A long-winded chase...

[lonewolfwanderer]

I'm just wondering how many books (of around 100k - 120k words) a "chase" could last. What i mean is...

In my WIP i'm considering having a specific item stolen from the MC, who would then have to chase the culprit around before catching him. The item is a key to where the MC needs to be by the end of this series. But I would prefer it if the series could last for about 3 novels before the culprit finds this place.

However, I'm not too sure if this chase sequence would last for 3 novels. As a reader, would it get boring? Or doesn't it matter as long as the journey itself is enticing?

 

[tinkerdan]

That actually sounds like the making of a fair trilogy with the chase being the thread that runs throughout.

Just be sure that whatever sidetracks it is logical and interesting. Each book should contain some satisfactory ending.

With a planned final ending that ends the chase.

That should make half the readers happy while possibly ticking off the other half.

I've seen some that drag the main thread through past five stories at which time as a reader I lost interest on trying to see if there was every going to be a final resolution and gave up.

 

[lonewolfwanderer]

That actually sounds like the making of a fair trilogy with the chase being the thread that runs throughout.

Just be sure that whatever sidetracks it is logical and interesting. Each book should contain some satisfactory ending.

With a planned final ending that ends the chase.

That should make half the readers happy while possibly ticking off the other half.

I've seen some that drag the main thread through past five stories at which time as a reader I lost interest on trying to see if there was every going to be a final resolution and gave up.

Ye, it will only be a trilogy, and even though it will end the first part of the story, it will still end on a cliff hanger which will tie in with the next part of the story.

And it won't just be about the chase. There will be a number of smaller plots, or adventures, that will play along the way. Like introducing characters vital to the next part, etc. I wasn't sure if a chase was a plausible idea with which to extend the story or not.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I think you need to do a bit of thinking around character arcs - not just mc but secondaries, too. The chase might be a theme, but it's the characters who'll keep us reading.

 

[tinkerdan]

Be aware if there is a cliffhanger on the first novel you better have the next pretty handy and still be ready for a short review.

"This really stinks, It leaves you hanging."

 

[lonewolfwanderer]

Be aware if there is a cliffhanger on the first novel you better have the next pretty handy and still be ready for a short review.

"This really stinks, It leaves you hanging."

The cliffhanger will tie in with the start of the next in the series. It's hard to explain what i'm doing without spoilers, but think of it like a television series. You watch the first season, and learn a lot about the characters and get into the plot. Then there is a twist at the end of the series that is only explained in the first few episodes of the next season. But that cliffhanger leaves you wanting to find out; leaves you wanting more.

That is kind of what i'm aiming for. The first novel will obviously conclude the minor plot it follows, but end on a note that tells the reader that there is more to the story in the second installment, and so forth.

I think you need to do a bit of thinking around character arcs - not just mc but secondaries, too. The chase might be a theme, but it's the characters who'll keep us reading.

Now that you mention it, it seems I have to create a second arc for my MC too. The other characters I will create as I meet them in my WIP (I'm just letting the story unfold itself- I don't like to plan too far, and so far I only have 3 major characters. I need at least 6 by the time i'm finished Part One, at least 12 by the end of Part Two).