon.com/Super-Structure-Unleashing-Power-Story-ebook/dp/B00SXH6QYG
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Heart Breathings - Episode 184
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About Me: My name is Sarra Cannon, and I've been indie publishing since 2010. In that time, I have published 26 books and sold well over half a million copies.
I've made some mistakes along the way, but I've also learned some valuable lessons that I think will help you reach your goals. I can't wait to help you learn to make money writing what you love.
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Пікірлер: 82

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

I hope you're enjoying this video series so far! Can't wait for next week! Be sure to subscribe, like, and comment. I'd love to know your favorite examples of great character arcs over multiple books in the comments. Thanks for watching, and if you have a friend writing a series, please share this series with them!!

@gypsymoth8977 3 жыл бұрын

I’m just humbled by your commitment to helping other writers- thanks for everything! 🤟

@SakoTumiCassVoit 4 жыл бұрын

The timing of this series couldn’t be better: I’m releasing my first book in two months and I start my anchor series in October

@stefanielozinski 4 жыл бұрын

Congrats on the release!!

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

So close!!! Very excited for you!

@gypsymoth8977 3 жыл бұрын

That’s amazing! Onward, girl!🤘❤️

@carenwhite7954 4 жыл бұрын

The reading materials you offer in conjunction with your own are so so helpful. I'm so looking forward to this series!

@ryan6140 2 жыл бұрын

OMG that umbrella analogy is super helpful. It makes things so much simpler!

@Raelana66 4 жыл бұрын

Another good book for story structure for romance writers is, "Romancing the Beat" by Gwen Hayes. It's similar to Save the Cat but geared towards the romance genre.

@books4life157 Ай бұрын

Can this be for a series or just an individual novel?

@StephanieWhitson 4 жыл бұрын

I am looking forward to this series because what I thought would be a stand alone fantasy novel, I now know is actually the first book in a series. I have a character and a problem for her, but otherwise I don't know what I am doing.

@saranova613 4 жыл бұрын

So excited about this series. It's inspiring me to start a series of my own, and I can't wait for the workbook :D

@sandraschehl7032 4 жыл бұрын

This is so helpful. I am just putting the 4th book out in my series, and I wish I had heard all this a year or two, ago. It would have made my life a lot easier!

@jordannoble1082 3 жыл бұрын

You do such an excellent job of providing valuable information in an understandable way. I’m gleaning so much info that I didn’t even KNOW I should know... I can’t watch this series fast enough. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge!

@teribakerreads 4 жыл бұрын

Love the easy way you present all the different arcs information in this video. And also the point you make, to actually read nonfiction books about writing. Thanks 😃

@sidrandle02 4 жыл бұрын

I'm super excited for next week's video. I think I have come to the realization that my story will encompass three books and that terrified me. Like, if I have this much anxiety writing one book, how the hell am I going to write THREE?!

@denisedodge 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for clarifying between the three arcs and how to apply them to different types of series. The umbrella is a perfect image explanation! I look forward to next weeks video.

@elsacarree3533 4 жыл бұрын

So excited about this series! Amazing to watch videos of you almost everyday with the live readings, thank you Sarra!

@joannaholden943 4 жыл бұрын

AAAAGGGHHHHH!!! I've been waiting for this video!!! So excited!!!

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

Wooohoo!

@stefanielozinski 4 жыл бұрын

I’ve been waiting!! I love this series so far

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@SarahMJordan 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this amazing series, Sarra! It's perfect timing. I love your umbrella graphic and that you mentioned the high priestess because I'm using tarot cards to help flesh out my characters 😆🔮☮️🌻👏🌈

@medusa3592 4 жыл бұрын

Love the series about series so far! Except for one tiny thing: I beg to differ about Neo. There is a moment in the first movie when Morpheus tells him that "when the times comes he no longer has to dodge bullets" and then we see him dodge bullets and move like the agents do, he begins to believe. And when he faces the agents after saving Morpheus, "he no longer dodges bullets", he stops them with his hands. That's when, I think, he embraces being the One. His eyes are fully open when he flies off in the final image of the first movie. My favourite negative change arc examples is that of Michael Corleone in the Godfather. First he wants nothing to do with Vito's business and then he becomes him. I like how he goes from being a soldier in one army to becoming basically the General of an other. I can't wait for what else we'll learn in the coming weeks!

