Series are super hard for me too. I’m an underwriter and sometimes struggle just to get one full length novel at a time. Plus I write horror, which tends to be better for standalones since the longer a horror story gets, the less impact the scares have.
I started 2 stand alone books. Then I went into writing a series. I found out that writing a series fit my writing style well. So I’d say to a new writer to find what you like to do and go with it. ❤ after 10+ years of this being my full time job, I have very recently written a stand alone and I loved it lol. So it’ll change throughout your writing career. 😂
This is so informative! Thank you, I see why you only put this kind of video on patreon. Thank you for putting it on youtube. Hope one day to be like you.
Ive written two different series and I have to agree about the stress da tor with a series. I have this hope that I can write a stand alone. I’ve never meant to write a series but it usually ended up that way.
This was so helpful, Katie. Thank you! I wrote a standalone first but didn't publish it until after i published a standalone of a series, if that makes sense. Loved this, thank you! Looking forward to publishing my second book in the series, also a standalone. ❤❤
Thank you for posting this. So glad you posted it here and not just for your Patreon. I'm currently writing 2 books that are interconnected standalones! This video felt like an encouragement for me to keep going. I do appreciate you sharing your experience and numbers with The Marionettes Series vs The Pact Series. I'm glad you get to have fun with standalone books again :)
I've worked on both series and stand alone novels and novellas. I've loved writing one series of stand alone novellas where each story follows a different couple with cameos from previous couples, but (so far, still have 2 other books to finish before I can officially say) you don't have to read them in order to enjoy them. I've also liked my series where each book had to be read in order to understand the plot moving forward. But my favorites will always be stand alones. I love reading them. I love writing them. I tend to forget what happens from book to book (both when reading and writing), so I love it when a story is one and done. I'm currently working on outlining a fantasy YA series where each book takes place in the same world but different parts of the world across several continents and islands and none of them interconnect so it really doesn't matter what order you read them in, and it's been a blast.
I have one stand alone out and I'm working on another stand alone right now. I'm working on a romance series right now, and it's a challenge to plot everything out and lay the groundwork in early books for what will happen later. I think I'm a stand alone writer at heart haha
This is a great video! I'd love to see a comparison of a standalone vs series with books in the same genre. Although I can't think of one stand alone in the Marionettes genre. Too much world building for one book! Also, I love all types of books. Series, duologies, connected stand alone, and completely stand alone. I'm a mood reader, so it really depends on what I'm feeling in the moment.
Right now I'm working on a high fantasy duology. It's great because I know I have a completed story in two books. And if I want to continue writing in that world, I can. Not to mention, you can have interconnected duologies, which is something that I hope to do. In doing that, I want my various duologies to be connected. Ideally, the reader would be able to start anywhere.
I'm writing a five-book interconnected series of standalone at my learning how to write and self-publish. I'm a slow writer. Like I'm talking 3,000 - 5,000 words a month. So that's essentially 1.5 chapters a month... Not great but with my taxing full-time job that's what I can do. I wrote the third one first, and then the fourth after that, but realized there needed to be a book one and two and put the third one on pause to write book number one. It's been a journey for sure and I'm like only 10% there.
I hear ya on slow writing. I am also trying to finish my first book with a full-time job (plus a young child). There are weeks where I don't have much of a word count to show for it. I envision this book as the first in a long-term series. I'd like each book feel 'standalone' but there would be a continuation of the story and the cast of characters - each book would 'feature' a different main character.
Series are super hard for me too. I’m an underwriter and sometimes struggle just to get one full length novel at a time. Plus I write horror, which tends to be better for standalones since the longer a horror story gets, the less impact the scares have.
Genre is definitely a huge factor to consider! (I'm also an underwriter so I definitely feel your pain lol)
I started 2 stand alone books. Then I went into writing a series. I found out that writing a series fit my writing style well. So I’d say to a new writer to find what you like to do and go with it. ❤ after 10+ years of this being my full time job, I have very recently written a stand alone and I loved it lol. So it’ll change throughout your writing career. 😂
This is so informative! Thank you, I see why you only put this kind of video on patreon. Thank you for putting it on youtube. Hope one day to be like you.
So glad it was helpful! 💙
Thank you for the transparency and Realities of money
So maybe a duology maybe a good route to go down? Thanks for posting this on CZcams!
Ive written two different series and I have to agree about the stress da tor with a series. I have this hope that I can write a stand alone. I’ve never meant to write a series but it usually ended up that way.
This was so helpful, Katie. Thank you! I wrote a standalone first but didn't publish it until after i published a standalone of a series, if that makes sense. Loved this, thank you! Looking forward to publishing my second book in the series, also a standalone. ❤❤
Thank you so much! A much needed topic/comparison. Thank you
Thank you for posting this. So glad you posted it here and not just for your Patreon. I'm currently writing 2 books that are interconnected standalones! This video felt like an encouragement for me to keep going. I do appreciate you sharing your experience and numbers with The Marionettes Series vs The Pact Series. I'm glad you get to have fun with standalone books again :)
I've worked on both series and stand alone novels and novellas. I've loved writing one series of stand alone novellas where each story follows a different couple with cameos from previous couples, but (so far, still have 2 other books to finish before I can officially say) you don't have to read them in order to enjoy them. I've also liked my series where each book had to be read in order to understand the plot moving forward. But my favorites will always be stand alones. I love reading them. I love writing them. I tend to forget what happens from book to book (both when reading and writing), so I love it when a story is one and done. I'm currently working on outlining a fantasy YA series where each book takes place in the same world but different parts of the world across several continents and islands and none of them interconnect so it really doesn't matter what order you read them in, and it's been a blast.
This video is so helpful! Congrats with all your success ✨
I'm glad it was helpful!! Thank you🫶🏻
I have one stand alone out and I'm working on another stand alone right now. I'm working on a romance series right now, and it's a challenge to plot everything out and lay the groundwork in early books for what will happen later. I think I'm a stand alone writer at heart haha
Thanks for sharing these numbers! I love hearing you talk about all things self-publishing, and I really admire everything you've done for your career
Thanks Kelley! I appreciate it🫶🏻
This is a great video! I'd love to see a comparison of a standalone vs series with books in the same genre. Although I can't think of one stand alone in the Marionettes genre. Too much world building for one book!
Also, I love all types of books. Series, duologies, connected stand alone, and completely stand alone. I'm a mood reader, so it really depends on what I'm feeling in the moment.
Right now I'm working on a high fantasy duology. It's great because I know I have a completed story in two books. And if I want to continue writing in that world, I can. Not to mention, you can have interconnected duologies, which is something that I hope to do. In doing that, I want my various duologies to be connected. Ideally, the reader would be able to start anywhere.
That type of series is definitely becoming more popular!
I totally thought the two ant books were a series 😱
I’ve gotta stop having dreams that we’re hanging out 😂😂 it’s weird but it’s a vibe I guess??
I'm writing a five-book interconnected series of standalone at my learning how to write and self-publish. I'm a slow writer. Like I'm talking 3,000 - 5,000 words a month. So that's essentially 1.5 chapters a month... Not great but with my taxing full-time job that's what I can do. I wrote the third one first, and then the fourth after that, but realized there needed to be a book one and two and put the third one on pause to write book number one. It's been a journey for sure and I'm like only 10% there.
I wouldn't sell yourself short - writing with a full time job is so tough. I think that's great!
I hear ya on slow writing. I am also trying to finish my first book with a full-time job (plus a young child). There are weeks where I don't have much of a word count to show for it. I envision this book as the first in a long-term series. I'd like each book feel 'standalone' but there would be a continuation of the story and the cast of characters - each book would 'feature' a different main character.