The Difference Between Writing a Series vs. a Standalone

Hey, friends!

Let’s talk shop for a second.

If you’ve ever written—or read—a book, you probably know that stories come in all shapes and sizes. Some are short and sweet. Others are big, bold, sprawling epics that refuse to end (hi, that’s me). But behind the scenes, there’s a huge difference between writing a series and writing a standalone.

And yes, I’ve done both. I have the emotional scars to prove it.

So today, I’m breaking it down: what it’s like to write a standalone versus diving headfirst into a series—and why I love torturing myself with the latter.

Standalones: Clean, Contained Chaos

A standalone is like a one-night-only performance. You walk in, set the stage, introduce the characters, raise the stakes, break a few hearts, heal them again (maybe), and then—curtain drop.

Boom. Done.

It’s satisfying, challenging, and oddly peaceful.

With a standalone, you know where you’re going from the beginning. Every word has weight. Every plot thread has to be wrapped up in a single book. There’s no luxury of a sequel to fix what didn’t work or deepen what barely got touched.

But that’s also the beauty of it.

Standalones force you to be sharp, intentional, and honest. There’s no room for filler. Just story, heart, and impact. They can hit you like a punch to the gut—and leave just as fast.

And as a writer? That kind of clarity is rare.

Series: A Long-Term Relationship with Chaos

Now let’s talk about series writing—also known as the long, slow descent into madness (I say this with love).

Writing a series is like building a house out of fire and emotions while readers scream theories from the sidelines and you pretend you’re not already planning to destroy everything in Book 5.

Series are messy. You have to think long-term. Character arcs stretch across multiple books. Seeds you plant in Book 1 don’t bloom until Book 4. And if you forget one tiny detail—trust me, someone will notice.

But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.

Because with a series, you get to live with your characters. You get to break them, heal them, test them, and watch them grow. You get to pull readers deeper into the world with each installment—like peeling back the layers of something ancient and alive.

It’s not just storytelling.

It’s world-building. Legacy-building. Emotionally-devastating-you-because-a-character-you-created-died-in-your-own-damn-book kind of writing.

And yes. I chose this life.

So… Which Is Better?

Honestly? Neither.

They’re just different. Both have their own challenges and joys.

• Want to craft a tight, powerful narrative that leaves readers breathless? Go for a standalone.

• Want to build an empire, shatter souls, and make readers stay up until 3AM whispering “just one more chapter”? Write a series.

Me? I chose chaos. I chose prophecy. I chose a 10-book urban fantasy series where everyone is fighting fate, darkness, and occasionally each other.

No regrets.

Okay, maybe a few sleepless nights.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re writing one book or ten, the goal stays the same: tell a damn good story. One that makes people feelsomething. One that makes them stay a little longer in the world you built.

So if you’re a reader—thank you for sticking around.

If you’re a writer—choose the path that excites and terrifies you most.

That’s the one worth walking.

Until next time...