Advice on how / if to continue a story

[Djmac1031]

I guess thus is the forum for this, if not, please let me know.

I'm basically trying to decide whether to continue a story or not.

The first story I published here is a story called The Doctor Is In...Me.

It's a little rough around the edges but overall a simple tale of a man getting his prostate massaged by an attractive female doctor.

It's done pretty well with readers so far.

But my problem is, I wrote a follow-up story that to me kinda veered it off course a bit, setting it up to become a relationship based story. Which wasn't really the intent of part 1.

Now I'm kinda torn on how, or if, I should continue it.

Both chapters are pretty short, so if you're interested in giving a newb some ideas or advice, I'm open to it.

I'm open to feedback on all my stories of course, and have gotten plenty of great general advice from many here already.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Write a new story, not a follow on. That way you have two stories, whereas if you just write a follow on you only have one story, only longer.

Readers do this constantly, beg writers to continue the story they've just read, but I always suggest resisting that temptation unless YOU want to write the continuation. Be guided by what you want to do, not by what readers want you to do.

 

[Djmac1031]

Write a new story, not a follow on. That way you have two stories, whereas if you just write a follow on you only have one story, only longer.

Readers do this constantly, beg writers to continue the story they've just read, but I always suggest resisting that temptation unless YOU want to write the continuation. Be guided by what you want to do, not by what readers want you to do.

I have no objections to continuing it, just unsure what direction I should take.

The first one is a simple, stand alone story. But if I continue from what I wrote in chapter 2, it's just gonna be more complicated.

Which isn't a bad thing I suppose. But I'm kinda stuck on ideas for it.

I suppose I can just sit on it, write other things until I come up with something or get a good suggestion from readers.

I'm still figuring all this out, but I am trying to plan ahead now for future stories before I publish them so I don't make this mistake again.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I have no objections to continuing it, just unsure what direction I should take.

The first one is a simple, stand alone story. But if I continue from what I wrote in chapter 2, it's just gonna be more complicated.

Which isn't a bad thing I suppose. But I'm kinda stuck on ideas for it.

I suppose I can just sit on it, write other things until I come up with something or get a good suggestion from readers.

I'm still figuring all this out, but I am trying to plan ahead now for future stories before I publish them so I don't make this mistake again.

If you're stuck for ideas, sounds to me like you don't have a story. Depending on inputs from readers is a bit like a committee designing a horse - you get a camel. Or a turkey .

 

[Djmac1031]

If you're stuck for ideas, sounds to me like you don't have a story. Depending on inputs from readers is a bit like a committee designing a horse - you get a camel. Or a turkey .

True. Ask 20 different readers, I'd probably get 20 different ideas lol.

New Author Growing Pains, I guess.

Maybe something will come to me eventually.

 

[jaF0]

I posted one several years back ... '15 or something. Never really intended to go further. Year or two back I got one 'request' for more. Ignored it. Then one day I got inspired and did two or three more chapters.

 

[AlinaX]

I often get asked to write sequels but very often my attempts to write them get stuck for one reason or another. I have discarded so many drafts as a result.

Some people say you should never throw anything away, but I prefer to. There are maybe only 4-5 ideas for stories I haven't deleted for one reason or another.

 

[SimonDoom]

I think a good rule of thumb is NOT to give in to reader requests to follow a story. It's very common to get these requests.

The problem for the author is how to write something new and erotic and interesting with the same characters and accepting the events of the first story.

You have more flexibility if you just start a new story. So the default should be to do that.

 

[KeithD]

Write a new story, not a follow on.

This. It can use the same characters and settings. Just standalone as a different story.

 

[Lifestyle66]

IMO, unless you are here posting stories as a testbed for feedback before writing other professional works for pay, we're doing this for the fun of writing and getting others to enjoy our thoughts. So, if it's not fun or you're not feeling it, don't do it.