Writing Stack Exchange
Writing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [sequel]

This tag should be used for questions that deal with sequels, such as what is commonly changed between the first book and later iterations or how to deal with different main characters.

This tag should be used for questions that deal with sequels, such as what is commonly changed between the first book and later iterations or how to deal with different main .

32 questions
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What books should have a sequel?

I wrote my very first novel several months ago and I sold it to a publisher two weeks ago. Now I am thinking of writing something new. The problem is I can't get the idea of writing a sequel out of my head. There are a few reasons why I should write…
vojta
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How can I contact JK Rowling for permission to publish my sequel for the Harry Potter series?

I recently watched the entire Harry Potter series in December 2021. I really loved the Harry Potter world and all the characters. Even after days, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it and I'm pretty happy about the innovative idea that…
Sam N
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3 answers

Can I write a different book before my sequel?

I am just about done writing the first book in a series. I have an idea for the next book in that series (let's call it "book a"), but I also have another idea brewing in my mind which takes place in another universe (let's call it "book b"). I want…
AnnWithNoE
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Is it okay to have a sequel start immediately after the end of the first book?

The sequel to my first book is supposed to start immediately after the end of the first book. Zero time gap. Situation: At the end of book one a missing family member has finally joined the family. No interaction from the joining member occurs at…
Igor
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Should I start work on a sequel before I have sold my book?

I finished the 1st draft of my book, and have put it in the freezer(as I asked about in this question). I was planning to start work on a sequel of the book in the meantime. But I was told by someone that I should not work on a sequel till I have…
Shantnu Tiwari
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How do I add tension to a story, when the reader knows the MC survives?

To clarify: There are two parts to the book (or I might split them into separate books), one with my main protagonist, and the second is a prequel, showing the protagonist's father's story. Both storylines are high fantasy, with war being the…
Ajnatorix Zersolar
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How can I bring back a dead main character without cliches?

So I have a main character who will die at the end of the first book. In the next book he will be alive, but nobody knows it. Everyone thinks he is still dead. How can I do this without using cliches and boring the reader?
touka chan
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Regarding the writing of non-canon works in your own universe

Basically what the title asks: is it possible to write non-canon works in a fictional universe you've created? In my example, I've created a fictional universe set on a non-Earth planet, however I have written a novel in which the characters on the…
Peter Nielsen
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Is a sequel allowed to start before the end of the first book?

I'm writing 2 stories simultaneously. The first one spans 17 years. The second picks up where the first left off... but only about 25% of the way in. The sequel seems to work best if I introduce the new characters about 5 years before the end of…
user36961
5
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2 answers

Is it possible for a sequel to be a completely different genre than the first book?

I'm wondering if is it possible to write a romantic dramatic book, and then write a second book that's a sequel but in a completely different genre, like a horror or psychological horror story?
Nour Fourti
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What are the advantages and disadvantages to changing the POV in the second and third books of a trilogy?

Consider placing the second book of a SF/F trilogy into the point of view of a secondary character from the first book. Good? Bad? This seems like a workable idea to me, interesting, expand the world, fresh new ideas, insights into other characters.…
SFWriter
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What is the primary reason why sequels often suck?

What is the primary reason why sequels often suck? I was thinking about this for a while, and I thought the reason was because you write a story beat for the first film, book, etc. and then because you didn't initially think of making a sequel, you…
user36239
4
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3 answers

Introducing a character in the third act?

I'm well into the third act of my novel and I'm introducing a new character that will play a part in the ending and an even bigger part in the roughly sketched sequel I have in mind. Now, I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that you shouldn't…
Liquid
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Can your current work of fiction be influenced by a sequel?

Most works of fiction are influenced by back stories. Can that also be true for envisioned sequels? I was working on a screenplay in which a female suit rises to the top of the company and is nominated for figurehead Chairman on her charm and…
Tom Au
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Should I save some plot for the sequel of my novel or make the first book (too) long but complete?

I wrote a sci-fi novel. It's around 120k words long with a neat 'ending' that wraps up the main plot. The story is not complete: Although the main goal has been accomplished, a lot of smaller issues have not been resolved. I had planned to include…
Ace
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