Commenters asking for sequels

[dasgoodshit]

I've had some comments asking for stories to be continued when I had no such plans to do so. How common is this? Do you succumb to the requests when you had no intention of doing so originally? What was the outcome? Do you regret not leaving the story as a standalone?

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

I've had a few over the years, even when it is clear it is a one-off and pretty much concluded.

I just politely say I have no plans to revisit, but some of the characters may end up doing something else down the line.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Fairly common.

I don't write a sequel unless I want to write a sequel, but I've never done it in response to a reader's comment.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I've had some comments asking for stories to be continued when I had no such plans to do so. How common is this? Do you succumb to the requests when you had no intention of doing so originally? What was the outcome? Do you regret not leaving the story as a standalone?

It’s nice feedback to get. People wanting more of your work, what’s not to like? But it can be odd if the story has a very definitive ending with closure for all involved. I guess write another good story instead.

Em

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Common enough for me, but all too often the story has ended in my mind. Some stories, even those with good endings, still have openings or potential for follow-ups. Some others? Not nearly so much. I’m with Barracudaswordfish then, only able to politely say no. It’s a pity, because, as Em notes, they like the stuff and are expressing admiration.

 

[MelissaBaby]

In my experience, it's pretty common. I take it as a compliment, but don't feel any obligation to grant the request.

 

[NotWise]

It's a fairly common comment, and I've twice taken readers' requests to extend stories. Regretted one, I think. I never intended to continue it. The second I had to admit to myself that I really did want to continue it, although that wasn't in my original plan. The continuation didn't come together as easily as I thought it would and I ended up gritting my teeth and writing to the end to get it done five years later.

A request for more can be taken as a compliment to your work. Over time I've taken it to mean that I did a bad job of finishing the story. Now I put a lot more work into how the story ends.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Common enough for me, but all too often the story has ended in my mind. Some stories, even those with good endings, still have openings or potential for follow-ups. Some others? Not nearly so much. I’m with Barracudaswordfish then, only able to politely say no. It’s a pity, because, as Em notes, they like the stuff and are expressing admiration.

When I started The Adventures of Ranger Ramona, I saw it as a trilogy. But as I wrote it, I decided the first chapter was a little plot light, so I restructured it to be a two parter. Even so, I had some left over threads that could form the basis of a third chapter.

But those threads don't seem likely to form into a cohesive narrative. i'd end up with a collection of vignettes, and I think that could weaken the whole series.

As much as I would love to write more about those characters ( I did write a spinoff, Isabel) I have to step away from them, even though I've had quite a few requests for more.

 

[Trionyx]

The one time I did a sequel was on a fairly short April Fool’s story. A few readers wanted to know what happened next and I decided to carry on. I thought it turned out ok. Otherwise I’m generally disinclined to do sequels at all. https://literotica.com/s/zorros-girl

 

[SimonDoom]

I get requests for sequels often, but gave in and did one in response to requests for only one story. The first sequel did well (though not nearly as well as the original) but the third installment made me feel like it wasn't worth it. I won't do it again unless I have an idea I really like to justify doing it independently from the request.

 

[NC_Coastal]

I find it hard to go back and get the feel of writing the first part once you finish it and move on.

 

[MillieDynamite]

While it is very common, I don't usually oblige them.

 

[BarracudaSwordfish]

Most of the time I'm just happy people don't plead with me to stop.

 

[AchtungNight]

My advice here should match most other people’s. Think about what you want to achieve with a story and what is practical. Both before and after you write stories. If you want to write a sequel to a story, go for it. And have your mind open to possibilities. But don’t force it on yourself if you’re not comfortable doing it. I have learned the hard way many times that this is a bad idea during my career as a writer. There’s a reason why pro artists say you should always leave audiences wanting more and why “more” is nonspecific. You as an artist need to decide where to draw the line.

 

[Euphony]

I've had some comments asking for stories to be continued when I had no such plans to do so. How common is this? Do you succumb to the requests when you had no intention of doing so originally? What was the outcome? Do you regret not leaving the story as a standalone?

How common? Impossible to say. More you write to category norms/tropes, more request you'll get for more of the same (b/c you've a standing audience)

Continations? Rare. I explore so much and highly prefer self-contained so there usually is little I haven't considered/rejected. Do they surprise? Sure. But rare is there the urge to do the real work of weaving someone else's idea into an existing, very tight weave.

And there's my penchant for leaving on a encompassing, tonal "note." I tend not to leave unfinished edges to attach too (b/c I like the feel of a finished good)

I think we've all revisited characters or a universe and found our love changed. Imaginary relationships are relationships so I imagine they can change as we grow/change.

