To Sequel or not (writer's question)

[Colleen Thomas]

Sometimes it seems like half of my feedback or more are requests for sequels, prequels or to revist the characters. On the one hand, I am always flattered that the characters have been so memorable people want to know more abou tthem, but I tend to think of most of my works as complete stories.

Is there a fine line between stand alone and done I am skirting? Or is no amount of finality possible in short fiction, short of death that is.

I don't mind writing sequels with some charactrs and storys, but many times I think I have told the whole story only to find people wanting more of the characters.

I guess I am just wondering if something in the way I tell my tales seems to point towards an ongoing story that I'm not aware of. Also wondering if perhaps everyone gets the same thing and its really just a consequence of writing short fiction and not something I am doing wrong?

 

[Evil Alpaca]

Sometimes it seems like half of my feedback or more are requests for sequels, prequels or to revist the characters. On the one hand, I am always flattered that the characters have been so memorable people want to know more abou tthem, but I tend to think of most of my works as complete stories.

Is there a fine line between stand alone and done I am skirting? Or is no amount of finality possible in short fiction, short of death that is.

I don't mind writing sequels with some charactrs and storys, but many times I think I have told the whole story only to find people wanting more of the characters.

I guess I am just wondering if something in the way I tell my tales seems to point towards an ongoing story that I'm not aware of. Also wondering if perhaps everyone gets the same thing and its really just a consequence of writing short fiction and not something I am doing wrong?

It's just a sign of your success. You create memorable characters and worlds and your loyal readers just want to continue. I remember bugging you to keep writing your football widow series.

Any time the characters are still alive at the end of the story, there will be some readers who want them to keep going. But the author sometimes just wants to tell another story. As you probably already know, the author should only continue a series or story as long as he/she is still interested. If you do it to placate the audience, you'll probably produce a piece you're not as proud of, and I haven't seen any of your works (and I've read almost all of them) that you shouldn't be proud of.

I've had a couple of stories where the readers wanted me to continue or expand upon. I just ran out things I'd like to say at that moment about those characters. So I can sympathize with your position.

 

[lil_elvis]

If your heart isn't in it, don't do it.

 

[Liar]

I have gotten the occational request to write sequels too, but I never managed to to it. Sure, the characters themselves are still there, and I could probably jot down a what-happened-then story. But what about it would be interresting? Where does it get the tension? Part of the fun with a short story is that it provides just about as much room to fill with a vivid character description or threem and part of the eroticism (or is it erotism?) is in the revelation of different aspects of the character, in getting to know him or her. n the end, protagonist A and B have each other reasonably well sorted out and in agreement. Then what is there to build a story on?

Colly, I'd say your stories just create very 3D and likeable characters, so it's natural that a reader now and then suffer separation anxiety. That's a good sign. But if the story, not the characters, but the story they feature in, has nothing more to say, a requel is just recycling.

 

[cloudy]

You create memorable characters and worlds and your loyal readers just want to continue.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.

Your characters, your settings, everything just makes me wish the story wouldn't end. I want more.

I'm selfish.

 

[dysphemist]

As a reader, when I finish a really good story (or book) I don't want it to end. There is an emotional investment in the characters and/or the plot that I don't want to lose. And because of that I may want there to be a continuation.

That doesn't mean the author should continue with the story (especially if in their mind it is finished) unless, of course, the author has more they wish to tell. (Sometimes sequels only detract from the original story.)

 

[rgraham666]

I've only done one sequel, so far. Both did quite well.

The main reason I did the sequel is because the first story, though ended, didn't cut off the possibility of more with the characters. And an idea to continue the story popped into my mind and wouldn't let go.

The only stories that I couldn't write sequels on are my short pieces of smut. The characters got laid, story's over.

I am working on or thinking of working on extensions (I think that's a better word) to all my more serious work. Life never ends, not really. So there's always room for more story.

 

[3113]

What do the Characters say?

Sometimes it seems like half of my feedback or more are requests for sequels, prequels or to revist the characters. On the one hand, I am always flattered that the characters have been so memorable people want to know more abou tthem, but I tend to think of most of my works as complete stories.

