People say that the second book is tough to write for a multitude of reasons. And, having finished the latest draft of my second book this week (yaay!) my experience says… yes, that is very much the case.
For a start I’ve found that it’s a very different process. While before I was writing to an audience of one (myself), now my ideas - and the writing itself - is all being shared at a much earlier stage, and with a level of expectation that didn’t exist before. I didn’t worry too much about how Nevertell might be received, for example, because to begin with the idea of it actually being published seemed like a distant dream. And then there are the difficult questions you ask of yourself. I’ve written one book, but was it a fluke? Can I really do it again? How closely should it fall in line with the first one? What do I really want to write? Will anybody like it?
This is all great by the way. Just uncharted territory, that’s all. It’s a lot of pressure, but pressure that at the same time is a privilege to be under. I wouldn’t change it and don’t take it for granted.
It has been somewhat challenging in other areas. These are the challenges that also cropped up while I was writing and these ones can all totally get lost:
My kid getting chickenpox and several nasty bouts of tonsillitis
The death of a much loved family member
A flipping pandemic
Actually getting the illness of the pandemic
In spite of it all I’m feeling positive about book 2. I’ve been on a real journey with this one and I’m closer to it than ever. These characters are ready to meet you and the world of the book wants to welcome you in, I can feel it. For now, however, I leave you with a few pictures just to give you a feel... Enjoy!
Anyone have any ideas about where it might be set or what it might be about… ?