Sequels by Guest Blogger Bettye Griffin
Bettye Griffin is the author of A New Kind of Bliss, Once Upon A Project, If These Walls Could Talk, Nothing But Trouble, and The People Next Door. A native of Yonkers, New York, she now lives in Southeast Wisconsin with her husband. She’s stops by today to discuss what many avid readers like–sequels.
One of the most challenging aspects of writing for today’s audience is that readers don’t want “The End” to really mean, well the end. Even with a story that ties up all loose ends (and in my opinion a good story should, unless another installment is going to follow in a month or two), the question is almost inevitable: When will the sequel be out?
I received many such requests following the publication of my debut work of women’s fiction, The People Next Door, in 2005. I resisted the idea at first—I wanted to move on to other storylines and characters—but then an idea began to form, and before I knew it I had an entire storyline to update readers on what those initial characters are doing now. That story is being published under the title Trouble Down The Road and will be available to consumers on April 27th.
Readers have been emailing me as they’ve learned that my new book features characters from The People Next Door as well as my sophomore women’s fiction effort, Nothing But Trouble It’s really a compliment to a writer when readers ask for a sequel, for it shows that they’ve made a connection with the characters the writer created and want to know, and then what happened? But, just as Trouble Down The Road was written five years after the publication of The People Next Door, the action also takes place five years later. That’s the type of sequel that works best for me…one that allows both myself and the characters to grow. The long time lapse also means it’s not a requirement for readers to pick up copies of The People Next Door (although I wouldn’t mind it, of course.) The actions of the past are touched on sufficiently to bring new readers up to speed about what they need to know about the characters’ pasts.
How do you like your sequels?
About Trouble Down the Road:
From the author of The People Next Door comes a smart, sexy new novel that peeks behind the curtains of one very complicated Florida cul-de-sac, where the neighbors are a little too close for comfort…
Suzanne and Brad Betancourt have a lot to be grateful for—their home, their children, and each other. They’ve even survived the fact that Brad’s ex-wife lives next door and Suzanne’s intrusive mother and siblings are just down the road. But Suzanne’s confidence unravels at Brad’s fiftieth birthday blowout, when young, voluptuous, neighbor Micheline brings a specially wrapped gift: herself. Suddenly, Suzanne feels like she’s the one having the midlife crisis…
Hoping to impress Brad, and ease family troubles that are already straining their relationship, Suzanne goes into business with a friend. But the endeavor stretches her too thin, leaving Brad hurt and alienated. Soon he begins to distance himself from her—moving right into the waiting arms of Micheline, who is all too ready to ditch her own husband.
Now, with marriages on the line across the neighborhood, Suzanne and Brad will have to question their notion of loyalty to one another—and to themselves.
Related posts:
- Academy Award Trivia with Bettye Griffin
- Save the Best for Last Interview by my favorite author Bettye Griffin
- What are the consequences for being Promiscuous by Guest Blogger Chemistry
Tagged with: Bettye Griffin • Trouble Down The Road
Filed under: Author • Book Trailer • Books • Guest Blogger
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Bettye, I love sequels; especially if I really liked the characters. I just hate having to wait so long to read them.
P.S. – Thanks for stopping by today.
Jackie Bolds Reply:
May 1st, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I absolutely loved sequels. If the story is great, I am thinking about the book long after I’ve finished it, wondering about the motivations of the characters and trying to figure out, like Bettye says, “what happens next?”
I like sequels. However, I don’t like when the author goes past the 3 book with the same characters not really doing anything new. If the storyline stays fresh then I’m all for it.
Bettye, thanks for saying that people become invested in the characters, hence the need for a sequel. As new author, my test readers asked for a sequel right away. Then once the book became available for the public, the readers began asking for a sequel.
Great insight! Much success to you. I believe this may be my first book that I read by you.
I like sequels that are well done (I guess that is a given) but I also think that a good sequel is a difficult job and much more difficult to write than the original book.
I like the idea that Bettye has moved the characters 5 years forward as that is realistic to me and makes for a more enjoyable story.
Like Jennifer said the characters – those that are liked or disliked – need to group and I do not like the same old storyline as the original story especially if the original has a satisfying ending.
I can like and identify with a character in the story but if the ending is good then I am find and enjoyed my time with character and usually do not say for a sequel. But what it does show me is that I like the author’s writing style and will read more of the work (go back and read past works and read future works).
So while I like sequels, I am also a litte leary of sequels.
Shelia, thank you so much for letting me stop by and talk about Trouble Down The Road. The way you and I communicate online, it’s increasingly difficult for me to realize that we have yet to meet in person!
Jennifer, I know what you mean. I became bored with a couple of series because it was just more of the same bad behavior with no growth. As far as TDTR, you can read an excerpt at my website, http://www.bettyegriffin.com, and of course Shelia has included the trailer here. Of course, I hope you will choose to read it!
Beverly, I’m glad you find the idea of a sequel 5 years in the future appealing, and if you do read TDTR, I hope you enjoy it!
I LOVE sequels as well. Especially if the previous book leaves me wanting to know what happened to the characters. I would call myself a sequel reader. I am so bad that when a book is a sequel or series, and I start reading them, I go on the hunt to find all the books in the series if possible. The problem I have found is that most of the time they are out of print; however where there is a will, there is a way!
!!! I love catching up on what the characters are doing now, especially if their love and romance captivates me so much so that I want to see the fruit of their love, children, and it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get the sequel. Of course I want it now, but just getting it is wonderful! Bettye, I have not read them yet, but I do have both books and can’t wait to read them. I’ve heard nothing but good things about these books.
I enjoy sequels a great deal. My favorite was the Temple Gaunt series in the Patricia Cornwell books. I’ve also enjoyed quite a few romance series, although I guess I don’t always think of them as sequels, they’re more like spin-offs.
I enjoy following a character who is well developed and broad enough to carry another book. I think if it’s done well, it works. So it’s really about the author digging in and being creative, because I think readers love them.
Looking forward to getting the book Bettye.
Always a fan,
Rhonda
I like sequels as long as the author doesn’t take forever to write it, it’s as good as the first, and no more than 2.
Thanks for your comments, ladies! Darlene, I know how you feel about searching out prior work of a newly discovered author. Rhonda, I agree that a well done sequel is a wonderful thing to discover…I also believe that publishers encourage authors to write sequels to books that do well, which can sometimes make authors feel trapped. Sharon, yours is a tall order, but it’s been done!