Writing Sequels
Guest Post by SR Johannes
Sequels are hard to write. Authors stress out about them. Are they as good as the first? Will the readers like it?
Sequels don’t get the blank slate in a reader the way the first book does so the reader comes into the second book with expectations and high hopes.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are writing a sequel:
- Readers remember everything so be thorough.
- Make sure you keep your facts and small details straight.
- Weave in important elements from the first book to get the reader back up to speed but not in an obvious info. dump.
- Allow your character to grow from book to book or your readers will feel cheated.
- Introduce new characters and relationships, but be sure to keep threads from the other books to remind the reader.
- Trust your readers.
- Raise the stakes for your character.
- The story must stand on it’s own, separate of a series.
- Sub plots can be seeds for another.
- Create an overarching plot that connects the books together.
Be sure to check out Uncontrollable, the sequel to Untraceable by SR Johannes. Leave a comment and win the ebook!
Good list. The hardest one for me is the 'stand alone' part. It's so hard to decide how much info is OK from the previous book(s) and where it is needed.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing a sequel at the moment, and No. 2 on the list is definitely something I'm conscious of.
ReplyDeleteGood list. I'm writing a SF Romance and have each one a stand alone but the characters from the first book make cameos. There's also an over reaching plot that comes to fruition in the final book.
ReplyDeleteJanice~
Thanks for having me! :) All i can say is don't hold back stuff for another book. pack your first one and if you get more later - that can make a second book :) Sometimes when we hold back on the first one to build a 2nd one in our heads, the first one gets shafted!
ReplyDeleteNice post. Sequels can be so hard!
ReplyDelete-K8
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