I FINISHED WRITING A FOUR BOOK FANTASY SERIES - 5 (NEW) THINGS I’VE LEARNED

Here are five brand new revelations about writing a fantasy series that I've had since completing my four-book fantasy series, The Stolen Kingdom series. Some of these REALLY surprised me! I hope this will help you if you're considering writing a series or in the middle of writing a series!

OTHER VIDEOS ABOUT SERIES:

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💻 M Y A U T H O R N E W S L E T T E R :

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❤️ Bethany

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#Authortube #NovelWriting #WritingaSeries

0:00 - intro
0:16 - backstory of writing my fantasy series
2:10 - lesson #1: surprises for the author
3:11 - lesson #2: examples of how it gets harder
8:02 - lesson #3: sensitivity
9: 15 - lesson #4: series love
11:15 - lesson #5: legitimate story
12:58 - revealing Jezebel’s short story

[adamjscholte]

I always re-read previous novels just before starting the next novel to make sure the story and journey continues in a believable way

[catherinedownen]

I have the third book in my YA FANTASY trilogy coming out in September and all of these are SPOT ON to how I’m feeling now as the end is in sight!

[pattyellis]

WOW. Four books in four years. That is pretty amazing.

I know that I may have been working on my first book over 18 years, back then I didn't have any guidance that I have been getting from authors on YouTube for the last two years.

You could say that I was growing slowly and learning what's new in fantasy books and what not to use from those books but create a unique way to make my own book shine.

Even though I took half of 2015, then 2016 and 2017 a good long break to away from my book. 2018 tried to focus back on the story from section one, 2019 put it on hold as I focus on a kids book idea.

2020 I decided to rewrite my main book (section three), and I had to improve slowly the story, add new characters that took time to understand them. And this year still working on 2 projects, one writing process on main book and the other making notes for kids book.

Sadly, I have to write everything down by hand until I figure out my laptop situation. So the last month I used it as reading time, while making notes on what happens next in chapter 8 - old versions doesn't sound good when I wrote or poorly edited it 10 years ago.

Thanks for this week's vlog, I may not have a young creative vibe running smoothly like it did in my 20s. But I am happy with the new version of my book, plus making notes for future books in a series - since I found the notebook about my future book idea's...

[DeborahPettit]

I am publishing a children’s book. My goal is to write four books in a series. I thought four books was odd, but I guess not that odd. 😊Thank you for the video. What an encouragement for me!

[ericarowanarts]

This was super illuminating. I wouldn't have guessed the series had changed from outline to print. You did a great job of hiding the seams haha. I love the world you created too.

The thing I'm struggling with most in regards to a series is remaining consistent so I've been working on a series Bible to help with that.

I would a story with Nesrin and Malaki. They're so cute together!!!!

[nlhiserbooks]

YES! I am writing my second series. The first was a two book adult crime thriller. Now, I'm on book 3 of 4 of my new adult high fantasy. It is such a different experience! And, I totally feel the "each book is harder" thing. Each one has to be as good as or better than the last, all the details have to stay the same, no repeats, continual growth with each character... it can be so much to deal with! Plus, I am so involved in this story, in love with the characters and the world, as much as I look forward to the end, I also dread it. I don't want to walk away from these characters. I don't want to stop exploring this world. But, I guess that's one of the most incredibly special things about being an author: they are a part of us, a part that never really goes away, and we get to share them with the world.

[dhyanamartins]

I am writing a fantasy series and right now I'm struggling to write book 3, and this video opened my eyes because it’s SO TRUE. Each book gets harder, and the stakes and storyline grows and your brain kind gets lost in the middle of so much going on, so thank you for this video, i feel like you understand my struggle better than I do LOL.

[MrVlandus]

Congratulations 🎉 I am glad you found success and happiness with writing fantasy. Awesome

[gracethewriter]

Even though I'm not writing a fantasy series, I definitely can relate to these lessons.

[dawnmcmurray]

I am cracking up. So I absolutely love your book covers so am watching your video on it and just realized my tracking book I bought on amazon is the one you made! Love it

[TheCourtneyProject]

Great tips, Bethany! SERIES ARE HARD! Your book babies are 😍😍

[rachelharris]

If you are ever looking for a character from The Stolen Kingdom to write a story on, I've always wanted more of Naveed. I really liked him in book 1 and wanted to see more or see him have his own book in the series. *cheesy grin*

[elizabethainger]

I am very late to the party, but I just finished this series in March of this year and I definitely need more of Nesrin. She was my favorite character/Cursed Hunter was my favorite of the series!! :)

[katiemarie]

Love this video! And yes I think it'd be so cool to have more books in the same world!! Melanie Cellier writes retellings, and she has three series in the same world, The Four Kingdoms, Beyond the Four Kingdoms, and Back to the Four Kingdoms. Each book is a standalone with its own separate story and MCs, but each series follows a different group of people.

[adamjscholte]

Hey Bethany, another totally cool video.
I have written four out of a six fantasy series, and halfway through the fourth novel I was like "Oh no, two of the minor characters have grown so much. I need to go back and build them up properly from the start."
I am always changing and tweaking small parts here and there.
The funny thing is that on reviewing I realise that certain sections need to be changed or deleted altogether.

[jhouserwrites]

I know what you mean about getting pulled into a universe and not wanting to let go. My upcoming debut YA Fantasy was originally written as a standalone, but then I realized the world had so much more to give. It turned into a trilogy. But then I needed to know the story behind a couple of side characters, and that became a prequel. Then I asked myself what kind of woman marries the villain, and the story of the villain and his wife's child were written. 1 book became 5, and I have 2 more mentally plotted. My beta readers love it, and so do I. Though I get worried that I may never get to all of the other ideas rolling around in my head that are not in this universe!

[authormaryelizabeth]

I think that The Queen story would be an awesome novella along side your series! You should totally write some companion novels to your world. If you really wanna stay within your world then do it! It seems like it would be really fun. I love writing fantasy. I'm a fantasy gal myself!

[mackenzielee]

I can’t wait for your video on negative character arcs!!! Your videos help so much!

[sofiamidwinter]

I remember when you began talking about your princess and castles series, I had been writing my own fairytale retelling series for a year then, and I was so excited to see a YouTuber write something similar ^^- (I'm not done yet, but slowly an surely it will get done)
I've loved seeing your process these last two years, and I want to thank you for being so honest and transparent. You're a real inspiration for me, Bethany!

[homermtz]

congrats!!! I myself am writing a fantasy novel series, but Its taking me too long. real life takes all my time.