To write a sequel or not to write a sequel? by B. J. Scott
***B. J. Scott will award gifts of swag (including a canvas tote bag, a mouse pad, a pen, book thong, bookmark, can cooler, magnet, and key chain — US/Canada only) to randomly drawn commenters from this tour and her Virtual Book Tour, and a grand prize of one $50 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter from this tour ****
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To write a sequel or not to write a sequel?
Once that first book is published, the reviews and accolades start, you heave a huge sigh of relief. You did it and your labor of love has been well received. But where do you go from here?
Do you write a new book, that is totally separate from the first or do you consider a series? A tough decision if the muse for one book is speaking louder than the other. Even worse if the sequel is not speaking to you at all. There are pros and cons to both, but if you are trying to establish a brand and fan base, a sequel might be the ticket.
You and your fans are already familiar with your characters. If fortunate, you may even have readers chomping at the bit for another glimpse of your hero or his family saga. With any luck, you have established a growing fan base and feel comfortable with continuing where you left off. With a well thought out plot and characters your reader can relate to, you are well on your way.
This is also where discipline comes in to play. You may have a deadline and need to put aside other things to get the manuscript finished. You may have to struggle through the writer block and trying to keep the muse for the book you really want to write quiet while you craft your next in what could be a series of novels. Most of all, the onus is on the author to produce a book that is equal to or if possible better than the one before. We owe it to our readers and ourselves to strive to produce the very best book we can, to learn from the mistakes and victories we discovered in our first kick at the can.
Once you have established your brand and have followers waiting for your next release, you can consider branching out, maybe even to another genre. But give them what they want and make it good should be your mantra. Do your homework and see what is selling and what is not. If you wrote a book that is not doing stellar, it might be the readers have lost interest in that particular genre. If that is the case, writing another book about the same subject, might now be wise. But there are so many to choose from and so many new ideas, you are bound to find one that suits your needs.
I was overwhelmed with how well Highland Legacy was received and the requests for a sequel or two, involving the other brothers. At the request of my editor, I put aside my other works in progress and wrote Highland Quest, Bryce’s story. I am currently working on the third book of the series, Highland Homecoming and hope to have it ready for release in the spring of 2013. All three books revolve around the Fraser brothers, but I wrote each as a stand alone title. A person should be able to pick up any book of the series and be able to read it from start of finish with ease, even if they have not read the other books. Hopefully each will leave the reader wanting more.
How do you feel about sequels? Are you anxious to read more about a family and their adventures?
or
Would you rather move on to something entirely different?
BLURB:
No longer content in the shadows of his older brothers and on a quest to find his destiny, Bryce Fraser’s chosen path is fraught with danger, passion, and decisions. Can his unspoken love for spirited, beguiling Fallon be triumphant in a time of war and uncertainty, or will they both fall prey to the devious plans of a traitorous laird from a rival clan?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Loch Ryan Scotland, 1307
“Wa . . . water,” Bryce mumbled, but there was no one there to listen.
His throat was parched and he ran his tongue over dry, cracked lips, but his action offered no relief. An entire loch lay only a few feet away, but he couldn’t muster the strength to drag himself to the bank and quench his thirst.
“Cold . . . so cold.”
Despite the sun beating down on him, he’d swear he was encased in ice. His life’s blood seeped from his wounds, soaking the ground beneath him. He tried to raise his head, but the excruciating pain radiating across his chest stole his breath away.
Was this what it felt like to die? If so, he prayed the Almighty would be merciful and take him now.
Bryce moaned, a shift in his position bringing on another nauseating wave of agony. He sucked in a short, sharp, gulp of air and stretched his arm out as far as he could, his fingers grappling in the dirt.
If only I could reach my sword.
Beads of perspiration dampened his brow. As the strength slowly drained from his body, drawing a simple breath became more difficult. The end grew near. No time to make amends for sins of the past, and he had committed his share.
Regrets? He had those, too. “Fallon.” He whispered her name then heaved a ragged sigh.