Sometimes it's best to leave relationships on a solemn but best you can reasonably hope for, note. A lot of my stories have the feel of Senior summer relationships. You maximize the twitterpations, the free time, the calm before "real life" storms, but in the back of your mind know that almost certainly this thing is finite and best to build the memories while you are making them and not tarnishing them at inevitable separation.

 

[Gamblnluck]

I have a couple stories where I was asked to continue. One I deliberately left open enough I could but I felt I felt the story ended. I do go back and look at earlier work like that from time to time to see if I want to revisit it. So far I have not. I have one series I have not finished, not even to me. I do not like a job left undone. I had a chapter or so in the works after what was posted. but it is rough and I'll need a lot of re-reading to get me back into the mindset.

 

[Djmac1031]

The response to my first story, The Doctor Is In...Me, was so overwhelmingly positive I couldn't believe it.

And yup, sure enough, several requests for "More!"

Being a newbie, I was happy to comply.

Problem was: it was a stand alone story. I had NO IDEA what to do to continue it.

I did write a sequel; the response was good but not nearly as strong. But still... "More!"

I never wrote a 3rd. Had a complete brain melt on anything more with it. Just wasn't feeling it. And was on to other stories.

I'm not AGAINST sequels now, or series.

But I've learned my lesson: only do them if you have a plan. Not just because they were popular stories.

 

[MrPixel]

I've been asked several times for sequels or expansions of stories, esp. 750-word stories. The 750-word tales are intended to be standalone; while I appreciate the sentiment, there is no consideration to be given for "more".

A trilogy I wrote for Nude Day 2023, intended to end there, received continuation requests. In that case there was definitely more development in the back of my head. The fourth chapter is in the "pending" queue, and the fifth chapter is on my screen at this very moment with some very fun stuff going on. I'm already formulating the sixth chapter in my head, and it may well get a seventh.

Another serial also received "more" requests, but it so happened that I planned additional development. That one has a multi-chapter sequel in the can and is shortly to be uploaded. The sequel-sequel for that story line is, oh, 80% done, and will absolutely, positively come to a close with the HEA ending since the additional development in my head will run square into forbidden topics on LitE. Oh, well.

 

[Voboy]

VERY common. I think I might have acted on it once or twice, but only if the spirit moved me.

Don't feel obligated to act on it. I think we have the responsibility to care enough to do our best for the people who like to read our scrawl. I don't think we owe them anything more than that. They're not partners: they're consumers.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Yep. I've gotten a few.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

There is a quote I love, although I don't know who originally said it:

Is this story telling us about the most interesting point in this person's life? If not, why aren't you telling us that story?

When I decide a story is concluded, the most interesting point of that character's life is over. Adding to it would probably suck, for me and the reader (although they probably don't realize it)

 

[Bamagan]

There is a quote I love, although I don't know who originally said it:



When I decide a story is concluded, the most interesting point of that character's life is over. Adding to it would probably suck, for me and the reader (although they probably don't realize it)

To be fair, some people's lives are sufficiently exciting that they have multiple peaks which might be considered 'the most interesting,' leaving aside that what constitutes 'most interesting' is likely to be debatable and variable.
Or, put another way, some people/stories are just naturally multi-orgasmic.

 

[ronde]

I've had some comments asking for stories to be continued when I had no such plans to do so. How common is this? Do you succumb to the requests when you had no intention of doing so originally? What was the outcome? Do you regret not leaving the story as a standalone?

I have gotten several on some stories. I've never acted on the request because my stories all have a definite end and attempting to continue the story after that ending would be pretty difficult for me. I do write serials though, but each one is a separate story with the same characters but with a different plot and another definite ending.

What I consider those requests to be saying is what I read once years ago. I've forgotten the author and the exact wording but it basically was, "If you leave a reader wanting to know more, you've written a good story."

 

[Comshaw]

I get them on occasion. Most times I ignore them because the majority of my stories are one-offs and when they conclude I am done. I did decide to do a sequel for one of my stories (A Common Man) that several readers commented they wanted. It turned out as a 5 part story and I think it was pretty good. That was the only time I have done a sequel on the recommendation of readers. I may or may not do so agian, depending on how crotchety I decide to be.

Comshaw

 

[MyBareTorso]

I've had some comments asking for stories to be continued when I had no such plans to do so. How common is this? Do you succumb to the requests when you had no intention of doing so originally? What was the outcome? Do you regret not leaving the story as a standalone?

I've had one reader request a follow up. I hadn't planned on doing one, but I ended up enjoying the challenge and had a great time writing it. I think the story turned out well, and made sense. I have had some stranger requests, however, that I didn't take up.