I am currently writing, among other things, a trilogy called the Rose Trilogy. I know I can finish the first part in the trilogy, called Rose Killer, yet I keep getting worried that I would not be able to finish the rest. I know I can, because I start nearly every story like this. I guess my question is, do any of you writers out there ever feel the same? Especially if you are writing a trilogy? That you wouldn't be able to continue, or finish it? Or even worse, not be able to keep the readers attention? These are thigns I, really for the first time, am starting to ask myself. So...do you guys?
I have a question for you writers.
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I'm to the point in my life that I really don't care. I don't mean, "I don't care about your post." Nor do I mean, "I don't care about writing." I just mean, I don't even bother to think about this stuff anymore. If I'm going to write something, I start writing. If it isn't working out, I ignore it for a few years, until I feel inspired.Samuel Dark said:
Please don't consider my approach healthy if you have a deadline to meet.
Samuel Dark said:
I think the important thing is, when writing something that you know is going to be part of a series, to write each book as something that can stand on its own. I wrote a YA novel with every intention of having it be the first book in a trilogy. While I've started outlining Book 2, and know pretty well how Book 3 will wrap things up, Book 1 can be read all by itself with no loose threads hanging at the end.
If I were to decide tomorrow that Books 2 and 3 were not going to be written, Book 1 would stand all by itself as a single novel.
I've taken to leaving openings for sequels but never planning them. Reason: If you write a sequel you might seriously want to take into consideration the feedback you get from readers.
They may like secondary characters you may not have thought of giving a main role. They may wish to see challenges dealt with that you may not have considered.
Readers can and do play a much larger role in the creative process than many writer's realize. Frank L. Baum and Piers Anthony built strong rapport with their readers by being openly responsive to their desires.
Sir Authur Conan Doyle was forced to revive Sherlock Holmes because of reader reaction to the great detective's demise.
So, as Patty the Wicked says, "Write it so it will stand alone." And then wait to see what the response is.
They may like secondary characters you may not have thought of giving a main role. They may wish to see challenges dealt with that you may not have considered.
Readers can and do play a much larger role in the creative process than many writer's realize. Frank L. Baum and Piers Anthony built strong rapport with their readers by being openly responsive to their desires.
Sir Authur Conan Doyle was forced to revive Sherlock Holmes because of reader reaction to the great detective's demise.
So, as Patty the Wicked says, "Write it so it will stand alone." And then wait to see what the response is.
I'm working on a trilogy but I wrote the 2nd part first and then I'm going back (sort of like Star Wars)
But I didn't start out planning a Trilogy, it just ended up that way.
There were things mentioned in the novel that needed explaining so I started the pre-quel...then someone wanted the story to continue so I started a sequel.
Currently I'm doing some writing on all 3 at once.
It's sci-fi so I can play with the time frames.
But I didn't start out planning a Trilogy, it just ended up that way.
There were things mentioned in the novel that needed explaining so I started the pre-quel...then someone wanted the story to continue so I started a sequel.
Currently I'm doing some writing on all 3 at once.
It's sci-fi so I can play with the time frames.
Wow, thanks guys. Well, I have heard that whole 'don't leave the reader hangin', but with the Rose Trilogy, I am not sure it would be possible. You see, I have a specific reason this will be a trilogy: Like I have mentioned, I am a Christian author. And I am attempting, belive it or not, to re-tale a bible story -- with a creative license, of course. And each book has its own unique theme. First one starts the story, and really sets the fondations of the whole triolgy. Then the second one, called Warrior of the Rose, will be dedicated to missionaries, and will deal with what they do -- spread the word of God to other countries. Then the third, and more then likely the most emotional one, Martyr's of the Rose, which, of course, deals with martyrs. It will not onl ybe dedicated to all the martyrs who died for Christ, it will also be based on true situations -- if I can get the rights to it, of course -- of where people, recently, gave their life for Christ (read Jesus Freak by DC Talk). And I do have certain events in each trilogy, that that book will be building to. Like, take for example, in Rose Killer -- everything after Chapter 7 is building up to the cliffhanger. And I mean everything. Then in the second book, everything will be leading up to the end, of course, but more so to the end of the third book in the trilogy -- which will be very beautiful, btw. Anyway, I am just rambling on, so...I'll stop. 
