An out-of-order trilogy

[pjthompson]

So I've now reread and fussed with chapters 16-21 of my WIP, plus all the notes I scribbled along the way, and it's become even clearer to me that I've just about completed the second book in a trilogy. Merde. I've suspected this for some time, but stepping away from it for a month and a half really crystalized things.

It will be a standalone when it's done, with it's own independent story arc, but it still contains references to what happens in book one and book three. Difficult to cut them out without ruining the story arc of this book. Some of it's just clumsy first draft writing and I can probably smooth things out there, but other things are necessary.

How do I market it? Do I circle back and write the first one and leave this on the back burner, or do I market this by itself? I don't know. It's a contemporary story, as is book three, but book one takes place in the early nineteenth century. That would seem to make book one less marketable, but what do I know? I've thought that I could even leave the chronologically first book until last, or make that the second book. That might work. I guess the bottom line is that I need to finish what I'm working on now and figure out where I'm going once that's done.

The double merde aspect of this is that Venus is the third novel I've written in a row that's part of a trilogy. Apparently my imagination is incapable of plotting without S-W-E-E-P.

If I'm honest, all five of the novels I've completed, even the allegedly standalone ones, have been part of some grander schemata. Now here's a sixth. Triple merde.

The other thing? My title may have gone south on me, too. It sort of fits, but I'm realizing I'm going to have to gut many of the references earlier in the book. They just don't fit anymore. Quadruple merde.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Market it as a standalone. If you sell it and the editor loves it, THEN tell them you have a prequel as well as a sequel. Don't say it's the middle book of something.

[jenstclair.livejournal.com]

What Sherwood said. :)

[pjthompson]

She is wise!

[pjthompson]

Yes, I think that's the wisest thing. It really is quite standalone. I may have to finagle some things, but I think I can make it work.

[jenstclair.livejournal.com]

I don't think the references to the previous book would make any difference, really. It might pique a reader's interest to see if there's a prequel, though!

[pjthompson]

That's what I'm thinking. And they come on kind of late in the book. I'll have to smooth it out so it isn't so clunky and obvious, but I could probably make it work.

[helios137.livejournal.com]

I am a relatively new friend, so I'm sure you've answered this before, but where can I find some of your fiction to read?

[pjthompson]

Other than the sidebar of my blog, nowhere at the moment.

[helios137.livejournal.com]

Based on the quality of the writing in your journal, I am confident that will change.

[pjthompson]

You're very kind. I've come close a handful of times, but so far, no cigar.

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

I concur with the standalone marketers...
Having a prequel and sequel ready without either being necessary is a plus, as far as I'm concerned.

[pjthompson]

Good. Then that means I don't have to write them yet. ;-)

[kmkibble75.livejournal.com]

True enough!

[inkbabies.livejournal.com]

ouch!

[pjthompson]

Yo ho yo ho the writer's life for me...

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

If I'm honest, all five of the novels I've completed, even the allegedly standalone ones, have been part of some grander schemata. Now here's a sixth. Triple merde.

Being honest is important, as is acceptance of the way you think and write. I've come to the conclusion that, yeah, I may dislike waiting for books two and three (and four, five, six... in some cases), but I'm the kinda gal who likes BIG stories. So many single volume tales, no matter how well-written, end up leaving me cold when I finish them. They just don't have the scope--or the "time"--to allow me to really get in deep with a character.

[pjthompson]

It's odd that I don't particularly like reading those kinds of novels, though. I mean, yes, I love reading series, but not of the grand saga sort, and I tend to avoid trilogies, et al. Sookie Stackhouse, Eve Dallas, etc., loves 'em. The recent exceptions to the trilogy/grand saga thing was Sandra McDonald's Outback Stars trilogy and Elizabeth Cunningham's Magdalen Chronicles.

But yes, I do have to accept that my mind seems to operate on the BIG story principle.

[kythiaranos.livejournal.com]

The book I just finished the second draft on is part of a three-book arc--but I wrote it third. Every time I'd get a book finished, I'd think, 'But first I have to tell about X.' And it just burgeoned from there.

I'm hoping that each book can be more or less a stand-alone, but who knows?

Anyway, you have my sympathy.

[pjthompson]

lol--I recognize your process! Sympathies to us both--but maybe it'll work out well. You never know.

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

The novel my agent read was the third in the series. I didn't mention it was a series until we started talking about my other projects. She seemed excited that there were more, so I wouldn't worry about it.

[pjthompson]

Thanks, that's good to know. Sometimes I don't think I exist outside my needless worry. ;;;;))))

[geniusofevil.livejournal.com]

i worried about it all the time