The dreaded second novel syndrome

KC Sunshine · Sep 1, 2008

This is a question for all the published writers out there.

Had you already started writing your second novel before your first was published, and if so was the concept of your second novel discussed in advance with your publisher, or did you just go for it?

I am thinking on holding off beginning my second novel before the first is published, as I believe I will learn so much more about writing during the editorial process for my debut novel. I was also thinking it would be good to wait until reviews come in, so I can see what it is about my writing that appeals to readers, and how critics view my work in terms of genre etc.

Any suggestions?

JamieFord · Sep 1, 2008

I started book #2 shortly after I had turned in the edited manuscript of book #1.

My advice--don't wait. Don't wait for reviews, good or bad, just keep writing. I'm enjoying being able to write without outside pressure. The pressure I put on myself is enough.

Birol · Sep 1, 2008

I don't have a novel published, but I have published other things, and I think you're shooting yourself in the foot. Do you know how long it takes between completion and acceptance? Or between acceptance and release?

If you do what you suggest, you won't have much of an authorial career.

Kris Ashton · Sep 1, 2008

KC Sunshine said:
I was also thinking it would be good to wait until reviews come in, so I can see what it is about my writing that appeals to readers, and how critics view my work in terms of genre etc.

If you've already had a novel published, then the publisher obviously sees merit in your work. Trying to meld your style to suit self-important critics and Joe Average sounds like a bad idea to me.

JeanneTGC · Sep 1, 2008

Was your second book already purchased by the publisher, or are the book coming out and this second one stand-alones?

If the book was already purchased, one way or the other, then you likely already provided a synopsis. Ergo, your publisher expects, roughly, the book you outlined. So, get going on it.

If the second book is not purchased, the series or stand-alone question is more relevant. If it would be the second in a series, you should probably discuss with your agent, or editor if you don't have an agent, as to whether or not they expect you to be rolling right into book two or not. If it's a stand-alone, I'd think it wouldn't matter and you should roll with it.

Mumut · Sep 2, 2008

JamieFord said:
I started book #2 shortly after I had turned in the edited manuscript of book #1.

My advice--don't wait. Don't wait for reviews, good or bad, just keep writing. I'm enjoying being able to write without outside pressure. The pressure I put on myself is enough.

I totally agree. I started writing the second once I'd nearly finished polishing he first. It took a year and three queries to publishers to get the first book accepted by which time I'd written a lot of the second book. My second book has just come out in print and I'm a third into the third book. I have five novelas out there now, written before, during and after the main three works. I'm always learning but my plot is already in my mind so why not write it down. I'll change it and improve it in the scores of re-reads over time.

So, after all that rambling, I suggest keep writing

triceretops · Sep 2, 2008

Keep splashing ink. You can revise later.

Tri

Broadswordbabe · Sep 2, 2008

I started the second book before the first one had an agent. First one isn't published yet, but the second is in rewrite and the third is about 1/3 through first draft. So if no-one takes the first one, I've two more ready to roll out. I'd keep at it. You can always revise. Can't revise a blank page.

qwerty · Sep 2, 2008

Keep writing. It took me years to get an agent, during which time I'd written three books, ever hopeful that one of them would be picked up. I'm still hoping the one that did get an agent will one day be published; meanwhile, I've completed a fourth.

It's not clear, but if you're lucky enough to have a publisher for your first book, don't hang around. Besides which, you're a writer. How can you sit back for a couple of years before you write another book?

kct webber · Sep 2, 2008

I agree with everyone else. Keep writing.

bethany · Sep 2, 2008

I did learn a lot from the editorial process on my first book. Most notably, that I often need to put in more interior thought. But you know what? It's still a revision step for me.

But if you don't have a desire to write the next one, maybe its not the right book. I have a high concept idea that I think I SHOULD write. But it's not the one that keeps coming out on scaps of paper as I sit around trying to do other things. Maybe something different will spark your interest.

NeuroFizz · Sep 2, 2008

Please realize that once a book is sold, it can take up to a year before it goes through the final editorial process and up to 1 1/2 to 2 years before it is published. That's a long time to wait before getting into book number two. And at that rate, you'd publish a book every two or three years (assuming immediate success in selling book #2).

I had book #2 done and in my editing process, and I was part way through book number #3 when book #1 sold. I was on book #4 when book #1 was published.

Establish your pipeline if you want a reasonable publication schedule.

TheWritingRunner · Sep 2, 2008

I'm a VERY slow writer -- it takes me a long time to get rolling on a new novel and then I'll do MANY rounds of rewriting and revising until I'm happy with the manuscript -- but I definitely think you should jump on the next novel as soon as you have the right idea for it. So as soon as you have that first novel out the door on submission, get cracking on the next one if you have a good idea what you want to write.

TheWritingRunner · Sep 2, 2008

bethany said:
But if you don't have a desire to write the next one, maybe its not the right book. I have a high concept idea that I think I SHOULD write. But it's not the one that keeps coming out on scaps of paper as I sit around trying to do other things. Maybe something different will spark your interest.

I think this is a pretty important thing for any new author to keep in mind because it happens to all of us. You have that high concept idea you feel you SHOULD be writing, but it isn't the idea you feel compelled to write. In the end, the writing should make you happy, I think. You're going to devote a lot of time to this manuscript. Why spend that time with a story you don't want to be working on?