I am in the middle of the second installment in my trilogy, and I can say that after finishing the first part I am so much more capable of sticking with the story. I didn't really plan either of the sequels in detail, I just knew there would be two sequels and that they would contain certain scenes I'd thought up for the characters that I couldn't fit in the first book. On a side note, the first book was left completely open for sequels in such a way where it will not work if the sequels are not also written. That also compels me to finish. Plus I just love the story, the setting, and the characters.
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Yes Samuel,
I have felt like that. And I'm pretty darn sure other writers have felt this way as well. It's one of your life lessons as a writer and you will get through it. How you will get through it, only you can say. How long it will take, only you can tell. It's one of the obstacles, one of the challenges, one of the tests you are facing as a writer. What you have, what you bring with you, is the conviction somewhere deep within you, the conviction that says "Yes, this is my dream and if it is my true dream, then I also have within me, everything that is needed to bring it about.
Take Care,
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Don't be afraid of the quantity of work this requires nor to succeed. Gather as much information as possible along the way and continue to work until the end. Enjoy the process and worry about the rest later.
Os.
Os.
Samuel Dark said:
I write from an outline. It evolves with the writing, but it's existence proves to me that there's enough conflict to finish the novel. I'm on my 2nd draft, so this approach appears to work.
Every time I start anything new, I'm afraid I won't finish it. EVERY time. And I usually get frightened again about mid way through as well. But I think it's a good thing - the fear that I might not be able to finish my story motivates me to pour time and energy into it so that I won't have to feel afraid anymore.
I generally start with a few vignettes, which eventually I turn into a short story. That short story becomes my first draft.
I then build around that first draft with my second draft.
And I do the same thing with my third draft.
I repeat this step as many times as I need to, in order to make the story good enough to be published in my own opinion.
After that, I revise it one or two more times to make sure it's even better.
Finally, I send it out.
Sometimes this process takes several years -- even a couple decades -- but it sure makes for a good story and an enjoyable writing experience in the end. And in the meantime, other works are going on in my mind as well. A back-burner mentality, I sometimes call it. Works for me.
I then build around that first draft with my second draft.
And I do the same thing with my third draft.
I repeat this step as many times as I need to, in order to make the story good enough to be published in my own opinion.
After that, I revise it one or two more times to make sure it's even better.
Finally, I send it out.
Sometimes this process takes several years -- even a couple decades -- but it sure makes for a good story and an enjoyable writing experience in the end. And in the meantime, other works are going on in my mind as well. A back-burner mentality, I sometimes call it. Works for me.
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Writing Again said:
Ugh, right there with you on these...
Especially fun is when people tell you what they loved about the first book...then you're stuck there thinking to yourself, "how in the world did I do that the last time?" That doesn't help a bout of writer's block any...
The secondary characters bit hits home as well...I've had numerous people tell me after reading my first book how they can't wait to see what happens with so-and-so character. Well, I'd already started writing the next book in the series before I had the first published, and so-and-so isn't even in the next book...oops.
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One story at a time, my friend.
While it's terrific that you're planning a trilogy, sometimes events occur as you revise (yes, revise...and even -gasp- rewrite) your first story, events that will significantly impact your overall structure. Finish the first one. Then, if you can easily break down the events to follow into two more books, voila, you have a trilogy. But have you considered the possibility of a series instead of a trilogy? Or even a two-book series? Three does not have to be the magic number...
While it's terrific that you're planning a trilogy, sometimes events occur as you revise (yes, revise...and even -gasp- rewrite) your first story, events that will significantly impact your overall structure. Finish the first one. Then, if you can easily break down the events to follow into two more books, voila, you have a trilogy. But have you considered the possibility of a series instead of a trilogy? Or even a two-book series? Three does not have to be the magic number...
Samuel Dark said:
Sure, it's possible. It's just going to take some work, that's all.
