Sequels
Very rarely does the second story match the intensity and awesomeness of a great first story. Unfortunately, our expectation level is usually set too high and we want the next one to top the first one. So writing a sequel has a lot of pros and cons... Here are my humble thoughts about sequels. (Watch Jimm Falon? Pros and Cons and Pros and Cons and Prose!)
Pro - Fans of the first book will want the second and probably tell their friends - I can't wait for the next one to come out!
Con - Or they could go the other way, if they didn't like the first one and might tell their friends about it...
Pro - Most of the characters are already fleshed out and familiar to you. Most of the world/setting you've already created as well.
Con - You have to remember things about them AND they need an awesome new story and interesting new characters to keep it fresh!
Pro - More books means more readers.
Con - Or not... An accomplished writer I met had over twenty books out there. Is that what it takes? I better get moving!
Pro - One more story out of my crowded head!
And Tyrean asked for a quote from SIMULATION. Here's one of my faves...
She wished she had Santa powers to fly up the chimney. Most uncomfortable situation ever.
Thanks so much for fitting me into your busy schedule, Tyrean! I'm very excited for your upcoming release and looking forward to helping you promote it! She knows all about sequels =)
by Tara Tyler
Release Date: Sept 14, 2015
In 2082, androids are an essential part of daily life. Some are helpful, some would make better toasters, and some are so human-like they're creepy. Back in Atlanta, Detective Cooper takes a case to uncover an illegal clone android simulation operation. He hopes it will take his mind off his recent break up, but he winds up crossing paths with his ex, FBI Agent Geri Harper.
As Cooper closes in, Geri is kidnapped. But when she resurfaces in Washington and goes on a killing spree, he knows it isn't her. Now under suspicion himself, Cooper must find the real Geri to prove her innocence, not to mention hunt down the powerful villain behind it all. Never a dull moment.
SIMULATION delivers more technology, more intense action, more humor, and more, distinct new characters. Come along for the ride.
Available Now!
Tara Tyler writes sci fi and fantasy action-adventures from her little corner of the world in Ohio as she tries to keep up with her three boys and coach husband. Always making time to write, she sometimes puts off chores and lets laundry pile up... hence, she's also the Lazy Housewife, offering advice and tips to other gals out there trying to do it all without going crazy. She and her housewife friends blog at The Really Real Housewives of America.
And don't forget the Rafflecopter!
21 comments:
I really must add Simulation to my Kindle. I love the premise and blurb.
Writing a series does have many pros, but it also has those horrid cons. I've downloaded the first in a series that was free and ended up buying all the others in the same week, because I loved the first couple of books that much. On the other hand, I've been so disappointed in the second or third that I never bought any more. You really do have to get EACH book right. If you don't, you can lose a lot of readers.
I'm adding this to my wish list. I love scifi!
I'm reading Simulation now. In fact, I read the scene where that quote appears just this last weekend. I'm quite curious to see how it will all turn out.
I'm also writing a sequel at the moment, so this pro/con list really rang true for me.
This sounds like a great read. So true there are pros and cons to writing sequels. I tend to like sequels, but can't keep up with all of them.
An excellent list of pros and cons, but it still has to be exciting to get a sequel out there. I love the blurb for Tara's book and already have it added to my list!
Awesome. I'm often disappointed by sequels, but there's the rare author who does build on each book, and that's what I LIVE for.
I don't think I know how to write a standalone, since I've written family/town sagas and interlocking series books since I could remember. It's natural for me to want to see these people through their entire lives, getting to know each new generation, and going on the journey through life with them. I literally grew up with some of my characters, since we've known one another since we were eleven years old.
Good list of pros and cons. I read that in the fantasy market, the sequels all earn less than the first book. But then again, the more books you write, the more likely a reader will go back and read your back list. MMMM. Congrats to Tara.
You nailed those pros and cons. I guess if I didn't enjoy book #1 I wouldn't be apt to spend money for the sequel. However, what I've found most of the time is that book #1 is great, but the others gradually become less engrossing. I'm thinking Harry Potter.
Great pros and cons. I think many things have a shelf-life and a series of books is one of them. The trick is to end it whilst it's still good and still intrigues the reader. I've just read the latest of a series from my favourite author and well.....I'm disappointed (and I'm easy to please). Knowing when to stop and begin something knew is key, I reckon. Wishing you all a great week!
Great pros and cons list! I can relate a lot to the elation of having one less story crowding inside the brain, LOL. (Easily the greatest pro of all!)
Those are definitely the pros and cons of a series. Congrats to Tara on another great read! And waves to Tyrean.
Tyrean, thanks for the intro to Tara! Wishing her well. :) I like the pros and cons list.
Thanks for stopping by, Ellie, Marcy, M.J., Natalie, Elise, Crystal, Carrie Ann, Susan, C. Lee, Nicola, Heather, Mary and Karen!!! I'm a little behind on replying, so I hope it's okay that I just blanket reply on this one. I love Tara's list, too. I can definitely relate to all of them, and I'm thankful for Tara's visit.
Sequels in books or movies can be tricky. The reason why they sell in movies is because of the familiarity and that's probably true of books too.
Yay, Tara!
I just finished reading SIMULATION! I loved it and enjoyed taking another wild ride with Cooper and Geri.
Having just released my own sequel I'm stressing all the "cons" at the moment lol Great post on pros and cons, nailed it! ;)
Interesting pros and cons. I have an unpublished novel that may/may not suit a sequel, but the idea of it scares me. I might wait until I find a publisher and then decide. I'll keep this list in mind, though.
I think that's true, too. Thanks for stopping by, Maurice!
That's awesome that you just read Simulation! :)
It's a list that works. I think Tara nailed all of it.
But, even with the cons and the worries, I say go for it, Annalisa!
Congrats to Tara on her new book! I totally get it about keeping the characters straight and remembering what they've done.
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