Writing Bingeable Books: Do it Like Netflix

Netflix is addictive, just like TikTok. But while a 60 sec to 10 min video might not be a good basis for a book, Netflix series are. You think “just one more episode,” only to look up and realize it’s 4 AM and you’ve finished an entire season. That feeling — of losing track of time, of devouring story after story without being able to stop — is something that more and more fiction writers are chasing in their own work. 

As a reader, I love when a book grabs me and refuses to let go. As a writer, I’ve started asking myself how to write something so captivating and drug-like. 

Let’s talk about turning your fiction into a page-turning binge-fest.

1. The Hook

Think about the first few minutes of your favorite show. There’s almost always a hook — a mystery, a surprise, a dramatic moment that grabs your attention and refuses to let go. It’s designed to make you curious, to compel you to keep watching.

Books need that too. And no, it’s not about action. I’m talking about intrigue. Conflict. A question that demands an answer. The sooner you give readers a reason to care, the better.

Netflix shows have mastered the cold open. Consider shows like Stranger Things or Breaking Bad. You’re tossed into a high-stakes situation and only after the credits roll you get a backstory. Try opening your book mid-action, mid-mystery, mid-conflict. Don’t save the good stuff for later — start with it.

2. Episodes and Chapters

Netflix shows are made to be watched one after the other. Each episode ends in a way that encourages you to keep going. Treat each chapter as a self-contained episode that move the story forward while also leaving a question hanging.

This doesn’t mean each chapter has to be a mini-movie, but it does mean thinking carefully about pacing, arcs, and momentum. A strong chapter should introduce or escalate conflict, give you just enough resolution to be satisfying, and then leave you hungry for more. 

The end of a chapter should make it hard for your reader to put the book down.

Also, don’t be afraid of shorter chapters — the feeling of “just one more episode”. They keep things digestible.

3. Character Arcs 

Characters evolve over time. It’s a slow burn. A transformation. A steady unraveling.

Books have the same opportunity, especially novels and series. Let your characters change. Give them motivations, secrets, and shifting relationships. Think of your character arcs as seasonal developments. What is your character at the beginning of this story, and who will they be by the end of it? What challenges will force them to grow — or to break?

People binge-watch because they care about what happens next to these characters. Readers binge-read for the same reason.

4. Cliffhanger

Every episode ends with a dramatic reveal, a new twist, or an emotional gut punch. It’s why we stay glued to the screen. 

A cliffhanger isn’t just a cheap shock. It’s a moment of transition. A door opening. A realization. A sudden obstacle. The key is that it must feel earned. Readers will feel betrayed if you jerk them around or pull the rug out from under them too many times.

5. Subplots

A great Netflix show rarely follows just one storyline. There’s always a subplot — something emotional, romantic, humorous, or mysterious — working alongside the main narrative. These subplots keep things dynamic and layered.

These smaller threads can grow into major themes. They also make your story feel real, rich, and human. Think about your favorite ensemble shows — The Crown, The Witcher, The Umbrella Academy. The side characters and their stories make the main arc even better.

6. Visual Writing

Netflix is a visual medium. Every scene is filled with tone, setting, atmosphere. You see the shadows on the wall, the coffee steaming on the counter, the twitch in a character’s eye. As fiction writers, we can’t show in the same way, but we can evoke those visuals through sharp, sensory writing.

“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about describing everything. It’s about immersing the reader. Set scenes with intention. Think cinematically. Ask: what would this moment look like if it were on screen? Then write that feeling. Build scenes the way directors compose shots: with detail, movement, and emotion.

7. The Season Finale

The worst betrayal a reader can experience? A story that doesn’t deliver on its promise.

You’ve built tension, planted questions, hinted at revelations. The ending should tie these threads together in a way that feels inevitable, surprising, and satisfying. Don’t be afraid of big emotional moments. Don’t shy away from heartbreak — or joy.

Even if you’re writing a series, each book (or season) needs a clear arc. Leave the door open, but give us a sense of closure. Make your reader feel something.

8. Study the Shows You Love

Want to get better at structuring your fiction like a bingeable series? Watch more TV.

• What happened in each episode?

• How were conflicts introduced and resolved?

• When were the biggest plot twists?

• How did they hook you again and again?

Then go back to your writing. Try outlining your story like a season of television. Even give your chapters “episode titles” if it helps. Look for the emotional beats. Think in arcs.

Writing fiction like a Netflix series means embracing momentum, character depth, emotional stakes, and addictive storytelling. It means asking yourself: would someone keep reading? And make sure that there’s something to keep them invested.