What is a Series Bible and Why Do Writers Need One?

Have you written or are maybe thinking of writing a series? Then you’ll find that the information in this post will benefit you. Whether it’s a simple duology, trilogy, or a series of four or more books, finding a way to keep track of information across books is important for keeping consistent with your creative choices.

You’d be surprised to learn how often writers will grant a character a white horse in book one, only to have that same horse show up as chestnut in book five. While that doesn’t seem that trivial, readers do notice discrepancies like this (anyone who’s been part of a hardcore fandom like Harry Potter or Game of Thrones will know). And they do make big deals about it.

Ultimately, mistakes happen and that’s okay. No writer or editor is fully infallible. However, you still want to be able to avoid making a ton of these errors. This is where a series bible comes in.

A series bible is a reference document that authors and editors use to keep track of all the details, characters, plot points, and world-building elements in a book series. It serves to record information that can be referred to throughout the writing process.

What’s in a series bible?

• Detailed descriptions of all characters, including physical attributes, backgrounds, motivations, and development arcs.

• Overviews of each book’s plot and subplots, including major events and twists.

• Information about the setting, including geography, culture, history, and any unique elements specific to the fictional world.

• Chronological sequences of events, ensuring consistency in the story’s timeline.

• Key themes and recurring motifs that run throughout the series.

• Any rules specific to the world, such as magic systems, technology, or social structures.

Why do you need a series bible anyway?

• A series bible helps maintain consistency across multiple books. It ensures that character traits, plot points, and world-building details remain uniform, preventing inconsistencies and plot holes.

• Having all the necessary information in one place saves time. Writers can quickly reference their series bible instead of searching through previous books or notes.

• It helps to keep track of character development and plot progression, making sure that each installment aligns with the overall story arc.

• It aids in planning future books in the series, ensuring that each book builds accurately with the previous ones and that long-term story arcs are coherent.

• If multiple writers or editors are involved, a series bible provides a shared understanding of the series’ universe, making collaboration smoother.

How to make a series bible?

• Begin compiling the series bible from the moment you start planning your series.

• Include as much detail as possible. It’s better to have more information than you think you need.

• Use headings, subheadings, and categories to keep the document well-organized.

• Continuously update the series bible as you write, adding new information and making corrections as needed.

• Consider using digital tools and software for easy navigation and updating. Programs like Scrivener, Evernote, or specialized series bible software can be helpful.

Creating a series bible can save you a world of work. imagine having to flip through five books of work just to try and remember what a character’s middle initial is because you need it now to solve a puzzle within your story. It would drive anyone mad, and it’d be such a waste of time.

A series bible is a simple way to ensure that you find and connect all the information you need for your book series swiftly and without much effort. Consider starting one as you begin your journey of writing a series.