30 Day Fanfic Writing Meme, Day 21

[hrhrionastar]

Day 1, 2, 3, 4+5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14+15, 16+17, 18, 19, 20

21 – Sequels – Have you ever written a sequel to a fic you wrote, and if so, why, and if not, how do you feel about sequels?

I wrote a sequel to Master, but I'm not sure that counts, because it was really more like part 2 of the same story...I have trouble with sequels, because first you have to successfully finish something, which is a lot harder with long fic, and then there's the paralyzing doubt - somehow, the previous story got written, and it's in a certain world and style, and the sequel has to be in the same world and style. What if it doesn't live up to the first installment? What if the readers who liked the first story hate the sequel? It happens all the time to published authors, after all.

So I'm nervous about writing sequels - nonetheless, unless you kill all the characters at the end, there's always room for a sequel, and I do have bits and pieces for some, I admit - Love is Cruel was originally going to get a sequel, and still may - I enjoyed making Nicci the heroine, after all ;) But if I ever manage to write a proper sequel for a chaptered story, it would have to be for Destiny Swap. Of all the things I've written, that is the only story that begs for a sequel - I felt like I was stopping in the middle, and I do have some ideas for season 2 in this AU. (I'm hesitant about saying this; I really don't know if it'll ever happen. But it's a world that still interests me.)

22 – Have you ever participated in a fest or a Big Bang? If so, write about your favorite experience in relation to one. If not, are there any you've thought about doing? And if not, why not?

23 – When you post, where do you post to? Just your journal? Just an archive? Your own personal site?

24 – Betaing – How many betas do you like to use to make sure there aren't any major flaws in your fic? Do you have a Beta horror story or dream story?

25 – Music – Do you listen to music while you write? Do you make playlists to get into a certain "mood" to write your fic? Do you need noise in general? Or do you need it completely quiet?

26 – What is the oddest (or funnest) thing you've had to research for a fic?

27 – Where is your favorite place to write, and do you write by hand or on the computer?

28 – Have you ever collaborated with anyone else, whether writing together, or having an artist work on a piece about your fic?

29 – What is your current project or projects?

30 – Do you have a favorite fic you've written? What makes it your favorite? And don't forget to give us a link!

Comments

[meridian_rose]

'What if it doesn't live up to the first installment? What if the readers who liked the first story hate the sequel? It happens all the time to published authors, after all.' So true. It's a worry when you think about dequels.

'Destiny Swap' stands well alone, but absolutely could inspire a sequel :D

[hrhrionastar.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D Part of me wants to just do it, write the sequels I think deserve to be written, but most of the time, I sort of let myself by guided by the things that speak to me...and then tell myself I will finish what I start eventually.

[brontefanatic.livejournal.com]

"Destiny Swap" is one of my very favorite Seeker-fics. I'm still astounded by how you juggled all the characters and timelines and made it work so wonderfully.

I would love to read a sequel.

I'm always a little puzzled by what is considered a sequel. For instance, some of your individual short pieces take place in the same AU (although you sometimes drop hints rather than specifically tell us), as do a couple of mine. I think of those fics as little glimpses of the characters at different times in the same universe, but I don't know exactly what term to use when referring to them.

[hrhrionastar.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

I think of those fics as little glimpses of the characters at different times in the same universe, but I don't know exactly what term to use when referring to them. This is such a good point! I don't think of those as sequels, really, because they don't follow directly off one another and I try, at least, to make sure it's not absolutely necessary to have read the first thing - but I agree, they need a name.

My other problem with this is finding a name for the universe they exist in - that is, Destiny Swap might be considered to be in the 'Darken Rahl, Seeker of Truth' universe, and when the sequence/series/collection involves a long fic, I just name it after that, anyway.

But then there are other sort of sets...Baby Boy Cypher-Amnell-Rahl and Kieran's Eve, for example, are both set in the same universe, which I am at a loss how to properly describe.

That sort of sequel is easier, though - for one thing, I feel more comfortable writing in different styles and from different points of view.

(Ooh, another long comment...)

[dorothydeath.livejournal.com]

Yes, writing a sequel can be really scary.
Though for me the thing about your stories is that while they stand perfectly fine on their own... they still have a feeling about them that they are the first installment of many. You always raise very interesting questions and there're always so many things left unsaid. So any sequel your write will be more like a part 2 than a sequel really. IMHO.

For example "The Eye of the Storm" just begs to be continued! ;D

BTW it's one of my favorite LotS fics in general and my absolute favorite non-Darken-centered fic. :D
And after the end of this first part there's still a lot of story left to be told in that Universe for the part two. And three. And four... *dreaming* :D

[hrhrionastar.livejournal.com]

You always raise very interesting questions and there're always so many things left unsaid. So any sequel your write will be more like a part 2 than a sequel really. First of all, thank you :D I sometimes get that feeling myself - but I can't write a sequel for everything, I'd never get to write new stories.

I did have an idea for a sequel to the Eye of the Storm, actually, but idk if it'll ever get done...

[dorothydeath.livejournal.com]

Yes, I understand that.
New stories or sequels - anything that makes you happy makes me happy too. I love your stories! :D

Ooh, an idea! :D
*flailing*

And I believe I saw something awesome just now. A new story! Darken/Kahlan! Yay! :D
*goes off to read Pillow Talk*
I'll be back. ;)