How to Write a Series for TV

Developing scripts for a TV series–or any kind of serialised format–requires a structured approach. There's also plenty of inspired and spontaneous creativity that goes with the territory, don't get me wrong. But the volume of story required to write serialised content (not to mention all the moving parts involved), means there's a need to get your ducks in a row. And by ducks, I mean of course your storylines and character arcs.

So, I've put together some advice on how to go about writing episodic content.

The Planning Stage

Rushing in to start writing scripts without a strategy often leads to major character problems and plot holes later on—something you want to avoid at all costs. The more time you take to brainstorm and plan, the more headaches you'll save later on.

Think About Your Audience

While thinking about the story you want to tell, you should also be developing a clear idea of who your audience might be. Who would enjoy watching your series? Pre-schoolers? Tweens? Women 40+? If you want to attract any kind of funding to make your series a reality, this will definitely be a key factor.

Alternatively, if you are trying to develop an idea that attracts a specific audience, then it's useful to know what that demographic will find entertaining to watch.

Create a Killer Concept

The biggest difference between writing a series and writing, for example, a film, is that a series must have a story engine. This engine has to be capable of powering multiple episodes over, possibly, several seasons. So, you need to spend time getting the core concept right, ensuring there's enough inherent drama and conflict to fuel compelling storylines.

Hooks & Cliffhangers

These are a key aspect of serialized stories. By creating a winning story concept, you will hopefully already have an inbuilt hook that piques interest. But you also need further visual and narrative hooks to capture audience attention, as well as cliffhangers at the end of episodes that ensure they keep watching.

Even at the planning stage, you'll start to have random, crazy and creative thoughts regarding snippets of story, scenes or dialogue. Keep it all on file–these will come in handy later on!

Build Strong Characters

Characters are the heart of any TV series. They need to be relatable, authentic, complex, and capable of growth over several episodes or seasons. Spend time developing detailed character bios so you have multi-layered personalities with interesting backstories. This is crucial for the audience to understand your characters' motivation in doing what they do.

Research the Genre & World

Each TV genre has its own conventions and audience expectations. Watch shows similar to the one you want to write and analyze series and episode structure as well as tone. If you're not familiar with the world of your show, don't skimp on the research. Pro-tip: interview real people for authenticity!

Plan Your Story Arcs

Series have overarching storylines that span an entire season, along with shorter ones that might only last an episode. Plan storylines for each character, relationship, and situation, then weave them together over the course of your series. This will form the skeleton of your outline.

Outline the Series & Episodes

Plan out the main plot points and create a rough outline for your series. Breaking the action into episodes will give you clarity on where your story is headed and at what pace. Then outline your first episode in more detail.

The beats you have for your story roughly represent what happens in each scene (this is why it's sometimes called a step-outline or a scene-by-scene breakdown). It's a roadmap for writing your first draft pilot script.

How to Write a Series: Writing the Pilot Episode

When you think it's time to start writing the pilot script, keep these guidelines in mind.

Understand the Format

Screenplays follow specific formatting rules. Whether you’re writing a half-hour sitcom, a one-hour drama, or a two-minute short-form micro-drama, knowing the correct format is crucial. This includes scene headings, action lines, dialogue, and transitions. Using software like Final Draft or WritersDuet simplifies the process.

Keep Scenes Concise

TV scripts need to maintain a brisk pace. Avoid long, drawn-out scenes that don’t serve the story. Every scene should have a clear purpose. A useful rule of thumb for scenes: Enter late, leave early.

Focus on Visual Storytelling

Television is a visual medium. Use action and setting descriptions to create vivid scenes that directors and actors can bring to life. Lean away from explaining everything in dialogue-heavy conversations. This isn't audio—although that too is an interesting genre to write for!

Write Engaging Dialogue

Dialogue in TV scripts should sound natural yet distinctive. While dialogue can reveal character and advance the plot, avoid anything exposition-heavy and make use of subtext. Listen to the rhythm of natural speech, words, and slang used by different generations and types of people around you.

Revise and Get Feedback

Writing is rewriting. After completing your first draft, put it away for a few weeks at least, then revise for pacing, plot, and character consistency. Sharing your script with trusted peers or mentors can provide valuable feedback.

Develop a Unique Voice

Your writing style and voice are YOUR unique selling points. Whether you're writing a comedy, drama, or thriller, it's the distinctive way that only you can tell the story that will build a strong reputation.

And most importantly, keep writing! Any form of writing takes dedication, persistence, a healthy dose of delusion and a thick skin. It's not always an easy path, but the more you practice and study the craft, the better you'll get!

Story Inkubator was founded by writer, scriptwriter, and teacher, Kristina Jilly, an Australian living in Central Europe who's written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. A teacher at the University of Applied Sciences in Austria, Kristina also writes online content about the art of storytelling and topics that inspire creativity.

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