No, but seriously, does anyone really want a sequel to a two year-old fic? · 1:41am Jul 27th, 2018
Two and a half years since it started and one since it ended, I've got an itch to write a sequel for Principal Celestia Hunts the Undead. It's the one fic I wrote that I really, really enjoy coming back to and re-reading, and I got to thinking "crap, I want more."
I mean, it's an idea right now. Months away, at best.
It'll be different, by nature. Gonna be more of a Sunset story, with eldritch horrors in-between college classes. Less ability to rely on familiar villains and new-fish opportunities for exposition. AJ with a shotgun and Adagio with 1,000 years of supernatural knowledge. Maybe a little more of an overarching plot. Maybe. Probably not.
I've never done this before, so how does one go about writing sequels? Like, for me, to reference, say, Fluttershy being a were-manatee is easy, but a casual reader might not remember. Should I fit explanations into the script, to awkwardly remind people? Make little cliffnotes in the author's comment to serve as reminder? Press on and hope people remember enough from two years ago to not be frustrated and confused?
Advice would be welcome, thanks.
I'd be down for that.
Go with this.
I think it would be cool to see, personally. PCHtU is still one of my favorite stories on this site.
It's not uncommon for sequels to reintroduce characters when they first appear. The first chapter might cover a brief synopsys of the previous story (Say, Sunset being adopted by Celestia, a paragraph or two describing their monster hunting adventures, and then a short recap of Cinch), then of course move on to cover the time skip and set up the stage for the new part. If Sunset it in college, is she away from Canterlot? Has she joined a new band of hunters, gone solo, or "retired"? Are any of the other characters relevant to her day to day life (Like is she living at home, or does she have a roommate)? After that, whenever another character comes up, just a short paragraph of exposition is usually okay. If you can work it into dialogue all the better, but usually no one minds a reminder.
Generally avoid relying on author's notes and footnotes though, those can be annoying, especially if it leads to you having to scroll back and forth between the text. I love Changeling Space Program, but I always have to keep it open in two separate tabs if I want to follow the notes without losing my place.
I'm fine either way. The story ended in a very satisfying way, so if you decided to make a sequel; cool, lucky us. And if you didn't, that's cool too. I'm tracking 81 stories and 595 to read later, anyway....
I would read it
I want it please write it
Go for it.
A brief intro through showing Sunset and Celestia getting along and hunting monsters would help, but otherwise, press on! I want this sequel bad.
I started following you because of that story, so... yeah. Sequel.
Dear god yes. That story had everything I’ve ever wanted from horse fiction.
Y E S
And now i know just what fic to reread n3xt. Thank you for solving my boredom
always
Sequel yes please
I'd definitely read it.
I can't speak for other how other people feel but I often go back and re-read a previous story if it's been awhile so that the references make sense. It's different if the previous story is a 600k+ word epic but that isn't really a problem here.
For sure... after I uh, actually read it. hehe...
Haven't got round to reading that one yet, but more Rune Soldier Dan stories are always welcome in my world.
More seriously, if it's something you really want to write, something you'll enjoy writing, then do it. Simple as that.
Yyyyeeeesssss
Loved that one. Especially Iron Will and the odd werecreature you had. In general I’d say maybe include a dramatis personae chapter at the beginning. If someone has forgotten a few details that should get them up to speed.
If you write it I will read it.
Please and thank you!
Doooo iiiiit
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I really wish more authors knew about edgenotes. It's a real shame the tags for them aren't in the documentation. (It's <right_insert>, IIRC.)
All the yes. And don't try to cater for new people or bend over for old. Set the basic premise early, to shake out a few cobwebs and then go fresh. You only need to really bring up the old stuff when it's relevant. Like have a character from the first one show up for a hectic scene where there's little time to talk, then reintroduce them in the second chapter once there's time. It hypes up long time readers first before letting newcomers in on the fun.
Annnddd... that's all I've got. I've only written a couple sequels over the years.
Yes... YES! IT BEGINS!
I think some short explanations would be fine if they don’t drag on and on, it’s pretty customary for sequels. Just make it sound organic or just hang a lampshade on it if that don’t work.