Bluestone · Sep 2, 2008

Sorry, not published...yet. But feel passionately about echoing the other responses to your question. If you love to write, don't stop.

If I'm not writing I feel unfulfilled and fidgety. If someone told me I couldn't write for several months, or a year, while we all waited for the publication of my book, I would still be writing. I would propose that most serious writers feel the same.

I'm not sure from your post whether you are close to publication, or whether you have actually discussed the second book concept with your publisher, but whether your second book is just what the public or a publisher wants, it is still a way to hone your craft, give voice to your imagination, flesh out a story or pave the way to the book that is even better. And if the publisher is waiting for this second book to follow, you'll be even further down the track when it comes time to submit it. If it needs revisions based on first book publication, it will be edits you're working on, not starting from scratch.

If you really don't want to start that book, for the reasons you've stated, then work on a great outline and do comprehensive character profiles. Develop plot and character arc and have the bones for the book ready...but write.

Best of luck to you.

Charlie Horse · Sep 2, 2008

There are some out there who believe you have to have at least one or two trunked novels before you are even equipped to write anything publishable. If that's true, then I've already got those under my belt and the one I'm working on now is going to be the one that gets me to the promised land. Suffice it to say, I didn't stop after number one or number two, I just kept writing. Hopefully in 2009 I'll be shopping around two beautiful and quite publishable manuscripts.

Shadow_Ferret · Sep 2, 2008

I had started on my second, third, fourth, and fifth novels long before I ever finished and started subbing my first novel. And only one of them is even remotely related to the first.

Working on one novel to the exclusion of all else until that is accepted and published seems like putting all your eggs in one basket.

Diversify!

illiterwrite · Sep 2, 2008

You'll definitely learn a lot through the editorial process, but I wouldn't hold off on writing book 2. After your edits/revisions, there'll be a nice lull while it's put into production. Did you sell just your first book, or did you sign a contract for another? If the former, I wouldn't discuss anything with your publisher, until you have an outline & sample chapters of book 2 (which is how many writers sell subsequent books).

Nateskate · Sep 2, 2008

Some write stand alone novels, and others write a series. I wrote a single story that will be a series, and didn't really go into this with a plan.

The publisher now has books one and two. I haven't seen the editor's corrections yet on either, and that may impact how I feel.

If they want major re-writes that takes the novels in a new direction, then much of what I've already written becomes moot, and it will seem like starting from scratch. However, if they like the content, then I have this huge head start. We'll see.

IceCreamEmpress · Sep 2, 2008

JamieFord said:
I started book #2 shortly after I had turned in the edited manuscript of book #1.

My advice--don't wait. Don't wait for reviews, good or bad, just keep writing. I'm enjoying being able to write without outside pressure. The pressure I put on myself is enough.

Agreed.

This is how to do it.

Or work on something else--short stories or essays.

But don't just spin your wheels.

And Jamie, your cover is FANTASTIC. So gorgeous!!!

maestrowork · Sep 2, 2008

I started writing my second book almost immediately (in February 2004) after I finished writing my first. That made the query process a bit more tolerable since I had something to work on. The book stalled a bit between April and June as I was trying to figure out the story, and I was kind of in query hell for a few months.

Then I found AW and met some really good friends and we started a writers group and that really helped me get on with the project. I had about 15K - 20K done when I finally sold my first novel in November, 2004.

I know have at least three novels in the pipeline. I'm eager to finish this one and start working on the next. It's never really a single-line process for me. There's always something going on concurrently, whether it's the actual writing, brainstorming, editing, querying, etc. -- there are always something going on on different fronts.

I would really suggest you start on your next novel sooner better than later. Strike it while it's hot. Don't wait until your first book is published -- as NF said, it may take a long time (even if you get a contract now -- it may take up to a year or two before release) and you don't want to lose your momentum.

TheWritingRunner · Sep 2, 2008

Another reason to start right away and not wait until Book #1 is published: your publisher will more than likely be expecting the manuscript for Book #2 right around when #1 is hitting the streets... or maybe even sooner if they want to publish Book #2 one year after Book #1!

KC Sunshine · Sep 2, 2008

illiterwrite said:
You'll definitely learn a lot through the editorial process, but I wouldn't hold off on writing book 2. After your edits/revisions, there'll be a nice lull while it's put into production. Did you sell just your first book, or did you sign a contract for another? If the former, I wouldn't discuss anything with your publisher, until you have an outline & sample chapters of book 2 (which is how many writers sell subsequent books).

Thanks everyone for some great feedback! My debut novel will be published next year, and we are still contracting so I don't know where we stand yet in terms of further publications.

Chumplet · Sep 2, 2008

In my small publishing world, Book 2 is doing better than Book 1, and I hope Book 3 is even better!

Jackfishwoman · Sep 2, 2008

As soon as my first one was accepted for publication, i received the adrenaline dose I needed to start writing book #2. In fact, it was like a very wonderful kick in the behind which had me produce a novel in about 6 months time!
Now, i am seeking another publisher for book #2 and can't start book #3 until I get that adrenaline boost I so crave. It's just the way I work.

The dreaded second novel syndrome

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