McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Writing Sequels

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Josh:
Absolutely. Keep writing. It's great to have finished that first book, but the hope is that with each story you write, you will improve. You'll learn new tricks, try new methods, think up better plots. And if that first story doesn't sell (though, of course, the eternal hope is that it will) then it is great to show you are dedicated to the craft by having another story drafted, polished and in reserve. And another. And, oh yes, this one over here. Yes, agents and editors like to know you aren't going to be a one-hit wonder (though this certainly doesn't mean you should pitch seven books to a single agent at once). Just take the best work you have now and put it out there. Then, during the weeks and potential months it takes for their response to come back, keep writing on that next work and keep honing your craft.

Richelle Mead:
Definitely keep writing more if that's where your gut sends you.  Some agents will use that as a selling point when pitching your book to publishers.  It is generally recommended that you have some sort of solid resolution at the end of your book.  You can still leave tons of loose ends, but definitely make sure there's a conclusion of sorts.

Josh:
Sequels (or even just second and third books. They don't have to be ones connected to your first one) are great ways to show that you can keep on writing beyond that first hit, and that you are dedicated to improving your craft, developing new stories, and--most of all--that you enjoy it. Agents and editors will certainly appreciate a writer who pushes and motivates themselves, as it makes less work on their part and makes them more confident that you will actually come through with what you promise. The one extreme here is, when you do get an agent or editor interested in one story, be careful not to then go OMGnowImustgiveyouthemallatonce!HERE!..-dumps eight manuscripts on agents head-

Agent then scurries into nearest deep dark hole and weeps.

Er..or something like that.

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