See?
Writing is hard.
Writing
a sequel is even more intimidating.
Feedback from fans about my futuristic erotic romance Programmed
For Pleasure has been wonderful, and more than one reader has asked for
a sequel – specifically for Tau Cetus police agent Leith Wyatt, my Programmed
For Pleasure heroine Jai Turner’s yummy male partner.
So
that’s what I’m working on right now. Leith’s story will be called Programmed
To Protect.
But
I can’t figure out how to start the story with characters that some readers
already know well. Do I recap Programmed For Pleasure through
dialogue in the first chapter so new readers know the past history, or is that
too much of an info dump? Do I jump
right into the action and then feed in teaser bits of the previous story so
readers realize there was a Book One?
GAK!
Writing is hard.
My
gut tells me to start with the action, so that’s where I’m leaning. I plan to
have Leith Wyatt fill the reader in on past events as he thinks about them
throughout the book, which will serve two purposes: it’ll refresh the memory of
readers who enjoyed the first story, and let new readers know the background of
what went on before now in these characters’ lives.
Makes
sense, right? But I’ll be darned if I can follow my own advice. I’ve already
started Chapter One three times.
I’m
tearing my hair out.
As
a compromise, I’ve abandoned Chapter One for now, and jumped right into
the action for Wyatt. By Chapter Two, he’s already had a confrontation with his
antagonist and slept with his heroine. (Hey, I write erotic romance. The sex has
to happen right away J) To make things easier on myself, I’ve left the stress and angst
of starting the book until later, maybe even until after I’ve finished the book. It’s certainly given me free rein to immerse
myself in the fun stuff – the story of how Wyatt will save the planet.
And
who knows? Maybe Chapter Two will become Chapter One, and I won’t have to worry
about it at all.
Or
maybe not. Maybe the story needs to be grounded somehow at the beginning…
Jeez...writing is hard.
What
about you? Ever have trouble with the beginning of a story? Tell me! Misery
loves company!!
Jenna
Ives
www.jennaives.com 