Writing workshop volume 4: Serial fiction projects on Steemit

In this volume, we’ll talk about cool ongoing Steemit projects in fiction. As we all know, starting a project is exciting and fun, and it’s very energizing. But creating continuity and working consistently are the keys to success in creative writing. Incidentally, they are also keys to success on Steemit!

The previous volumes are Volume 1, The Beginning; Volume 2, Exploring voice in writing; and Volume 3: Say what you want to say. Each post includes #discussion about a fiction writing topic as well as writing exercise, and encouragement to share your ideas and your work.

Let’s look at some of the awesome serial projects going on here on Steemit, and then talk about some of the common elements to learn from, if you are considering your own serial project.

Private Lies, by @johnjgeddes
The story opens with Hailey McAdam getting some terrible news. Through dialog and Hailey’s introspection, the author suggests (in fewer than 900 words) that there is a rich past about to unfold, and he leaves us wanting more. At this writing, @johngeddes is in his 28th installment of the novel. He posts a new installment nearly every single day. In the writing voice workshop post, I talked about the fact that it’s very difficult to create a uniquely personal style, but that some authors pull it off. John Geddes pulls it off by telling much of his story through dialog, which makes his work very readable and compelling.

Here’s an excerpt: "For certain she would, Miss Hailey, but now, she’ll just have to put up with me.” Her eyes glistened, but she managed to give a trembling smile. Hailey patted her shoulder. “Chin up!” she ordered. Birdie nodded.

Love Like His, by @papa-pepper
Papa-Pepper launched his serial novel last year. In the introduction to the book he shared that this work has been years in the making, and that he intends to complete the project while sharing it with his Steemit followers. The story starts with a young couple at dinner in a nice restaurant. They are clearly very happy and in love. But things quickly go awry. Chapter 1 ends like this: “As he steps back into the rain, headlights light up the vehicle. Loud thunder echoes in his ears as a truck smashes into his car with devastating force. Metal flies, glass shatters, steam rises and blood covers the window. Gary stumbles and falls as he attempts to leap toward his wife. He hits the concrete, hard.”

Drama (and yes trauma) are captivating to readers. We are spurred on by a combination of hope, dread, and a desire to know the outcome. The novel weaves together the themes of religion and faith against the backdrop of two men - Gary (who we met) and the interestingly flawed Detective Cromwell.

Yvette and the Hunter, Black Oak Sword and other serial works, by @bigpanda
Be sure to follow this prolific writer! @bigpanda has a number of fantasy works in motion concurrently, and is doing very well on Steemit, having just joined about four months ago, and also has a very enticing writing style. An excerpt: The streets of Riverpool were a sticky mess of mud and filth. Icy cold rain streamed down from low, gray clouds in a relentless, hopeless attempt to wash the city clean. As the rain dripped and trickled and finally poured from the slate roof tiles of the Riverpool rooftops, it gathered in small pools. I love the rich sensory details.

Blood on the Moon, Daughters of La Fey and more, by @michelle.gent
A successful, published fantasy and horror writer, Michelle Gent is prolific. She has several ongoing works on Steemit, as well as a project in which she shares her editing process. And she is very successful on Steemit, as a result. (Bowing down!) Gent has an engaging story telling style. Here’s an excerpt from Diamonds and Deviants 11: As the sound began to climb higher through the audio scale, other objects were set vibrating. When the crystal decanters shattered like one huge bomb, sending shards of crystal out like shrapnel soaked in brandy, whiskey and port, Maclaren began to panic.

Take aways
The approach these writers have taken have some common elements:

• They got started, and they kept going. They have set something in motion, and they just don’t stop. This is a great way to make steady progress on a long piece of fiction. Incidentally, it is also a great way to build a following on Steemit.

• They are being held accountable. We writers work alone. If we stop, typically no one is the wiser. Creating accountability is an excellent way to keep the heat on. They have expectations of themselves, and they have a following that has come to expect a regular cadence of work from them as well.

• Finally, they deliver each piece in bite-sized chunks - typically 500 to 900 words. Not only is this a manageable amount of regular writing to complete, but it’s very readable in an online format like Steemit.

What project do you have that you would like to get started? Ready to rock and roll?

Writing assignment #4
Do this: Follow these and other writers who are producing work in regular installments. Watch what they do and get inspired. Before you launch your own serial writing project, consider writing a collection of installments offline, so you’re set up for success. If you have ever struggled with continuity, and live in fear of stopping after you get started, this will give you the confidence that you can get going and keep going. I took this approach before launching this writing workshop to make sure I felt really confident that I had a sustainable project. It does take time to create a following and build community, but I believe this is a great method.

Please share your thoughts about serial works. What have you seen that you think is a successful approach we can all learn from? And please comment if you have a serial project you are starting or continuing. I'll likely do another post like this in the near future and can post more examples.

To your success!