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- With a sequel, writers are often starting from scratch with a new, independent plotline, often in response to reader demand. As a result, sequels can be difficult. They present certain advantages—namely, they’re much easier to market out the gate—but they also come with a host of challenges, the worst of which is often sky-high expectations.
www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/7-rules-writing-sequels
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- What Are Dwight Swain’s Definitions For “Scenes and Sequels”?
- What Do They Look Like in Our Story?
- We Need A Balance of Scenes and Sequels
- What’s The “Right” Balance of Scenes & Sequels?
Step One in understanding Dwight’s ideas is to know how he defines scenes and sequels… His definition of “scene” has nothing to do with the school-type description of an event happening in a specific place or time, or the storytelling definition of a mini-arc that ends with a line break. Instead, Dwight Swain’s idea of a scenefocuses on goals, acti...
When we put those ideas together, our story grows into a cause-and effect chain of a scene (with the Goal, Conflict, Disaster elements) followed by a sequel (with its Reaction, Dilemma, Decision elements). That sequel is then followed by another scene with its Goal prompted by the sequel’s Decision. In simplistic terms, all that could something lik...
If we’ve heard the advice to ensure our character is proactive rather than reactive, we might assume that sequels are bad for our story. However, from a reader perspective, our stories are about far more than just “the things that happen.” Our stories are about emotions, and how our characters react to events shapes how readers emotionally react to...
All that said, a “good” balance doesn’t mean 50% of our story should be made up of these sequels. In most genres, while the action and narrative of scene might run for several pages or most of a chapter, a sequel might be anywhere between: 1. a single sentenceor two of a character reacting to a Disaster setback and recommitting to the Goal 2. sever...
- How to Open Your Sequel’s First Chapter. Honestly, one of the most important questions of any book is—where to begin? Almost all of the same rules for beginning your standalone book’s chapter also apply to your sequel.
- How to Explain Book 1’s Events in Book 2. A question I commonly receive is: How to share the events of the previous book in the second book? How much do readers need to know?
- How to Up the Stakes Without Being Repetitious. Just as in a standalone book’s Climax, a series is going to want to save the best stuff for last. This means that, theoretically, the story should get more and more intense and exciting with each new book.
- How to Create a Seamless Overall Story. The best stories are those that create a seamless big picture. No matter how huge and sprawling your story will be by the time you write the final book, you still want your series’ ultimate ending to bring the story back full circle to the very first book.
Jul 30, 2018 · That’s a tough question to answer. As fiction writers, I think we’d most often like the answer to be: “Yes!”. It’s hard to let go of characters and plots and worlds we adore. However – surprise, surprise – not all novels need a sequel. In fact, some of them are better as standalones.
How to write a sequel that satisfies fans: 1. Brainstorm sequel ideas. 2. Research what makes a good sequel. 3. Keep reading to learn more.
Aug 31, 2015 · Believe you have a potentially awesome sequel idea? Unleash it using this tips on how to write a sequel that's even better than your first book!
In this article, author and The Novelry writing coach Libby Page discusses how she tackled writing The Lifeline, the sequel to her Sunday Times bestselling debut novel, The Lido, and provides some key questions you might want to consider if you’re planning to write a sequel of your own.