I think what's been said is dead on. Readers get invested in characters--and want to see more of them. Which is, indeed, on the highest compliments to a writer there is.

But if that's the story, that's the story.

Now and then, of course, readers are right and a sequel is possible--if you want to do it. But the real question is: are the characters still talking to you? Is their world one you want to revisit? Did you invest enough into that world and the characters' backgrounds to allow even more growth and change in them?

Or was this the story? How this character finally found love or a good fuck or turned his life around or learned a valuable lesson and will never make that mistake again?

Few stories, especially short stories, are ever about the birth-to-grave adventures of a character. They're about a single event, large or small, that changed that character's universe and the upshot of that event. This is the only story that particular character wants to tell. That's where the finality comes in. Not with the character's death...but with his telling you, the writer, "That's all I have to say. Now I'm heading off to live my life."

You're giving readers a glimpse of a turning point in a character's life--and a change in that world. If there are more turning points worth mentioning, I think you'll find that YOU need and want to return to those characters--that they're still talking and won't shut up. That they haven't left you yet. A cool setting is allowed to draw you back to it for more stories in that rich enviornment. And cool characters are allowed to bully any writer into writing more. But don't let readers seduce you into going back to either a place or characters unless you feel that draw.

Otherwise, as with all-too-many sequels, you'll end up falling flat rather than reaching the same heights as the original.

Now I will add one P.S.: If you hear from another writer about a sequel, then you should take a good look at the story and think on it. I have seen instances where writers get lazy. They cut a story short because to continue it is going to take work, is going to have them expanding the characters and getting mired in a very big story...and they're scared of that, or don't want to do the work.

In such cases, a writer has to face the truth. That they cut their characters short, did a disservice to the reader and their story, and (slap on the wrist), it's time to go back and do the right thing. But if that's the case, you'll know it simply by asking the characters. You say, "Um, did you finish your story?" and they'll say, "You lazy fuck! You left us high and dry! We weren't done. No sleep for you, tonight. Get on that computer and start writing!"

 

[Guest]

Colly, take the requests as compliments but don't write sequels unless you really want to. I still get requests for more elevator girl adventures but I just can't get back to her.

Perdita

p.s. Remember Godfather III; I wanted to see more of the Corleone saga, then regretted it .

p.p.s. I don't want to know how Heathcliff earned his money, or where Jane and Mr. Rochester went on their honeymoon.

 

[R. Richard]

If someone likes your work enough to request a sequel, it is sincere praise indeed. If several someones like your work enough to request a sequel, it is a consensus.

If you do not want to write a sequel, perhaps because the characters have said all they have to say, why not consider expanding the short story into a novella or even a novel for paid publication? You obvioulsy have a winning story, why not achieve fame and furtune, cookie!

 

[3113]

p.p.s. I don't want to know how Heathcliff earned his money, or where Jane and Mr. Rochester went on their honeymoon.

Heh! But some writer will try to tell you when they write up the novel and gets all sorts of attention in the newspaper because of it!

Like with Mary Reilly or that one writer who wrote about Ahab's wife. Or what the Phantom did before he haunted the Opera, or what Scarlett O'Hara did after Rhett left her

There was another one of those recently...trying to remember what it was, but once again, it got an article in the newspaper and when I read about it, I just shook my head and wished they'd left well enough alone. Tempting as it is, it's way too much like robbing graves. (Though I can forgive folk who write Sherlock Holmes stories--including sequels/prequels, because, hey, that character was made for prequels/sequels and anyone can write up what they think happened, so if you don't like one, switch to another).

Frankly, I don't know about such stories. I'd much rather leave it to the readers imagination, forever, what really happened to, say, Heathcliff while he and Cathy were parted. What I can come up with when I read such stories is usually a lot better than what those other writers come up with in their "best selling" novels.

Usually, they disappoint me profoundly and ruin the mystery and story.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

thanks for the input guys

Some stories when they end in my head they end. the characters go silent. they just don't have anything more to say to me. Some can go on or not. Others are ripe for another part.

