Whether or not to do a sequel

[Djmac1031]

Unlike some authors, I enjoy not just feedback on a story, but occasionally like to pick people's brains for ideas or advice on ideas for where it could go.

I wrote a story called The White Room about a year ago. It's still my highest rated story and has gotten overwhelming positive feedback.

I also still get requests for a sequel.

If you've already read it and don't want to hear about potential spoilers, quit reading now.

But I'm gonna assume most of you haven't read it, so a brief synopsis:

Two strangers are abducted by aliens, held captive, naked, in a strange environment.

They're experimented on, but in a positive way, their minds and bodies slowly being groomed towards perfection.

They bond during this experience and fall in love.

At the end, they consummate the relationship and she becomes pregnant, which was the aliens ultimate goal with the experiment.

The reasons why were left a mystery. Mainly, because I didn't have the answers as to WHY they needed these two strangers to create a child.

The story wasn't REALLY about the alien abduction itself so much as an exploration of the idea of how two people would react and interact when their fears and insecurities have been removed.

I've kicked around various ideas on a sequel, and have struck on one I think could be interesting to explore.

The only problem is, I don't see any way of adding a sexual element to it without it becoming incestuous.

In a way, it would still fit the original theme of the piece; the idea of being able to put aside the usual stigmas of acting on one's desires without fear or worries about judgement or repercussions or fears.

But I worry it would piss off readers who truly enjoyed the Love Story aspects of the original story by taking it in an incestuous direction.

My decision at this point is I may write the damn thing. If nothing else it will be an interesting exercise.

Whether or not I actually publish it is another question.

Unlike my characters, I DO have fears and insecurities and I worry about tainting what was, for many readers, a very positive experience by trying to recreate it and failing.

I suppose I'm using this forum as a place to simply vent my thoughts on the whole thing.

And obviously by doing so I'm encouraging feedback from others on it.

Sometimes having a conversation about these types of things, the pros and cons etc. can be very helpful.

 

[GrantBricksly]

You are never going to please everybody. That is the first thing to remember. Plain and simple.

That being said, I say, write the story that you think is the best story to tell. Based on your comments, I am assuming it would involve something with the child (grown up to adulthood) having some sort of sexual relationship with one or both parents. Hence the incestuous part. While some of your fans MAY (and that's a big MAY) not be ok with that. I think it works. The original theme in your own words, was about losing fears and insecurities. So, assuming that trait was passed on to the child, it makes sense the child would not fear, or care about what people thought if they had feelings for one or both parents, and acted upon said feelings.

I think that sounds like a good, and natural progression to the story. And an interesting element to it as well. Perhaps this was the ultimate goal of the experiment by the aliens. Perhaps they were hoping to determine if the trait would be passed on to children? Or they wanted to know how a relationship like this would blossom in such an event? There is a lot of potential.

Side note: I have not read your story yet. I am just going by what you said in your post. But I may try to read it later today, after I get some writing of my own done.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I'll read your story (actually listen to an MP3 version of it) today.

Since the story is in Sci-Fi/Fantasy category, the sequel may work just as well as long as you keep the Sci-Fi aspect.

My Amorous Goods story in Sci-Fi/Fantasy is one of my best rated stories, so I wrote a sequel to that about a week later. The sequel has far fewer views (maybe because it wasn't included in the Amorous Goods list), and I did a hasty job to post it. But the ratings for that sequel are equally positive.

 

[Seadog777]

Does it feel like it needs a sequel TO YOU???

That's the only question you need to answer.

 

[Djmac1031]

Does it feel like it needs a sequel TO YOU???

That's the only question you need to answer.

I promised myself I'd never write a sequel to it unless the idea actually made sense.

The one I've struck on does, the more I dwell on it in my imagination.

 

[Seadog777]

I promised myself I'd never write a sequel to it unless the idea actually made sense.

The one I've struck on does, the more I dwell on it in my imagination.

As long as it makes sense TO YOU, that's all you need to worry about.

Not me, not Joe Blow from Kokomo, not anybody else.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I promised myself I'd never write a sequel to it unless the idea actually made sense.

The one I've struck on does, the more I dwell on it in my imagination.

I wrote my Amorous Goods sequel, changing from a magic/Fantasy theme to a Sci-Fi theme, and still posted it to the same Sci-Fi category.

That category's readers seem far more accepting and welcoming than my stories in LW and other categories. So, I may even write a third installment, if I can 'feel' the story build in my mind.

