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I am writing a continuation of a story I finished four years ago. I think it's fine for the folks who have read the original volume but I don't think I'm reaching any new people.
Should I start this story with a chapter that tells all, or maybe an index chapter as an appendix?
What do you think?
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Comments
how about?
a small blurb at the beginning stating that it is a continuation of "X" with a link to that story and if it is necessary for the reader to read the first story prior to reading this new one.
We the willing, led by the unsure. Have been doing so much with so little for so long,
We are now qualified to do anything with nothing.
This...
I was going to suggest such a link, which is something I started doing with the latest published book in my series which are intended to be read first to last.
But also, the type of continuation may matter. Is it a sequel written with the intention that the previous -should- be read apriori? Because subsequent stories can also be written in such a way for that not to be a 'requirement', i.e. when the story is still stand-alone even if continues with characters/setting from before. Will the prior knowledge be so required? It not need be, if developed that way.
A Wildcat Summer Prologue
Yep. I totally agree.
I think when I started writing this I didn’t have the mind set
Now I get it.
I totally blew it for the new readers, which was shortsighted
I wrote a prologue that will precede the story.
Let me know what you think
confusion
i went back and reread the first chapter. if the reader hasnt read the earlier books there not going to really understand whats going on in the beginning. who are this ladies and why are they hugging and kissing and who are Phil and Richard and why are they watching them .yes i can understand why a new reader might be confused by the beginning
Yes - and other thoughts.
Having written a couple of multi-book series, I feel each book should be written so that a reader has the option of only reading the new book. However, that does not mean you need to give everything away. If the reader is into the new book, they will go back and find the older books to get more intimate details. As my series go on, the summary is less specific and I tell the readers, if you want to understand the people and the interactions, you should probably read the earlier books.
That being said, I wonder what other readers thing about the following:
I like the new material. However, it feels like Terry was always slowly accepting things and making careful decisions. I like to make things feel semi-real. In the chapter where Terry and Jenn go to Florida, I was caught off-guard. 18 year old boy and like aged girl just hop a plane to go for a sexual adventure and neither parents comment, ask questions or offer any advice. None of their friends seem to see anything out of the ordinary. The mother was involved in the earlier books and worried about her children, but in these chapters she seems disconnected and uninvolved. How does she walk away and not be there all the time to worry about what is happening to her son/new daughter? She wasn't there to discuss the trip and Terry doesn't seem to be interacting with her as life seems to be running through a blender to see what comes out.
These 18 year-olds don't seem to have any unease with travel, scanners at the airport, hotels, reservations, food in a new city, people, how do they decide what to do or where to go? Even as an adult, when I go to new places, I have these problems. When had either of them gone anywhere alone in their lives for a week?
They have also fell into this free time, free sex thing a little too easily. I like it, but should there be a bit of unease with the nudity or people just walking in on them? It feels like the way people feel after four years in a fraternity or living on their own, not the second week of living on their own.
I don't think the parental involvement changes much of what happens, but it seems unrealistic and inconsistent with the earlier books.
I think Terry would be seeking his mother's support and advice. I think the character you created in the mother would be there and insert herself more. With Terry out of school, disconnected from friends, the parental support would be all the more important. The mother who seemed to do everything to support her kids has seemingly abandoned them to their new life.
Even having read the first books, I felt that as this round began, I wasn't sure who all the people were or what their roles were. You can weave some of that into the story instead of having it in an intro.
Having someone show up to cook was nice, but a bit unrealistic. It needs a softer intro and maybe mom needs to drop in and see how things are going. Mom should be worried about what her 18 year old is doing - apparently living alone in a house that people just come and go from. Sounds like all the bad aspects of a frat house, but with a single apparent girl living alone. high risk in almost any city in America.
This is a brain dump without a lot of thought, but there you have it. I have a few other thoughts and I will try to put them together.
Session not season in book 8. There were a couple of others, if I remember I'll send them to you.
I love the Wildcats
DD
i disagree
and ill break down why. Terry and Jenn go to Florida they are both 18 and responsible adults at least the parents seem to think so .and 18 year old go for spring break every year .its a giant party and parents know it. None of their friends seem to see anything out of the ordinary. their friends are in the music business and are used to hooking up so its no big deal in their view. as far as parent involvement they signed a contract with manages and record studio so it is their responsibility to take care of teri and let face it teri iv very well off with all the money coming in and has people handling att that for the band.travel its part of once again the music business its no big deal you get used to the airport hotels once again staff to take care of all the arrangements .all 4 of the girls live there and the manager set up the cook because it was requested of him to do so its part of keeping clients happy and healthy. Teri is an adults mothers job as mother has ended time for her to step back and become friend .
Yep
I think your points are well taken. I’ll need more dialogue for the finished book.
A link or....
I tend to favor the link option. I'm currently working on a sequel to "Secure Haven Academy" that will require the reader to have some knowledge of what happened in the original story. So, I'll need to deal with that when it comes time to publish.
Another alternative is the use of flashbacks much as would be used to disclose the necessary parts of the backstory. In this case, you could simply insert relevant passages from the original, with a little editing to make them fit. There's no need to do it all at once. Only when a reference is made to that story.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
A separate page?
When I read your question, I thought of television series I watch that have had gaps of years (especially during covid) between seasons. There is a delight in getting back into a story you've already enjoyed and want to see develop.
I'd suggest having a single, independent page that explains enough for a new reader to enjoy the new book -- and can also be a quick refresher for a current reader who may have forgotten one character, or can't remember the motivation that animates some action.
You can link to it at the top of the first page of the new work, and anyone who wants it or needs it can use it if they like.
Naturally, a reader who doesn't want or need won't bother to click on the link and will simply dive into the new work.
- iolanthe