Okay, so my writing teacher seemed to think it was extremely important to make a second book in a series as stand-alone as possible. You know, just assume that the person reading it will not read the first book in the series.
Anyone have an opinion on that?
#writingcommunity #amwriting #ameditting
Anyone have an opinion on that?
#writingcommunity #amwriting #ameditting
Comments
Really, depends on the story.
I hope that gives the impression that the second book is a continuation.
So a person can skip it if they want to.
I really like *on the previous episode* intros to TV shows where they show what happened before, but add to it - give us more information.
So, it's not boring when you're binge watching.
That sort of vibe.
Perhaps your first book doesn't attract an agent. Perhaps it does but doesn't sell on sub. Your second book can't depend on the first one to make sense.
If you're self-publishing, not important at all.
He seemed really adamant and I don't doubt it's ideal in most circumstances.
I'm just not the least bit interested in querying, so, as you said...
I am adding some exposition on his advice, but it's still very much a continuation of the first book. That's what I wrote it as.
The first one is reasonable self contained (no cliffhanger and most issues resolved). The second book resolves a mystery presented in the first book and the second book is teased in the epilogue.
But the exact situation surrounding that mystery isn't explained - and it would be really awkward to rehash the whole thing.
But *lightbulb coming on* I could stick that info in a prelude.
My favorite (maybe obscure) example of this is Jonathan Carroll's "Glass Soup". I never read book #1 and he only dropped a few hints about it. And I loved book #2!
But they are missing a lot of context - almost like the inciting incident itself is a mystery - for half the book.
It's really quite visceral as well, so that could be interesting.
The only problem with that is that then that would be the "preview" of the second book if you were looking to buy online.
Or stick the recap in a short story that you can send out to new subscribers — and make sure to use a unique email signup link in book 2
And I think I need to have a little more exposition - but not TOO much - or else it seems like too much rehashing.
I suspect I wasn't clear to him that the second book is a continuation of the first - in that - there arguably isn't even a brand new "inciting incident".
They are still dealing with the aftermath of it.
"Remember when that one thing happened that it makes no sense to explain right now unless we were talking directly to a reader or audience member?"
🙃
- Clearly label it as a sequel
- Include some organic callbacks within the narrative
Plus to me it feels belittling to the reader, saying they won't be able to follow across several books, which is simply insulting.
Maybe I need to explain my vibe a little better.
Thank you!!!
He told me if I didn't describe the characters'appearance, I would be stuck in self publishing.
😆
And like, when did I ever say I want to go through trad pub?
My writing has improved alot.
Pushing me about these decisions makes me think them through more deeply.
Last class I felt like I was in an intervention...it was intense.
But, it's all good. 💚
The only time their physical attributes are mentioned is if they become immediately relevant somehow - and only the relevant aspects are mentioned.
Oddly - none of my beta readers have ever pointed to that as an issue. *shrug*
The first two books are linked, but the last page of book 1 doesn't feed directly into book 2 in a seamless way