I'm sure you've heard of Victoria Scott, right? If not, you will soon, because I predict she's going to be a HUGE hit in the YA lit world. I was lucky enough to beta read her debut novel, THE COLLECTOR, which publishes April 2nd, and it's amazing - so unique. Dante is to die for. I mean, just look at this cover!
*stares at forearms* *stares at jaw* *stares at lips* *stares at...pants* *giggles*
Here are the links in case you'd like to preorder:
Anyhow, enough gushing on my part. Victoria is here today talking about writing sequels, something I've blundered through, flailing blindly every step of the way. So I'm loving this guest post. Hope you enjoy it too! If Victoria can't make you laugh, then I'm convinced you have no sense of humor...
5 Foolproof Steps When Writing Your Sequel
A guest post by Victoria Scott
Writing a sequel is bomb. Probably because it feels a bit like a bomb that detonates each time you tinker with it. Most authors of trilogies have outstanding ideas for the first and last book. But the second book, as many readers will tell you, can easily become a “filler” book in which not a lot happens. I myself am currently editing the second book in the DANTE WALKER trilogy. The book isn’t out yet, but I can assure you these 5 steps are foolproof when writing a sequel. I know. I’ve totally written a sequel.
Here you go. You’re welcome.
- Drink more. This can be coffee, alcohol, or rice milk for all I care. Just drink more if it. You need liquids to write a second book well.
- Eat more. No choices on this one—the key is foods packed with saturated fats. Doughnuts, French fries, fried chicken…these are your power foods.
- Have a friend on standby. You’ll need them to reassure you that you’re brilliant and that your sequel will sell millions. This person should be available at 2:17 am each night so you can ugly cry via Skype.
- An animal. If you don’t have a pet. Get one. You’ll need to speak to this creature as if it is a real person. If it talks back, you’re on the right track.
- Decide what’s more important than this book. This can be things like counting how many bobby pins you have, watching YouTube videos, and shopping for scented magic markers online. You’ll need to do these things any time the writing isn’t going well—which could be most times.
If all else fails (which it won’t…I already said this list was foolproof), you could always study successful sequels for tips on how to write them well. Books such as:
- A Million Suns by Beth Revis
- Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
- The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
- The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
- Insurgent by Veronica Roth
