what do we want from a sequel

[springs]

Do we look for sequels to run on directly from the first book, or is it okay to have a time jump, or does the reader feel a little robbed if you do a here we are 5 years on, and here's what happened in between?

I'm trying to think of sequels where there are big jumps - i think Herbert did it, if I'm right with Dune Messiah, where Alia had grown up and Paul had gone to the desert, but I think as a reader I was a little disappointed that I didn't see some of that.

[Warren_Paul]

Originally Posted by springs1971

Do we look for sequels to run on directly from the first book, or is it okay to have a time jump, or does the reader feel a little robbed if you do a here we are 5 years on, and here's what happened in between?

I'm trying to think of sequels where there are big jumps - i think Herbert did it, if I'm right with Dune Messiah, where Alia had grown up and Paul had gone to the desert, but I think as a reader I was a little disappointed that I didn't see some of that.

The sequel starts where the story needs it to. Terry Brook's sequels skipped whole generations when needed. Same with Raymond Fiest. I'm sure there are plenty of cases out there.

As long as the reader finds out what happened between books then I don't think it is a problem at all. They don't have to know at the start of the book, but as part of the story as they read.


My sequel is actually going backwards in time a few months, since I've got two stories going in different time periods. One has to catch up to the other.

[Glen]

I agree with Warren Paul - it should start where it needs to start.

Didn't God Emperor of Dune start maybe a thousand years after the previous book?*

Mind you, I'm working on the safe side by having my own sequel start before the last one finished. Surely no-one can complain about that! :0)

* I could be wrong. It was a long, long time ago I read this book.

[HareBrain]

I agree, start it where it would start if it were the first in the series. To some extent it has to work on its own terms, and there is the possibility that people will try reading it without having read the first one, so you need to start it somewhere exciting.

[springs]

The problem is there is a lot we need to know of the aftermath of the first book, and then it settles down and builds to a climax 10 years later, when all the stuff in the immediate aftermath reaches a crescendo.

I suppose I could do a two parter; the immediate stuff, and then on to the later. A 10 years on moment. I've tried putting it in as back story, but it just keeps opening cans of worms that need more detail.

[Glen]

Could you do aftermath of book one as a prologue to book two? That way it is contained, style can be different without jarring reader, and you can keep some stuff chapter 1 and beyond.

[Warren_Paul]

Originally Posted by springs1971

The problem is there is a lot we need to know of the aftermath of the first book, and then it settles down and builds to a climax 10 years later, when all the stuff in the immediate aftermath reaches a crescendo.

I suppose I could do a two parter; the immediate stuff, and then on to the later. A 10 years on moment. I've tried putting it in as back story, but it just keeps opening cans of worms that need more detail.

Could always pull a Robert Jordan and do a 20k prologue.


Seriously, he did actually write prologues that big, but got a lot of flack for them.

[Vertigo]

Gregory Benford's Galactic Centre series jumps around 35,000 years after the second book and it's not until the fourth book that it actually links back to the first two and you find out what happened after the end of book 2. A little frustrating at first but livable with.

[Arkose]

Originally Posted by Glen

Could you do aftermath of book one as a prologue to book two? That way it is contained, style can be different without jarring reader, and you can keep some stuff chapter 1 and beyond.

Don't know if this used, but what about using a epilogue and a prologue? epilogue in book one and a prologue in book two.

[springs]

I think a slightly extended prologue might do it. Keep it down to about 5-7000 max. It does mean two points of view in it, though, one protagonist, one antagoinist, though.

[Glen]

Do two prologues. One for each pov.

Play around with the titles. It doesn't have to be called a prologue. I've had so much fun with my chapter titles!

[HMart]

I have a few years in between each book, in my trilogy. There is a very distinct ending in each, and the time passing sets up the rebuilding scenarios. I plan to write a series of short story compilations that take place in between, prior to, and after, the trilogy. Various characters have minor loose ends, on purpose, for this reason. Nothing book-breaking, just things the reader may wonder about. My thought is that, in the end, the world will be fleshed out beyond what was needed and the reader will have several stories to chew on, rather than dumping too many subplots into the trilogy.

So, yes, I tend to agree that each writer's situation is different. The time lapse between books should not become some hard and fast rule. Variety is the spice of life.

[Mouse]

I'm going to be boring and agree with everyone else. Start it where it needs to start.

My YA trilogy jumps two years forwards in the second book, then the third book is only something like four days after the second.

[SPH Young]

I like there to be at least some gap between one book and another. Even if it is just a few weeks or even days. It's just that I find, without it, the two stories feel like they should have been one really - no definitive end, and no definitive beginning.

That said, I'm sure it all probably comes down to execution. As a reader, I definately wouldn't be opposed to a prologue, as long as it shows me something rather than gives me a tell heavy info dump.

[Bowler1]

A good example of links and sequels if you could call them that is I Banks. The later books sometimes reference prior books but only as past events. So you can do what you like Springs, I don't think anyone will really care as long as you entertain the reader.

Wow 20k prolouge, thats not a prolouge thats part of the book. For the world of me I don't see the point in prolouges, just get on with the storyline!