Writing the sequel

Lilith70 · Feb 17, 2009

Is it a bad idea to start writing the sequel if you're still waiting for feedback from test readers to finish editing the first novel?

I only ask because on one hand, I have this great idea clamoring in my head to get out, and I don't want to lose the vibe, so to speak, but on the other hand, when I got too far ahead in my outline for the last book, it kinda caused a little glitch where I couldn't remember what had and hadn't happened yet. Working ahead caused almost two weeks of blockage.

What do you do? If you've got a body done but not edited, do you move on to the next body while you're waiting to do edits?

Aggy B. · Feb 17, 2009

If you've got a body done but not edited, do you move on to the next body while you're waiting to do edits?

I would say yes. But NOT if you think moving on to the next project (even a related one) will make you lose focus on the current one. OR if rough/first drafts take more than 3-4 months.

Taking some time before continuing the editing process is pretty much universally recommended around here. And you have to wait for your readers to get back to you so you might as well do something else in the meantime.

I'm not sure what you mean about a glitch in the previous outline. I write detailed step outlines for every chapter (even if I scrap it later) which helps me turn off the "thinking" part of my brain and turn on the "writing" part of my brain. It's pretty much impossible to forget what's going on in my outlines. But that's just me.

So, I'd recommend getting to work on something else, but in the long run you have to do what you feel works best for you.

Lilith70 · Feb 17, 2009

Aggy B. said:
I'm not sure what you mean about a glitch in the previous outline.

Specifically, when I wrote my outline ahead of time (usually a chapter ahead of where I was in the actual writing), I'd forget if the "knowledge" of what was coming was in the outline or in the book.

As in, Rachel is going to run across evidence of a particular happening in Chapter 8, but while I'm writing Chapter 7, I forgot if she'd gotten that evidence or not and would act accordingly, and then when things started getting moved around a little - scenes got swapped for the sake of pacing and unfolding of the story - I got really confused because then my outline doesn't exactly match what I wrote in the novel.

I have to say, though, that using the novel itself as the "master document" instead of trying to adhere to the outline (no matter how well-thought-out I thought it was) was a very freeing experience and let me go towards some pretty amazing things.

Danthia · Feb 18, 2009

It really depends on you. If getting ahead typically blocks you, as you said, it might not be a good idea. You might want to just make good notes. But if you can work ahead and not be affected, then sure, go for it.

I have multiple projects going at any given time. And now that I sold a novel, I'm finding that working on edits with my editor on one book,while I write the next is going to be business as usual

I might as well get used to juggling projects.

Ultimately, you have to find what works for you. Everyone has their own way of doing things. You won't be wrong no matter what you do.

Fade · Feb 18, 2009

Lilith70 said:
Is it a bad idea to start writing the sequel if you're still waiting for feedback from test readers to finish editing the first novel?

I hope not, because I'm editing my first novel while working on the sequel. It's also helpful because now I can see what I need to change in my first novel to make my sequel make sense. Of course, this is only because I thought of the sequel before I thought of the first novel, rather than the other way around.

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Writing the sequel

Lilith70

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think

Lilith70

Danthia

Fade

The Captain of My Soul