Tips on how to write a long story/ multi arc volume story?

[GrimRose]

The story I'm currently working on is going to be longer in length. While i don't know the full extent (how many chapters/episodes) it may be, I currently have a plan to split the story into three parts or three seasons.

The main story focuses on the main character fulfilling his role and duty as the new demon king.

The reason for breaking up the story into separate seasons was to avoid worrying too much on backstory or adding too many characters. I also want to give each season an overarching apposing force/villain to prevent the main character from fulfilling his role.

So parts are broken up like this-

Part 1- Hero grapples and struggles with his new role as new demon king'. Hero's human nature is opposite to the Demons and his situation is hard to accept and to take on. His role in the previous demon kings demise also makes his new power/situation even more frustrating and difficult to deal with. At first he rejects his role and for the longest time does not acknowledge this.

Part 2- Hero has finally accepted that he must become the next demon king or else chaos and more bloodshed will occur to both human, demon and other races as a Holy War is ready to irrupt across the nations. Finally accepting this, he chooses to accept his power and to try and achieve his goals with the demon kings powers.

Part 3- Hero tries to uncover the root behind the war, uncover the lies and propoganda that has been ingrained in to the minds of both humanity and other races, and to uncover the corruption and traitors among his allies and family. Details of his past are uncovered and Hero has to decide what kind of King he will be.

While there may be a few story arcs in each part, these separate parts are breaking points and major changing points of the main characters journey and I hope to have lots of action, a few plot twists and hopefully lots of character development along the way.

Long stories are difficult though... it takes time dedication and lots of thought put into them. I'll admit i love long/ multiarc anime/ webtoons for this reason. It's all about the journey/ development of the characters in your story. The longer the story the more time you have to work on all the elements in your story.

The biggest problem though is having a too bloated story, too many characters or even worse having your story arcs and characters become too boring for readers...

I'm just looking for tips from those who have read this type of story.

What do you like seeing in these types of stories?
What kind of comics like this do you read?
When does this type of story get boring?
What kind of story arcs do you enjoy the most?

And if you are working on a story that is long like this what are your tips when it comes to writing/drawing?

[revisionstudios]

I love long form stories, especially because they give you so much opportunity for character interaction and development. I think it's really important for these stories to balance character, world building, and plot so you get invested, everything makes sense, and there are interesting situations and events for the characters to interact with.

My biggest advice would be to:

1- Write a proactive cast of characters. They should all have their own set of motivations and goals, and be willing to act on them. Even people with common goals will vary on the details, and conflict from that can create natural drama. If you have a shy, reactive person, it could also be really poignant for them to learn how to assert themselves better over time and act for themselves.

2- Write an emotional arc that compliments and informs the plot (and vice versa). Plot happening without a heart is dull, and having heart without any plot lowers the stakes and becomes shallow drama.

3- Make your scenes as efficient as possible. They should not serve only one purpose--try more like, 3-5 purposes. Let's say you want to do some world building. Don't make it an info dump, and don't JUST make characters go to an area and interact with something for no reason. Make it plot relevant or say something about the character. Like, if you want to show how demons live in one of their cities, have your MC visit some other character that lives there. Put them in a situation where they have to deal with a common occurrence that says something about the culture, and how the characters react to it tells the audience something about their personality or morals. Use it to craft a bond or instill distrust between characters. Think about how all that will impact things later. There's a LOT you can do in one scene.

Even if it's not your speed story wise, check out the first episode of Altered Carbon on Netflix. I was STUNNED by the amount of information it gives you within that first hour without once feeling forced or boring.

4- On the heels of the last point, make sure you establish the core of your story upfront. The basics of the world, tone, character motivation(s), stakes, inciting incident, and even the villain if you can manage it (though it is not a requirement). The first chapter is SO important in hooking your audience and telling readers what to expect in the future. It's one thing if the first chapter is a little boring, but at least make sure it's not confusing!

Hope that helps. Those are some of the takeaways I've had after doing a long form for 5 years!

[GrimRose]

Honestly, your advice about scenes is really helpful. The two main characters are opposite types when it comes to personality and goals, yet they are forced to work together as a sort of team/partners. I want to make their first interaction to show how different they both are, so when they do work together or agree on something, it is truly important.

[GusC]

I'm 40+ pages into my own attempt.

Plan. Then plan some more. Then plan some more. You probably can never plan enough, but you have to start--and when you do, keep planning. Outlines, character evaluations, visual designs, P A C I N G.

And then, when you've planned as much as you can stand, be prepared to kill any and every idea that gets in the way. There is NO such thing as good writing. Good writing does not exist. It is a mirage. There is ONLY good RE-writing.

Iteration is how great art is made.

[JeanGuillet]

When does this type of story get boring?

when it gets cliche? the whole hero's journey arc is plainly described in your synopsis, and while that's a great template to use, there has to be something that makes your story unique. What's the hook? what makes it interesting? many times, it's the thing you find interesting as an author that drives the interest of the story. you don't need novelty as much as passion and a clear vision. think it through carefully and then lead with the hook.

[dawgofdawgness]

• you might find it easier to write a larger-ish cast of characters if you unite them with a common theme. Even if your story isn't told in a traditional/conventional format, it's a good way to organize them so that they don't seem like each character belongs in a totally universe if you get what i mean.

• InfamousRose:

  When does this type of story get boring?

when the character got what he wanted. Your character's motive drives the story forward, and if his motivation isn't interesting or his journey to getting to that goal isn't executed in a unique, gripping way, you've already lost your audience.
There should be lots of tension in your story, regardless of how large its scale is. I think this especially applies to yours, since it's fantasy/adventure from what it looks like. If you're a good writer, these 2 scenarios can have the same amount of tension:
"Will the hero save the world before it's demolished by monsters and evil??"
"Will Jessica get with Brian???"
have high stakes. What will happen to the hero if he fails at reaching his goal? Sometimes, the more specific to your story, the better. "the world will end" might be a little too cliched and it kind of loses its impact on the audience. Your stakes may also ramp up more and more as the story progresses. It keeps the audience engaged.

• Make sure your beginning is gripping, intriguing, and unique to your story. Not only will it stick in the audience's minds, it sets up your story, tone, etc. like what @revisionstudios said

• I would recommend taking this course: https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar/storytelling

it's specific to Pixar's storytelling style, but it's a pretty good read and it can give you a sense of what makes an interesting story :^)

[tlipocatezcabear]

Best advice that I can give for you bro is to play dungeons and dragons. Believe me, once you settle for a good campaign you can have as many story arc variations that you want. Characters will be your bloodline if and only if you know the narrative or the playground of each and everyone in your story.

[NickTalbert]

Think up a general outline of events, but stay flexible on things taking a different turn along the way. You’ll be surprised how many times your story will deviate from the outline, sometimes outright changing a planned ending.