: A big factor is going to be picking the point where the story starts. If the character arc across the trilogy is one of redemption, the protagonist's story will begin when this starts to

A big factor is going to be picking the point where the story starts.

If the character arc across the trilogy is one of redemption, the protagonist's story will begin when this starts to happen - the first time we meet him would contain the event (or the seeds of the event) that made him begin to question his former nihilism. If you establish hope for redemption at the beginning, the reader is more likely to stick with the darkness of the story to see it come to fruition.

After that it will be a case of sticking with the continual (though not continuous - there will be setbacks) move out of the darkness for the protagonist throughout the trilogy.

You're right to keep an eye on tonal disparity - levity in a dark book can come over as gallows humour (which can be good) or frivolity (which usually isn't).

When the protagonist reaches redemption or enlightenment at the end of the third book, the reader should feel that they knew this was going to happen all along.

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: A big factor is going to be picking the point where the story starts. If the character arc across the trilogy is one of redemption, the protagonist's story will begin when this starts to

More posts by @Steve161

: Writing a character who is an expert in something that I can't know I'm writing a story where the main character comes back from the dead. The character is fully lucid, knowledgeable and articulate

: Should I take breaks, or focus harder? I often have trouble deciding whether (or how often) to take breaks from writing, or to "double down" and try to write, and try to eliminate anything

: Finding My Own Voice It struck me today that one method of becoming a great writer could be to copy the style of one or more published authors. A bit like standing on the shoulders of giants.

: Innovative Ways to Provide Background Information Think action movie. Think two heavily-armed men - one chasing the other over rooftops, down through buildings and into the mean streets of a crowded

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