If you are writing about a team of investigators or law enforcement or even vampire hunters, you could simply write a string of stories in which every story is a 'case of the week' or 'monster of the week' story with no connection to the other stories in the series other than the fact that the same characters are used in each story.
There are a couple of advantages to this approach. First of all, you get the same advantage as with any series...using the same characters in every story saves you the time needed to think up new main protagonists.
The other advantage is a big one. Even though you haven't got an overreaching series arc, just using the same characters for the stories gives the whole a sense of continuity.
So if all these "A Arcs" and "B Stories" are too much for you to handle, why not take a little time to create a team of characters, give them a job to do, and write a series of stories of them undertaking that job.
Just as overall arc series work on TV, so do what I like to call unconnected 'case stories' series.
CSI, Bones, etc.
You've had success doing series. Do you have a series using this technique? If so, how successful is it compared to the other kind (with the overall A arc)?
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Hi Zena
DeleteI haven't seen any real difference in sales between series using this technique or the full-blown arc technique. Series using the method described in this post are quicker to write :)
Thanks--this helps. And I think it will be more workable for me.
ReplyDeleteWyattM
You're welcome, Wyatt. That's great!
DeleteI'm pouring through The West Wing on Netflix right now - can't get enough of it! Anyways, it too follows a format that includes 2-3 episode arcs along with common recurring themes. Each episode typically has a slightly slanted focus toward one of the ensemble cast (the President, Martin Sheen, is usually the overall focus - but not always).
ReplyDeleteIt would make for a fascinating study in another highly successful, captivating story that doesn't follow the format of other highly successful, captivating shows.
Hi Kelly
DeleteYes, The West Wing is a perfect example of this! Definitely worth studying!
Television of old used this model almost exclusively (the first 20 years or so in TV history). The idea of a season arc really started in the 70s: shows like St Elsewhere went to this model.
ReplyDeleteWhat i notice is that most modern era shows use a self contained story of the week (monster, murder) and the continuing story revolves around the interpersonal relationships of the characters.
If you want to try a season arc in baby steps, after you do what TW suggests in this post, try stepping out a continuing story over two or three episodes that involves a personal relationship between two characters.
When I was a writer/producer on Nash Bridges, a kind of cartoonish cop show on CBS, we would begin our season work by throwing out ideas for season arcs. They all had to do with the personal relationships of the characters. Each week, we'd be sure to have a cop case of the week, but also explore the arc stories.
Hey, Thom. Thanks for your professional perspective.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the personal relationship stories (the 'B' stories) are perfect for the development of little arcs because relationships between people do evolve as time goes on. So making them do that in a story environment can make the characters seem more real.