Deciding to add to a one time story?

[Reshbod]

With movies, I tend to stay away from sequels because often times the will try to explain what happened in the older film. Most of the time I find that this spoils the previous movie for me. A good example of this currently going on are the Star Wars prequels. Explaining different aspects of the original series, thereby making it, for me, less mysterious and magical.

I feel the same way about erotica or other written works in general. However to keep from rambling I will say that my first story was posted not too long ago, and I had intended it to be a stand alone. Just give the reader a peak into some lives, then leave it for them to add to it if they wish. Because I received some quite positive feedback and requests to add a second part, I am considering maybe a part 2. I have had some other stories I have in various stages of completion, yet this one keeps sneaking up to the front.

Have other authors done this and do you generally like the way the story evolved or do you wish you had left it and gone on to other things?

Also on an unrelated note, which could probably be a new thread, are we able to correct stories once they are posted. After some comments and then on review, I found some errors that are annoying and would be easy to fix. Is this possible? I haven't found anything in the FAQs or anywhere else that says I can do this.

Thanks

 

[flawed_ethics]

I haven't added on to my stand alone stories. On that note, I only have two up (with a BIG one coming along very soon!), and while they've received only positive feedback, neither garnered feedback requesting a follow-up.

As for editing a story already posted, yes, Laurel can do this. I believe it has something to do with re-submitting to Lit the edited version (under the same title), and in the note's section asking Laurel to post it in place of the version currently online.

It may do something to your scores (make them uneligible for contests, for example), but otherwise should be painless. I'm pretty sure there are other threads about this in greater detail, if you feel like hunting - although someone more educated about this will inevitably post here. Good luck!

 

[Moxon4]

I have written quite a few stories, and if I get a lot of feedback from readers who want to hear what happens next, then I do add, even if I didn't initially plan on it. Also not just having sequels, but what about having the same characters in different situations, I prefer that because you don't necessarily need to have all the initial explanation crap, you can just go with it.

 

[TheEarl]

I have added to a one-time story before, but I had really set myself up for the sequel. Everyone always gets tons of e-mail begging you to write a sequel, even if a sequel is quite clearly not an option. It's flattering in the extreme cause it means they can't bear to think that the story has finished.

I think if you feel that you want to write a sequel and that you can think of a good plot, etc, then go for it. There's nothing wrong with sequels if they're done well. However don't let yourself be browbeaten into writing something you don't want to by your fans.

Hope it works out,

The Earl

 

[Frederick Carol]

To take your second question first, just resubmit your corrected/edited story, under the same title and append the word "Edited" or "Amended". Also add something in the Notes box to tell Laurel that you want the amended version to replace the original. I believe you can retain the earlier votes. It really is as simple as that.

On sequels. My "Change of Plan" series originally started as a single story. The characters however took on a life of their own and it now has five parts. Each part stands more or less on its own and has a minimum of back story. If anyone is interested enough to read the earlier (or later) parts, they're easy enough to find. I dislike telling a story more than once! I enjoyed the writing but the five parts are probably as much as I'm going to write about those characters, certainly at that time in their lives.

My other multi-part stories, "Birthday Girl" and "Suzi" were written as one story and split up for posting, "Birthday Girl" by me and "Suzi" by Laurel. "Suzi" was my first-ever submission to Literotica, way back in July 2000 when it took weeks between submission and posting.

FC

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I'm currently working on a sequel to a story I had never planned to be any more than a one-parter. I found that as soon as I had finished the first part, I just HAD to write part 2 - the characters were just screaming "what about me?". AND, even though I'm not finished with part 2 yet, I already have most of part 3 planned - but that WILL be the final, definitely! They will beat the bad guy, get each other in the end, and all live happily ever after, yada yada yada.

I usually never write sequels, though. I think the best way to destroy a good story is to go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on...

 

[snooper]

Perhaps I'm just odd

I couldn't write sequels to stories I have written. They were concieved as complete and self-contained. My novel series (not posted here) were conceived as complete sets.

One has five novels about five characters who all meet at one point. Their lives and how they got there, and where they went afterwards, are the five novels. it save a lot of effort by reusing locations, characters and scenes. Three are written and two will probably never be finished because I lost interest. All the plotting and characters are done, however.

The other has eleven novels all revolving round the life of one man, and each dealing with a different facet of his life. Nine are written and the last two are in process. I didn't start the detailed writing of the first one until the locations, characters and outlines of all eleven were ready to a greater or lesser degree.

 

[sirhugs]

I havbe several sequels , and two series. Yet each started as a stand alone story. Then, when I got to the end, I found that it left a further chapter to be written. Or I just liked the characters a lot.

I also have several in progress at once, and the ones that get finished are the ones that just won't shut up and get out of my head til I finish them.

 

[Sabledrake]

I tend to write in a very open-ended, serial style. It must come from 20+ years as a gamer and GM, because there's always got to be a new adventure ready to happen. I find that I have the habit of unconsciously inserting story hooks and ideas into anything I write, so that I can later go back and expand upon them.

Sabledrake

 

[Pookie]

I think it really depends on the story and what you had in mind for it. The original plot is the key, because it may have you cornered into something you can't write a good sequel from.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I have 2 "series" stories, with a 3rd in the works.

The Wesley's Woman Series was planned as such...the first chapter sets up the story, it arcs and Chapter 5 wraps it up.

Protect and Serve was meant to be a single story. I was urged to write more, and it needs a closing chapter, which i've yet to write. I think I should've gone on instinct and kept it a single story.

The one in the works is another Trek fanfic, using some of the characters from Wesley's Woman, and is also planned as a series.

My thoughts are that if you go into it thinking it should be a series, that's one thing. Turning a one timer into a series might be a mistake.