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQKYPU0
Soul Mate Publishing http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/highland-quest/
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/highland-quest-bj-scott/1114002946?ean=2940016110769&isbn=2940016110769
Lisa Fox Romance 
Thanks for having me on your blog today. I look forward to visiting with you and those who stop by.
It’s great to have you over B.J.!
Thank you for hosting today.
If I love a book & the characters I certainly appreciate a sequel.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks for dropping in today Mary. Yes, people do seem to enjoy a sequel. When they read HIGHLAND LEGACY, the first book of the series, many asked about Bryce and Fallon’s story, the characters in book 2 HIGHLAND QUEST. I have also had inquiries about Alasdair’s story so book three , HIGHLAND HOMECOMING is in the process of being finished. Regardless of a series or not, I try to make the books stand alone too so they can be read in any order
I really love sequels if I have loved the first book. And, I loved the first book of yours.
Glad you enjoyed Highland Legacy
For those who want to tead them in order , my publisher has put the first book on sale 🙂
While many people prefer to read a series in order, you csn read either one first and not feel lost.
Glad you enjoyed Highland Legacy 🙂 In honor of Highland Quest’s release, my editor put the first book on sale for $2.99 so people wanting to read the books in order would get a good price. Hope you enjoy the second book as well.
I posted a thankyou for hosting me earlier today, Lisa, but it is still hanging in limbo so decided to try again. Wanted to thank you for hosting me and allowing me to visit with you and those who come to the site today.
Sounds delicious, thank you for sharing the excerpt!
galaschick78(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by gala. Hope you get the chance to read the first teo books. Book 3 will be out this summer.
HI BJ AND LISA! LOVE THE COVERS!
Thanks for stopping by. The covers of both my books are similar. The cover artist did a wonderful job.
I love to read a sequel when I love the characters. There have been times I have read a book and I’m sad when it ends. I welcome a sequel.
Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Sequels are popular and while they may not be planned, the characters demand more. This wad intended to be a single book, but readers wantef more and there was alot more story to tell 🙂
Please forgive the typos. New cell phone and clumsy fingers
I love sequels. Can’t wait to find out how the rest of the brothers/sisters/aunts or uncles get their HEAs. Even love it when a dreaded villain finally gets their comeuppance in the sequel. Love the excerpt. You are a new-to-me author, so I look forward to your books.
dbrown3400 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you get the chance to resd my books. Villans usually get their just reward at some point 🙂 when is the question lol
What a great excerpt. I like sequels too. When I wrote my first novel I did not intend for there to be a sequel. However the characters insisted and I’m now working on the third one!
Thanks for coming by. This was not a planned sequel either, but the question now is will it be a three or four book series.
Great excerpt!
emiliana25(at)web(dot)de
Thanks Emiliana. Hope you enjoy the books.
Fabulous excerpt!
shadowrunner1987 at gmail dot com
What a good question! I often have trouble committing to a series, or even a sequel. I know that some people like to revisit familiar characters and settings, but I like something new and different every time I pick up a novel.
catherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by Catherine and for your input. While it seems the majority of readers enjoy a sequel, I believe there are many who like something fresh with every story. I am actually torn. I like both lol. A series was in the back of my mind but I was anxious to move on to a new story as well. Keeping the muse on track was not easy, but I had a lot of requests for the sequel.
I’d prefer to see this series continue. Its comforting curling up with a family you know!
Thanks for dropping in Violetta. Many agree with you and if I find a story with characters I can relate to, often find myself wanting to read more about them.
I sometimes like sequels.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hi bn100
Sequels are a subjective thing and have a lot to do with the books that come before and after. I have read sequels and thought wow, this is better than the first…which essentially is what an author strives for. Other times I have been disappointed and found the sequel fell flat. I think this happens a lot in movies. A movie is a smash it and in an attempt to maintain momentum others are produced and sadly don’t stack up. Especially if the sequel happens years later when people have moved on to other moves or genres. Some classics are best left as a single title and not continued.