Writing A Trilogy
Writing a trilogy is not an easy task, but it is a challenge I am looking forward to. I have no concerns about whether I can keep the story alive long enough to warrant three full length novels, nor am I concerned that my characters may perish from exhaustion before they arrive at their destination(s). Wherever that may be.
The thing is, when I first got the idea for this tale, back when I was still ignorant enough to believe that traditional publishing was the only way to go I read all about how to stage a trilogy and the proper way to sell it.
The bottom line was that the book itself; the first book, needed to be marketable as a single book. It needed to have a complete story arc, character developments and have enough questions answered to satisfy the readers, yet leave enough open for the story to continue with a natural flow.
I can understand this requirement, especially in the traditional publishing world for a first time novelist.
However, now that I have 'gone Indie' I have been thinking about the above points. I mean if I am self publishing, is the need still there have the book rounded off and complete in an individual sense? I can see an argument for both sides. I mean after all there should be a standard writing practice for all authors, regardless of our publishing methods.
The problem I have with my novel as it is, is that it is more of an introduction. There isn't really an end to it, and with the current story there isn't really a conclusive end that I can create which will fit with the novel as a singular or one that will match the rest of the tale. I am introducing the characters, and setting up the storyline which will take off in the second book. I can argue that the book does round of the characters, we know who they are, where they cam from and how they got to where they are. I just don't know if that is enough.
Should I revise the entire novel (series) in oder to give the first book an ending or should I just go with it. I'm self publishing so I know that as long as I can get the story written to my liking then I will publish them.
I read through it again the other day (this post has taken 6 days to write due to kids and other time constraints) and I am happy, more than happy with the way it moves, and so I guess it is more a question of whether it is good form or simply a question of risk limitation in the eyes of publishing houses across the globe?
