Happy IWSG Day! This genius idea created by Alex J. Cavanaugh is a place for all of us insecure writers to gather together to talk about our worries, and cheer each other on. Check out the full list of participants here!
Think right now about your favourite writers. How do you feel when you know they have a new book being released? It's usually something like, "HURRY UP, I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE!" right? And also, think about when one of your super talented blog buddies announces they've got a book coming out soon. That is even more exciting because it's someone you know, someone you may have seen struggling to reach their goal of publication. Someone you've seen go through the rough times, and have finally made it to where they want to be. I can tell you that when Jolene Perry, or Nyrae Dawn announce a book release - I bounce up and down like a crazy person! These two awesome ladies are writers I absolutely adore for their ability to write so naturally, it's almost like reading a diary.
Then the panic sets in. I have my first book lurking on the horizon, almost ready to go out into the world. Will anyone be excited for my book? I know it's horribly arrogant of me to even hope that someone will be so excited about Game On that they'll tell everyone about the release date (still on its way lol!). But it's what I want, and I am a little - okay, a lot - nervous that the release will just pass by and nobody will even notice. :S Don't get me wrong, I know I have a lot of support - and words cannot ever express how grateful I am for that! But I would love to be one of those people who can create a buzz. I just don't know if I can.
Secondly, now I am working on a spin-off to Game On, it got me thinking. There is still SO much life in all of the original characters. A couple of people suggested that I make it into a series, with each book delving into the lives of the other main characters. That would mean a book about Bree the ditz and her hubby, Leah's flatmate, Freya, maybe one or two others, and finally, ending back with Leah. This wasn't a part of my plan, but I have had some awesome ideas for another book about Leah and so ... I don't know what to do. Is there a right way to do it? Should I just stick with Leah, or, since I'm already doing a book about Jesse, should I go through a few of the other characters too? Maybe if everyone hates Game On, this question will erase itself.
So - that's where my head is at the moment. A gigantic mess of unanswerable questions!
I think it's easy to have a lot of unanswerable questions when you're in this weird place between completion and publication.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Game On will be a great success. I will be talking about it on my blog, and I'm sure a lot of people who know you, and have followed your work, will too!
As for what to do next, and if you should make a series. Follow your heart ... you know what is right for your writing, and characters.
My heart is actually screaming to write more about Leah! It doesn't have to be right away, but just to know there is more to say about her makes me happy! :D
Deletehey Kyra! I didn't realize you had a book coming out so soon! How exciting! Let me know if you want to do a promo or interview...my blog is always open. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!! I will let you know when I have a release date. I'd really appreciate help spreading the word! :D
DeleteI think if you feel the characters have more stories to tell and you actually want to tell them, then go for it!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure you'll have tons of support in the blogging community :-)
Thanks! I am so attached to these characters, it's scary lol!
DeleteIf your characters want to talk, then write it down and see where it leads. You're an amazing writer! It'll all come together.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jackie!
DeleteGo for it Kyra, write it all down and if it means a series, that's fantastic. You have so much creativity buzzing around (I know, just from your blog presence) that you really have to channel it. Looking forward to your book launch!
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you Susan!
DeleteFirst of all, this community of bloggers is so supportive and so enthusiastic, I know people will care!
ReplyDeleteAs for future projects, write where your heart is. The second book I ever wrote is still unsold. My agent will be submitting it this summer (second round), so there's still hope. What I've never told my agent, (cause I'm kind of embarrassed) is that I wrote two sequels for that novel. I loved the characters so much, I couldn't let them go. I don't know if book one will sell. If it does, I don't know if the publisher will want a sequel. If the publisher does want a sequel, they may have specific ideas about what should be in it.
Now I'm rambling, but here's the thing. Even if these books never see a release, or if they have to be drastically re-written, I wrote them in the first place because I loved the characters. I enjoyed writing them. I enjoy re-reading and editing the manuscripts. And I learned something from each of them -- that I can apply to other projects.
Write what your heart tells you to write.
That is excellent advice! It would be a shame to let these plot ideas go to waste - and all writing counts as experience, whether it gets published or not. :D
DeleteWhen my book came out I was too nervous to ask anyone to review it or blog about it. I was envious of the people who had the gumption to organise blog tours. But then people talked about it anyway and they blogged about it anyway. Every book has a market that will like it and they will get excited and talk about your book. In the meantime, keep writing, so they have another to get excited about soon!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your new idea :)
Thank you!
DeleteI feel the same way - kind of lol. I am excited to hear what my blog buddies think of my book, but I am terrified they will think it's awful!
giant mess... good description.
ReplyDeleteLol, it's certainly fitting!
DeleteThere's so much support here your book will not go unnoticed. Ask for help and you will recieve. I have a sequel in mind for my first novel cause I love those characters. Who knows if either will see the light of day, but I love them and glad that I've written/will be writing them. I agree with Dianne. Write what's in your heart. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine!
DeleteI'm excited for your book to come out!
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the multiple characters getting their own book idea. Marion Keyes does that with the Walsh sisters' books. (The last one of which is coming out this year, yay!)
