Series Idea Starters

Rose Ross Zediker

By Rose Ross Zediker

A book series can be two or more books loosely or tightly linked together by a common thread.  Quilting was a tight common thread in my first book series. Although my last release, A Wedding on the Rocks, and my current release, The Widow’s Suitor, have many differences the obvious being A Wedding on the Rocks is a contemporary and The Widow’s Suitor is a historical, I consider them a series because they are loosely linked by the setting. They take place on the same ranch close to Faith, South Dakota. 

Writing books in a series is fun and many publishers prefer them so in case you are having trouble creating a series of your own, here a few ideas to spark your creativity.

1.       Family/Relatives –This is probably the most popular idea for a book series. You can write individual loves stories for brothers, sisters or cousin with their family ties as the common thread.

Rose's Quilt Series

2.       Occupations –This is a fun topic to base a series on because there are so many choices like rodeo cowboys, newscasters, or doctors.

3.       Hobbies – Basing a series on hobbies is a smart idea because readers love stories developed around their own person interests. A few hobbies to consider are gourmet cooking, quilting or sewing, and wood carving.

4.       Inanimate Objects – Characters aren’t the only way to tie a series together. An inanimate object such as the ownership of a hot rod or Tiffany lamp can be the basis of a story idea.

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5.       Setting – Writer’s usually think setting is a town or a state but a setting can also be Victorian house, a school or a National Park with each story of the series taking place there.

6.       Charitable Organizations – Volunteers come and go in any charitable organization, why not have two or three couples find love while working with an animal rescue shelter, Red Cross or a Big Brother/Big Sister organization.

7.       Personal Missions –With global warming and going green on the public’s minds, use organic farming or recycling as a thread to tie your series together.  Other personal missions you could use might be preserving a historical site or feeding the homeless.

8.       Holidays –This series idea speaks for itself. Have your characters find love in a Valentine’s Day, 4^th of July or Christmas themed book. 

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9.       Personal Tragedy –At first glance this series starter looks kind of gloomy, but characters overcoming personal tragedies like an injury, dismissal from a job, or loss of a loved one or pet makes readers cheer for your characters as they triumph over adversities. 

10.   Sports – Football, basketball, and hockey from children’s leagues to the professional level is a great basis for a book series.

These are just a few of my series starter ideas. Please leave a comment with some of your own ideas and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a print copy of my current release The Widow’s Suitor.

The Widow's Suitor

Newly Released!

CORA ANDERSON ISN'T LOOKING FOR LOVE. The young widow is just trying to make a life on the prairie for herself and her newborn son. When handsome newcomer Luke Dow shows up at her cabin door, she soon relies on the man's help with her homestead…and dares to dream of the future. Luke came to the small South Dakota town to build a hotel and make his fortune. But he never expected to care for anyone, let alone the beautiful Cora and her baby boy. When Cora's land claim is challenged by a neighbor, Luke will do all he can to protect her and her home—and claim her heart. 

Rose Ross Zediker started penning short pieces for children’s Sunday school take home papers. During the two plus decades she’s been writing, her byline’s been found on over sixty works of fiction, non-fiction and Sunday school curriculum.  When she decided to try her hand at writing a book, it just seemed natural to write inspirational romances. The Widow’s Suitor is Rose’s fifth book and first attempt at a historical story.

Rose and her husband live in rural southeastern South Dakota where she works full-time at the University of South Dakota. Writing occupies many evenings and weekends but she balances both careers with relaxing hobbies, sewing, embroidery, quilting, reading and spoiling her granddaughters. 

You can visit Rose on the web at www.roserosszediker.blogspot.com