tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post2693903436060184732..comments2024-03-17T02:30:04.788-06:00Comments on Shallee McArthur: How to Write Sequels that Stand on Their OwnShalleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-48544017175334315722011-03-03T14:54:52.136-07:002011-03-03T14:54:52.136-07:00I want to write a sequel, but I'm afraid I'...I want to write a sequel, but I'm afraid I'll jinx the process when I don't even have an agent yet. ACK. Silly me. So, I wrote a completely different book for my second ms.Margo Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474612650116392270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-70662994597612355092011-03-02T20:23:57.406-07:002011-03-02T20:23:57.406-07:00I've never actually written a sequel, more lik...I've never actually written a sequel, more like companion novels with some of the same characters but different settings/stories. Writing a sequel sounds a lot tougher than I thought, but I think your list is great!Stacy Henriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383087338174942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-53835993853149373042011-03-02T19:58:57.232-07:002011-03-02T19:58:57.232-07:00All this stuff is important, but I don't see m...All this stuff is important, but I don't see much discussion often. Great stuff, and good points!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-60426999884330003892011-03-02T08:19:48.508-07:002011-03-02T08:19:48.508-07:00It took me a while to get around to reading this, ...It took me a while to get around to reading this, but the wait was worth it. I always love reading Shallee's comments and ideas. My philosophy for writing sequels is 'have the overall flow of events in mind before you start writing the first book.' Basically, if you think you might write a second one, write the first one <i>as</i> a first one and not the only one. There are lots of lame books (and movies, TV series, etc.) out there because the author wrote the story he/she wanted and then decided to write a sequel as an afterthought.Reecenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-76696344779715334562011-03-01T17:51:41.748-07:002011-03-01T17:51:41.748-07:00Not touching the completed MS is a killer, going t...Not touching the completed MS is a killer, going through writing/editing avoidance right now myself. <br /><br />And I've never written a sequel. Plotted a couple but never actually written one. Thanks for the great points and things to look out for. <br /><br />NO flimsy plots in my soon to be sequel.<br /><br />JJodi Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03216373059861459896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-36149970761027187252011-02-28T21:22:59.258-07:002011-02-28T21:22:59.258-07:00I've never written a sequel, and to be honest,...I've never written a sequel, and to be honest, I didn't realize this side of it. But you're right, it would have to stand on its own, with its own character arcs. Great point.Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-76125339750258620002011-02-28T20:52:16.581-07:002011-02-28T20:52:16.581-07:00I have a sequel coming out in May from Carina Pres...I have a sequel coming out in May from Carina Press called Apocalypse Rising, so I can commiserate.<br /><br />Probably the best advice I can give about writing a sequel is that you have to be aware that some people will not be reading the first book. In order to get them up to speed, you have to reintroduce the world building and the characters all over again.<br /><br />But rather than do a rehash of the first story, you can weave elements through other characters or events.<br /><br />For example: If someone had been tortured by the enemy in the first book, in the second book that information might be relayed by showing the character massaging an old wound, or having a different character ask about the experience. This way the information is always delivered fresh.Maria Zanninihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01604862636922299273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-79650395085965233872011-02-28T18:38:32.097-07:002011-02-28T18:38:32.097-07:00That sounds like great points to have in a sequel....That sounds like great points to have in a sequel. I have an idea of my sequel, but won't start writing it until I know the first will be published.Abby Minardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963640263845561309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-47007835514336638982011-02-28T18:03:49.124-07:002011-02-28T18:03:49.124-07:00I haven't written one, but my current novel co...I haven't written one, but my current novel could end with a sequel in mind. I think you are right, writing the sequel would be harder than writing the first one. You have to deal with all those reader expectations you didn't necessarily have in the first one when they were getting to know the characters.<br /><br />Great points.Kari Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404956407734167300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-5562430251078083612011-02-28T16:49:16.959-07:002011-02-28T16:49:16.959-07:00Ah, yes. The sequel.
My first book was a stand alo...Ah, yes. The sequel.<br />My first book was a stand alone, but when I got to thinking about it, I felt that the story was not finished. Te second turned out pretty cool, but the third killed it. I did not know my arc. It was not thoroughly thought out.<br /><br />My advice? If your story has the potential for more, plan it out before your first book is done. Even then, write the first book as a stand alone with the potential for more. I have three books that are the beginning of a series, but I haven't started the next installments, and I won't, until they're asked for. They're planned, so they won't be hard to pick up later.<br /><br />Great post, Shallee!David P. Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17259276981865439853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-40103663927770726692011-02-28T15:53:15.441-07:002011-02-28T15:53:15.441-07:00Good points! I recently started outlining my seque...Good points! I recently started outlining my sequel and it's been a lot harder than I expected, but fun to work on something new with characters I already love. Great post! :)Abby Annishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543937393055900844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-25152087963778711602011-02-28T13:53:09.194-07:002011-02-28T13:53:09.194-07:00Great post! I too am on the hunt for vital info wh...Great post! I too am on the hunt for vital info when it comes to crafting solid sequels. <br /><br />I'm a long way off from even starting to write the second installment of my story, but I like to amass helpful articles as I find them. I'd count this among em'. <br /><br />Thanks! And best of luckLindz Pagelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04663646312808701883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-42049184872050958472011-02-28T13:42:44.971-07:002011-02-28T13:42:44.971-07:00Oh, you can say that again, sister. The sequel, I ...Oh, you can say that again, sister. The sequel, I feel is much harder to write. You have to bring something new to the table without leaving the original concept behind. Tough. <br /><br />Good post. Very nice.Angela Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12488555961691093024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-34878094685127522802011-02-28T13:01:28.039-07:002011-02-28T13:01:28.039-07:00You've covered some great points! I also hate...You've covered some great points! I also hate it when the sequel can't stand on its own...especially when it doesn't end well and I have to wait another year to get the real ending. Good luck with the next one. I have no doubt you'll create something superb!Michelle Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00040685503147648297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-581607407559549462011-02-28T12:31:24.738-07:002011-02-28T12:31:24.738-07:00Great post.
I've written a trilogy, and I'...Great post.<br /><br />I've written a trilogy, and I'm currently revising/rewriting the first book--I'll have to be sure to keep these points in mind.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-437730797773263014.post-32711164371711906702011-02-28T10:33:17.159-07:002011-02-28T10:33:17.159-07:00Great post! Not something that's often covered...Great post! Not something that's often covered.Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.com