5 Things Not to Do in Your Sequel

People get very suspicious of sequels, and for a good reason. There are a whole set of problems that get repeated over and over in second books and movies that make people avoid them like spoiled milk. Of course, we don't want that in our novels, now do we? So let's take a look at common problems in sequels and how you can avoid them.

The couple breaking up for no reason

The first book ends with the two romantic leads getting together and maybe even having a little kiss. The second book arrives and the first thing they do? Get into a fight (normally over something stupid) and break up. Why do they do this? Basically only for added drama. It's not worth it, though. I'd rather see a sequel where the couple remains together and learns to grow in their relationship rather than breaking up in two seconds. But I guess that's better than the boyfriend completely disappearing between movies.

I'd suggest avoiding this one at all costs. If your leads are going to break up, it better be for an excellent reason and feel completely natural. If it's not necessary, then consider other ways to grow their relationship or add drama without leaving each other.

No wait, there's a bigger, badder threat!

Which for some reason isn't mentioned at all in the first book. And somehow we're supposed to believe that he's somehow been hiding this whole time. I'd rather have a villain who grows in power and threat as the series continues. Normally, the second villain that's supposed to be even scarier turns out to be a let down after the last one, no matter how much of a threat he proves.

Instead of creating a different threat for the second book, either hint at that evil in the first one, or continue with the same villain. It can even be a related villain, as long as you give us an idea of what's to come.

Hero is over or under powered

Sometimes at the end of the first story, the hero is granted great powers or abilities. Then the next one arrives and they are completely OP for what they have to do. Or, to oppose that, they seem to be back where they started, despite their great new "powers". Either way, it makes the next story hard to believe.

If you're going to give your hero great powers, also give them great drawbacks. Or avoid giving them great powers at all. Just have them progress in their skills at a normal pace, suffering drawbacks and learning like most people do.

Making a sequel for irrelevant reasons

To give the quirky sidekick way too much of a sub-plot. To pair up the remaining single people. To fill in a giant plot hole you shouldn't have left to begin with. Just because people liked the first one and you think the second will make you more money. All of these are terrible reasons to make a sequel. If you're going to make a second book, you need an excellent reason, such finishing the story you haven't told yet.

Think very hard before deciding to write a sequel. If you already planned to write more than one book, then that's fine, but other than that, you should be careful. Even if they loved the first one, writing a sequel just because isn't always a good idea.

Having the same plot

Finally, one of the worst things you can do with your sequel is recycle the plot from the first one. You might change a few things, but it's still the same story. And everyone absolutely hates that. It's lazy, sloppy, and basic. Even a badly written plot is better than the same plot.

This goes back the previous point. If you can't come up with a good reason to write a sequel, or a good plot for it, then you shouldn't. Repeated plots are no fun for anyone. Think of ways you can create something new and exciting for your second book.

What is something you hate in sequels? What's something you love? Tell me in the comments.

Suggested Posts:

Writing Sequels: Lessons from Disney

Stop Making Bad Guys