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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/34209
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

I have a world in which many characters live in. At first, I thought they all could be part of one novel (kind of like Sherwood Anderson's book _Winesburg, Ohio_ or the movie _Short Cuts_ (1993) by Robert Altman), perhaps even a trilogy. But more thought into all of these characters leads me to believe a series could be appropriate (think Terry Pratchett's _Discworld_ novels), perhaps separate books focusing mainly on one character each.

This is pretty much a monumental task, which I'm ok with, but what type of character would be good to start a series with? Not all characters would necessarily cross paths either, so perhaps 2-3 could be in the same book, and perhaps some could be in multiple books as well switching between MC and secondary character.

To clarify the question, what would be the best way to set the _tone_ for this series, like something to introduce the world. Or should I just let the world gradually become more detailed with every book, like a gradual spilling of information about the world.

Does it really matter what type of character to start a series with?

I'm aware this could be too open of a discussion, but if there are any literary _dos and don'ts_ about series starting that I'm not aware of, or perhaps stronger, and proven, ways to be more effective in the beginning, I would greatly appreciate those elements included in the answers.

Original score: 5