tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post5024532193878059306..comments2024-03-06T05:24:11.328-05:00Comments on Kelly Hashway: Writing Sequels and a Giveaway!Kelly Hashwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-50038135243054319932013-06-25T19:57:55.090-04:002013-06-25T19:57:55.090-04:00I feel your pain, Dianne. You wouldn't believe...I feel your pain, Dianne. You wouldn't believe how many wayward versions of my debut MG novel there were before I sold it. <br /><br />Even when our beta-readers are right about what they bring up, they sometimes overestimate how "simple" it is for your or me to resolve the issue.<br /><br />Which is why I try to be the "Editor" I'd want to have, direct, honest, but kind. Not everyone responds to vicious criticism, regardless of how thick your dang skin, and mine's not that thick, but it doesn't stop me from moving forward. Delayed yes. But NOT a full stop.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-64988339901682882632013-06-18T09:53:05.821-04:002013-06-18T09:53:05.821-04:00Yes, definitely. Always something new in the mix.Yes, definitely. Always something new in the mix.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-35676931448027812672013-06-18T09:52:41.295-04:002013-06-18T09:52:41.295-04:00I have a two-book series coming out next year. If ...I have a two-book series coming out next year. If you can call it that. I really just think of it as a book and a sequel.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-65575324968686060122013-06-18T00:52:08.827-04:002013-06-18T00:52:08.827-04:00I would imagine the secret is to keep revealing ne...I would imagine the secret is to keep revealing new tidbits about the characters, a flaw or three, and for the new story to be even more .... exciting, interesting, intriguing, and just as compelling. Yes?brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480258485472568272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-4957927629398439042013-06-17T04:20:47.281-04:002013-06-17T04:20:47.281-04:00I haven't read too many sequels, come to think...I haven't read too many sequels, come to think of it. The most recent are from Sharon Creech and Gennifer Choldenko, but those are like 2 books in each serie. Have a great giveaway!Yanting Guehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04788603550626277974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-86382791147182925452013-06-16T21:06:22.740-04:002013-06-16T21:06:22.740-04:00Yes, PBs are a different story. I loved how the HP...Yes, PBs are a different story. I loved how the HP books did this. Such a great example. Thanks for bringing it up.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-51198946755859939652013-06-16T21:02:23.716-04:002013-06-16T21:02:23.716-04:00Me too.
Good luck!Me too.<br /><br />Good luck!Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-64958744683084949742013-06-16T21:02:00.630-04:002013-06-16T21:02:00.630-04:00Same here. Great way to put it.Same here. Great way to put it.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-42663550477775612682013-06-16T21:01:38.793-04:002013-06-16T21:01:38.793-04:00That is interesting, Milo!That is interesting, Milo!Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-57411409722441707412013-06-16T20:59:03.427-04:002013-06-16T20:59:03.427-04:00Taurean, I love when another character becomes the...Taurean, I love when another character becomes the MC. It's a great switch up.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-36151339356040043672013-06-16T20:25:11.558-04:002013-06-16T20:25:11.558-04:00Me too.
I read "Poppy" without realizi...Me too. <br /><br />I read "Poppy" without realizing "Ragweed" came before it, if only thematically, because sometimes authors write prequels LAST rather than first, particularly if the series grew more organically and there wasn't a direct plan to do a series, you hear that from authors all the time, maybe less so now because whether for personal or professional reasons, series are often in mind at the start, even if there aren't multi-book deals yet.<br /><br />I know I'm going to do a sequel to my debut. <br /><br />I didn't at first, but after having worked on this novel for the last decade, I just realized I had more about this world to explore, but I'm kind of taking the route of other authors and writing from a different character's POV.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-59625969709705931952013-06-16T20:11:06.074-04:002013-06-16T20:11:06.074-04:00I know there are ways to do it. I was just making ...I know there are ways to do it. I was just making the case that not all non-open ended series can do that and that's OKAY.<br /><br /><br />I feel writers can give each other fatally mixed messages in this regard. <br /><br />Some series really do NEED to be read in order, and in full, before the "Big Picture" really becomes clear. <br /><br />EVEN if the books have their own focus, like HP, as I said in my earlier comment.<br /><br />That said, maybe because outside chapter book series, most series I read have a linear storyline with an end point, even if it's not obvious at first, and you won't get the full story if you don't read them all and in order. I haven't read many NOVEL series that are stand alone in the way Dawn's describing, yet still have the ongoing story that HAS an end point.