A second book is actually more a test than the first. Not in how well it’s written—although some writers manage to triumph over all these odds and produce stellar sophomore efforts. But the second book is where the writer screws up his courage and learns to proceed without the illusions and wild optimism.
Click to read the entire post, Why Second Novels Are So Different from the First, over at Wordplay. Author Kim Wright says everything I'm feeling right now. I'm so grateful that I'm not only one.
Book two is the reason I'm on a blog break.
Book two is the reason I'm not sleeping.
Book two is righteously kicking my ass.
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*shakes pompoms* Go Jennifer Go! Sometimes it takes getting your ass kicked (even by literature) to get you through it all. Still, it sucks you're not sleeping. Have you tried listening to Samuel L. Jackson reading 'Go the F to Sleep'? Works for me! :P
ReplyDeleteHope you're surviving!!
The pressure never goes away, it just takes a different form with each level you climb. But I know you're up to the task! It sucks to be feeling the way you are right now, though. Let your friends hold you up, encourage and reassure you!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're feeling pressure to make it as good as the first book. If you trust in yourself, you know you can do it. I know you can. : )
ReplyDeleteJust going to throw this out there, good luck with book two.
ReplyDelete:hugs: I wish I had some words of wisdom, but since I don't even have a first book out, all I can do is give you a hug and tell you that you can do anything you set your mind to.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping it real. I'm sure I'd feel the same way. Heck, I already do -- and I've only had short stories published! Keep up the good work. Keep Creep nearby. Just look at it and tell yourself, "I've done it before, and I can do it again."
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens if you take your eye off that second book for even a second! Stay focused and work hard and you'll survive. :)
ReplyDelete:: Grabs a set of pom poms and joins Caitlin on your personal cheering squad :: You can do it! It's not nearly as entertaining to see an author triumph if you don't give us the illusion that the book is putting up a decent fight for a little while. ;) You'll come out the victor with maybe only a minor paper cut or two while your book will acknowledge you as supreme master of the written word. :) Ok, I can't come up with any more hyperboles. We love you and we're cheering you on! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! You've got all of our (no pressure) support behind you. It's time to go back to basics. You've got a story in your heart, and no one else can tell it. :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very stressful. I have nothing intelligent to add but I will say having read Creep that I have every confidence that your next book (no matter how strenuous the writing is) will be even better. You're too good a writer to go anywhere but up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post. Enjoy your break from the blog and focus on writing book 2. We're all waiting with baited breath - no pressure. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven’t even signed a contract for The Underground Gift, and already I’m thinking all kinds of worrisome things about my second YA. Is it thematic enough? Oh my gosh, is it too similar and therefore boring and predictable? Should it also be a historical novel? If my first one is an edgy historical, does that mean I can’t ever write the non-historical edgy novels lurking in my mind? You know, just the ordinary thoughts a writer has at any given moment. :)
ReplyDeleteThe support I've gotten from you guys can't even be measured. Thanks for sticking with me on this crazy ass ride. :) I shall be by to visit you all shortly...
ReplyDeleteGood luck!! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteOh Jenny, I didn't know you weren't sleeping! :( You deserve a break! Go ahead and enjoy it! <3
ReplyDeleteYou are going to get this done and done right. You are ready to kick butt or chew bubble gum, and your are all out of bubble gum! ('They Live' stolen line)
ReplyDeleteI hear this all the time, and I figured it was the reason for your blog break of late.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the 2nd book! I just know you'll "kill" it. :)
All the power to you on that 2nd book! In the meantime, I'm reading Fangland thanks to your rec and it is great so far! Can't wait to see what you do with your next one.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! You did it once and you will again, and again, annnnd again! :) Keep your chin up and keep writing!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, J.
ReplyDeleteWith your first novel, you had to prove you were a writer to a world that didn't know who the hell you were, and you managed to do that quite admirably.
This time around, your main obstacle is Jenny. Don't let her convince you that you are anything BUT a damn fine writer.
And remember, sometimes our journeys are sweeter the second time around.
Now prove it again, and savor it.
I've heard this said so many times, and you know I've started my second novel. I'm almost 60K words into it. Really happy with the way it's going, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteI want to lessen any pressure I may have as much as possible! For me it's all about the career.
Thanks so much for the link back to Wordplay! Much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed Kim's article.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! Going to shut up and get back to work now. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're feeling down. I know it's the pressure of a deadline, but have confidence in the fact that you're an incredible storyteller. Focus on just the story, not the extraneous crap around you. You have friends & fans who are pulling & praying for you. We have faith in you! You will do this. Baby steps, all the way to the end.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you feel so much pressure. But you have a book under your belt, so you know that much more. I hope the writing has gotten better.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Jennifer! Thanks for the awesome link too.
ReplyDeleteJust kick its ass back. Sorted.
ReplyDeleteYou can do eeeet! :) *hands over a red bull*
ReplyDeleteEverything is always a lot harder the second time around. In sports, there's the second-season-blues. In music, most second albums are flops. It's explainable. When you have ten years to write the first and eight months to write the second, the game changes. I have faith in you, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI know you can do it! And it will be epic!
ReplyDeletehaha, well said!
ReplyDeleteThe second book is the most difficult to write. I expect you'll do really well.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!! I've heard about the second book curse but I have heard that everyone that went through it have gotten THROUGH IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard lots of authors say that about the second book, so know you definitely are not alone! Good luck! You'll get through it! :)
ReplyDeleteI know you're on a blogging break, but there's something for you on my blog today. Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteMan I'm so sorry to hear that! Fingers crossed that you start kicking back soon. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteJust kick book two's ass right back. You can do it. :)
ReplyDeleteI ditto Lydia. You'll kick ass soon! BTW: I can't wait to get my hands on CREEP, which sounds a bit weird...
ReplyDeleteJennifer - You'll kick its ass right back. You go girl!!!
ReplyDelete