My YA ms ("Summer's Ashes") is a story about three families of witches. The first book tells the story of a girl in one family. The second book will continue the story, only focus on her best friend, a girl from the second family. The final book will conclude the whole shebang, only the main focus is on a boy from the third family, who has been the source of conflict throughout the previous two books. All three are narrated by the first girl, however, so the reader only sees what she sees. It's been tricky to work out the second book, but it's working so far.
You mention that you're re-telling stories from the Bible. I would assume that those stories are strong enough to stand alone, and yet provide enough backstory that you can continue the tale in a second or third book if you want to.
I'm learning through trial and error (and a lot of rewriting) that each book has GOT to be self contained. Otherwise, no one is going to want to look at it, unless you've got a proven track record with publishers.
In Book 2 of my trilogy, there are references to things that happened in "Summer's Ashes", but not a total retelling of the story. As an example:
"I walked into Dawlish's classroom, and felt my stomach lurch. I couldn't believe Jared Hawthorne was back at school.
After all, it had only been two months since the night his father tried to kill me and Alexia. We'd escaped, narrowly, and so had Jared, but Julian Hawthorne's body had never been found. The firefighters told us that the heat of the fire had been extraordinarily high, so it was unlikely there was much left of Julian to find, other than a few melted fillings.
So there was Jared, the burn scars on his arms still fresh and pink, sitting beside me in math class.
And he was pissed."
Those few paragraphs sum up all that the reader needs to know to be reminded of what happened in Book One, but it's not a total InfoDump.
Hope some of this made sense.
I'm now rewriting the second book in a series--it's a good book, really--but after my agent and I got done with book one, book two was no longer a sequel to book one.
At first I started out to make book 2 stand on its own as well. I have given up on that as I found myself basically retelling book one in different words while trying to tell the story of the second book. I also found myself tempted to use the After all, and as you know constructs. Which IMHO weaken the writing.
Go for one book, make it stand alone, then go ahead and write book 2--but be prepared after book one comes out to put a lot of time into rewriting book 2 to match the edits done on book one.
Shawn
At first I started out to make book 2 stand on its own as well. I have given up on that as I found myself basically retelling book one in different words while trying to tell the story of the second book. I also found myself tempted to use the After all, and as you know constructs. Which IMHO weaken the writing.
Go for one book, make it stand alone, then go ahead and write book 2--but be prepared after book one comes out to put a lot of time into rewriting book 2 to match the edits done on book one.
Shawn
dragonjax said:
I have considered it, but the only way i can do it (without making me not like the story) is if I cmbine book one and two -- which, wouldn't make much sense, because these books are different. I don't know why I think in trilogies, but anytime I plan a story -- planning it to be a one book -- it will expand to a bigger series, most the time a trilogy.
PattiTheWicked said:
Ok, lets just explain this whole Bible story thing. I am re-telling, with a creative touch, the story of Paul. The Rose Killer is Paul. And, at the end of book one, the Rose Killer will become 'Paul', and there for start to spread the word of God, and really -- in the middle east, mainly. Thats how this is planning out: Book one tells the story of Saul, or the Rose Killer here, and will show how twisted he is. Book two will show how he fights his demonds of the past. You see him from being the Rose Killer, to a man who fights for God. And, it is my hope, that the reader will begin to forgive him for all the evil things he did in Book one, and begin to love and care for him. Although I am sure that will not exactly happen, I do think the reader can at least like him. Then book three is really a direct continueation of book two, like the Matrix 2 & 3. Book three will just tell how the 'Warriors of the Rose' are willing to give their lives for God, and in some cases, how they die. I think book three will be the most emotional of the three, and the least 'scary'. Thats how this story is panning out in my head.
