Writing a sequel, and its problems

After years of writing, redrafting, and submitting my debut novel, Resurrection Men
, to publishers and agents, I finally found someone (Elsewhen Press) willing to publish my book. Which came out this year in ebook and paperback.

That done, I turned to the sequel.

One issue with writing a sequel is how often should I reference events in the previous book. This is necessary to some extent, to refresh those who've not read the original in a while, or to inform those who skipped book 1 altogether.

But the events of book 1 were a big deal for all the characters, and it's natural for them to dwell on those events to some degree. Unfortunately, I've found several characters reflect on the same events and worry I may have overdone it. When it's time to do the 2nd draft, I can cull those reminiscences that are surplus to requirement.

A second problem is that the first book has been well received by those who've read it so far, and the sequel has a lot to live up to. Will it be as good as the original? Unfortunately I won't know that until it's finished!

Already I'm getting to planned chapters and deciding "Dull ... cut", which can be a good thing. If I'm bored writing it, people will be bored reading it.

Unlike Resurrection Men, at least half of this book is set outside of Glasgow, in a real, remote area of Glasgow that I've fictionalised where necessary. Sketching a map has helped plan the chapters set here.

At time of writing, I'm just over a quarter through the first draft of the sequel (working title Ashwood). All going well, it should be 'finished' by the end of next year.