Breaking a too-long book into two(moved from Roundtable)

I have too much material for one book, and have determined that a better option would be to restructure it into two books. However, the first chapters portend events that will not now happen until book 2. Is this permissible, or must I rewrite those initial chapters? (they are important, in that they draw the reader into the story.)

Suggestions? Opinions? Better yet, examples?

Thank you, one and all for your comments. That said, it's unfortunate that this was moved to "novels," because I am not working with a novel. It's a family saga and a true story, starting in the Great Depression years. I have already printed it, in hardback, for family, and considered it finished. However, it has spread beyond family and friends, and I am getting good feedback from people who read it. They say it "reads like a novel," and are urging me to publish.

It has some structural problems, in that the last few chapters are weaker than the rest of the book. I know what the problem is, and how to fix it, but it will involve adding more--not less--material. Certainly too much for one book.

The book begins with a daughter cleaning out her mother's apartment and finding a treasure-trove of memorabilia. It is that material that sets up the story--theme, title, and introduction of characters. It includes a child's books (saved long after the child died,) old photographs (one of a teen-aged boy and girl kneeling by two flower-strewn graves,), WWII ration books, letters from sons fighting in that war, dog tags and even a military cap. Besides the usual graduation and wedding announcements, there are yellowed newspaper clippings and telegrams and even a few old report cards and work permits.

Much of this material not only pulls the reader into the story, but portends future events. I can go back and chop out those things that won't happen in book one, but I'm not sure how I can reintroduce them to good advantage in book 2. (I'm thinking more Frank McCourt and his series of books here.) Yeah, ambitious, I know! But all these people keep pushing me. . .

Again, thank you, all of you, for your thoughtful comments.

Soccer Mom said:

I'm going to move this to the novel forum since it is specifically about how to structure a novel (or two).

Happy writing.

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Sorry I didn't make myself clear. This is not a novel, but a family saga--a true story--and I couldn't really determine where it fit. I thought the question might apply to many genres, so I posted here. If you can think of a better place to put it, rather than novels, would you mind moving it again? Thanks!

Shweta said:

Chrisla, your first post sounds like you're talking about a novel,since you're thinking about story structure. Might want to specify next time

However, while you're here -- do you think the novelists can help you think about this *in terms of * story? If not, do you see this more as memoir or more as general non-fiction?

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I had assumed that true stories, too, need structure, and that many of the same rules apply to them as apply to fiction, especially a true story "that reads like a novel," as readers tell me that mine does.

On the other hand, some of the rules can't apply, because I can't cut any of the many characters (it's a family story with eleven children!) or scenes that either develop those characters or advance the story. And setting is just as important as the storyline--descriptions of the way things were done, the way people lived, the historical context.

To be honest, I'm not sure where it belongs. I'm not sure memoir covers an entire family, but it may come closest to that.

Had I started out to write this for publication, it might have taken a different form. Unfortunately, I approached it as a "family story," never dreaming there would be so much interest and that people would be e-mailing me that "I couldn't put it down."

The comments from the novelists were thoughtful and appreciated, especially those that specifically addressed the question I asked. Some of those responses have reaffirmed my own thoughts--that I must chop the book off earler (I know exactly where) and that I must rewrite those first chapters. There's simply too much for one book.

Thanks so much for your interest.