Write a 5-Star Book 2

When I set out to write Book 2 in my Fountain series, I made the common mistake of thinking it would be easier than the first one, which took me more than four years to write. After all, I’d already created the world and gotten to know my characters inside and out. I knew what I wanted their next adventure to be. What could possibly be so hard about continuing a story I already knew so well?

But when I sat down with my detailed outline and started writing scenes, writing that second book was harder. Much harder.

Within the first few chapters, I realized I was repeating myself. The writing was strong enough because I’d learned so much while writing my award-winning debut, but this *new* book was coming out like an abbreviated version of Book 1, and I was even boring myself. I found myself writing things readers already knew about my characters, rediscovering my world, rehashing relationships, and explaining backstory that had already been resolved in Book 1. I was stuck in a loop. I didn’t want my characters to explore the same issues again, but I also couldn’t assume readers remembered every little detail that happened in the first book.

Luckily, I figured out where I went wrong in time to meet tight deadlines while working full time and raising my family, and in the decade since, I’ve helped hundreds of writers tackle their second books with ease.

The Trap of the Sequel

Writing a second book isn’t just a continuation of your story—it’s a new story altogether. Even if you decide to make your Book 2 a “stand-alone” novel in the series, where, in theory, readers could read Book 2 without going back to read Book 1, the reality is you’ll have three types of readers who will buy your new book:

1. Your Loyals – readers who just finished Book 1, remember everything, and are hungry for more
2. Your Casual Fans – those who read Book 1 a while ago and remember what happened—sort of
3. Newbies – readers who somehow found Book 2 first and read it without ever diving into Book 1

So, who are you writing this second book for? With a little planning, your book can be an immersive experience for any one of these three types of readers.

Common Pitfalls When Writing Book 2

Here are some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made myself—and seen writers make—in second books:

• Over-summarizing Book 1 Events: Repeating what happened in Book 1, often in unnecessary detail, slows the pace and is too indulgent. Yes, your readers will need context, so you’ll have to include a bit of information, and I’ll give some tips on how to balance this below.
• Having Characters Reference Book 1 Events: This can show up as casual mentions, or inside jokes, where one character says, “Remember the time we…” and relates a funny anecdote from Book 1 for a laugh. You’re probably including this snippet because you think what happened was just so cool, you don’t want new readers to miss out. But resist this urge. These recaps are almost always off topic for what’s happening in Book 2, and you’re better off adding to your characters’ shared history with new events.
• Characters Repeating Their Story Arc: Every story features a character who changes from beginning to end, whether it’s a subtle shift or a huge transformation. If Book 2 features the same character, give them a new growth curve, so we don’t have to watch the same transformation again. Example: If in Book 1, your character goes from being a wallflower to speaking their mind, in Book 2, if they’re still trying to speak their mind, it’ll feel stale.
• Keeping the Reader’s Takeaway the Same: What did you hope readers would learn, decide, or know by the end of reading Book 1? I call this your Reader’s Takeaway. If this core message, or theme, is the same in Book 2, the two books will feel eerily similar, even if the events are different. 
• Breaking a Contract With Your Readers: If you’re writing a sequel, chances are you have built a following with Book 1, and it was well received. Pay attention to what feedback you got because that’s what readers are coming back for. If they swooned over the romance? Don’t make Book 2 an extended breakup. If they loved your brainy sci-fi world? They’ll be disappointed if there’s no science in Book 2. Your first book sets their expectations, and they want more of the same, so don’t change the rules.

Tips for Keeping a Book 2 Feeling Fresh

It can be daunting to tackle Book 2, especially if Book 1 did well.

– Will readers love Book 2 as much?

– Can you live up to the hype?

Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing, so that your sequel will push your series over the top, leaving readers anticipating Books 3, 4, and 5…

1. Change Something Big

If the setting and the characters are the same as they were in Book 1, you’ll find your outline for Book 2 will need a lot more content to make up for it. To avoid this, try setting Book 2 in a new location, expand the magic or political system, introduce new characters, or write from a different character’s Point of View (POV). That way, you’ll have lots of new world-building and character-building to round out your plot.

2. Tackle a New Character Arc

Share a new part of your main character’s journey—how do they change from your opening scene to the end? Example: if in Book 1 she started out as a wallflower and by the end was speaking her mind, maybe in this book she starts out thinking she has to do everything for herself, and learns by the closing scene that her life is richer if she lets people in. Knowing where she’s headed will help you create a new take on everything she touches in this book.

3. How Much Recap is Too Much?

This is the number one question I get from series writers. Where’s the balance between giving readers enough information from Book 1 that the new story makes sense, but not so much information that you’ve rehashed your entire plot?

Here’s a handy question that will help you decide if you should include information from Book 1. Every time you’re tempted to include backstory from Book 1, ask yourself:

• Does the reader need this information to understand what’s happening in Book 2?

If the answer is no—ditch it and don’t look back. If the answer is yes—include it but build on it.

For example, instead of just reminding readers that your character had a traumatic experience in Book 1, show how that experience has shaped their behavior now. Maybe they’ve developed a new fear, or they’ve misremembered what happened, or they’re finally ready to deal with it differently.

When you build on what happened in Book 1, you’ve gotten new readers up to speed, but you’ve also rewarded your loyal readers who remember the event from Book 1 by giving them new information to pique their interest, not just boring them with a recap.

4. Push Yourself

I like to challenge myself to do something new in every book—whether it’s creating a different plot structure, practicing writing in a new tense or POV I haven’t used in a full-length novel before, or changing up my main character’s traits. Not only will leveling up with each book you write keep you growing as a writer, but it also means each book will feel different than the last, while still maintaining your writing voice and personal style.

Get to It!

Here’s the good news—if you’re writing Book 2, it means that you’ve successfully completed a novel from start to finish before. That means you know what writing a book takes (more than most of us think when starting out!), and can tackle this next challenge with all you’ve got.

Want a little extra support as you write? I’ve got you. Check out my programs to support writers as they go www.suzyvadori.com/programs

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