Sequel or New Novel?

mgkatz · Aug 30, 2009

*I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong folder - I truly didn't know where to put it!! It's not necessarily genre specific...*

I have written a YA Urban Fantasy Novel that I'm currently pitching to agents. One agent is reading a partial and I'm itching to get writing again now that my kids are going back to school.

I'm just not sure what to write! The novel above stands alone by itself, but i also have a synopsis for two more books in a series. I also have a synopsis for a different YA fantasy novel altogether. Since the sequel would obviously depend on the first book selling, does it make sense to hold off on that until it sells (or at least until it is agented?) Or should I go ahead and work on that while I'm still in that character's head?

Thoughts?

LittleFlowerLei · Aug 30, 2009

mgkatz said:
*I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong folder - I truly didn't know where to put it!! It's not necessarily genre specific...*

I have written a YA Urban Fantasy Novel that I'm currently pitching to agents. One agent is reading a partial and I'm itching to get writing again now that my kids are going back to school.

I'm just not sure what to write! The novel above stands alone by itself, but i also have a synopsis for two more books in a series. I also have a synopsis for a different YA fantasy novel altogether. Since the sequel would obviously depend on the first book selling, does it make sense to hold off on that until it sells (or at least until it is agented?) Or should I go ahead and work on that while I'm still in that character's head?

Thoughts?

Some people have suggested to me (As I have the same problem xD ) that I work on another novel until the first novel in the series has found itself an agent. They were right too, because its pretty much a waste of time working on a series that might not take off.

From following their advice, I have gotten a majority of the first book in my newest series done and hope to finish it soon. Ironically, I have more confidence in this new one than I did in the old one (Which I'm still trying to find an agent for) because I did a majority of the work on the new one after I learned some of the rules from other writers on here.

So my suggestion is to work on the new idea. If you're worried about falling out of the old character's head, just do what someone suggested to me and re-read the first one and crawl back in when the time comes! ^_^

Good luck to you! I hope the agent with the partial likes it!

mgkatz · Aug 30, 2009

LittleFlowerLei said:
Some people have suggested to me (As I have the same problem xD ) that I work on another novel until the first novel in the series has found itself an agent. They were right too, because its pretty much a waste of time working on a series that might not take off.

From following their advice, I have gotten a majority of the first book in my newest series done and hope to finish it soon. Ironically, I have more confidence in this new one than I did in the old one (Which I'm still trying to find an agent for) because I did a majority of the work on the new one after I learned some of the rules from other writers on here.

So my suggestion is to work on the new idea. If you're worried about falling out of the old character's head, just do what someone suggested to me and re-read the first one and crawl back in when the time comes! ^_^

Good luck to you! I hope the agent with the partial likes it!

Thanks for the advice! That's what I was thinking, but wondering if anyone else went through it too

Good luck with both of yours!!

BigWords · Aug 30, 2009

You could always have cameos from the first book in your new novel. It isn't necessarily continuing the story, but might prove an interesting glimpse into what the MC from the other book is getting up to.

Stijn Hommes · Aug 30, 2009

I'd have to agree with LittleFlowerLei. It's better to start with a new novel instead of a sequel because you don't have the guarantee that the first will sell yet. If you're worried about falling out of love with the character, feel free to keep taking notes about the other novels in the series, but don't start writing in earnest until you know it can be sold.

Mumut · Aug 30, 2009

LittleFlowerLei said:
I did a majority of the work on the new one after I learned some of the rules from other writers on here.

I finished my first book and left a cliff-hanger. By the time I was a small way into the sequel I had a publisher. But it was still a long time from the release of the first to the second one hitting the bookstore shelves (severe health problems) and I'm going to be over the year between second and third. So you have to look at your own writing and work out whether you will be able to quickly write a second with the same characters as the first (maybe not a sequel but a follow-on story).

The second book will have the advantage of your new technical knowledge (with me it was the third). But you must be able to get it out there and hit the market when it is hot. At book-signings I have (last time ten) people come up and ask if the next book is available yet.

So if you write a book that has the potential to be really enjoyed by your readers, you have the responsibility to keep writing more of what they like or you'll really let them down. It's also a fantastic personal buzz to be stopped by people in the shopping mall and asked about the next book!

So I'd suggest you keep writing like crazy. If you write a totally different story, be ready to switch to the original immediately you get yourself a publisher.

mgkatz · Aug 30, 2009

Stijn Hommes said:
I'd have to agree with LittleFlowerLei. It's better to start with a new novel instead of a sequel because you don't have the guarantee that the first will sell yet. If you're worried about falling out of love with the character, feel free to keep taking notes about the other novels in the series, but don't start writing in earnest until you know it can be sold.