SRHowen said:
Ok, I just explained my delima with making it stand alone. I can't, unless I combine a book. Book three doesn't have to be told, it just will be a very emotional, very beautiful book -- that will show who the Rose Killer is. And the very ending is what I want people to read -- and if people liked the first book (which, in this case, would be book one and book two combined). Yet, it just doesn't fit with me for some reason. I could do it though -- and will if it needs to be -- but it wouldn't fit. Its like Ted Dekker's trilogy -- if he combined Black and Red, it just wouldn't feel right, because each one has it own unique feeling, and combing it would just make it feel weird. But, if it has to be done, guess it has to be done.
Once again, thanks for all your kind words, and it has helped.
Thanks!
First, I have to ask you: Why are you writing a trilogy when you don't know if you can write a trilogy? Perhaps you don't have a trilogy but three titles that seem like good titles.
Then, I'd suggest as at least one other has: Write the first book and worry about the others later.
I would also ask if you are "putting the cart before the horse?" Even if you have a trilogy planned and plotted, how can you know what is going into the second one before the first is finished? Plots and plans change sometimes from demands of the characters and the story they are telling. So again, I'd suggest: Write the first one and worry about the other two in their own time. You can't hurry your characters or story and whatever phase your novel is in is where your characters are in their time.
Then, I'd suggest as at least one other has: Write the first book and worry about the others later.
I would also ask if you are "putting the cart before the horse?" Even if you have a trilogy planned and plotted, how can you know what is going into the second one before the first is finished? Plots and plans change sometimes from demands of the characters and the story they are telling. So again, I'd suggest: Write the first one and worry about the other two in their own time. You can't hurry your characters or story and whatever phase your novel is in is where your characters are in their time.
Moondancer said:
Well, its how I start every book: I don't know how I am going to get to from each event I have planned in my head for that book, until I start writing it. And why do I havea trilogy planned? Because I don't want to lose focus, so I build up to the end of the trilogy. That was teh suspense keeps building and building until I get to the ultimte climax. I just don't know if I can write the second book, but deep down in my heart, I know I can -- I didn't knwo if I could write Rose Killer, but look at me now. I am almost finished with it. I know I am getting close, just don't know how far down the road it will go. Somethings still have to happen before the big climax in the end of book one, and I don't know how I am going to do that yet, either -- because like you are saying, sometimes things just happen because the characters demand it. Well, one character demanded a bigger role in the trilogy, and I have alredy set him on a path to met up with the Rose Killer (before the end of this book, I think at least). Anyway, I am telling u this to show you that often times, I just don't know how things will happen. But, I have never been worried that I can't write somethign before. And it freaked me out. You see, I started writing fantasy, and I think at heart thats what I am best at. But I have this story of the Rose Killer -- and I want to write it. So I am. And, so far, I have been both praised and put down, but everyone likes the basic story -- just its not perfect yet. Thats why.
Samuel Dark said:
Perhaps it won't be a trilogy. Perhaps it will be two books instead of three. Perhaps four books or more. Or perhaps it will turn into the trilogy you have planned. Write the story, then worry about book divisions later. It may not flesh out to three books for a trilogy or it may have more than enough material for three or more books. Don't limit yourself trying to stretch the story too far. Conversely, don't cut it back to fit what you think it should be. The complete story will decide what it's to be... that and the publisher who takes it on.
I know what you're going through, I have the same problem a lot of the times!!
Regardless of what people say it is very difficult to finish a story of more than one part. I wrote one story that spanned 5 parts, the process for writing this was very difficult and it took me 2 years to finish it, but it is worth it to know that you have completed something great.
But then I had another story that I originally planned to be a total of 9 parts, which is extremely long, I got through 4 parts to it and then fell off because I hit a wall that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get around.
You've just really got to believe in yourself and if you worry that you won't be able to finish it then leave it for a little while and come back to it in the future!!
Regardless of what people say it is very difficult to finish a story of more than one part. I wrote one story that spanned 5 parts, the process for writing this was very difficult and it took me 2 years to finish it, but it is worth it to know that you have completed something great.
But then I had another story that I originally planned to be a total of 9 parts, which is extremely long, I got through 4 parts to it and then fell off because I hit a wall that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get around.
You've just really got to believe in yourself and if you worry that you won't be able to finish it then leave it for a little while and come back to it in the future!!
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