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In the past, books like The Lord of the Rings and The Hunger Games were popular for a reason. They successfully stood the test of time and remain relevant to this day. What are the secrets to plotting a trilogy that will last?

Here’s one thing you need to learn about trilogies: consistency. Plotting a trilogy is more than continuing the first storyline into three parts. Trilogies must be written to hook readers and keep them invested in your story. The point of tying trilogies together is to create a steady pace sprinkled with enough tension that leads to a climax. That is the fruit a trilogy writer must bear after all the world-building. Otherwise, each book would be better off as a standalone.

Any aspiring writer would want to know the secrets behind a good trilogy. Only some online sources tackle this subject since plotting a trilogy is complex, and most writing tips circle standalone books. Another example would be the trilogy series titled ‘Man-dar of Atlantis’ by Kenneth J. Sousa. Observe how trilogies play out in the following books he wrote.

What are the classic trilogy styles, and how does one make them?

Trilogy styles explained

Plotting a trilogy still follows a specific structure, even though it’s divided into three parts. Authors can choose which trilogy styles to utilize and which suits their plot best. Here are examples of trilogy styles.

Dynamic Trilogy

In this series, the same character leads the story along with the same group of people with one goal. The Hobbit is a concrete example of what a dynamic trilogy is like. It also relies heavily on plot and character arcs to carry the whole series. For the writer’s train of thought in writing a dynamic trilogy, the story has to be under one structure. It shouldn’t portray separate stories branded under one title. Authors can pull this off as long as the main plot can be stretched effectively.

Static Trilogy

Authors and readers value character development, especially when the main lead is involved. After all, the main point of stretching out into trilogies is for everyone to see the character grow. However, if you plan to write a static trilogy, things might become slightly different. In this setting, the main character remains the same throughout the series. Unlike most expectations, they never undergo emotional changes and do not shift personalities for the sake of the plot.

Static trilogies can still appeal to the audience, as the main character stays true to who they are from the beginning. Despite facing their adversaries, personified or not, the main leads refuse to change according to the tides of the plot. It is also known as a static arc and a popular method for writing trilogies.

Anthology Trilogies

It is a series of books where each one is loosely related to the other. Even if the book is considered a standalone, you don’t have to weave together the story in a particular order to get the plot across. That way, you still won’t encounter spoilers. Anthology series can be complicated to pull off, as it is intertwined, but they don’t follow each other sequentially. Anthology series can play out in this manner: it can feature the same main lead across different books with entirely different storylines. Either way, anthologies remain enjoyable because they share one setting or a bit of the leading and side characters scattered everywhere in each book.

Tips on plotting a trilogy

Once a reader gets invested in your books, it’s natural for them to want more, exceptionally if the ending is crafted masterfully; it can lead to a sequel or a satisfying yet open conclusion. We will break down these tips on writing a trilogy that will impress readers.

Create complex arcs.

Trilogies usually have a beginning, middle, and end. Main conflicts also get resolved in each of them. However, here’s the thing: tensions develop one after another that will carry over to the next book, trickling another problem. They will eventually serve as the central conflict. Throughout every trilogy, the scale of the situation becomes more extensive than it already was. There are cases where the plot arc intersects in the third book.

Prolong the arc.

Writing trilogies involve a single body of work sprinkled evenly into three, with the same main plot. In this setting, none of the books are under separate stories. To effectively prolong the arc, authors stretch the story of the first two books, laying everything down in the book. For the final one to be juicy and satisfying but simultaneously have a sense of closure, the resolution must be at the end.