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I know The Emerald Comb has only been published a month, but a couple of reviewers have mentioned they’d like to see a sequel. I wrote the book as a standalone novel, with absolutely no intention of writing more about these characters, but now I’m thinking hmmm, what if I took other characters from Katie’s family tree, and gave them secrets to hide, which leads to Katie having another mystery to solve?
I pondered this on the drive to Mum’s today, and by the time I got back, had the makings of a plot buzzing around my head. It’ll be fun to revisit some of my characters. I do feel I know them pretty well.
I’ve never tried writing a sequel. I know there are pitfalls – you need to make sure the book works for people who haven’t read the first one, also ensure if someone reads book 2 and then book 1 you haven’t given away the surprises in book 1. It’ll be a challenge, but I think I might have a go. Have to finish the two writing projects which are already underway first, though!
What do you think – have you written novels with sequels? How did you find it? As a reader do you enjoy sequels? Should I go for it?
Kathleen McGurl 
Dear Kathleen,
If you like your charachters and can live through another adventure with them, then go for it. If you got fed up with spending months with your charachters and need a break from them, then leave it for now and come back to it later.
I have not found it difficult to write a sequel. My charachters and their attributes are real to me, so it is easy to just visit them and throw them a new plot. I just remind myself as I write, “new reader, current reader, new reader, current reader”. That ensures I don’t slip into “assumption mode” and misguide new readers. I don’t worry about repeating character details and think on the lines of – if I enjoy writing it again, then the reader will enjoy the reminder.
I wish you lots of luck and many congratulations on The Emerald Comb. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it (in one day:)).
Best wishes, Nicola.
I wrote a sequel and it ended up being the one that was published first. So now my first book will become the prequel. I think if you have good characters that people care about then why not. Yes it needs to be standalone so you need to give the reader a minimum of background without repeating the first book.
Ooh a sequel. How brilliant. Couldn’t put The Emerald Comb down. If you feel you can Kath I’m sure your many readers will be delighted :o) x
I haven’t done one yet, but I’m toying with the idea of a novella featuring a couple of characters from one of my novels. I usually prefer to write something completely new (apart from my Aphrodite and Adonis series, which still has new human characters each time) . I’m sure your many readers of The Emerald Comb would be happy to see a sequel!