What went into planning a trilogy?

Thanks so much for having me on the blog today, Diane!

When the town of Bloo Moose popped into my head several years ago, I knew I wanted to set more than one story in the town.

Planning a series requires more planning than writing a single book. Each book in this series is a standalone. The setting remains Bloo Moose, but every story has a new set of main characters as the focus. This makes it different than a series with one or more main characters throughout the series. Each type of series requires different types of planning.

In the case of standalone books connected in a series, there are probably more characters to remember and track and more hints to include as foreshadowing.

Trying to keep it all straight was a bit daunting and I started making disjointed lists. Thankfully, I found a blog post (can’t remember which blogger!) about writing a series bible and it made a huge difference for me.

I created a spreadsheet with multiple pages: Books (titles, MCs, themes, seasons…), Main Characters (physical attributes, jobs, flaws, aspirations…), Secondary Characters (jobs, mentioned attributes, connections to main characters…), Settings (location, description…).

I also sketched out a map of the town, showing locations and directions. Can’t have Fortini’s restaurant in the north end of town in one book and then in the south for another!

Having the series bible and the map at my side helps enormously in the planning. These tools have also prompted ideas for several more books in the series. Now, to get them written!

Welcome to Bloo Moose, Vermont where love is worth the risk! Small-town contemporary romance with an element of suspense. Each book is a stand-alone.

Reaching For Normal

She’s no damsel in distress. He’s no Prince Charming. But if they don’t team up it won’t be only wolves that’ll be dying.

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Reaching For Risks

One Reno List for the B&B. One Risk List for herself. One sexy retailer who should be the last one she wants.

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Reaching For Everything

Love means nothing in tennis. Can he prove to her that love means everything in life?

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Jemi Fraser writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction work focuses on the ways that dementia has impacted her family. Her fiction work varies from contemporary romance to suspense and flash fiction. Years as a teacher have taught Jemi that life is short and that happy endings are a must.

Jemi lives in Northern Ontario, Canada where snow is always a topic of conversation and the autumn leaves make everything better.

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