Continuing with Arlee Bird's A-Z Challenge - today is C.
I've spent the past week fixing my manuscript. I think I've made all the changes the editor requested, but I'll go through it one more time, just in case. My publisher had made suggestions, which involved several rewrites and the addition of a prologue. It was recently returned again and the editor made even more corrections and suggestions. I was pleasantly surprised the entire manuscript wasn't in red, too. At least the words "This sucks!" wasn't in bold red letters across the top!
When I completed CassaStar, I thought that was it. After all, I had to find a publisher first, and then the book would need to do well enough for them to want another one.
But when I originally conceived this idea, there was more to the story. I'm considering writing the next book, but I wonder if the new direction will appeal to those who like the first book. I've been working on the outline and the story would begin twenty-odd years after the other one ended. There's even more action and conflict, plus another main character. My only concern is that character is female.
What do you guys think? CassaStar is predominantly men - would the addition of a female character be too strong of a change? Her mere presence complicates the story even further, adding some serious issues, but she's also female for a reason. I think I can handle writing that aspect and keep it in the background, but would that shift gears too much?
Or does any of that make sense since you haven't read CassaStar...?
"At least the words "This sucks!" was in bold red letters across the top!" - you meant WASN'T instead of WAS, yes???
ReplyDeleteSo, CASSASTAR will have a sequel? :) I like the idea of a female main character, it can actually be a huge plus since there aren't that many female characters in sf so it could be your advantage in the book world. Especially if she's sexy :)
Not having read the book I can't honestly say, but most readers of any books do like a few female characters in a story.
ReplyDeleteAnother great challenge blog. only 23 to go.
Have a lovely Easter,
Yvonne.
having not read it, it's hard to say. I don't think the 20 years in the future is an issue, at least not for me when i read sci-fi
ReplyDeleteYes Dez, it's "wasn't" - I fixed that. And of course she would be sexy!
ReplyDeleteYvonne, that was what I was thinking.
And Fallen, it's not 20 years in the future, it's 20 years after the other book ends. The entire story is set in another galaxy with another race.
Introducing a female will most definately bring in a new viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteShe could be sexy, drive them wild but have a girlfriend...;0
The only drawback that I've seen with the addition of female characters in sci-fi and fantasy is that they're often used purely to push the author's own agenda. I think that the addition of a female character in a predominantly male story would shake things up in a good way, so long as she's not either stereotype (the love interest and generic 'hottie' with more boobs than brains on one side, and the empowered feminist who strives to succeed in an oppressive masculine world). I say go for it!
ReplyDeleteI would think the addition of a female character would be a plus. It would add a new dimension and probably change the action. Men react to men in one way. Here we'd see their reaction and interaction with a female. But you'd need to keep it real. No stereotyping or men's fantasy stuff. That's what I, as a female, think anyway.
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
No stereotyping - check! And she'd have to be attractive enough to make the men's interest seem real. I wouldn't go overboard though.
ReplyDeleteTime to stretch with a female character! Echoing all the suggestions, she will need to be unique.
ReplyDeleteyes, yes, I agree with people who say you MUSTN'T make her a feminist! :) And somehow I predict she will be a "beckinsalish" brunette :PP
ReplyDeleteA little variety is always good in any story line.
ReplyDeleteI don't have to read the first book (although I'd like to) to feel that adding a feminine dimension to the next one would be fine, in fact more appealing to a "broad"(wink)er audience. Now that certainly was NOT a feminist comment, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe Old Silly
I'd definitely add in a female character. It'll round out your cast and make the story more believable to the reader. Plus, if interesting dynamics are gonna happen with a female added, bring it on! Interesting dynamics are always awesome.
ReplyDeleteI like the new look of the blog! Good luck with your rewrites! :D
Having only read the synopsis of CassaStar on your sidebar, I say yes, you should write the next book! First, CassaStar is futuristic (I assume) since it deals with a base on the moon. Going twenty-one years beyond that time-frame and learning the repercussions of Byron's decisions/actions sounds fascinating to me. And come on, even if your target readership were all male, wouldn't they dig watching Byron in action when a woman is thrown into the mix? I know I would!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the revisions of CassaStar. I can't wait to buy your book!
Have a fab Easter weekend!
One of the things second books are there for is to expand the worldbuilding (I mean in fantasy novels that's *always* when the characters go off and visit the continent next door...) - do it!
ReplyDeleteDez, I was thinking a curly haired brunette...
ReplyDeleteNaw, not feminist at all, Marvin!
Thanks, Miller!
Nicole, thank you so much for visiting, too.
Okay, guys - and gals - you've convinced me it would be safe to tread new waters with the sequel!
I think the addition of a female character would give you lots of room to stretch the story - and take some very natural steps with it. Adding a new element always adds new life :)
ReplyDeleteYou gotta have a girl in the story. Of course it will cause complications but what the heck. Think of the fun it will also add.
ReplyDeleteChecking your blog out for the first time.Found you on Summer's blog. Enjoyed reading about the corrections you're making to your story. It's never ending. I haven't sold a book - yet - but I have friends who have and there's always one more correction.
Check out my blog.
Writing: the ups and downs
www.barbwhitti.blogspot.com
Thanks Jemi!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for visiting, B. Whittington!
Judging by the amount of women on the covers of Sci-Fi books, I think you'll be fine. Previously,I asked if your release was in the fall of '09 or '10. I just got my answer -- thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi, I just stumbled upon your blog for the first time. You have quite a discussion going here!
ReplyDeleteYou said the female character complicates things, which is generally a good thing in fiction, IMO. I vote for the shake-up!
Women. So complicated[ing]. :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got your vote! I'm all about women in sci-fi, so you know I agree!
I have an award for you on my blog today.
Kirsten, thanks for visiting and I will go for the shake-up.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much, Summer!
I LIKE the idea of adding a female--even in testosterone driven books, a female here and there can shake things up and create a lot of new opportunities for the story. I say go for it!
ReplyDeleteI would have thought, bringing in a female character would give your story an advantage. I say this as there aren't too many females in SF. Why is that I wonder?
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear 'This sucks!' wasn't written in red ink across the page :)
All the best on your journey. Exciting times for you.
You gotta not just a female, but females. Heck, if you ever sell movie rights who wants to go see a movie with all men. Well, maybe some people but not me.
ReplyDeleteI'm convinced!
ReplyDeleteThere is a little something for you on my blog.
ReplyDelete~ Rayna