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

Great point about The Matrix, but I don't believe he fully understands the responsibility and can embrace what that fully means at that moment. I don't personally believe he has completed that character arc of truly believing he is the One they think he is. I see it more that he knows he is special and is coming to terms with his new reality, but you still see him in the next movie facing the challenge of the responsibility and whether he can live up to those expectations. Then it isn't until the third and final movie that he finally understands what it means.

@medusa3592 4 жыл бұрын

@@HeartBreathings I've only analyzed the first movie. Neo wants to know what the Matrix is, Morpheus shows him and in the end he fully accepts the real world and completely understands that the Matrix isn't real. Maybe that's what Neo's stopping the bullets with his hands is all about. I have conveniently forgotten about the sequels...Thanks for your reply.

@mandlenkosiministries8028 3 жыл бұрын

Hello I'm Mandla from South Africa I want to say thank you very much for this video, I'm new in the industry and I'm doing my best to learn from all those who are ahead of me, soon I will be wring for TV a series, I believe I will learn a lot, so far with this first video I'm happy and I'm looking forward to watch the rest. Thank you very much.

@beverlyjdesigns1410 4 жыл бұрын

Enjoying this so much Sarra! Thank you so much!

@gemmacampbell9086 4 жыл бұрын

"The Virgin's Promise" by Kim Hudson is a book I'm reading at the moment that focuses on feminine story arcs. To oversimplify it's about story arcs where the main character overcomes external demands to find internal peace. Well worth the read for anyone who loves reading about story structure. Also Sarra, I'm excited most for the video in this series expanding on series bibles. I desperately need one, but fail to update my online one, perhaps because switching windows is so tiresome. Bring on talk of hard-copy bibles.

@TheSimpleTarot 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for recommending this! I just started reading it and it's blowing my mind.

@SunshineLeclair 3 жыл бұрын

Omgosh Sara, I just love listening to you give all this fascinating info! You really have a way of getting the ideas and info across. Looking forward to the next one. Hugs Sunshine

@Lostinyoureyesxo 4 жыл бұрын

GIRL I have been waiting and I can’t wait till next week, I really appreciate you breaking this down so simply for me. I can’t wait for the workbook :)

@marciascott7948 4 жыл бұрын

Once again, an amazeballs video! And, graphics! I LOVE graphics! (more, please!) See you next week! xo

@pinkypromisevintage 3 жыл бұрын

I can’t even tell you how inspirational you have been to me in my writing journey. Thank you❤️

@stephanne3522 4 жыл бұрын

i've been so stuck with my own series! and this, I know, is going to help so much!

@bytheBrooke 4 жыл бұрын

I watched your older series videos the other day cause I've been NEEDING these videos! Thank you, and looking forward to more!!

@jullianacosta4536 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing video! And it comes with a list of recommended readings! I don't think that it could possibly go any better. I'll probably have more questions about the arcs as soon as I have a story figured out.

@louisnguertin 2 жыл бұрын

These are some great examples of Character, Story, and Series Arcs. This is a great series. Thank You

@jameswright5627 4 жыл бұрын

Sarra, you and your video series are a dream come true. I've watched videos one and two and got a lot out of them. Thanks for the great content.

@melodieboone3102 3 жыл бұрын

You have done amazing job teaching us about these arcs in writing. I will listen again and will take copious notes. Thanks for all the hard work. You did your homework.