 

[MichelleLovesTo]

Sometimes it seems like half of my feedback or more are requests for sequels, prequels or to revist the characters. On the one hand, I am always flattered that the characters have been so memorable people want to know more abou tthem, but I tend to think of most of my works as complete stories.

Is there a fine line between stand alone and done I am skirting? Or is no amount of finality possible in short fiction, short of death that is.

I don't mind writing sequels with some charactrs and storys, but many times I think I have told the whole story only to find people wanting more of the characters.

I guess I am just wondering if something in the way I tell my tales seems to point towards an ongoing story that I'm not aware of. Also wondering if perhaps everyone gets the same thing and its really just a consequence of writing short fiction and not something I am doing wrong?

I've had this discussion before. It's not up to a reader to consider what's best for a story, or if it's complete, so when they ask for more it's a high compliment -- but not always a good idea or practical. They know they liked/loved it and so if that was good, more of the same is better. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way.

There really comes a point when a writer is done. They've told the story they wanted, and anything more would simply not be as good. If Hollywood has taught us anything, it's that! Sometimes there IS room for more, but sometimes you need to know when to say when.

Who hasn't loved a movie, but found it lessened by a crappy sequel made only to make money, or because too many people thought it was a good idea at the time?

It's both one of the nicest pieces of feedback a writer can receive -- and the most frustrating!

 

[elsol]

Unfortunately for my readers, I have decided to listen to their requests and write a sequel.

The beginning of the new story kills off 90% of the characters in the first story.

I say 'something in my story'... so to write a sequel means to either find something 'new' to say (Orson Scott Card's-- Ender's Game vs. The Speaker of The Dead), or I have to take the original 'something' and expand the scope of the story to take a lot longer to say the same thing.

At the beginning of a story, there is equilibrium... the story disrupts the equilibrium, but at the end the equilibrium is restored. (Though not necessarily the same equilibrium as in the beginning.)

To write, a new story I need to disrupt that final equilibrium.

For me, death is the most effective disruptor.

A little morbid, but I'm betting after I start that project I won't get many more requests for sequels.

The answer thus on the 'to sequel or not to sequel' for me is always... "Do I have something else to say?"

Only once has the answer been yes... and like I said, it's too bad for readers they made me think about it. It's not as happy an ending as the original story.


Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[cantdog]

I've only done one sequel, so far. Both did quite well.

The main reason I did the sequel is because the first story, though ended, didn't cut off the possibility of more with the characters. And an idea to continue the story popped into my mind and wouldn't let go.

The only stories that I couldn't write sequels on are my short pieces of smut. The characters got laid, story's over.

I am working on or thinking of working on extensions (I think that's a better word) to all my more serious work. Life never ends, not really. So there's always room for more story.

There's the answer. So clear, Rob. Sequels ought to result from the author's dissatisfaction, not the readers'. A legitimate call from the characters to their author can certainly happen. Some sequelae do get written for crass reasons, al the same, and they tend to be forced and kinda sad.

 

[hotchkiss]

A lot of my scrawlings have sequels, sometimes because I've broken a bigger tale up into chunks to post (too long a tale might get a little tedious).

On the other hand some I dont as previously stated by others the characters have no more to give. Usually I pen a sequel that wasn't previously planned because an idea of using them has risen but I am swayed by feedback especially if it is well thought out.

Excuse my rambling. it's early here & I've been woken by my dog chewing up the kid's PC games cases, after a late night! I need my tea!


HK

 

[Guest]

I get many similar comments, "Tying up loose ends" and such. Fact of the matter is I like using ambiguous endings, I want the reader to to be left with unanswered questions, I want them to want more. The fact that I, and you, get those kind of comments tells me that I succeded.

I have tried to write sequels before, tried with After Midnight, The Boat and A day at the beach. It just doesn't happen. I think when I get to a point that a character is already fully developed, that's all that's going to come out.

The only exception seems to be Rideme Cowgirl, though I expect anything I write as her is going to be a sequel. No choice in the matter.