For me, planning a fantasy series doesn't start with the first chapter, but with the content. Every new book begins with a clear **table of contents**. This structure is my common thread. Without it, a story does not grow; it merely becomes a sequence of scenes without direction. Only when I know which milestones a volume will pass through do I begin with the actual writing.
1. The Overall Arc of the Series
My first step is defining the main line of the series. I determine what the core is about: war, the downfall of a realm, the rise of a power, the return of an old order. This line spans across all volumes. Each individual novel is then given its own function: preparation, escalation, or decision. No volume may be merely filler material.
2. The Table of Contents as a Command Plan
Only then do I create the table of contents for the current book. It consists not of chapter names, but of **plot points**. For example: arrival of the army, betrayal in the council, loss of the city, escape of the main character, new alliance. Each point describes a concrete change in the situation. This framework forces me to write purposefully. I always know where I am in the progression.
3. Each Unit Needs a Clear Function
The second rule is: **each unit needs a task**. Every chapter must either intensify the conflict, provide information, change a character, or prepare a decision. If a point in the table of contents does not fulfill a clear function, I strike it. The common thread remains stable only if everything is aligned with it.
4. Series Logic: Development Instead of Repetition
The third rule is **series logic**. For each book, I check what has changed compared to the previous volume. New power dynamics, new enemies, new losses. A series thrives on development, not repetition. The table of contents helps me to visibly plan this development before I write.
5. Flexibility and the Final Conclusion
The fourth rule is **flexibility within the structure**. Sometimes characters or conflicts arise spontaneously from the story itself. This is allowed, but they are immediately integrated into the table of contents. Spontaneous ideas must not replace the common thread, but must reinforce it. If they don't, they are discarded.
The fifth rule is **outcome orientation**. I plan not only beginnings but also endpoints. Each volume needs a result: victory, defeat, a twist, or a loss. Open questions remain, but the plot of this book is concluded. This keeps the series stable and credible.
For me, series planning is not a creative restriction, but a necessity. The table of contents is my command plan. From it, the story grows. Without this structure, I lose direction, tension, and control over my world. A fantasy series does not arise from inspiration alone, but from a clear, resilient framework.