 

[SimonDoom]

My default position on writing sequels at reader requests is "no." I prefer to move on and write new stories. I get requests to continue a story all the time, and I always ignore them. That wasn't always true, but it's true now. Either I start off with the intention of continuing a story, or I don't do it.

But if you genuinely think you can take your story in a fun new artistic or erotic direction, then by all means do so. The question I would ask in your place is whether you can achieve what you want to achieve better by continuing the story or by starting a new story. I know that for me, personally, starting a new story usually is the better option.

 

[Djmac1031]

My default position on writing sequels at reader requests is "no." I prefer to move on and write new stories. I get requests to continue a story all the time, and I always ignore them. That wasn't always true, but it's true now. Either I start off with the intention of continuing a story, or I don't do it.

But if you genuinely think you can take your story in a fun new artistic or erotic direction, then by all means do so. The question I would ask in your place is whether you can achieve what you want to achieve better by continuing the story or by starting a new story. I know that for me, personally, starting a new story usually is the better option.

I've utterly dismissed the idea of a sequel despite the requests because I frankly had no clue how to continue it. The story in itself was complete, and although it left questions that needed answers, I was content to leave those answers a mystery.

I hadn't event thought about it in months.

Then the other day a very lovely message came via email from a reader who went out of their way to message me and tell me how much they enjoyed it. Made my day, of course.

And it got me thinking on the story again and wondering just what I'd hit on that garnered such reactions.

And then, suddenly, there it was: a potential sequel idea.

The more it's been rolling around in my head, the more it's demanding to be written.

Could this idea work as it's own, independent story? No. Because it's a direct follow through on ideas and concepts created in the original story.

To try making it a brand new story would mean creating an all new literary universe for it to exist in, and starting completely from scratch.

No, this story, if I write it, has to be a continuation for it to work.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I just finished listening to it, and it's a great story.

 

[Djmac1031]

I just finished listening to it, and it's a great story.

Thank you. It's funny because part of me really wants to pick a reader's brain on my ideas for the sequel but obviously that discussion would involve spoilers so...

I'm sure most writers don't conspire with their audience for story ideas. But it's not like I'm Stephen King or something. I just do this for fun.

 

[Lifestyle66]

Thank you. It's funny because part of me really wants to pick a reader's brain on my ideas for the sequel but obviously that discussion would involve spoilers so...

I'm sure most writers don't conspire with their audience for story ideas. But it's not like I'm Stephen King or something. I just do this for fun.

I could see where your story might go in various directions in a sequel. You alluded to one such direction with the names not being Joe and Mary. I took such a trac with my sequel Amorous Goods involving aliens playing Gods. Another direction might be inspired by Auther C. Clarke's "Childhood's End". But some paths are more difficult to follow.

In my sequel to Amorous Goods, I managed to include the erotica with the sex in the night club. And I left that sequel with unfinished questions as room for future chapters. But that sequel has an alien threat pointed at Earth, and it now makes any erotica in a third chapter more difficult to imagine as inspiration for me.

 

[Djmac1031]

I could see where your story might go in various directions in a sequel. You alluded to one such direction with the names not being Joe and Mary. I took such a trac with my sequel Amorous Goods involving aliens playing Gods. Another direction might be inspired by Auther C. Clarke's "Childhood's End". But some paths are more difficult to follow.

In my sequel to Amorous Goods, I managed to include the erotica with the sex in the night club. And I left that sequel with unfinished questions as room for future chapters. But that sequel has an alien threat pointed at Earth, and it now makes any erotica in a third chapter more difficult to imagine as inspiration for me.

You're on the right path with my ideas lol. If you're interested in discussing them deeper, I'm open to it. Or not. Your call.

I wanna read your story now. Gonna look it up after I get home.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

It took me six years to write the sequel to my first story, so don't feel like you have to tackle it until you feel ready to do so.

 

[Euphony]

Unlike my characters, I DO have fears and insecurities and I worry about tainting what was, for many readers, a very positive experience by trying to recreate it and failing.

Possible, but then I think what if you had the same thought pattern with the original. Then it never gets written, never gets read, and "failing" on a follow up is impossible.

Honestly, I would look inward and see if you (or "they" as I feel I am spoken to by my characters) have more interesting stories to tell.

It's natural to let votes/comments/numbers lead to a little "I caught lightning in a bottle" feeling but is that reasonably so?

