I have completely lost my mind. Not only that, but I've also gotten so ahead of myself that it's a bit ridiculous.
Ok, so usually when you come up with an idea for a book, all of your focus is on that book. You write it once, twice, maybe three times, trying to figure everything out and get it right. It could take a long time, but you know how important this one book is to you. But what happens once the story is done? Is that it? Do you just move on to the next idea, new characters, new everything? Or does the MC from your first book attach himself to your brain like a leech and you just have to keep going and figure out what happens to him next?
I have been on the fence for well, forever, when it comes to the idea of writing a sequel (or sequels) to Uneven Lines. The book can certainly stand on its own. But on the other hand, the thought of just giving up on Jordan drives me a little nuts. I don't really want to. I want to keep going with his story. I've had an idea for a sequel in my head for a while, but I've always worried if it was going to be good enough to stand up to the first book. The biggest problem, though, was that I had no idea where this story would end. Would I just keep writing sequels for the rest of my life? There had to be some way to wrap it up, but I had no idea how.
So then the complete insanity happened. I was hoping that being in New York City would inspire me somehow (since it's where the book takes place), but like the little bastard that he is, Jordan decided to take the inspiration in an entirely different direction. No, I did not figure out how to fix the last third of UL, but I did completely plot out a third and final book for a potential series. My first thought was, "THIS IS ALL WRONG." And the more I thought about it, the more I was thinking, "No wait, IT'S PERFECT." So I spent most of the time feeling very inspired and yet very confused.
The obvious cons of this story: it involves a love triangle (because that's never been done before), lots and lots and lots of characters for me to keep track of, and a cheesy five years later "oh my God, look how successful everyone is" epilogue (I'm gonna go ahead and blame the Glee finale for putting that idea in my head). But I'm still figuring it out, so I can change all the stupid parts. And when I first started figuring this story out, I spent half the day with absolutely no idea who Jordan would end up with in the end, but then it dawned on me and it completely goes against everything I ever thought would happen if I took the story in this direction. But it just felt so right. I felt like I had finally figured it out. And I realized that Jordan does in fact become a rock star, which I couldn't figure out before but he wouldn't have it any other way. And I've also kinda started writing it already. Mostly just dialogue, but I keep actually hearing the words in my head and I just have to get them down.
So I'm kinda sorta completely in love with this third book idea, but I still don't know if I should do it. Should I just leave UL alone? Probably. Do I want to? Hell no. I guess I should just write it because I want to and it's in my head, and then maybe someday I'll figure out if anyone else gets to read it.
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Why not plan it all out and work on it? if you love it and are inspired by it, that's the most important thing!
ReplyDeleteSeries sell well. I never planned one either, it just happened. If you have the stories plotted out, go for it.
ReplyDeleteI like series myself. It's fun to connect with a character you like time and time again.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for you! Having that excitement is such a fun thing.
If you're in love with it and you don't want to leave it alone then I think you have your answer...you should make your book a series. :)
ReplyDeleteGo with what is inspiring you. I agree that series do well. Readers love them.
ReplyDeleteI know this feeling all to well. A day hasn't gone by when I haven't thought about the characters from my old story. However, most of my thoughts are just self indulgent, as in, I knew if I wrote down half the shit that went through my head, I'd have a hard time looking for an actual plot. Usually it's just them doing very interesting things that lead to nowhere (just like REAL LIFE!) and although it would be fun to write, I feel it wouldn't be very productive, so it sits there in my head in a corner called Development Hell.
ReplyDeleteSo, do I think you should write a sequel? I have nooooooooo idea. You could be a way better plotter than I am. At the same time, I also realised, for self development, it was better for me as a writer to simply write something else other that what constantly plagued me.
I usually feel EXACTLY the same way and would sometimes just write little bits that were in my head just for the hell of it. Just incredibly self indulgent stuff. I was thinking the second book idea had a decent enough plot to work with, but my issue was where do I go after this book? Where does it end? So with the third book idea, I feel like I can actually lead the series to a conclusion.
DeleteI'd say I'm definitely going to write them. Will I actually try to publish them? That I'm not so sure on yet. I guess it depends on how well they turn out.
Well I'm actually considering self publishing my older story under a different name, but I'm going to give it a few years in case I'm able to redeem it with a fantasmagical plot. The first book is only 71k so not long a t all really. Wss thinking of doing a trilogy myself :D
DeleteI bet most people's first completed WIP turns out to their first love lol
Ride it out, it probably doesn't feel finished because it's not. Pursue it until you're satisfied. It's your creation. If you don't believe the story is complete, your audience will probably sense the same.
ReplyDeleteIf it feels right, then I say go for it. Write the series. Also, from a publishing standpoint, series almost always do better than a standalone book.
ReplyDeleteDo it, you seem to passionate about it and that's what will carry you through and make it work!
ReplyDelete