Monday, October 15, 2007
How do you know if it's a series or standalone
I wrote the novel thinking it would be a standalone and wrote the protagonist darker than most series characters (okay, Dexter is pretty dark). But now new ideas are bubbling up in my brain. New places she could go, things that could happen. Hey, and I got to like some of her pals. Maybe this always happens after the completion of a novel. Maybe even in lit fiction, the characters continue to act out in the writer's head and it doesn't mean they need another novel. Putting THE END at the end, doesn't necessarily mean the end. How do you know if it isn't the typical detective solving the crime?
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12 comments:
You mean like Nancy Porter and Kevin Infante in Laura Lippman's standalones? :-)
Seriously, keep those ideas handy. If a publisher wants a follow up with the same protag, you're ahead of the game.
Better off than I am at the moment, actually. I barely have enough notes to start a loose sequel if the current offering sells.
Well, I am way, way, way ahead of myself because Book One may never find a home. But I have to think about something and have gotten out of the short story idea mode. Thanks, Jim.
When I started Bitter Water Blues, I intended it to be a standalone. Now, I'm not so sure. I'm nearing the end and I have somke ideas for a sequel.
But, like you said, I have to sell this one first.
Shall I scare you and tell you you aren't as far ahead as you think? Jim's right - I've heard of authors who've been contacted by an interested publisher who says, "We want it to be a series, what else do you have in mind?" and on the fly they have to come up with something that sounds halfways sensible.
I think it can be sort of like postpartum depression, your baby is out there and you miss that developmental phase. If you have a story you want to spend the time on that demands those characters, you'll know it's the right thing to bring them back.
I'm afraid it may just be I can't put those characters out of my head so I'm not doing much for a few weeks. Let them lie in their graves so to speak. I could turn the spotlight over to a secondary character who's more in keeping with a series though. That just came to me now. Cause he's the one I'm really thinking about. Thanks, guys!!
When I wrote the first Lauren Laurano novel I had no intention of it becoming a series. It was the publisher who wanted me to make it one. I wanted to write something else. I had a two book contract. He said to write the 2nd Laurano and then I could write something else. So I agreed. It became a five book series.
I think it's good to give yourself time off. But if the itch gets too much, scratch it. I wouldn't write a sequel before you sell the first. Still, if there's a character from the first book who intrigues you then write about him/her. A new book, not a sequel.
Actually on the bus (yes, there it is again) an idea for a short came into my head. I was watching a woman read EQMM and wondering what sort of story that particular woman would be attracted to and it flew into my head. So I'll work on that for a few weeks. Those buses are heaven sent.
Oh, and PS, Lauren was a perfect series character. You wanted to have her for your friend. I'm not too sure about my gal.
Hang on to those ideas. Let them sit for a little bit, but don't lose them. Better to keep things in reserve.
I'm finishing up my WIP right now and I've already got two more with this character bouncing around my head. Whether it ever gets published, who knows, but if it does at least I've got a jump off point if someone asks.
Is there anyone not looking for agents and editors? Good luck to us all.
I read that your first thriller/mystery should be neatly tied up with no loose ends, but have an appealing enough main character that people will want to see/know more about.
Seems if you present it as a series from the get go, the industry considers that hubris; if you already have your second idea (or more) at the ready when lightning strikes and you get your sale, you're considered a savvy writer.
The message I get is present it as a single and keep your series plans to yourself until someone makes an offer on the first and asks about a second.
The question is--is she appealing? I grew to like her but I spent six months with her and I think most readers won't. Good advice Josephine. Thanks.
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