second time around

[SevenStars]

I'm having difficulty getting into the right frame of mind to begin a sequel to my last piece of work. I just can't seem to make up my mind about anything and feel that this is due in no small part to the fact that the last attempt just seemed to spill out rather than be the product of any particular plan.

Is it just me or has anyone else experienced similar issues and, if so, how were you able to resolve them?

 

[Jo Zebedee]

I didn't get it so much with the second book but the third of a trilogy, with all the threads to pull together has proved daunting and taken the guts of two years to come together.

Small steps is the key, I think. And really, really loving it.

 

[ADAM500]

Hi SevenStars,
I found that re-reading the first piece of work gets you back into the right frame of mind (picturing characters, locations and events) and makes you think what would the characters do next? or what future events would be caused by decisions or event made in the first piece? Thinking like this kinda takes me out of the driving seat and into the role of the reader and what they would want to see happen next.
This quite often causes ideas to flood out and I then seems to be frantically trying to write all the ideas down before they disappear.
I hope this method helps.
Adam

 

[AnyaKimlin]

Using the same characters or different and how far on from the first book?

 

[tinkerdan]

I agree with both Springs and Adam500;

I have a trilogy and am working on the third with a need to tie all the loose threads back into the whole and it is pretty daunting in fact it becomes tempting to make a set of 4 just to get them all there.

So I too ran back through the first two books to ensure that I didn't have any threads hanging and re-acquaint myself with the characters because it really is their story and they're just letting you tell it.

And lastly you should take a look at the first book just from the point of view that you might not have been all that happy with something you left in there.

You finished one so you must have a fair idea of the whole process. In the mean time maybe just toy with something else for a bit; that always keeps the creative juices flowing, keeps you out of trouble, and sometimes turns into something interesting.

 

[Colbey Frost]

Maybe the plot / story doesn't require a new novel and you know it deep down inside? Could you look at the second book - if you feel some things need further explanation - as that extention? So rather than planning to add book two, extend book one and see how it goes. Some stories simply don't work over a series. It might be that, or it may not, either way, good luck!

 

[SevenStars]

Using the same characters or different and how far on from the first book?

Hi, I'm using the same female main character and two others from the original and it is set ten years since the original ended. The first book took over six years to write and seemed to be inside me waiting to come out in fits and starts. It wasn't intended to amount to anything but it has and now I'm faced with, and extremely daunted by, timelines. The writing process for the original was an organic, evolutionary process whereas this is, as a friend commented, business and that has , for me, produced an extremely different state of mind to write in.

 

[MattC]

Hi, I'm using the same female main character and two others from the original and it is set ten years since the original ended. The first book took over six years to write and seemed to be inside me waiting to come out in fits and starts. It wasn't intended to amount to anything but it has and now I'm faced with, and extremely daunted by, timelines. The writing process for the original was an organic, evolutionary process whereas this is, as a friend commented, business and that has , for me, produced an extremely different state of mind to write in.

Ah the second book syndrome. I think most authors have been there, just like many musicians. The writing group I belong to had similar discussions. I've posted the links below; you might benefit from seeing how other writers viewed the second book issue, including some-now awarding winning novelists, if only to see that you are not alone.

There's lots to consider with the second book, but much of it is thrown up by the author because yes, writing is perceived as a business once the first book is published. The trick is to approach it the same way as you did the first book, with just as much freedom. After all your publisher has signed you up because you've hit on a good story/formula. As long as you are not rehashing the first book and can offer some new twists to keep it fresh, then there shouldn't be too many rocky moments. (It guess it's much harder if you are not writing a series, having to second guess what your publisher wants.)

But, I guess the message is that once you are published it's still a lot of hard-work staying that way:

Macmillan New Writers: The Next Book Syndrome

Macmillan New Writers: Of Second Novels

Muskets and Monsters: Distractions and decisions

 

[Boneman]

I'm having difficulty getting into the right frame of mind to begin a sequel to my last piece of work. I just can't seem to make up my mind about anything and feel that this is due in no small part to the fact that the last attempt just seemed to spill out rather than be the product of any particular plan.

Is it just me or has anyone else experienced similar issues and, if so, how were you able to resolve them?

Turn all your phones off, hang a 'Do not disturb, except in the event of fire or flood' and re-read the first book in its entirety. Make notes as you go, if you have to.* All the creativity that was in you, that allowed the first one to spill out, is still there, it just needs waking up...


*I'd read it twice: the first time for pleasure, the second making notes as ideas for the second spill out. Good luck.

 

[HareBrain]

Make sure you haven't inadvertently set up a book2 "labyrinth of doom" by your choice of closing events in book1. Like some people.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Make sure you haven't inadvertently set up a book2 "labyrinth of doom" by your choice of closing events in book1. Like some people.

Or leave your protagonist so broken they may not be credible as a pov character in Book 2...

 

[psychotick]

Hi,

Or you could be like me - just don't do it! (The reverse Nike slogan!). I get asked for sequels quite often but I simply can't do them because I never write a book with a sequel in mind. So I'd need to start a completely new book - and that's not easy - especially when you're trying to blend old characters / settings etc with a new story.

My advice, if you aim to write a sequel, don't. Write one very big book and find a convenient place to divide it.

Cheers, Greg.

 

[MattC]

I'm having difficulty getting into the right frame of mind to begin a sequel to my last piece of work. I just can't seem to make up my mind about anything and feel that this is due in no small part to the fact that the last attempt just seemed to spill out rather than be the product of any particular plan.

Is it just me or has anyone else experienced similar issues and, if so, how were you able to resolve them?

Another thing to add, and reading back through some of your previous posts in the Publishing Forum, is that you will get pretty distracted once your first book goes nearer to publication. Distracted and excited. It's natural that any concentration goes out of the window once your publisher starts showing you book covers, organises publicity events and so on. My advice is enjoy it; being published that first time happens just once. Unless your publisher is handing you a strict deadline for no.2, you can relax a little.

As for that difficult 2nd book, remind yourself why you engaged with the first one and do what you can to find that again. It took time to write the first one; it doesn't follow that the second is easier. It takes as long as it needs to. It might be that you are putting too much pressure on yourself?

 

[Phyrebrat]

Maybe the plot / story doesn't require a new novel and you know it deep down inside? Could you look at the second book - if you feel some things need further explanation - as that extention? So rather than planning to add book two, extend book one and see how it goes. Some stories simply don't work over a series. It might be that, or it may not, either way, good luck!

This was my initial thought, too. Perhaps you have another premise you could work on for a different unrelated story and come back to this one. Let the first one ferment perhaps, and then when it's the right time (a sloppy inexact phrase, I admit) you'll have that eureka! moment.

pH