Awesome! I've never read those books, I might check them out!
DeleteI think friends and family will be immensely excited when you release Game On. And then some will fall to the wayside. The challenge is to generate that excitement with a variety of readers, and it will happen!
ReplyDeleteI've heard that sales can pick up once an author has 4 titles out there, increasing author name recognition. So it's a great idea to keep writing, and if a series about these characters is what you're passionate about right now, go for it! I can tell you have a lot of love for your characters from your A to Z posts.
Thank you, Jennifer! I have heard a lot of people say that sales of older books rise when new releases come along. I will keep plugging away! :D
DeleteWrite every novel that tickles your fancy. You will never do yourself a disservice by writing something. Only in not writing are we decaying. Sometimes this series will be the one, sometimes it will be something else. Just write, follow your heart, everything else will fall into place.
ReplyDeleteAnd just ask yourself this: if you won a million dollars/pounds/euros what would you do? If your answer is still write books, then that's what you should be doing.
Oh goodness, even if I had all the money in the world, I'd still want to write!
DeleteThanks for the advice, I definitely agree with you. :D
I think if your characters have something to say, you should write it down and see what you have. You just never know what you'll end up with. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, and they have a LOT to say! :D
DeleteCharacters definitely find a way to have a life of their own, don't they? :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I know what you mean. I love to hear when an author, especially one I know from blogging, has a new book out or announces a book deal. It'd be nice to know someone was excited when we have books out too. :)
That's a really good question. I agree with Dana. If the characters are strong enough and you can keep going, then why not. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're already doing what "they" say you should - thinking about the next project. It's amazing how much pressure turning your mind around the next story takes off of the first. And for the record, I have a feeling you're a great buzz-maker. ;)
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Nikki!
DeleteI think you would be a robot if you weren't nervous about your book coming out. And I think the series idea is awesome! But I can't write what isn't in me, so you should take it one step at a time. Once people read your book you might get great ideas just from reviews and comments.
ReplyDeleteI will jump up and down when I find out your release date. ;0)
That's a very good point! Even though the first book isn't out yet, I got some amazing comments from the A-Z challenge, and people were already asking questions about the other characters so there might be more I can do!
DeleteLol, yay!!
My first book is lurking on the horizon too and I'm a little afraid I'll be the only one who takes notice that day too. That's not going to happen to you.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will happen to you, either! :D
DeleteI think you've definitely created a buzz, especially after the inspired A-Z postings.
ReplyDeleteAs for the series, if you have the ideas, then it's probably worth pursuing.
Thanks!
DeleteYes, I am seeing more and more that, if there are stories to tell, then they need to get out of my head and onto the page! :D
*poke* I'm excited for Game On! I agree with Annalisa that you created a good buzz for it with your A-Z posts. And with talking about Jesse's spin off.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether you want to continue doing other character's POVs, maybe spend a little time thinking of their individual stories, so you can decide whether anything happens to them that you want to share (gah, that was so inarticulate). There's no right or wrong way to do it with narrators, I think. Kelley Armstrong jumps between them in her Otherworld series, but sometimes she'll repeat a narrator for more than one book (for example, the first two are Elena, the third and fourth are Paige, the fifth is Eve, the sixth is back to Elena, etc.). So if you have another Leah story in mind, you can write that, but if you have, say, a Freya story in mind (*hint hint*), I think you could do that then go back to the Leah one if you wanted.
I'm so happy you're excited for Game On!!
DeleteI love the idea that I could jump around with narrators. I thought it made more sense to do them in some kind of order, but maybe it's okay to do things however feels best, rather than worry about getting it "right." :D
Um, I'm counting down the days for your book release! So in answer to your question, YES! Someone is excited for your book!!!!
ReplyDeleteYAY! Thank you!
DeleteYour book release sounds like it's going to be perfectly timed for my summer reading! Yay!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for you about Game On! You're a wonderful writer. Never forget it. And as for what comes next, you'll know what feels right after the whirlwind settles down.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! You're probably right, there is a lot going on at the moment and it's hard to think straight!
DeleteYou just wrote out my life story. I have no idea what to do. But I just keep on working on my WIP and hope for the best with my book that's about to be on submission again.... soon.... Please!
ReplyDeleteYour fears are completely valid. What is someone doesn't like my book? What if no one buys my book? Ugh! And the list goes on and on.
But just keep going. You can do it, even with the unaswerable questions lingering in the background.
Thank you, Julia! I think to keep working is all we can really do!
DeleteYup, I've had these same questions myself. I've read that it's best to write something other than a series, even if you have one planned, when you're in the querying stage. Good luck with where you go with it. I say if you're passionate about a certain story at this moment, write that one.
ReplyDeleteThank you! :D
DeleteMaybe you could do a spinoff and a sequel. That is, you could write books that focus on other characters, but you could also continue the original character's story in another book. I mentioned in another blog that I like reading sequels because they answer the question of what happens next.
ReplyDeleteYou know, that is one of the things I've been considering! :D
Deleteat the conference i went to, an author said she did that spin off thing at the request of her fans. that would be so awesome! to have fans! (and to write a series)
ReplyDeleteyou're so sweet, you'll have tons of fans asking for more!
