Sequel in the Works

DAY 291 - 26/18/10 -

My debut novel, Legacy of Revia: Siblings of Fire, is almost ready for publishing. I recently submitted the formatted manuscript and the cover. I'm currently waiting on physical proof copies. Once I get those and check them, my book will be ready for distribution. Lord willing, I shall meet my publishing deadline of mid-November. I may even be able to sell my book in person at a few book fairs.

So, What's Next?

Anyone who read my latest monthly newsletter knows that I am currently writing my book's sequel. I am up to chapter two. Imagine that. I have yet to officially publish my first book and I'm already shifting my focus to the second. The sequel will continue the story of Revia, following the main characters, several months after the events of the first novel.

Why Write a Sequel?

I've been considering this ever since I made it to chapter eight of book one. As I was typing, I began to think, "There's not gonna be enough space to address that thing. I'd better save it." The more I wrote, the more stuff I wanted to include, but I simply wasn't able to, either for thematic or chronological reasons. So, I started jotting those ideas down with the hope of using them later. Some of them did end up in the first book, but most of them went unwritten.

When I was editing Siblings of Fire's alpha version, I started putting those ideas in sequential order. A couple months later, I revised my book for my beta readers, and I asked them what they thought would happen in the next book. Most of my readers were interested in characters and story-elements that I was already pursuing. This gave me the confidence to start outlining a sequel.

Just like with my first book, I outlined the story as it would play-out in each chapter. After that, I wrote another outline from scratch. I checked for similarities between the two, which helped me understand what events were absolutely necessary. Naturally, I also came up with more ideas, including the book's supporting cast. In my initial outline the main characters were isolated, but this hindered the morals I wanted to teach. So, I added an assortment of colorful individuals inspired by personal experience, history and a bit of anime. Their addition turned my series of ideas into an expansive narrative.

What Made me Decide to Write it Now?

I thought about waiting until the first book was published, but my excitement for book two kept coming back to me. I couldn't ignore it. It came to a point where I wanted to just tell my friends what I was planning for the sequel. That's when I made a decision: I was not going to tell anyone what would be in book two. I'd just have to show them by writing it. My excitement will be my fuel.

What Happens in the Sequel?

Well, it's rather fascinating, but also heartbreaking. The story picks up with our characters after they...wait. I'm not supposed to say this. More than that, if I say anything about book two, it'll spoil book one before it's even published. No way! I'd better get back to both my projects, so I can share them with all of you as soon as possible.

Next month, be on the lookout for book one in the Legacy of Revia series and be prepared for its upcoming sequel, currently in progress.

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