I got an interesting question from a writing friend last week.
She’d published a novel five years ago and wondered if that was too long ago to consider writing a sequel for the book.
My answer was that if a writer loves the novel’s characters and setting, then why not write a follow-up to the first book? It can, actually, be a lot easier to write a sequel than to create something entirely from scratch.
Her concern was mainly centered around the fact that her original readers might not be interested in reading a sequel after such a long break between books.
Although it would be great to get your original readers to read your sequel, it might be better to approach it as an opportunity to find new readers. If you still have your readers’ contact information (if they’d asked to be on your newsletter list, etc.), then you could send out a special edition of your newsletter alerting them to the long-awaited sequel.
Otherwise, I’d just look for brand-new readers via blogging and a professional Facebook page (like John Doe, Author).
As far as the writing of the novel goes, I’d probably write it as a standalone novel. If you write the book as if your characters haven’t already been introduced to your readers, you won’t confuse anyone. Besides, even the readers for your first book might need a refresher course.
If you self-published the first book or if you have your rights to re-release your backlist, you could consider re-launching the first book as an ebook. This could provide the introduction to the next book that you’re looking for. It would be especially easy if you have the original Word file of your first book. If you’re not sure where to start, Jenny Hansen wrote a great post on her Cowbell blog to get you pointed in the right direction. You really don’t need to have a lot of technical know-how.
At any rate, I don’t think a writer has anything to lose. You could make a few of your previous readers happy by providing a sequel, and could pick up a lot of new readers by writing a book full of characters you’re comfortable with who come alive on the page.
Have you ever considered writing a sequel to a book that came out years before? Come across any series like that?
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Finger Lickin’ Dead releases tomorrow! Hope you’ll join me for my blog tour, starting later this week. :)
Elizabeth – Those really are good ideas. Hmm… You know, Lilian Jackson Braun didn’t write the follow up to her first few Cat Who… novels until, I think, 18 years after the first ones came out. I don’t think I want to wait that long ’till my next release…
Right now, I’m working on a 3rd book in a series that was published a number of years ago. I’m taking the “connected book” approach, with some returning characters, but not featuring the same main protagonists. I’ve only written 4 chapters, so I’m still not sure how it’s working out. I can always bring those two characters back from their honeymoon and get them involved if they seem to be needed.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I want to wish you congratulations and good luck with your new release. Have fun on your blog tour!
Those are great tips for a sequel. Especially making the sequel a stand-alone. There may be five books in my series, but each one can be read on its own without causing confusion.
One more day, Elizabeth!
And as soon as my first book came out, I started on a sequel – which I’d never planned on writing, either.
Interesting. I’m working on a second book in a mystery series but it is stand alone. My dilemma? Maybe it should be first…not sure. Neither has been picked up so…
I’m at that place now. Took me two years to write my first book, then I had it re-edited. Then I went from iUniverse to CreateSpace. Well, its a learning curve.
Now the to follow ups are almost finished, so I can release one in about a month and the other in Spring 2012. I expect each additional book to be much easier to write and get to market.
As a reader I definitely lose interest if a writer takes longer than a year. However, if I really enjoyed the book then I will buy another by that author regardless of how long it’s been!
I do know series are very popular. All I have to do is look at my husband who has several authors he follows – all who are writing a series.
There’s also the question of whether the original publisher would be interested, most aren’t, and whether your contract stipulated that you can only write these characters for this publisher and no other.
As a reader, I enjoy sequels and companion books. I love delving more deeply into worlds I know :)
Diane–I think that’s the best way to go about it…writing the books as stand-alones.
Margot–I thought you might know about a great example!
Alex–And I’m getting excited!
Jan–So you could switch around the order–that might work well.
Stephen–It really does get a lot easier after the first couple of books!
Terry–I usually enjoy that approach as a reader…I love spin-offs.
Carol–Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to it. :)
Heather–Good point–we might not want a SEQUEL, but we do want another book by the author.
Helen–I think most publishers are interested in sequels for books that do well. :)
Marilynn–Exactly. It’s an important point. One of my contracts is written that way–if the publisher refuses the offer of a sequel that the characters revert to me (after a certain amount of time.)
Jemi–Me too! And the characters are so much more developed that way, too.
This is all great advice. Now that we can publish out of print mysteries as ebooks, there’s no longer that worry about readers who can’t get a copy of the older books.