Good idea, I definitely have thoughts and am excited about the sequel. Maybe I can write scenes here and there if I have writers block on the new one!

mgkatz · Aug 30, 2009

Mumut said:
I finished my first book and left a cliff-hanger. By the time I was a small way into the sequel I had a publisher. But it was still a long time from the release of the first to the second one hitting the bookstore shelves (severe health problems) and I'm going to be over the year between second and third. So you have to look at your own writing and work out whether you will be able to quickly write a second with the same characters as the first (maybe not a sequel but a follow-on story).

The second book will have the advantage of your new technical knowledge (with me it was the third). But you must be able to get it out there and hit the market when it is hot. At book-signings I have (last time ten) people come up and ask if the next book is available yet.

So if you write a book that has the potential to be really enjoyed by your readers, you have the responsibility to keep writing more of what they like or you'll really let them down. It's also a fantastic personal buzz to be stopped by people in the shopping mall and asked about the next book!

So I'd suggest you keep writing like crazy. If you write a totally different story, be ready to switch to the original immediately you get yourself a publisher.

Thanks, good idea! This would actually be my third as well - my first has long been shelved - it was my learning process! I've taken a variety of classes, been to several classes, and am very pleased with the second manuscript (the one I'm currently pitching). Hopefully it does sell and makes it to a trilogy! I'd be happy to make it my full time job instead of what I currently do

James D. Macdonald · Aug 30, 2009

No question: New and different novel.

One big reason: You'll learn more about writing by doing so.

Wordwrestler · Aug 30, 2009

I have written several novels, each of which I hope will one day be the first in a different series. One of these will soon be submitted to editors by my agent. While I'd love to write the sequel, I'm waiting not only until it sells, but until I find out whether an editor wants me to make significant changes, which would affect the sequel.

My advice is to write something totally new. It's reassuring for me to know that I have other manuscripts waiting in the wings, that my career doesn't depend upon just this one. Pour your "waiting" energy into a new work.

In my opinion, there will be plenty of time to get your sequel written while you wait for the the first book's release.

Wordwrestler · Aug 30, 2009

Also, along the lines of what Uncle Jim said, writing different things has given me much more confidence as a writer. I'm building my range as a writer, and this boosts my belief that I can make it in this business, one way or another.

LittleFlowerLei · Aug 30, 2009

Wordwrestler said:
Also, along the lines of what Uncle Jim said, writing different things has given me much more confidence as a writer. I'm building my range as a writer, and this boosts my belief that I can make it in this business, one way or another.

I totally agree! While I was trying to write the sequel to the book I'm currently trying to get published, I started thinking that I wasnt any good and should quit. But now that I'm working on my newest idea, I'm starting to have more confidence ^_^

mgkatz · Aug 30, 2009

James D. Macdonald said:
No question: New and different novel.

One big reason: You'll learn more about writing by doing so.

Good point. Thank you!!!

myrmidon · Aug 30, 2009

Wordwrestler said:
While I'd love to write the sequel, I'm waiting not only until it sells, but until I find out whether an editor wants me to make significant changes, which would affect the sequel.

This. Totally this. I hadn't really been thinking about doing a sequel, and the agent I'm working with said to me about my first book "are you doing a sequel" and I admitted that I had thought of an idea, and he said basically, "good". And that was about the end of the conversation. So while I was waiting for notes I started kind of fleshing the idea out, because it freaked me out that some publisher might sign me for a "two book deal" when I have in no way figured out how to do said second book.

But then I got my agent notes for the first book. And it made me REALLY glad I didn't put in too much time on the sequel, because changes to book 1 are really going to affect book 2.

Elidibus · Aug 30, 2009

James D. Macdonald said:
No question: New and different novel.

One big reason: You'll learn more about writing by doing so.

Uncle Jim has posted. This is the end of the matter

triceretops · Aug 30, 2009

I did make the dreadful mistake of writing two different sequels to two different agented books. The first books never sold with either agent. I was devastated. Never again.

Tri

*RomanceWriter* · Aug 31, 2009

I have a book out on submission right now. It's a stand alone novel but I've already written a second and am working on a third. I hope it will become a series, but I'm not holding my breath. I enjoy writing in the world I created so I won't be devastated if the first book doesn't take off as planned.
If it would upset you, then maybe start a brand new book until you hear back about your submission.
Good luck!

Charlie Horse · Aug 31, 2009

James D. Macdonald said:
No question: New and different novel.

One big reason: You'll learn more about writing by doing so.

Absolutely the best reason to write something new. Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to your growth as a writer.

Sequel or New Novel?

mgkatz

LittleFlowerLei

Reverse psychologist

mgkatz

BigWords

Geekzilla

Stijn Hommes

Know what you write...

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

mgkatz

mgkatz

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Wordwrestler

Wordwrestler

LittleFlowerLei

Reverse psychologist

mgkatz

myrmidon

i AM batman (not really)

Elidibus

Over 9000!!!!!!!

triceretops

RomanceWriter

New kid, be gentle!

Charlie Horse

Speaking in metaphors