Sequels

[hrefnadrakis]

I'm currently working on a sequel to 'Celune's Hunt' and its not flowing very well. The basic idea is that Jacques (a minor character ins Celune's Hunt) has found a young woman who has no idea she is a werewolf. He has to save her from some nasty people while dealing with his own attraction to her. Any suggestions?

 

[Chicklet]

here's my suggestion:

instead of trying to write a sequel, try to write another episode. Use the same characters, the same rules, but go for a completely different story. I have many stories with the same characters but most people wouldn't even link them together.

My reasoning is that my "sequel" writing never gets very far. I'm *done* with the idea, know what I mean? I finished the story, why should I be writing any more?

That's my advice.

-Chicklet

 

[snooper]

here's my suggestion:

instead of trying to write a sequel, try to write another episode. Use the same characters, the same rules, but go for a completely different story. I have many stories with the same characters but most people wouldn't even link them together.

...

-Chicklet

I sense another discussion coming up based on "When is a sequel not a sequel?"

If I write a (complete) story about some characters, and then another story in the same setting with the some of the same characters (and perhaps some new ones added) at a slightly later time, I think that's a sequel. If I do that several times it is a series. If I then move back into the middle of the series and write about some of the characters who didn't appear in the story at that time, but were around earlier and later, that is also a part of the same series of sequels.

What would you call them?

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Not sure what you want. Help with the plot? Help with making it "flow"? What's the problem?

 

[hrefnadrakis]

Yes, I guess I'm asking for help on plot. I know the basic idea that I want but linking the scenes I picture in my head has always been difficult for me. I'd like suggestions on what you would do to get a story flowing again. Do you leave it for a while, do you just keep writing on it and then go back and edit?

The only reason I call this a sequel is because it set in the same world and set almost immediately after the first one with a secondary character from the first story. It will involve other secondary characters and the main characters from the first one possibly.

 

[sirhugs]

I sense another discussion coming up based on "When is a sequel not a sequel?"

If I write a (complete) story about some characters, and then another story in the same setting with the some of the same characters (and perhaps some new ones added) at a slightly later time, I think that's a sequel. If I do that several times it is a series. If I then move back into the middle of the series and write about some of the characters who didn't appear in the story at that time, but were around earlier and later, that is also a part of the same series of sequels.

What would you call them?

if the plots are truly independent, I would not call them "sequels".

the applicable defintion from the Shorter O.E.D.:

" a literary work that, although complete in itself, formd a continuationof a preceding one"

I suggest the term " series":

" A set of literary compositions having ceratin features in common, published sucessively or intended to be read in sequence."

not quite right, but closer.

perhaps "set":

"A collection of volumes by one author,dealing with one subject, belonging to one department of literature, or issued in a series."

 

[sirhugs]

Yes, I guess I'm asking for help on plot. I know the basic idea that I want but linking the scenes I picture in my head has always been difficult for me. I'd like suggestions on what you would do to get a story flowing again. Do you leave it for a while, do you just keep writing on it and then go back and edit?

The only reason I call this a sequel is because it set in the same world and set almost immediately after the first one with a secondary character from the first story. It will involve other secondary characters and the main characters from the first one possibly.

I am from the 'keep writing ' school. Get everything you have written. Reading it over might suggest the linkages, or a reordering of scenes which pulls it together.

 

[hrefnadrakis]

Thanks Sirhugs, my favorite author, Maggie Shayne, calls that 'writing through the muck'. Pretty much writing through garbage until the good stuff starts to flow again. This will probably be the best course of action for me.

Here's another question. Right now, I have Jacques (the hero) first meeting Mahrae (the heroine) as she's running away from something or someone. She literally runs into him. Then the next scene I've written is where he finds her in the city and pretty much takes over protectting her. I'm not sure if I should keep this a sort of suspense romance thing. I've got men chasing Mahrae because she's a werewolf and doesn't know it. I don't know exactly why her being a werewolf is significant. I could use some suggestions there. Do you think the story will get too complicated with both a plot AND a subplot? Or, if handled right, make it more interesting? Which would you rather read?

 

[sirhugs]

Obviously, this is more novella than quick and dirty stroker story. Even if you place it in Erotic Horror, the plot and subplot will require multiple pages to unfold. This will reduce readership, and discourage the fans of the 'simple stroker'.

Many of the top rated stories on Lit are lenghty. My impression is quality not quantity rules. If the writing is crisp, the pages will flow past and the readers who stay intrigued until the end will give you good scores . Those of us with short attention spans may fall by the wayside.

My advice would be to keep writing. If you don't find out the significance of her being a werewolf soon, rconsider and rewrite. Female werewolves are rare in literature because they traditionally symboloze the 'beast' inside man, and are the despoiler of virgins. Now you've got me curious about your character.

 

[hrefnadrakis]

Here's my take on female werewolves. Women can have just as much beast inside them as men do. The difference is that men are more likely to show the beast and allow it out than women. This is not a slam on men. Men, traditionally, are the protectors or the aggressors. Women are more likely to be subtle, less obvious. A friend of mine once said "Women are more frightening than men in the aspect of fighting. A man will flat out tell you that he is going to kick your ass. A women will let you go until you're lulled into thinking its all over and then WHAM hit you with it when you least expect it, drawing out the pain" He was a marine LOL.

Celuna from Celuna's Hunt is one example of a female werewolf. Mahrae, well, she's a LITTLE bit different.

Thanks for all your advise sirhugs. I really appreciate it.

 

[sirhugs]

my take on the 'woman fighter' is that men are likely to be satisfied with 'victory'. women have the sense not to stop until the loser is demolished.

 

[Guest]

werewomen

Seriously, for a good take on femme werewolf possibilities, see an episode (can't recall no. or title) in series 4 (now out on DVD) of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". I repeat, seriously.

A femme-fatale werewolf gets it on with a he-wolf and they discuss and argue the lifestyle verbally and with all the beastiality of teeth, claws, tails, etc. Good music too as the femme-wolf is lead singer in a band.

cordially, Perdita

 

[BardsLady]

Women Warriors and Sequels.

Hrmmm, There is a song by Leslie Fish:
The Female of the Species is more Deadly Then the Male.

At least that's the chorus of the song, I forget the title. Basically it means, Dont mess with a women. We will destroy you if we're pissed off enough. But dont worry, we wont do that just yet.

As to writing sequels. with mine, I write the ending in so it could be either A: Just what it seems.. an Ending. or B: A Lead-in for the next episode/sequel/chapter, whatever.

BardsLady

 

[Svenskaflicka]

This might inspire you..?