Episodic stories have always been a hit—just look at TV today.
But back in the Victorian Era, serialized fiction ruled the scene, giving us classics like Dickens’ novels, Sherlock Holmes, and The Three Musketeers. While this format faded for a while, it’s making a big comeback thanks to modern platforms like Inkitt. If you’re curious about writing your own serialized novel, now’s the perfect time to dive in!
What is Episodic Fiction
Episodic fiction tells smaller, self-contained stories within a larger plot, much like a TV show. Each episode features a protagonist facing challenges, building to a climax, and either succeeding or failing.
Now, there may be a larger story that’s being told. Take the popular television show Downton Abbey, for example. The television show was taking us through larger story arcs: the Grantham estate/inheritance question, several rounds of murder trials, and love stories. However, each episode focused on a more contained mini-drama and plot within those larger stories. There’s material left over at the end of each episode (aka, the larger plot) to keep the audience coming back for more, though.
9 Rules of Writing Episodic Fiction
1. Plan the Big Picture
- Know the overarching plot and how the episodes fit into it. Having an ending in mind keeps the story focused and prevents it from dragging on aimlessly.
2. Focus Each Episode
- Treat each episode as its own mini-story with a clear goal, conflict, and resolution (or cliffhanger). Avoid cramming too many subplots into one episode.
3. Create a Strong Cast
- Develop characters with distinct roles and arcs. Make sure they don’t overshadow each other, and let each episode spotlight one character’s challenges or growth.
4. Maintain Tension
- Keep readers engaged with rising stakes and compelling conflicts. Cliffhangers or unresolved questions at the end of an episode are great tools to build suspense.
5. Consistency is Key
- Use a story “bible” to track character details, world-building, and plot points to avoid inconsistencies across episodes.
6. Balance Episodic and Serial Elements
- Each episode should feel complete on its own while contributing to the larger story arc. Think of it as a blend of standalone and serialized storytelling.
7. Pace Your Story
- Don’t rush major plot developments or resolutions. Spread key moments across episodes to keep readers coming back.
8. Engage the Audience
- Write with your audience in mind. Deliver on the emotional beats, twists, or humor they expect from your chosen genres.
9. Be Flexible
- Episodic fiction evolves—be open to shifting focus or introducing new ideas as the story progresses.
Make a Plan
When writing episodic fiction, it’s crucial to know where your story is headed. A basic outline is always helpful, but for episodic fiction, creating a story “bible” can be a game-changer. Use it to track characters, world-building details, and the plot. Planning the ending is key—think of TV shows like Breaking Bad or The Wire, which stayed impactful because the writers had a clear destination and stuck to it.
Everyone Can Be the Hero
Episodic fiction often features a larger cast, so it’s key to avoid letting characters compete for the spotlight. Each episode should focus on one character’s main problem, with subplots kept in check to maintain tension. And tension matters! Cliffhangers are great for keeping readers hooked. Most importantly, have fun—episodic fiction lets you explore your story world through multiple adventures and gives your characters room to shine in all kinds of situations.
So if you’ve been toying with a story idea that you think would make a great, multi-part adventure, why not turn it into episodic fiction?
The time has never been better.