<br /><br />A series I love that is another great example of what I mean is the Hermux Tantamoq series (4 books, and I HOPE there are more...), but while you can read them out of order and be rewarded with a tight and thrilling tale, reading them in order (ESPECIALLY 3 and 4), is a richer experience, there are few open-ended series I've read that can achieve that, at least in the novel realm. <br /><br /><br />Obviously picture books and early readers are endless examples, but I see this more in adult novels than middle grade, even YA.<br /><br />But to credit Dawn's comment, this series is also a prime example of what she was saying, too.<br /><br />In the Hermux series, you do get up to speed with the previous book(s) in the one you're reading, but never feels like the annoying "previously on..." which works in television, not for books and character-driven films, with such a LONG lull between installments if they aren't all out by the time you jump in...<br /><br />Like HP, though, each book has a focus unique to that book, but builds on what came before.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-34770536718779934402013-06-16T18:25:42.677-04:002013-06-16T18:25:42.677-04:00I love reading sequels and reconnecting with chara...I love reading sequels and reconnecting with characters I met in earlier books. <br /><br />Thanks for the giveaway!Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-78791500151540445222013-06-16T14:03:53.430-04:002013-06-16T14:03:53.430-04:00I once picked up a book two and I was able to foll...I once picked up a book two and I was able to follow most of it. I'd like sequel books to be connected, but also to be able to stand on their own. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-67518446938394648842013-06-16T12:39:13.801-04:002013-06-16T12:39:13.801-04:00Oooh...the dreaded infodump. Not a fan. Sequels sh...Oooh...the dreaded infodump. Not a fan. Sequels should stand on their own, so there has to be some backstory -- but not too much, or you'll irritate fans. A delicate balance to be struck, methinks. (My sequel was published before it's prequel, so that was interesting.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-53821189486035034322013-06-16T11:35:37.736-04:002013-06-16T11:35:37.736-04:00Companions are great! Totally agree.Companions are great! Totally agree.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-45958618679658538712013-06-15T23:47:42.697-04:002013-06-15T23:47:42.697-04:00I like sequels, but my favorites are almost always...I like sequels, but my favorites are almost always companion books. I like to get to know the other characters from their own points of view. I like to know all the stories about all of them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17749056431034976712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-31297940878103984372013-06-15T20:35:13.538-04:002013-06-15T20:35:13.538-04:00Same here.Same here.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-58383977846400545572013-06-15T15:59:27.337-04:002013-06-15T15:59:27.337-04:00Lots of authors do that to great effect. The books...Lots of authors do that to great effect. The books I mentioned, both "Millicent Min, Girl Genius" by Lisa Yee and "The Misfits" by James Howe have companion books that take place around the same timeline, but different POV characters, and a mix of old and new characters. It can be a great way to revisit the same world without the same POV characters from the first book.<br /><br />Good luck making it work for you.Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-7700206189697553242013-06-15T15:46:40.444-04:002013-06-15T15:46:40.444-04:00I like sequels just fine so long as the author doe...I like sequels just fine so long as the author doesn't dwell on too much detail while catching the reader up to speed. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15901684621715980573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-92177096668159482792013-06-15T06:13:56.522-04:002013-06-15T06:13:56.522-04:00That does make it a little easier, doesn't it?...That does make it a little easier, doesn't it? ;)Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-15977048255129325942013-06-15T06:09:05.374-04:002013-06-15T06:09:05.374-04:00That's a great idea!That's a great idea!Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-43989366476677069372013-06-14T20:04:47.714-04:002013-06-14T20:04:47.714-04:00I have to say that I think J.K. Rowling did an awe...I have to say that I think J.K. Rowling did an awesome job in the HP books of catching every one up to speed on events in the previous books, but w/out boring you to death. But what am I saying? J.K. Rowling did everything awesome, lol! I'm going to be attempting a sequel here in a few months, but I'm sorta cheating- it takes place many years later & follows my first mc's great- granddaughter. Leandra Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381034024025750992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-40980887737433694232013-06-14T19:24:03.942-04:002013-06-14T19:24:03.942-04:00D'aww! Thanks!D'aww! Thanks! Kiersihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16033659930186902045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6086062096420008519.post-12965195648698871012013-06-14T19:13:04.262-04:002013-06-14T19:13:04.262-04:00The creeping info is the hardest part about a sequ...The creeping info is the hardest part about a sequel to me. I like to write the first draft completely ignoring the need to add in "catch-up" info and then add it in during later drafts. That way, it doesn't interfere with the current plot line and I have a chance to see the whole picture to know where it really needs to be.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01052604405996474436noreply@blogger.com