Thread: How to Stop Writing Sequels

I have a problem that involves thinking of a sequel, (most of the time more than just one) before I even finish writing the first. I haven't finished a draft of either of my two novels, far from it; and yet I've already turned them both into their own trilogies.

I'm not saying that trilogies or sequels are bad (though I am overlooking The Matrix, the Star Wars prequels, Spider-Man, X-Men, anyways) I just don't understand why I can't keep my stories as stand-alone, why I can't resist thinking "Well this would be interesting" after the ending has already been established. It's just that the end of my one novel felt right to close the whole story off, but now I've expanded the story in my head. My fear is that when the time comes, the ending to the entire series may not impact as much as the end to the first one (or would at least cheapen the first ending)

It's also kind of overwhelming, having so much story in your head and so little on paper.

How does one decide whether or not a story should be followed up with a sequel?

You'll know when you write the words "The End" whether or not the novel will need a sequel or will be able to stand on its own. Until then, just run with it. There's nothing wrong with sequels anyway. I have written a series of six novels that are all focused around the same two characters. Some of the best books of all time have sequels: Lord of the Rings, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series, and Harry Potter, to name a few.

I think you are unnecessarily torturing yourself. If you feel like sitting around and thinking up new adventures for your favorite characters all day long, then as long as your children are not starving, you shouldn't feel guilty.

To elaborate a little: That's what being a writer of fiction is all about, grasshopper. You go around with a head filled to bursting with stories. It's not always pleasant (SURPRISE!!!!!), but what truly noble calling is?

Try to consider that many writers would give their left... ah... left big toe to have "too much to write about".

^ Agreed. Whenever I feel the story can go on, then I will.

Originally Posted by Sam W

Some of the best books of all time have sequels:Lord of the Rings

This was actually one book that the publisher requested be broken up into three, although it was itself a sequel to The Hobbit.

At the OP, if you don't have a good notes system in order, like a binder to jot ideas in, I highly recommend one. Especially since you have so many ideas for sequels bumping around.

I've been through the same situation before. Most often, I would start thinking of either stand-alone back stories or sequels for secondary characters in projects that I was currently working on. Sometimes it was kind of hard to stay on track. On the plus side, though, think of it like this...at least your imagination is still ticking.

I'm curious as to why you think this is a problem? From the business end, it's pretty standard.

It's probably a good idea not to be too conclusive in your first novel, then... I wrote some pretty awful stuff when I was having loads of inspiration for what happened next after novels which were tightly plotted to conclude themselves with as many elements as possible. I guess I was a lot younger and maybe I'd actually consider the sequels a bit more now, but my more recent series I've always kept very much in mind that I want it to be a series, so I introduce sub-plots that won't be resolved - just little things are opened up like characters are introduced or back story is mentioned or someone does a small errand which seems innocent but turns out to have vast consequences in a later novel or something. More from a reading experience, it's better if you're writing novels that follow on from each other to leave a significant gap or to follow different characters, or to start in a very different location or anything else really that distances it from the first novel, at least initially. Else you might as well have just written the first novel twice as long.

One decides whether a story needs a sequel by looking at the finished project and thinking about whether the work is complete as is, or whether there is a significant enough value to warrant further exploration. Just because you can write a sequel, it doesn't mean you should.

One of the main reasons a writer gets caught in writing more and more sequels is that they started with too many concepts. A good story has one main concept. No matter how many smaller themes and issues are involved, the story itself is based on one main idea. You need to look at your story, figure out the main idea and decide if the sequel is still following that main idea. If you are having to switch main ideas in order to justify the sequel, then that sequel does not need to be written.