Aww, thank you!
DeleteIt would be so cool to have fans wanting more from the other characters!!
I say go for it! I mean, what's the worst that could happen? At the very least, it'll help your skills
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteI bet they will be! I get nervous about the same thing, hopefully I can get my book as good as theirs, but I remember that I shouldn't compare my book to others. Writers are all different.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! I bet people will be excited about your book. When it comes time, I'd love to host you in my blog with an interview about your release! :)
Thanks you, Krista! I need to organise some kind of blog tour, so I will keep you posted!
DeleteThe whole publishing process is terrifying and overwhelming! Thank goodness it's also fun and exciting :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, yes! It is scary, but I'm kinda enjoying it!
DeleteYay! Your first book? I'm so excited for you. Yes, it is completely terrifying, but each release gets a little easier. Well, in some ways. LOL Good luck, I know it will be fabulous. Let me know when it is released so I can shout out for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It's good to know it gets a little easier each time!
DeleteI will definitely let you know when Game On is released! :D
Kyra, you know I'll care! And I'll shout it to the world.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you! I know this is dorky, but I always wanted a shoutout on your blog!
DeleteMy opinion... follow the characters where *they* take you... I think if you try force them into one corner (book) it won't work, but if you allow them to explore their lives you very well may have a *great* series on your hands :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck, sounds like fun :)
Thank you, Mark. That is a good tip, and I agree. I have tried to force characters before, and it didn't work out well!
DeleteYou'll create a buzz, I know it! You're so likable and your a-z diary entries were so great, you'll do really well!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel about the spin-off/series stuff. I'm dealing with that right now, too! When you love characters, you want to tell their stories. I say, go for it, go with your gut, and like Mark says up there, follow the characters!
Thanks, Daisy!
DeleteYes, I have some serious issues with letting my characters go, but I think they have so much more to say! :D
Of COURSE we're excited for your release! You're welcome to do promo at SYAW, if you want. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! <3
DeleteI will totally help promote your book! I'm so excited!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am a little bit scared now - I wanted the hype, now I have to live up to it!
DeleteYou shouldn't worry about this. No matter what, the lovely people in the blogosphere will get excited for you. And I reckon you should just do what you want to do for your follow up books. Maybe try doing the two spin off books you've got ideas for and see whether you want to keep going. But do what YOU want to do, because you're the writer
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's so hard not to worry, but you're right. The writing community or so behind me, I just need to be more confident!
DeleteHi Kyra. You can be sure that we're all excited for you and can't wait for your book launch. We're cheering!
ReplyDeleteDenise
Thanks, Denise!
DeleteThe series idea is really cool. That's so exciting about you and your book. I'm always up for sharing and shouting good news. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteSpin offs are really good ideas. Some are not well done as they are rushed to make a quick buck. But if a writer takes their time and really puts forth the effort, then spin offs can be very successful.
ReplyDeleteOh,I definitely plan to take my time! :D
DeleteI think it's awesome you already have ideas for a series! And I can totally understand your fears. But I know I will be excited for your release date and book, can't wait to be able to cheer you on and help celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Kyra .. sounds like the opportunities are there - as you say .. just getting your head round that starting point - just keep on going and it'll all fall into place ..Happy days - Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited about your book. I think that books from other characters pov would be a great idea. All your characters had great voices when you introduced us to them for A to Z.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica! I hope I can keep those voices up when writing the other books!
DeleteWrite where you heart leads you, Kyra. If it's in fifty different directions, go for it! You may not use it all, but the practice writing will strengthen your story and your writing.
ReplyDeleteVery true! Thank you, Emily!
DeleteGirl, you can DEFINITELY create a buzz. GAME ON is an amazing book! So much fun! I love it. Only loads of excitement should be going on in your world! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! That really means so much from someone who has already read it!
DeleteI know what you're saying. But I guess it's like jumping into the pool...just dive in!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that is the answer!
DeleteI'll jump up and down for you, Kyra.
ReplyDelete:3
LOL, thank you! :D
DeleteIf characters are still speaking to you, it seems a shame not to let them live on in another adventure. Yay, for your book.
ReplyDeleteI agree! They are screaming at me at the moment, I need to quiet them down lol!
DeleteA book on the horizon, that is sooo exciting!!! I can't wait to hear more about it. My suggestion would be to write whatever calls you, that you really want to write. Best of luck with everything :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Thanks, Andrea!
DeleteKyra, I am seeing you all over the net today. This is great! You go girl :)
DeleteAndrea
I'd say, FWIW, go with your heart, because that'll be the one that you have the most enthusiasm for, and enthusiasm = better book.
ReplyDeleteI've nominated you for the Reader Appreciation award over at my Limey YA Lit Girl blog - come and collect it x
Super excited! Let me know how I can help! And Falling For Fiction too :) Looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness it sounds like you're tying your brain into knots. My advice would be write what you feel is inside you to write. Don't worry about how it will be received. If you write to please others it definitely won't work. If you write from the heart, it has a much better chance of succeeding. Good luck.
ReplyDelete