VIKLIT |
Today I’m celebrating a new UncommonYA Montage created by MELISSA WRAY. So many and authors with excellent realistic YA books.
Then there’s always rain to celebrate. We finally had some of that wet stuff. Not enough, but it reminded me this is February, not July. Temperatures dipped to 50’s!
Here’s California from my deck last month. Had put all deck furniture away, thinking rain was sure to come. It did, but not much.
I’m celebrating sequels, too. Here’s is the third HINT for WRITING SEQUELS. This hint comes from
Charles Ray, Freelance journalist/photographer.
He says, “I think the key to success to sequels (and, I have two going now) is to create histories for your main and principal supporting characters so that they’re consistent from story to story. That’s what I really like, for instance, about Sue Grafton’s books. I feel that I know Kinsey Milhone because Grafton has created a history for her (that she occasionally reminds readers of) that makes her an interesting character.”
Leslie S. Rose says
Just came back from visiting lots of snow including a frozen Lake Michigan to a wee bit of So. Cal. rain. Hooray for sequels – I'm definitely a sequel fan as a reader.
Suzanne Sapsed says
What I would give for less rain, we've dreadful floods over here. Popping in to say hello as a fellow team mate for MJ π
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
x
Libby says
Sweet deck! Also, I agree about giving your character's histories, even if you don't do a sequel.
Lexa Cain says
Your deck is so lovely – with or without furniture. I'm not sure what Charles means about the sequels. Surely one has to have a distinct and consistent character history for the first book and naturally it would carry on for the sequels. I think the fun part would be to bring in other (supporting) characters and make up backstories from scratch for them. π
Catherine Stine says
Backstory and character history is always good, as long as it's feathered in here and there. Sequels are a real challenge to write!
Marcia says
Very much agree on the characters' history.
Glad you're loving the rain.
VikLit says
Glad you are celebrating rain! (We've had more than enough of it here!!)
Southpaw says
I agree. Some of my favorites series have well-thought out histories for all the principles.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I've got to be more systematic if I do sequels. Just never thought I would.
DMS says
Glad you got some rain- but I know you guys need a lot more out there. By the way, you have a beautiful deck. π
I do like when I know the characters so well from one book in a series to the next. Then it is like visiting with old friends!
~Jess
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think that's the key, Jess. Make readers feel as if they actually know the people.
Jemi Fraser says
Grafton does do an excellent job of that – and she never hits you over the head with backstory!
Lovely deck! Our snowbanks are taller than me π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Yes she does. Great to read her books.
S.K. Anthony says
Oh I love that tip, I completely agree with it. Having backstories and histories makes you understand your character better as a "person" as well. Great montage, thanks for sharing!
Have a nice weekend π
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great to have your visits, S.K. Thanks
Mere Joyce says
I love characters with fully realized histories, usually makes them so much more interesting.
We've run out of places to put the snow up here…it'd probably melt by the time it got to you, if you want some extra rain, =D
C. Lee McKenzie says
Please. I'll pay postage.
L. Diane Wolfe says
I made lists and graphs for all my characters so I'd keep their lives past and present consistent.
I love your back deck!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Great idea. I never expected to write a sequel, so I'm catching up.
Actually that's my front yard you're seeing. Mountain living, you see.
Angela Brown says
Histories provide so much fodder to work with as well.
It's pretty chilly here in Texas but I know there are some other places dealing with much worse.
Glad you got some rain π
C. Lee McKenzie says
We've got a lot to talk about this year with all the freaky weather. That's one good thing about it.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Histories do keep sequels going.
We've had a ton of rain. Want me to send you some?
C. Lee McKenzie says
Please. The flowers are wilting.