Gotta start writing the next book! Already hate the opening! ARGH!!!
But I had an epiphany last night. There are many series out there in which the first book just blew everyone away, and the rest were good, but not on the same level. And those authors STILL got published. And they STILL have readers. And SciFi STILL makes really, um, interesting movies based on those books.
So I'm not going to worry about how to make HB2 bigger, better, faster, more. Instead I'm just going to write. And hopefully have a blast while doing so.
Oh, who'm I kidding? Damn straight I'm going to worry. It's what I do. Jackie Kessler, worrier. But hell, at least I'll have some fun along the way.
8 Comments:
Jackie worrier? You must be kidding. Maybe warrior is more like it ;o).
You've just won a battle. Now you're in for more.
Happy Writing,
Adriana
How about the Worry Warrior? LOL!
Thanks, Adriana!
Worrying is part of writing. You know, the same way chocolate is...
Good luck, girly!
Chocolate! Yay, chocolate!
You need to take a few deep breaths, and relax.
When you're fully relaxed, you have to make the second book bigger, better, and more exciting.
You're right, Joe. That's where the revisions come in. ;-)
Having just completed a sequel - the first one I ever attempted in my life - I have to say, go ahead and worry. It is hard - this was the hardest thing I've had to write in my life. The thing is, the idea's no longer fresh and new, so it will never seem that way to you, the author - or at least not as fresh and new as the first one. And that can be a hard thing to get past. But you have to; you have to have the confidence that this will be just as good, in a different way. It's true, though, that you will have more people reading over your shoulder with this one - your editor might have strong feelings about the direction you need to go; I know mine did - but that can be a good thing. It's a wonderful feeling to write knowing that you have eager readers anticipating what comes next. Try to enjoy that!
Thanks for your candor, Melanie. (Side note: I'm looking forward to SMStW!)
I keep second-guessing myself, which isn't helping. I reread what I've got so far, and I'm finally starting to think it's good. But I'm just not sure it's on the same level as the first book. Maybe it is. Maybe it's even better. But I just can't tell. This is the first time that I've felt really pressured with my writing, and it's having an impact.
Thank God for beta readers, agents and editors...someone's got to keep us honest...
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