@evienoir_author 3 жыл бұрын

I've been watching and loving your channel for only about a month now, but have enjoyed nearly a dozen of your vides and so deeply appreciate the information you've been sharing. I just had to come to the comments because your shirt made me laugh out loud and it's just too perfect for you! Thanks for adding a link to it haha. I look forward to finishing this series and joining your daily nanowrimo diaries this month!

@SusanGHaws 4 жыл бұрын

I am looking forward to the work book. I know you put a lot of time in to it. As always great content and resources. I appreciate you doing the writing a series series.

@StarGaleSky7 4 жыл бұрын

You're a blessing to this world.

@talkswithsylvia3213 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel, I just started writing, I finished a book I intend publishing and I have an idea for a series next so this is a gold mine. Thank you so much for this.

@richards512 4 жыл бұрын

This was so good. Thank you!

@MonaLisa-yb9bq 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent advice. I'm so pumped about writing. I have so many stories I need to write about. Thanks for all of your videos and advice. It takes so much time to do your work while taking care of children. You have my respect.

@jenniferevelynhayes 3 жыл бұрын

Another fabulously informative video! Thank you, Sarra! It really is amazing how much we think we know about a writing craft topic or skill set, and then realize there's so much more to learn. Your guidance and support is so powerful and appreciated along this journey!

@xxmusicjunkiexx5882 4 жыл бұрын

I'm looking forward to the rest of the videos in the series. As I'm currently working on a three book series, I also have one that is 2 and another is going to be 5. So I'm ready to take notes.

@tracy238 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for going through these, I understand them more now. While listening to you talk about the mirror moment I realised exactly what mine was. I even had it in the story but didn't understand the importance of it.

@nildam.bonilla5849 4 жыл бұрын

This is such amazing info tfs♡

@authorangelahood4749 4 жыл бұрын

Finally...I understand. You have a way of explaining things that most don't. I write mainly stand-alone romances or women's fiction. I've written 2 series, both dynamic with with their own hero and heroine for each book. However, I've been struggling to plot out a 12-book series for over 5 years. I know the characters. I know each book will be about one character's story but they are all interconnected by the town and the business district in that town. What you just explained helped me with some areas I've been struggling with to advance my progress on the series. Thank you! Can't wait for next week's video.

@grounded-chaos 4 жыл бұрын

So much to consider in this Series series. 🧐 Looking forward to the rest. I've been working on book one of my first series since mid April. I realized this week that I've progressed enough in book one's process that I've started writing book two as well. I'd copied several scenes from book one to a "save for later in the story" document that was beginning to take its own shape. I had to take a moment and let it settle in. I ate some chocolate. I took a day to think about how I'm building to the book two arc. Now I'm working with both Scrivener project tabs open. Book two has a working title and a solid outline. It's completely wild that I am so far along already. I'm a slow writer, but I guess it proves that daily sprints work. Thankful I have this resource as I'm building a strong foundation for my series. Cheers!

@featherquill9476 2 жыл бұрын

These are so awesome and have worked SO well, although timestamps would be awesome to navigate and reference specific points, still one of my fav youtube series!

@Artraive 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you Sarra😊

@rachelrobertson7353 3 жыл бұрын

This is amazing -- thank you! Something that I've struggled with is the transformation part. I have an outline for several books going right now, but the obstacles I'm facing are -- the transformation being repetitive (because the main character is actually spiraling in through depression at the same time) and figuring out how to keep the readers engaged, because there's really no resolution until the end of the series.

@tederawilliams1469 4 жыл бұрын

I'm planning on writing books. I would like to Traditional publish my books, I just have to find a literary agent who likes the genre of books I write in. And now I know what a character arc is thanks Heart.

@reneebarrette4514 3 жыл бұрын

You're just the best! :D

@maybe0424 Жыл бұрын

2:02 know the definition →toplan and write 2:36 Story arc (event) v.s. Character arc 3:12 4:05 Genre

@garyball6986 3 жыл бұрын

I am very interested in this series

@dczhen4358 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video series it is so good - also I hope everyone here has read Bryan mc Donald's Invisible Ink .. it is the best book I have read about creating an armature for your stories.

