I've been working hard on Book Two, and realizing it's more difficult than I'd expected. What I mean is that, despite the fact this is a series, B2 must also stand on its own. If someone picks up B2 without reading the first book, the world and the characters must be as vivid and fleshed out as in the first. I find this part difficult b/c, hey, I already did that, you know? Now, I've got to do it again, to weave in character descriptions and world building without sounding repetitive and without "telling". Not something I have encountered before. Good news is: my plot is on fire and Charlie is back doing her thang.
5 comments:
Hey Kelly! Glad to hear your plot is on fire for book two. And hey, I know exactly what you mean. :D
Have an awesome day!
I too have a book completed (and are currently pitching) that could easily have a sequel or become a series. Ever since I finished the first one, I've been thinking about the plot for the second. Since I didn't have a deal specifying a sequel, I solved the problem by moving to a completely different book.
Congratulations on your deal and good luck on your next one. I'll be waiting to see them both in print.
Thanks, Yolanda! I think I'm just going to move ahead with plot and then I can go back and add some more internal stuff and descriptions on the second go-round; flesh it out a little.
Leeann: I did the same thing; moved on to a completely different book while I was querying agents and didn't know if TBPD (The Better Part of Darkness) would appeal to anyone. I kind of wished I had written at least the first chapter of the second book, though, once I finished TBPD, just to keep up the flow and voice of Charlie. Ah well, I'll do that for the third book! :)
I'm in the same position as Leeann, but I'm not pitching yet. It is also a novel that is part of a series, that needs to stand alone. See Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum (if you have not already) for ideas on how she handled this. She didn't do a lot of info-dumping, but she pretty much re-introduces her characters every time.
Good luck Kelly...I'm glad the plot is on fire...the rest will come. I am still so freakin excited for you! Is it my turn now? :-)
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