Breaking The Cycle of The Unsuccessful Second Book Curse
Breaking The Cycle of The Unsuccessful Second Book Curse
It is the downfall of a writer when that second book does not hit the sales chart as the first one does. Suddenly, reviews are criticizing the writing style and basically everything that a writer has worked hard for begins to crumble.
This is the second book curse. Every second novel carries the baggage of the first one. Either it is a sequel or another story entirely. Critics expect growth, the public expects a better twist. Everyone is anxious to receive something from this fresh author that blew their minds away. So the question is how do you give everyone what they want, without losing yourself and writing in the process?
Here are a few points to break the unsuccessful second book curse;
Do Not Bask In The Glory Of The First Book
Writers are quick to enjoy compliments for a prolonged time. Depending on similar story lines or phrases or characters from the first book and inputting them into the second will turn any reader off. The glory of the first book is original on its own. Make the second book an individual entity on its own. Do not make readers feel like each chapter is a repackaged original. The originality of a storyline and writing style is something readers wish to get, therefore give them real content.
Improve Your Writing Style
Many authors fall prey to critics insults due to the lack of effort put into finishing a second book. After the first, agents begin to hassle authors about releasing the next book and going on a book tour. While all these are great, it takes time to develop a story worth reading and a rushed book will tell in its writing. Immediately the hype of the first one dies down, a writer should take time off the limelight and try to improve on their writing. This way, there is a steady build-up of a fantastic storyline and no water down unrealistic twists or crap writing is packaged for destruction by the masses.
Never Duplicate Any Content
Similarities are dreadful and just because it is your book does not make it any less plagiarized. If it is not a sequel do not give any repetitive character development and cliché and publish for a second book. Bad grammar is unforgivable by critics but repeated character storylines are cliché readers never forgive.
Publicity and Promotion
The "hype" is one tool which backfires once a book does not live up to expectations. However, the level of promotion should equate the grandeur of the book storyline. Publicity must be appropriate in a way that leaves readers curious about the content and not containing unnecessary spoilers. Spoiling a book for the purpose of selling it will definitely backfire. Take time to strategize and come up with a good promotion plan before doing the most and ruining a great book due to commercialization. No doubt, there are a lot of books which might have adhered to these points but still get tangled up in the curse. The journey of a book does not end at the epilogue, it continues with the life of a writer. Engaging fans in a way that keeps them tangled tight in your own story will sell a second book because of their built faith in you.
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