text: # Happy (early) Saturday, serialists! Welcome to Serial Saturday! \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ This week it’s all about Aside from the very meta fact that this is the very first post for Serial Saturdays, let’s talk about how we start serials. Here at /r/ShortStories we’re embarking on a journey to a brave new world of work-shopping serialized story arcs. Each week we’ll be focusing on a story element, theme, or constraint to address in **500 - 750** words within our individual stories. Having trouble landing the plane or sussing out what your characters really want? We’re here to help you whip all your great ideas into shape. Serial Saturday is open to first time writers as well as the grizzled veterans from /r/WritingPrompts! \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ # First time you’re thinking about starting a long-form story? You’re in the right place, **Beginnings are hard, y’all.** So much of our story, characters, and goals can change in the evolution of a serial. Not to mention, often TT serials start with the inciting action, but rarely do we get to see what came before. TT Serial writers, consider this your second first impression. Do you wish you had a chance to make some adjustments, or write an addendum to the beginning of your serial? You can take this opportunity to write a flashback, dream sequence, or prologue. Do you want to start all over with a new concept and universe? That's ok too! *To be fully clear, this is absolutely where you can continue your ongoing serial from previous TTs!* The end goal of this specific installment is for you to think about your serial’s origin story. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **The Rules:** * In the comments below submit a story that is between **500 - 750** words in your own original universe. * Submissions are limited to ***one*** serial submission from each author per week. * E**ach author should comment on at least 2 other stories** during the course of the week. * That comment must include ***at least one*** **detail** about what the author has done well. * Authors who successfully finish a serial lasting longer than 8 installments will be featured with a modpost recognizing their completion and a flair banner on the sub. * Authors are eligible for this highlight post only if they have followed the 2 feedback comments per thread rule. *Yes, we will check*. * While content rules are more lax here at /r/ShortStories, we’re going to roll with the loose guidelines of "vaguely family friendly" being the rule of thumb for now. If you’re ever unsure if your story would cross the line, feel free to modmail! \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ # Get out your notebook! Questions to think about when starting a serial: * How many narrative arcs do you intend to include? Do you know how you’ll weave them together? * This bit can be hard if you have a grand plan in mind. Make sure that your story arc is one you can tackle without feeling like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew or that you’re always writing yourself into a corner. * How much time does your plot span? Are we talking days, weeks, months.... Years? * Some stories move fast! No matter how much in-universe time has passed, pacing is important to think about. * Do you have an idea of where you’re going? What are the end goals of your characters? Are the answers to those two questions the same thing? How do you plan to land the plane? * Part of writing longform stories is still being able to keep your eyes on the prize, both for yourself as an author and for your characters. When you’re writing down your goals for your story, it’s good to know what your characters ultimately want, what starts them on that path, and how they’re going to achieve their goals (or fail miserably, but with style). * Is this a story you can be flexible with? * Let’s face it, a serial with a tight wordcount and constraints sometimes isn’t the right format. While sometimes unavoidable, constraints in any given week can make even the most adept serial writers sweat. Consider whether your plot can allow for the wiggle room needed to meet the challenge every week. * Do you like the story/characters enough to stick with it? * Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, you want to enjoy the story and characters you’re writing, and you want your audience to as well. **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** **You have until \*next\* Saturday, 8/15, to submit and comment on everyone else's stories here. This week being the very first week, you're getting a little bit of a head start to plan.** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* # New to /r/ShortStories and Serial Saturday, but want to join in the fun? We appreciate all contributions made to this thread, and all submissions are of course welcomed. We hope you enjoy your time in the community! * Leave a story from your original self-established universe, between **500 - 750** words here in the comments. * Leave at least 2 comments on other people’s stories mentioning at least one detail on each that you liked. * Authors that complete a serial with 8 or more installments get a fancy banner and modpost to highlight their stories. **Join us for Serial Saturday’s Campfire!** * Saturdays we will be hosting a Serials Campfire on the main voice lounge. Join us to read your story aloud, hear other stories, and share your own thoughts on serial writing! We start on Saturdays at 9AM CST. **Don’t worry about being late, just join!** * There’s a *Super Serial* role on the Discord server, so make sure you grab that so you’re notified of all Serial Saturday related news! Reminders: * Authors that complete a serial with 8 or more installments get a fancy banner and modpost to highlight their stories. * Make sure your post on this thread also includes links to your previous installments if you have a currently in-progress serial. Those links must be direct links to the previous installment on the preceding Serial Saturday post. Join to chat with prompters, authors, and readers! Have you seen the ? No? Oh boy! Here's the current cycle's challenge schedule.