You wrote the original when you were (presumably) a "lesser" writer (less experience) and succeeded.

I'd bet you would do it again IF those characters still call to you to have their story told like they did originally.

And, back then, you were strangers.

 

[Djmac1031]

Possible, but then I think what if you had the same thought pattern with the original. Then it never gets written, never gets read, and "failing" on a follow up is impossible.

Honestly, I would look inward and see if you (or "they" as I feel I am spoken to by my characters) have more interesting stories to tell.

It's natural to let votes/comments/numbers lead to a little "I caught lightning in a bottle" feeling but is that reasonably so?

You wrote the original when you were (presumably) a "lesser" writer (less experience) and succeeded.

I'd bet you would do it again IF those characters still call to you to have their story told like they did originally.

And, back then, you were strangers.

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Someone famous I've forgotten and probably misquoted.

Writing the sequel wouldn't be about votes, ratings or reader requests. It would be about "is there more to tell?"

Now that I actually have an idea, I feel there is.

Again my REAL main concern is if it goes in the direction I'm thinking of, I'll alienate readers who enjoyed the original but will be put off by the possible incest.

And I say "possible" because I'm not 100% sure on it. There MIGHT be another way. But it would be harder to do.

Unlike my other stories, I'm actually creating, well, not so much an "outline" as a list of notes of the ideas currently running through my brain as I think of them.

I also need, of course, a conclusion. I had one for The White Room, which is why it can stand alone if I never publish part 2.

I don't want part 2 to end hanging without properly wrapping things up, even if I decide to leave room for a possible part 3.

 

[GrantBricksly]

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Someone famous I've forgotten and probably misquoted.

Writing the sequel wouldn't be about votes, ratings or reader requests. It would be about "is there more to tell?"

Now that I actually have an idea, I feel there is.

Again my REAL main concern is if it goes in the direction I'm thinking of, I'll alienate readers who enjoyed the original but will be put off by the possible incest.

And I say "possible" because I'm not 100% sure on it. There MIGHT be another way. But it would be harder to do.

Unlike my other stories, I'm actually creating, well, not so much an "outline" as a list of notes of the ideas currently running through my brain as I think of them.

I also need, of course, a conclusion. I had one for The White Room, which is why it can stand alone if I never publish part 2.

I don't want part 2 to end hanging with properly wrapping things up, even if I decide to leave room for a possible part 3.

If possible incest is the natural way the story needs to go to make sense, and any other way would be harder to justify, that I think your readers will understand that. If you've done your job well, then the story will flow in the way it needs to flow. And the reader will know "ya know, it may not be my favorite cup of tea, but it's the only way it could have happened, and by God, it needed to happen."

Write your story. You'll never know if you don't try!

 

[Euphony]

Please don't take this as criticism, just furtherance of the thought discussion through my (admittedly narrowish focused) lens.

Think less in "I"s more in character motivation.

What issues do they feel are left undone? They had a grand, life changing experience, but doubtful it tied up with a pretty bow. (which is not author failure but real life)

Do they accept this new paradigm in their life? Is there some reticence or resentment (maybe for not having coming to it in their own terms/of their own skill/volition)

The incest angle being your current outlet doesn't make it your only outlet long term.

What are the characters desperate to tell somebody (so, you, being their sympathetic ear) about their experiences, their inner thoughts spring forth from them, their questions about the future and directions they may go/what kind of person that would make them (and conflicts from who they "were")?

I have a difficult time suspending disbelief when sexual "any port in the storm" characters or story lines crop up. I feel a large function of that is authors rushing through the process to either get something done, appease readers, meet contest deadlines, or similar.

None of the characters who are entrusting you with THEIR story want to feel those are your motives.

They will withdraw, giving you less of themselves, making for hallower characters and a lesser story (as they are the driving force for the tale)

What do they need? And what (difficult, interesting, shocking, intimate) things are they willing to risk sharing with you to get it?

 

[Euphony]

If possible incest is the natural way the story needs to go to make sense, and any other way would be harder to justify, that I think your readers will understand that.

Feels like we are unnecessarily guessing/assuming why incest is mostly an inevitability b/c we don't have the needed information of ideas the OP is considering.

Understand why some are reticent to post their ideas here (for fear of thievery) but when there is less material to work with, there is less quality output to be gained IMO.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Why can't the aliens abduct another person and put them into their zoo, laboratory, whatever it is, thus avoiding the incest scenario completely?

