Hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh
As some of you know, I’ve been working on the sequel to my debut novel EMBRACE. I started the sequel in response to readers' emails and comments hoping there would be another book Even though I had written EMBRACE to be a standalone novel, it was easy to continue Madison’s story. After all, life doesn’t end when the bad guy is caught. It goes on. I always had an idea what Madison would face next. Even when I was working on EMBRACE I knew if there was a book two Madison would meet new supernatural creatures. EMBRACE even hints to this, even if it’s ever so slightly and done in a way that wouldn’t leave any loose ends in the story. These creatures are a part of her world, even if she didn’t know that in book one.
The thing about a sequel
is you don’t want to disappoint your readers. After all, I’m writing the book
for them. I don’t want them to read it and think WTF?! As I work on HOLD TIGHT I’ve had to
remind myself to trust my instincts and to trust that book two is telling the
story that needs to be told. And as I write it, ideas for another book have
already crept into my mind leaving me to wonder if I’ll have the same
insecurities about disappointing readers as I have writing book two.
Have you ever felt this
way?
Good post and welcome to the group. A word of advice - write everything for you - not your fans. If you don't love it, neither will they.
ReplyDeleteThat's great advice. Thanks :)
DeleteOh gosh YES I've felt this way! The only way I get past it is to push the worry aside, telling myself the novel will never see the light of day, and then all pressure is off...for the time being.
ReplyDeleteI finally did do that and I'm liking the new story. :)
DeleteThanks!
P.S. It's nice to see you've joined the group. :)
ReplyDeleteI maintain that the sequel is always harder than the first, not too much info dumping while allowing the reader to discover the story makes for a hard time. But at the same time, it's fun to write!
ReplyDeleteI can relate. I've written a sequel to my first MS, and that part was HARD, because it was a continuation of the story with the same leads.
DeleteI agree. I've been trying to watch this and still have enough information that someone coming in new to the story understands it. It's like walking a fine line, but I have been having fun with it.
DeleteP.S. Following your blog now! Have a great day. :-)
DeleteThanks, Hildie!
DeleteI can relate to your just now joining the IWSG. I had the same problem. I finally solved it by making a binder with a blog calendar. (When all else fails, get organized.)LOL Now I won't have to worry as much about ideas for one of my Wednesday posts every month.
ReplyDeleteWow. That must be encouraging to get requests for a sequel. But I can see how it would also put the pressure on. Good luck. :)
I had seen Alex's name in a post right after purchasing a new smart phone. My first reminder was to remember ISWG. I'm glad I did.
DeleteIt was very encouraging to have people ask for a sequel. Fingers crossed I'll get it done soon.
I haven't been in this situation yet, but I imagine there's a lot of pressure with sequels. Good luck to you! Now, I have to check out Embrace.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the group! :)
Thanks! :)
DeleteHey Cherie! I just joined this group as well. :) I was lucky that I'd written my sequel Bad Behavior before I found Omnific, so I was able to write that novel without worrying about disappointing readers. I got to write what I wanted--making every other chapter a couples therapy chapter--and it was fun. I encourage you to write what YOU want, as hard as that can be, and I'm sure it will be awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. It would have been easy to just have two books. :) Thanks for the encouragement!!
DeleteWelcome! I haven't been in your situation (not published...yet), but I think ultimately you should write the story the way you think it should be written. If you are enthusiastic about it, it will show. You can't ever please everyone, and I think if you try you'll end up with something less.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Hi Kaye. Thanks, and I like your thinking. I'm hoping it's right because that's what I ended up doing.
DeleteIt's great to be a part of the group! :)
Welcome to the group... this is a great first post.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on getting my first book out in the world now and it's meant to be a part of a much larger series. I can only hope that readers are interested in reading more.
I agree with that Kaye has to say, that if you're passionate about the story, it'll show.
Thanks M.J. Best wishes on your book!
DeleteI find if I think about my invisible readers too much, I just feel like shriveling up and hiding, because there is no way I will be able to please them all. I have to write what I want to write, and hope that others will enjoy it too, and if some people don't, that's okay.
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
I agree. I did go with what I wanted (and thought would always happen). I'm hoping the readers will be just as excited as I am with the changes to my characters' lives.
DeleteI can't think of anyone who would deliberately set out to disappoint their readers and/or fans. Keep it real, keep it interesting and keep it fresh. I know you'll be just fine.
ReplyDeleteNicely stated. Thanks, Jeremy!
DeleteWelcome to the IWSG!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes - I felt that way when writing my second book. I wanted to make my fans happy. From feedback I knew what they wanted and hoped I'd deliver. (My third book is a different story because I'm mostly on my own this time.)
If you write your story with passion, your fans will enjoy it!
Thanks, Alex. It's nice to be here. :)
DeleteAnd thanks for the words of encouragement!
Welcome to the IWSG, Cherie! I;m a new follower.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you. My first novel launches in October, and while I was working on another completely different idea, when I sold that book, my publisher asked about a sequel and I loved the idea of expanding my characters world and story even further. But I totally get that, not wanting to disappoint the readers. No one wants to be a one hit wonder!
That is so true! Thanks for following :)
DeleteWelcome to IWSG. I'm new to it, too and love it so far. Yes, sequels can be tricky, but I find them a lot more fun. You've introduced your world in your first book, now you can really dig into the meat of the story with your second!
ReplyDeleteHi Randi! I like how you think. And it has been fun to be back with Madison and her friends.
DeleteI suspect the insecurities will never go away, which is why the IWSG will always be needed. Just make sure that when you write the sequel, you write in the way that feels most natural. Too many authors get into trouble trying to second guess how they should change in order to satisfy readers. Since your readers liked your first book, you've already proven that your natural style works.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to look at it. :) Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on stepping out and putting up an ISWG post of your own. I unfortunately have not completely finished a novel yet to offer much advice. But I think your instincts are correct. Good luck with your novel.
Andrea
Welcome to the group, Cherie!!! So glad you finally got the chance to join. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! That's what you tell yourself. Set your mind. See it. Grab it. Write it. Your fans won't be disappointed.
It's great to be here! Thanks!
Delete