When youre writing a sequel, it is a complex call as to how much revisiting and revision you do of the previous story and characters, and how much new stuff you weave in. You started writing the sequel because you and your readers and editor felt hey we want more of these people and their lives and thoughts. But you dont necessarily want it to be Part II of the previous one. It has to stand alone too. I wish there was a workshop of sequel writers at which to work intensively on this aspect. Or I wish Alexander McCall Smith would do Skype consultancy sessions! Actually why dream small - why Skype-wype? I wish I could go stay around him for a bit. And it is not helpful when friends (you know who you are, you wretches) suggest call the new book Four-Dog Night. What to call it is the least of the puzzle just now, donkeys.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Apr 2014 01:27:52 +0000