 

[Euphony]

Why can't the aliens abduct another person and put them into their zoo, laboratory, whatever it is, thus avoiding the incest scenario completely?

Feels like the author may be more concerned about the hanging "why the aliens made us do all this stuff" question more than the readers might.

I am, perhaps, struggling to see how this is a more complicated "trapped on a deserted island together" scenario but which has even lesser autonomy for the stranded but there's seemingly little internal struggle over having that autonomy taken, worry about reintegration/ relationship outside the confines of the alien program, or portending struggle or worry at all.

If the god's favored me and dropped me in a survival situation with the hottest, most congruous passenger on the same flight, there's still going to be frictions both during the survival AND especially coming to terms with things/reintegration in the real world.

Give me conflict. Uneasy, not solved by fortuitous pairing, conflict.

Post partum disinterest in sex headbutting into doubt. "She's not physical w/me, is it the baby, is it recovering from an experience we can't tell anyone about? Is it she only loved me in captivity? Did the aliens pump pheromones/ accelerators into our pod and THAT'S an unstable foundation our now VERY pressured love story might be built on?)

Conflicts. Arising from who they are as individuals. Conflicts.

 

[Djmac1031]

Why can't the aliens abduct another person and put them into their zoo, laboratory, whatever it is, thus avoiding the incest scenario completely?

Because basically I'd be telling the same story over again. And that's exactly what I don't want to do.

 

[Djmac1031]

Feels like we are unnecessarily guessing/assuming why incest is mostly an inevitability b/c we don't have the needed information of ideas the OP is considering.

Understand why some are reticent to post their ideas here (for fear of thievery) but when there is less material to work with, there is less quality output to be gained IMO.

Obviously I'm not going to outline the whole sequel here.

And I am considering an alternative path away from the incest. Nothing is set in stone at this point.

But, and it's hard to explain why, the incest angle seems to make the most sense at the moment.

I suppose I could try both ways, one without the incest, one with. See which flows better.

I've only just begun working on this thing. It may take awhile lol.

 

[Djmac1031]

Please don't take this as criticism, just furtherance of the thought discussion through my (admittedly narrowish focused) lens.

Think less in "I"s more in character motivation.

What issues do they feel are left undone? They had a grand, life changing experience, but doubtful it tied up with a pretty bow. (which is not author failure but real life)

Do they accept this new paradigm in their life? Is there some reticence or resentment (maybe for not having coming to it in their own terms/of their own skill/volition)

The incest angle being your current outlet doesn't make it your only outlet long term.

What are the characters desperate to tell somebody (so, you, being their sympathetic ear) about their experiences, their inner thoughts spring forth from them, their questions about the future and directions they may go/what kind of person that would make them (and conflicts from who they "were")?

I have a difficult time suspending disbelief when sexual "any port in the storm" characters or story lines crop up. I feel a large function of that is authors rushing through the process to either get something done, appease readers, meet contest deadlines, or similar.

None of the characters who are entrusting you with THEIR story want to feel those are your motives.

They will withdraw, giving you less of themselves, making for hallower characters and a lesser story (as they are the driving force for the tale)

What do they need? And what (difficult, interesting, shocking, intimate) things are they willing to risk sharing with you to get it?

Constructive thoughts and criticism are exactly what I was looking for by bringing this up in a public forum.

So I appreciate your thoughts very much. Definitely things to consider.

 

[Euphony]

Because basically I'd be telling the same story over again. And that's exactly what I don't want to do.

If the incest thing is a calling, don't dance around it but lean HARD into it. Not necessarily in a fetish way but from a place of absolute authorial confidence. (you are asking a more taboo timid readership to take your hand and come with you, better seem like you know the way/know what you're doing.)

Lean in could be enhanced by using the known to your favor.

Couple learns their offspring is "enhanced," part of which is faster development maturity. (putting parents in quicker sexual conflict)

The two participants were selected b/c they share recessive traits the aliens value in their customized hybrid.

Conflict is all the usual incest taboos meets the fragility of a beginning relationship formed under stress/extreme circumstances meets New Mom's changing feelings of her body/meaning of womanhood, meets alien's goal of cranking out proto babies to solve their crisis.

Don't feel beholden to any of the ideas, just mine some darn conflict, preferably internal/personality driven than situational (as a lot of the 1st story used and covered that ground well)

Euph.