Writing Tools: Writing the Dragon Sequel By Susan Hanniford Crowley

The Writing Tools today is about writing a sequel to your first book in the series. I’m a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. I tried various plotting systems and when using them, discovered I knew to much about the book and now it wasn’t fun to write.

I write what I do because it’s enormous fun for me. I enjoy being surprised by my characters. I love coming to the end and smiling. I didn’t know it in advance most of the time. I dream all my books and have to wait for the last dream to know the end. Still a fantasy needs to be consistent with names and places and if there are new dragons or place, research is involved. Here’s what you need for a sequel.

You need to read the first book. Often time passes between books and you want to freshen up on all your information.

You need a writer’s bible of the book. That is more or less and index that tells you all the names, important dates, important events, places, and in my case, dragons-type, skills and talents, strengths and weaknesses, and needs. Some people do an expanded Table of Contents (author only) Show the above information set up chapter-by-chapter. Whichever method you choose, make sure it is searchable.


I say this from experience. As I go through my edits before giving my next novel to my editor, I have found all kinds of inconsistences. I’ve named characters wrong, misspelled their name. I have a lot of fixing ahead for me.


For your own sake, don’t use AI to write your book or fix it. Fixing spelling and a sentence here and there may need a grammar check is find. Use spell checkers and grammar checkers..

If you use AI on your entire book, it will no longer have your author’s voice. In fantasy, the author often creates words with specific meanings for your tale. AI will correct your new inventions replacing them with old inventions and ruin your book. Save yourself heartache and hours of rewriting to fix your book by not using AI.


Be sure to write complete character sketches in your book. For me, that includes for my dragons, especially those that interact with humans.

Make your places come alive. When you have a home describe it in detail in action. The affect is similar to inviting a person in. Practice the Law of Hospitality when writing about anyone’s home that your character(s) enter.

Make your characters credible with more than how they look and act and want to do. Include their surroundings, their background, and relatives. Why are they connected to your main character(s).


What is most important is to enjoy this process too! Some authors even use parts of their writer’s bible for a published companion book. I am planning that too.

Enjoy your writing. Let it flow through you and out your fingertips across the keyboard. It’s like music.

Whatever you choose, be safe, and keep those you love close.

All the best always,
Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and an author

David & Laura: A Vampire Christmas Story: An Arnhem Society Special Edition is available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback (Note: a steamy novella in a pocket sized book)

EverNight for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
EverWarm for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd, and in paperback in the UK at Waterstones, also on Amazon around the world.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available on Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch(mythology romance) is available on Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) is available on Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available on Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 is available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Now we wait
for the return of the princess.