As authors, we all want readers to want to come back to our story to either re-read it, or to eagerly await the next tale in the series. Commercial science fiction and fantasy seem to have raised the bar for these types of engaging tales with truly epic arcs. I call them ‘mind-worm’ tales.
To date, all of my writing has first been shared in serial form in an online story forum. The tales converted to novels have now been published for Amazon and other platforms.
As I work on my next story, I’ve been pondering what would make it a ‘mind-worm’. I don’t want to revisit the characters or plot of “A New Past“, but do have some thoughts on adding a novel in the “Families of the Empire” universe. It’s unlikely to be a direct continuation of the characters in the first book, though I do have ideas for them to continue growing and developing. With that in mind, I have jotted down some things that make me want to go back and re-read a book or series so that I can incorporate these into my next book.
- Complex and well-developed characters: Creating intricate and multi-dimensional characters that readers can connect with and root for is essential. The more readers care about what happens to these characters, the more likely they are to revisit your stories or continue reading the series. I personally found Robert Jordan’s characters in the Wheel of Time series to be what kept drawing me back to the books.
- Thought-provoking themes and moral dilemmas: Exploring complex ideas and posing thought-provoking questions within your story can leave a lasting impression on readers. These themes can encourage readers to reflect on their own beliefs, values, and experiences, making them more likely to return or read the next installment in the series. Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy is one example. Roger Zelazny’s Amber series is another. While both series have incredibly rich settings, it was the themes and dilemmas the characters faced that kept me coming back.
- Engaging plot twists and surprises: Keeping readers guessing with unexpected plot twists and surprises is a great way to keep them engaged and interested. These moments of suspense can leave a lasting impression and make readers eager to revisit the story or continue reading to see what happens next. Within individual stories, I enjoy plot twists, but I hate cliff-hangers. Here I think it is important that each story in a series has an engaging plot, but also delivers for the reader without that cliff-hanging end of the book. Piers Anthony is a master of this in his pun filled Xanth series. Each book can stand alone and deliver an engaging tale, but new readers to the series always wonder what the next book will deliver.
- Richly detailed settings and worldbuilding: Building a vivid and immersive world that readers can lose themselves in is an effective way to encourage re-reading and engagement with your series. The more intricately you develop your setting and its rules, the more invested readers will become in your story. I think of Larry Niven whenever I consider world building. Ringworld is truly epic and awe inspiring.
- Emotional depth and resonance: Creating a strong emotional connection between the reader and the story can make for an unforgettable reading experience. Whether it’s through exploring complex relationships or evoking powerful emotions, ensuring that your story leaves a lasting impact on readers is essential in making them want to revisit it or continue with the series. Anne McCaffrey managed to create a deep emotional response in me with her HarperHall and Dragon Riders series. I was an eager buyer of her tales once those first two trilogies had me hooked.
What is missing from this list? What do you think is important for you to revisit a story or seek out the next installment of a series? Follow me and comment with your thoughts.
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CharlieFoxtrotWriter 