Observations on that Tricky Second Novel

Or rather, novella, because here I’m referring to the sequel to Dan and the Dead, the first draft of which I’ve just sent in to my editor. And this is the first time I’ve ever taken existing characters out for a second outing — an interesting experience, though far from smooth. The working title of Dan 2 is ‘Dan and the Caverns of Bone’. And, since most of the action takes place in the catacombs of Paris, I have a feeling that title might stick. Anyway, in no particular order, here are a few observations:

— In a sequel, it’s okay to follow the same path and do many of the same things, as long as the story is completely different. I worried initially that a second book had to do more than simply break new ground with the same tools, but I see now that if something worked in Book 1, readers will expect it in Book 2. Obviously this suggests a satisfying solution for things that didn’t work in Book 1, too. Not, er, that this applies in my case – Dan and the Dead is perfect in every way and available form all good retailers, etc. Um…

— A second book should probably be slightly longer than the first, in order to avoid looking like a decline. More than slightly longer, though, and that can look like a decline too, only in something else. I will say no more.

— The most important thing to keep constant from one book to the other is tone. There was one point during The Caverns of Bone when I found myself writing 3k word chapters and describing weather. It took nearly a month of revision to realise that the only thing important about the weather in Dan’s eyes is how high he should turn up his lapels.

— Characters who don’t develop are boring. Even if they have been dead for 300 years. But you knew that…

As with the first, the second book has been written very much with reluctant readers in mind. Not that it’ll ever say that on the cover. If I were into shameless plugging and online marketeering, here’s the part where I’d point out that Halloween is a great time to give under-read (un-dead?) kids the gift of ghosts (with a twist, naturally). Okay, so the first book only has one review on Amazon, but it’s a good one and from a teacher on behalf of his/her pupils, so it counts for at least five. I just hope Book 2 doesn’t let it down.