@MissHolliday3110 4 жыл бұрын

I am writing a duology with the plan to do a spin off that is multiple POV. I have a rough idea for the spin off and I know what the goal is for book two of my duology, but it isn't planned. I'm a new author so I have no idea if I'm doing this correctly, but it's a learning experience for sure. I'm drafting the first book now and I will hoping to find another critique partner to help me develop the first book to make sure it does the heavy lifting needed for book 1 of a series.

@BonnieDragonKat 4 жыл бұрын

There is a companion book for villain archetypes. Also check out 45 master archtypes.

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

Great! Thank you for the recommendation!!

@BonnieDragonKat 4 жыл бұрын

@@HeartBreathings Anytime!

@featherquill9476 2 жыл бұрын

17:22 Don't mind me, just bookmarking a ref :)

@smg680 4 жыл бұрын

I've got a question. What if I don't know how many books i'm gonna be writing for my series? I've sort of figured out how my first, middle and last book will be but I don't really know the in between books for it. Do I need to figure out how many books i'm gonna be writing first or is there another way I can go around his? Also, that umbrella diagram is so helpful for me thank you for that

@HeartBreathings 4 жыл бұрын

I address on the next video about planning your series!

@smg680 4 жыл бұрын

@@HeartBreathings Thank you for replying back. I'll make sure to watch the next video when it comes out :)

@choonipapa9073 2 жыл бұрын

This is a very helpful video. Thank you. I have a question... I have 3 main characters in a dynamic series (3 books). When you talked about character arc, you mentioned that characters' change needs to be progressive and that the character can't go back to its first self. One of my characters starts off good unlike the two, but something happened to her and changes for the worse and in the 3rd book she goes back to her old self. Your thoughts please.

@WanderLost 3 жыл бұрын

I got the Save the Cat for novel writing

@nikkiguerlain 4 жыл бұрын

💖💖💖

@TessaDeanAuthor 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting video series on writing series. I have not decided if my writing would fit into a series or not. I have trouble making a novel-length book so can you have a series that is made up of novella length books? I have many books started, but never get higher than 30,000 to 40,000 words in each one. I seem to be suited to writing short story length or novella length pieces. So I wonder if I should stick to novella lengths instead of struggling to produce something longer and if there are series that are composed of novellas rather than full-length novels. Thanks for any help you can give me with this problem. I love your different series of videos.

@joellalukehart3978 4 жыл бұрын

Question about romance series-all five of my couple appear in all five books, one couple is the star and more complete look at their journey toward their romance during their book but they appear in the next and the next, just not the star of the book this time, my question is can they have arcs in the next book and the next, just smaller, not as much attention to the arc?

@mandlenkosiministries8028 3 жыл бұрын

Its more clear now that before, I think I'm in a dynamic series

@JenniferStewart07 2 ай бұрын

So did you know the overall arc for all 12 books or did you have the arc for the first 6 and then you decided to do another 6 and it just worked out that you had a plot to expand on?

@HeartBreathings 2 ай бұрын

I originally planned it as a trilogy! But then the story expanded and I was loving it so much, the stories just kept flowing. When I finished 6, I knew there would be another long arc to try to defeat the entire order of shadows but I didn't have a clue what that would look like exactly. I'm excited to get a chance to start a new long series after this is over so I can take what I learned and do better.

@melodine707 3 жыл бұрын

It seems to me that a bit of understanding about psychology is needed to create a believable char arc. Any advice Sarra...or anyone?

@totallyanonymousbish9599 3 жыл бұрын

Tbh character development in a series is what gives me the most anxiety. I can write the coolest and most complicated plotlines, but when it's about characters I get so lost. How do I know how much character development is enough? Or too less or too much? It's sooo nerve wrecking😭