I started writing the third book.
Recap: I haven’t published the first one yet. Better Than This, the first book in my series (no name for the series yet—that’s how early I am in the process) is out to BETA readers for them to give me a thumbs-up *hopefully* or a thumbs sideways with suggestions. Either way, the MS is out to like, three people, one of whom I know has read it. That’s it. So, what the hell am I doing writing the third one?
It started with me (kind of) cleaning the house and imagining—like I sometimes do—this very special, very oh-my-God moment in the third installment. I play it over in my head because it’s just so powerful and goose-bumpy that I decided to go ahead and write it. Just to get it down. Then that turned into what led up to it and what happened after and I’m already thirty pages in. And I am NOT STOPPING.
Which is great, I know. Woo-hoo and all that, but I’m already writing the third one. The THIRD ONE. I was in the middle of editing the second when this magical bout of inspiration knocked me over the head with the final story for the series. So: I’m writing the third now in the middle of editing the second while I should be promoting and releasing my first.
*Pulls hair*
But I got this. I don’t know how, but I got this. Somehow, it’ll all come together. With that said, onto the February optional question!
What do you love about the genre you write in most often?
Probably the fact that I read all kinds of romances and romances (typically) end in a Happily Ever After (HEA). I like that. Sometimes the world is so filled with shitiness that it’s nice to read a story that makes you feel good. Like, really good. Friendships are great for that, but I always find romances to hit that special spot. Or, maybe I’m still a little girl and believe in HEAs? I mean, I did find Batman. So, why doubt it?
Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.
I think it’s great you’re writing your third book while your first is out with beta readers!
Really? It’s not like I’m planning the nursery while we’re only on date two? That’s what it feels. But thanks!
I don’t think so. I wish I’d done it. You may have to revise based on feedback for one and two, but I think it’ll actually save you a lot of headache later on.
I hop around all the time, so I totally get it. Gotta go where the inspiration is, right?
I’m still reading! Sorry it’s taken me a bit. I had a few things come up in January which turned me sideways.
I go wherever the inspiration takes me, that’s for sure!
Oh no worries! You’ve had your hands full, so I completely get it!!
Sometimes writing backward towards the middle smoothes out plot lines 🙂 i’ve done that before. Now at least you know where all your characters need to ‘end’ at, the end.
Yeah, I’m starting to realize working backwards works! Never thought it would 🙂
Sometimes stories just whoosh in and take over.
I’m with you – there’s enough ugliness in the world that nice HEA’s are soothing and refreshing.
YES! I’m glad you get it 😉
Well, it sounds like the other two books are written, so you might as well start working on the third one. One of my writer friends has been writing her third book and hasn’t written the second one yet. I think that would be much harder. But writing the books in a series before releasing the first one can be quite helpful.
The series I have out now, I wrote and published one at a time… I’m feeling more schematic with this, already knowing (and having) parts of the books (for this new series) already written.
If you’re feeling it, go for it! Good luck! 🙂
I’m going for it!
I agree that if it hits you that you need to write something, you write it. ^_^ There’s no set rule of how these things have to happen, especially with a series. And if you do turn out to have some success with the first book, then boom, you’ve got the next two ready to go. Besides, knowing how it all turns out could lead to you making changes in the first two books that make them even better.
Exactly. I was feeling kind of weirded out by what I was doing, but everyone is pointing out that it can only help. 🙂
Nothing wrong with writing the third one. At least this way it will be father along that you originally planned when book 1 releases.
Yup! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
The third one? Go for it!
Stories have a life of their own and if you’re writing the third one, then my understanding is, that the time is right to do so. Working backwards will also help to slot the second book into place.
Happy Writing!
Writer In Transit
Thanks! Yep! I’m excited to REALLY know how it ends so I can go back and make adjustments in the first two 🙂
I definitely hear you on that compulsion to write. Also, I agree it would be awesome if life was all HEA’s all the time. Sigh! Glad you found your Batman though.
Yes, Batman is my HEA, although I wish he’d PICK UP HIS LAUNDRY EVERY NOW AND AGAIN. But it’s okay. Stories that make you feel good are the best kind, in my opinion. 😉
I had basically the first four books rough drafted before I ever published Shades of Gray or had its edits finalized – granted I ended up almost totally reworking three and four, BUT I knew where it was going and it helped me know what to introduce and such in the previous ones, so I say write away!