There are incidences when a novel, or novella, grips the author and, indeed its readers bringing about the chance to delve into a certain character, or characters, explore pre-existing events, or just to see what happens next.

For example, we can follow a secondary character aligned with the main protagonist, or discover why a certain character behaved the way they did. Obviously, not all narratives lend themselves to a sequel, or indeed a prequel, and of course the writer may not feel inclined to actually write one. However, as all writers know, sometimes a character, or a story, grips them and demands to be written.

Deciding on whether to write a prequel or a sequel, is a personal choice, of course. Some writers feel it is worth the commitment to return to a beloved character or created world, while others have drawn a line under the story’s journey. In other cases, the story has concluded in such a way there is no avenue open to explore more.

To write a prequel, or a sequel, there are several key factors to take into consideration.

1. The new story should match the original works themes and tones.
2. For a sequel it should be a continuation of the existing story and a prequel needs to relay events that are chronologically before the original story.
3. Remember in a prequel, a character should end up where they were at the beginning of the first story. In a sequel, we need to see a continuing journey.
4. Create new plots and ensure it is its own unique story.
5. The world and characters should feel familiar to the original audience.
6. Ensure the prequel, or sequel has a definitive ending. Either to the start of the original book, or to conclude it.
7. A sequel needs to refer to the original book, but not in minute detail and never endless backstory, exposition, or flashbacks.
8. Reveal new characters and events.
9. Make it a story in its own right, don’t fill in gaps just for the sake of it.
10. Ensure the story is consistent with the previous or following narrative.
11. Have a point to the story.
12. With sequel’s don’t just pick up where the last narrative left off – give your reader something new.
13. With prequels start the main character as a different person and watch them grow.
14. Include at least one new character.
15. Have a point to the new story – in other words why are you writing it!
16. Before starting to write, make sure to read the original story making notes of locations, descriptions and characteristics.
17. Answer your readers’ questions – what happened since the original book ended, where are the characters now, what new problem do they have, where were they before, why were they like that?
18. A prequel should reveal something unknown in the original book.

If you do choose to write a prequel, or a sequel, remember the characters are familiar to your audience. They will know if a character does something ‘out of character’, so invest time in creating their previous journey, or their future one within their personality.

You may be able to use a lot of your previous research, or compiled backstory to create these new volumes. So, remember to file your notes for every book and never say never. I’m talking from experience here. Readers demanded a sequel to my Rython novella, and I happily obliged. And now, I have written a prequel, which will be published later this year.

Have you written a sequel or prequel? What was your impetus to do so?