I would be SO into a sequel! Ive been searching for fic that scratched that itch for the Celestia/Sunset dynamic you wrote ever since it ended and haven't been nearly satisfied- however you go about doing it, I'll bet it'll be great!
Yes
YES!
A short recap at the beginning that recounts the important bits of the first story should suffice.
GOD yes. That's not the kind of thing where you think, it's said all it needs to say. I WANT SUNSETADOPTION AND MONSTER SLAYING.
I may be biased since I've read the first story no less than 10 times, but I don't think you'd need to retread ground in order for people to understand. I'm not sure there were that many things to remember in the first place, and for the rest you could integrate it into the prologue/first chapter. Most of the info can be implied while getting other information, as in Sunset complaining to her mom about something or another she made her take to the dorm all while fighting off rabid gnomes, each of the teachers and her aunt getting a moment to give an opinion. Give new information while re-establishing the status quo.
I most definitely would read it!!
If you write it, they will read. Do IT!!!!!
Take the same universe, and have the characters more or less know what's up, I think. That said, reintroducing characters is a good idea so one isn't totally lost without re-reading the first story. As long as it feels natural (whatever that means to you) I think you should be fine. I know you probably have some way more qualified people on this, but if you want someone to bounce ideas or to look over stuff (especially if you want to know if your readers will be annoyed by explanations or such) I offer what input I have.
Overall I'd be very interested in a sequel and I'm glad you've organically decided you wouldn't mind making one as opposed to being pressured into it. Best of luck with the writing!
Oh yes please do it!
I'd say go for it if you think you'll have fun. I'd read it.
Put some Sunlight in it.
A sequel would be very welcome. I would even be willing to do some proofreading if you were to be so inclined.
I vote yes for more weremanatties
More plz and just write it as if we remember from the original
Yes please. More good EG fics are always appreciated.
Yeah! I really enjoyed that story, and if you feel inspired to continue it, I'd love more!
*winces, cough* also Dan, I hate to say this, but the sequel may also be an opportunity to... if not address some of the issues with the original, to try another approach with the same characters/setting and avoid them. So... this is late, but I"m going to quickly note a few points I noticed with the original that you may want to avoid and some you may want to continue.
In brief, I loved the original's comedy, characters, setting, the premise, and the eventual Sunset gets adopted by a hesitant Celestia. I liked how the cast jammed, I like how a lot of cliches were avoided, and some were gloriously indulged. The beginning and the end were nice and I loved the variety of monsters of the week. Principal Cinch as the final boss was also fantastic.
But while I also loved the final arc, I found that the transition was... a tad sudden when compared to the episodic nature of the previous chapter entries. The story I felt could have worked if the episodes and arcs were... tied closer together so to speak. Not that it detracted from my enjoyment, but it was noticeable.
In my opinion, if the sequel was composed of a series of story-arc episodes, with each arc building off of the last (and with each arc perhaps getting longer until you get to the longest final arc) would work really really well.
But if you have other plans, completely ignore waht I just said. :P
Write what you enjoy. If you enjoy writing it, that usually translates through to readers enjoying it.
As for callbacks, etc - footnotes. They worked for Pratchett.
I say go for it. Author note reminders seem like the best way of refreshing people if you can't organically work the reminders into the story.
I vote yes.
Yeeeeeeeeessssssss~
*Happy zombie noises*
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You would say that...and I mean so would I...so yes please that.
I'd say it's up to you. If you've got enough ideas for a sequel, then sure, why not? If you're bringing this up only because people are pestering you for more, then don't. It's your story; if you're done with it, then they can write their own sequel
*Veteran readers will remember:
I’d like to see a sequel, the original was awesome!
Yes, Please write a sequel.
Also, No one ever really minds it whenever an author writes out short recap for their audience. In fact, since your story hasn't received a sequel for two years, it may be incredibly beneficial to have a recap at the beginning of your story.
If you write it, I will read.
A sequel to one of my absolute favorties? I would love to read that!
I would even pay for it.