Why Formulaic Writing Holds Your Readers

Part of the series Writing a Book from Start to Finish

By J.E. Nickerson | Wise Thinkers Help Desk

In the world of storytelling, “formulaic” often gets a bad rap. Critics use it as shorthand for predictable or repetitive. But in reality, formulaic writing—done well—is one of the most powerful tools a storyteller can use. It’s the invisible structure that gives both the reader and the writer a sense of rhythm, continuity, and trust.

Think about long-running series like CSI, NCIS, or Criminal Minds. Every episode follows a recognizable pattern: a crime is discovered, an investigation unfolds, evidence surfaces, and resolution comes through deduction or justice. Yet viewers keep coming back, episode after episode, season after season. Why? Because they know what they’re getting, but they don’t know exactly how it will play out this time. That’s the sweet spot—a formula that delivers both familiarity and surprise.

Formula Is Freedom

Writers sometimes fear the word “formula,” but in truth, a solid framework gives you freedom. Once you know your roadmap—where the investigation begins, when the emotional turning point hits, and how the climax resolves—you’re free to explore the characters more deeply. You’re not reinventing the wheel every time; you’re refining the ride.

When you have that foundation, your characters can evolve naturally. In a series like CSI, or in my children’s book series Eddie and Freddy’s Adventures, the structure supports ongoing character development as Eddie and his family learn about new holidays from a children’s perspective. Each new story can plug into the framework, while allowing fresh emotional depth and new challenges to emerge. The formula keeps the engine running; the characters are what make the journey meaningful.

Readers Crave Patterns

Readers and viewers alike are wired to recognize and enjoy patterns. It’s part of what makes serialized storytelling addictive. The rhythm of a familiar structure creates comfort, while new details spark excitement. The formula becomes a promise: you’re in good hands; I know how to guide you through this world. Readers settle into the routine of the story and lose themselves in the journey of the characters. 

The Roadmap Advantage

For writers, a formula is a roadmap. It prevents creative paralysis and provides direction when inspiration feels scattered. Once you know how to “plug in” a new idea—a new case, a new antagonist, a new emotional conflict—you can focus on what really matters: how it affects your characters. That’s where readers connect, and that’s why they stay.

In my Samantha Leary thriller series, each story takes a different look at human psychology through the lens of a crime blogger. While each mystery stands on its own, I rely on my own unique formula for crafting every book. This formula gives me a clear blueprint to run story ideas through. If you’re looking for longevity in your series, this approach gives you the ability to take any idea that excites you, plug it into your established characters, and test new concepts until you find the one that fits best.

So next time someone calls your writing “formulaic,” take it as a compliment. You’ve built a world with rules, rhythm, and reliability—a world your readers can trust enough to return to again and again.

Resources

Every formula needs rules. Learn why the world you creat in your stories, needs rules that govern the feel and behavior of your characters. 

➡️ Every World Has Rules: How to create worlds that feel real to your characters 

📚 If you’re new here, I’m J.E. Nickerson — faith based author and inspirational storyteller. You can check out my books here or follow me on YouTube for more inspiration and encouragement on this writing life.