The novel as a standard lone is rarer today than ever. Many publishers only agree to publish a novel if it is part of a series. At minimum, they want to see a trilogy. This was not the case with my publisher. However, The Life After was written to be the first of a trilogy. The second in the series, The Life Before, is nearing completion. The final entry, Chapter 39, has been well planned though not yet begun.
Planning A Trilogy
While it is true that some novels are so successful a trilogy is then created that wasn't originally planned. Most are planned well in advance. In the case of a trilogy, you need to have four complete stories. Ideally, each novel has a story that could stand alone should a reader pick them up out of order. In addition, there must be a full story that brings each of the novels together.
Just because a trilogy is a series, doesn't mean the writer is stifled by their choices in the first novel. This is where planning truly helps. As I was writing The Life After, I had an outline of where the story would go. Some of the characters' motivations are driven by future plans that haven't been unveiled in this novel. Some of the items introduced briefly in The Life After are major plot points in The Life Before and Chapter 39.
While writing follow-up novels, the writer can continue with characters from previous novels, craft new characters or provide a blend. One of my personal favorites is The Hunger Games, which uses the same protagonist and antagonist throughout but invites new characters and settings with each story.
The Problems With Unplanned Trilogies
This is where I make the argument that a writer should have at least a rough idea for follow-up novels in the case that their stand-alone is a huge success and the public desperately wants more. If there isn't a plan in place, inconsistencies can easily arise. The best example I have with this is not a book series but a movie trilogy. If you're as big of a geek as I am, you know exactly where I'm going.
The Star Wars sequels were long-awaited and excitedly anticipated. I personally camped in line for a full day to get tickets and the best seats for The Force Awakens, which is my absolute favorite in the franchise. Unfortunately, Disney had the bright idea to let each movie have its own writer and director. Because they didn't work together on their ideas, The Last Jedi was a jumbled mess and The Rise of Skywalker only served to fix the problems from the second movie. All of that could have been avoided with a solid plan. The same is true for your novel. You need to have a plan in place to prevent inconsistencies, plot holes and unnecessary retconning.
The Trilogy That Didn't
My biggest struggle now is the fact that I don't know if my trilogy is going to actually happen. The existence of books two and three is based entirely on the success of book one. How, then, does one find the motivation to continue writing a trilogy when it's possible these subsequent books will never see the light of day? I'm actually asking that question. I need to know. Please help.
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