Ordinarily when I’m writing a series, I take a fairly loose approach. I have an idea of what the series is about (and then get to book 3 and realize what the series is really about after all), which shapes the direction I want to take the characters, but no more than that. This is a bit surprising, really, given I’m the Queen of the Three Act Structure when it comes to plotting out individual books. Seriously, Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! Strikes Back! changed my life.
With the SPECTR series, I wanted to take a different approach. I deliberately modeled it after television seasons of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Supernatural, where you have a small story every week, but also a bigger story arc composing the entire season.
With that in mind, the first thing I did was plot out the overall story, which helped me realize my originally projected five novellas wouldn’t be nearly enough to cover the story I wanted to tell, so I bumped the number up to six. I wrote down all the key events and laid them out in a three-act structure. This let me identify what major events needed to take place in each installment.
Once I had those in place, when it came time to write each individual novella (or novel in the case of Summoner of Storms), I needed to repeat the process in miniature. For each installment to be satisfying to the reader, it had to have a three-act structure of its own, nested inside the overall structure of the story.
So, for example the Catalyst of the overall story—Gray’s accidental possession of Caleb—had to take place in the first installment. The Dark Night of the Soul (also known as the “Black Moment”) when everything comes crashing down and the hero despairs, had to take place in book five. But all six installments needed to have their own Catalysts and Dark Nights of the Soul embedded within them as well.
It was a challenge unlike anything I’d done before. I wasn’t at all sure I could pull it off, which was why I had to give it a try. It’s not for me to say whether I succeeded, but I certainly enjoyed the process and the journey it took me on.
Blurb: Federal exorcist John Starkweather’s life is in tatters. His best friend Sean betrayed him. SPECTR, the agency he viewed more as a surrogate family than an employer, wants him dead. His only allies are members of the mysterious organization called the Vigilant, whose motives remain in question.
The only thing keeping John together is the presence of his lovers: Caleb Jansen, a powerful telekinetic, and Gray, the vampire spirit possessing Caleb.
Together, they must not only evade capture, but somehow stop SPECTR from building an army of demon possessed soldiers. If they are to succeed, John must question everything he’s ever believed about SPECTR and spirits. And Caleb and Gray must decide how far they’re willing to go—not just for John’s love, but for his very life.
Buy Links: Summoner of Storms (SPECTR Book 6)
About Jordan:
Jordan L. Hawk grew up in the wilds of North Carolina, where she was raised on stories of haints and mountain magic by her bootlegging granny. After using a silver knife in the light of a full moon to summon her true love, she turned her talents to spinning tales. She weaves together couples who need to fall in love, then throws in some evil sorcerers and undead just to make sure they want it bad enough. In Jordan’s world, love might conquer all, but it just as easily could end up in the grave.
If you want to contact Jordan, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or send an email.
The Giveaway: THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED
Wow!!!! This book sounds so awesomely cool! Thank you for the chance to win a copy! Vicki. dale.earnhardt03@yahoo.com
I’m really glad I just discovered the series because I’m not sure I could have waited for the next books :)
Love it.
Please count me in. Thanks
Whyborne and Griffin is one of my absolute favorite series, but I have not read the SPECTR series yet. Congrats on the release and thanks for the giveaway!
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
Of course if I win this I will have to buy the others I don’t already own!
Sounds great, thanks for the chance to win!
GRL sounds like it will be a blast. Hope to go one year soon. The book sounds awesome and definitely one I will have to pick up soon.
This series sounds fantastic. Thanks for the chance at winning one of your books.
Oooh, so excited! Me, please!
This is a new series to me. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you for a chance to win one of Jordan L Hawks books.
The first book of Jordan’s that I read was Hainted and then I moved on to the Whyborne & Griffin Series, but only have the first of the Spectr series Hunter of Demons (which you can currently read for free), I recommend all these books :)
I haven’t read this series yet, but it sounds intriguing. I’m a big fan of her W&G series.
I haven’t read this series by her yet but it sounds like a very fun read.
I love this series! Count me in please.
Wooohoooo! Just bought it :) I LOVE this series and have been waiting for this book.
but i just got started on SPECTR series!!! how can it be over already?!?! i love Jordan’s writing.
Can’t wait to get me a copy!
Which do you enjoy more: writing a single story or writing a series? What advantages do you think they have over the other?
I’m a series girl at heart. What can I say, I love the chance to watch characters grow beyond the constraints of a single book. :)
Jordan, this cover gives me the shivers! I haven’t started this series yet but I’m going to have to check it out soon! Sigh, there just aren’t enough hours in the day!
P.S. I love the tattoo! :D
The premise is so intriguing!
I had a great time meeting you at RainbowCon, hoping to see you at GRL!
Thank you for the chance!!!
I’ve read the first 2 of Whyborne and Griffin and the first of the Spectr series and I’m loving them.
I haven’t read anything by Jordan yet, but this is changing my mind quickly. Thanks for the chance to win a book to get me started!
I love reading and I’d love to win!
Would love to read your work!
Good morning, everyone, and many thanks to all of you for dropping by to enter Jordan’s Backlist Title Giveaway. The contest is now closed and the winner’s been selected. An e-copy of a back title goes to
kizzim03
Congratulations, kizz! I’ve emailed Jordan with your contact information, so expect to hear from her soon.
Woot! Thank you so much! I’m sure I will enjoy it. ^_^
Having read everything Jordan’s ever published, I can say with some certainty that I’m sure you will. :-D