How to Write a SERIES with the 3 Act Story Structure

How to Outline a SERIES With the 3 Act Story Structure! 📚✨ ⁣Ever since I posted my video series on the 3 act story structure, I’ve been getting this question from you guys:⁣ “how would this structure work for a book series??" So that’s what we’re talking about in today's video — how to take the 3-act story structure and translate it to be an outline template for a whole SERIES of riveting books, not just one standalone novel. We cover a LOT of ground in this video, so buckle up and get ready to take notes. ;)

✨T I M E S T A M P S ✨

0:00 Introduction
1:10 What the 3-book series looks like
6:06 Book 1: The Inception
10:20 Book 2: The Journey
14:40 Book 3: The Battle
18:25 Get the templates
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✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨

MORE VIDEOS YOU WOULD LIKE:

→ HOW TO FIND YOUR MC'S FATAL FLAW

→ THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF EVERY STORY

→ MY SCRIVENER SETUP

→ 10 WEAK WORDS TO CUT FROM YOUR NOVEL

✨F O L L O W ✨

✨ A B O U T ✨
My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.

Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!

[readbooks]

I memorized her whole intro, now I can’t stop myself from saying it whenever it’s rolling😭

[mariavalente]

While Abbie narrates this I feel motivated to write Hunger Games

[myotherhalf]

"Ask Yourself..."

I'm not gonna get that out of my head for DAYS lol

[jeffhutchinson]

It's funny, the first book idea I ever had as a writer was a giant 3 part series (every new writer starts with grand ideas, am I right??) I recently looked at all the notes and outlines I had written for this "series" and thought I like the idea, but how in the world will I ever structure this thing, then boom, Abbie drops this video. I have a lot of work to do!! Thank you, Abbie!!

[MintysSketchbook]

Hey Abbie! I'm a 14 year old, and I'm trying to write a book haha, but this time I'm doing it the right way. With your videos! I'm in the outlining stage right now, but I have no idea where it's going, because I'm writing based of a short dream I had, and a very small idea. 😂💕

Thanks for all your videos! I've been binging them all in the last few days :)

[nonaalaufi]

I saw my whole story playing infront of me while listening to Abbie. And now I got more ideas for my series and I'm so grateful 😭❤

[barbiestargirl]

I recently read your book "100 days of sunlight" and OH MY GOD 💖💖💖 I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! 🌻💗 It was exactly what I needed right now and I'm so glad that I read it. It is soooo beautiful 💖 Words are just not enough to describe how wonderful it is 😍💞
Thankyou SO MUCH for writing this GEM💖🌼
You have my become one of my MOST FAVORITE AUTHORS💖💖💖

[xatiter]

Whenever I think of a well-structured story, I think of ATLA



And I saw you added them timestamps :)

[emilymenjivar]

Anyone else think that the authors of Avatar the Last Airbender found a time machine, traveled to the future to watch this video and then went back and wrote the script for one of the greatest children’s shows of all time???

[temvka]

Grabbed the trilogy Templates. I am in the middle of writing my first trilogy, and your structure has helped me to organize the story flow and rhythm. Thank you!

[cosmindumea]

No doubt, this is one of the best writing channels on the platform and you are one of the best teachers I've ever discovered so far.
I started studying creative writing one year ago, when I discovered your channel, and since then I've learned so many usefull things that helped me grow as a person and writer. Thank you so much!
With Love from Italy!

[icarusspiegler]

This is amazing, and heaven-sent, as I am currently outlining a triology. I was done outlining most of Book 1 until I stumbled upon your Channel and realised I had been going at it all wrong. Your videos are seriously amazing and almost every one of them gives me an Aha-Moment about my book(s). In the triology I am writing, I will adapt this template, to fit two protagonists. One will stay the same over the course of the whole triology, the other will switch from one, to the second, to the third. So while my main-main Character will not finish their journey until book 3, the others all have their own Aha-Moment and a (mostly) finished character arc, when their POV ends.
There is one thing I still struggle with though, and on which I have not found a Video of yours yet: Romance, when it's not the main plot. When I write something, of which the genre is supposed to be romance, then I am to do it and convey it realistically. But when it is not the main plot, as in my current Triology, I struggle with it. My MC is supposed to realise that Love is worth it, through the course of the fantasy-triology. That means (a part of) the Aha-Moment will be realising she is in love with her love-interest. However, building the whole romance thingy up in the first place, establishing that there are feelings for this person, that she isn't fully aware of, or that she pushes down is really hard, especially if it's drawn out over three books. Do you have any tips on that?

[shyzunk]

Every. Single. Time. I hear people talk about structure, they forget series exist. Thank you for this. When I look at my favourite series, they tend to be a whole lot of a messy whatever, and sort wrap up at the end in a twist. There is character development, but not a lot of linear progress. Massive change, but rarely about overcoming fear. Stakes low to nonexistent for the most of it. And yet it feels coherent and super satisfying... I guess with series it comes down to "write a ton and once you have some experience, rely on your gut feeling..."

[Dreamiillustrator]

This is so helpful....I was so stuck about many books should my story be divided in....this video is such a eye opener

[annamarwood]

Omg this helped so much, I really wanted to write a book, on my laptop I have about 7 different stories I only wrote the first page for. I started searching for help, and then I found ypur channel...it CHANGED my life!! I am starting to see a actual plot line to what will happen and I LOVE MY CHARACTERS OMGGGG they are like my best friends♥ honestly my life wouldnt be this fun and great without you♥♥♥

[Missy]

I'm writing a trilogy and have watched your 3-act-story-structure videos in the last days. Although they were soooo helpful, I always struggled with the question, "How do I even put my trilogy into that? it doesn't fit!" and now I can see it totally clear. thank you so, so much!!!

[BeigeButterBear]

Hi Abbie! I’m thirteen years old and greetings from upstate New York!
Just wanna say your videos are amazing and this video helped me a lot! I’m creating a fantasy series right now and one day I would like to publish it!
Thanks for explaining in your videos! ❤

[G._-]

This was the second video I watched and I could see the outline of my characters through each experience. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of these 👍

[robd]

Thanks for this and the templates. I wrote short novels back in grade 6 for fun -I was a pantser. Now I'm in my 30s and I want to use writing as a creative outlet and I really needed some guidelines. This was really helpful! Thank you so much.

[anitatelajala]

Hi Abbie! Thanks for this video. I was hoping if you will make a video on how to write a good revenge series.