Celebrating Small Things and Hints On How To Write Sequels

Thanks VIKLITI got to sleep in yesterday. That's the first day in five years I haven't had to get up early with tons of things on my TO DO LIST.
What more can you celebrate after that?

Sequel Almost ReadySo I decided to write a sequel, something I swore I'd never do because I usually am disappointed in sequels that I read. However, casting caution to the wind, I started a new story with my main characters, Pete and Weasel; then I thought, "Wait a minute! You don't have a clue about writing sequels." Right. So guess what?  I started asking questions. For the next week or so, I'll be posting about what I learned from people who dare to write these critters. If you write sequels, and I know several of you do, chime in and tell me what you think of these hints. Please add some of your own if you'd like. All hints appreciated.

Hint #1:
". . .use a secondary character who is already established with the reader if you don't want to continue using the same principal character. . . for young people, this could be the girl who always got the answers right in class; now we see that her home life isn't perfect[, ]so she puts her head down and studies, or something. It is important to make this a sympathetic character as some previous readers may resent having to switch to a different character, especially at a young age. Alternatively many authors will introduce a brand new character who just moved to the area. . . ." 

Thanks Clare.



Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12
Two and Twenty Dark Tales (Anthology story: Into the Sea of Dew