Sequels and Lamps
Do you ever plan on writing a sequel to Lexicon, or another book set in the same universe?
Ike
Sometimes. Usually I start thinking about that kind of thing when I’m around ten percent into a different book. That’s when I’m remembering how much work it is to figure out a world and characters and plot and tone and everything from scratch. So I look back on previous novels and wonder why the hell I threw all that away. Like, why not just dust that thing off and take it for another spin around the block.
The reason is that by the time I finish a novel, I hate everything about it. Well not really. It’s more like the thought of reading it again makes me want to vomit. At that point, if I had to go write a sequel, everyone in it would die in the first ten pages, from spite.
I really like finding something new. The days I love writing the most are when something happens I didn’t expect and I realize the story is going somewhere different. I guess that could happen in a sequel. But it wouldn’t have that same feeling of stumbling around in complete darkness, trying to find the lamps. I bang my toes a lot doing that but when the light comes on, that’s why I write.
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I really like the idea of expounding on Lexicon's universe. I got my fiance into your stuff, and despite us loving books like Company and Syrup - they're still relatively rooted in the real world (say that 10 times real fast). However, I think if you had a not-so-sequel to Lexicon, it'd land. Joshua Mohr has been doing it for 4 books - weaving a common thread (whether it's a person or setting) into each of his novels, all of which take place in San Fran.
I'd love to read a sequel to Lexicon. Or a prequel. I'll even take a book in the same universe.
