Tag: Crusader

Sequel, Prequel or Standalone?

On By TomIn Achievement, author honesty, author ideas, beta readers, General, Insight, Novel, reading, series, thriller, work in progress, writing

My original intention was to write Constance as a sequel, following on from the main character’s  partnership formed with Jason in Crusader. I next considered Constance as a prequel, but the story will now be a standalone.

Not fully conversant with the differences?

A sequel is usually produced after the first story, film or whatever. A prequel is produced after the existing story, (in this case, Crusader), but the new tale is written about a prior time period. A standalone, unsurprisingly, may or may not be connected to another story, but can be read independently.

Why have I opted for individual stories instead of creating a mini-series?

My intention had been to reveal Constance using flashbacks, conversation, documents, media, events, and suchlike. Instead, the story will introduce the character before she meets Jason, aka Crusader. 

The Constance character is firmly established in my mind, so I know her back story, and how she interacts with others. My aim is to highlight Constance as an individual, although  at some stage the tale will blend with the original. Her story will not end when she meets Jason; it will continue, featuring the crime-fighting heroine in her own right.

Fans of the ‘Beyond The Law‘, or ‘Codename‘ stories will be pleased to learn that well-loved characters will make a cameo appearance.

When I have a clear idea of a time-frame for beta reading, final edits, and publishing, I’ll give everyone a heads-up with a post here.

For those who are interested, Crusader is selling regularly, although thanks to Amazon’s restrictive practises regarding reviews, it doesn’t look that way. The book recently won a gold award in the Thriller/Horror category in the Connections eMagazine, and a bronze award for cover design. Needless to say I was delighted with such recognition, and publicity.

As always, thank you for comments, suggestions, and dropping by.

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My Writing Year – 2022

On By TomIn Achievement, author ideas, erotica, fantasy, General, Insight, Novel, novella, paranormal, Promotion, pseudonym, Review, sci-fi, self-publishing, series, Short Stories, thriller, work in progress

For me, the start of a new year isn’t about reflecting on what has gone before, or organising my new (physical) diary, although setting that up does take a while. The first day of January for me, is a step forward from the day before, but it signals the need to have my creative house in order.

There’s something about a new diary, a new sketch pad, and, of course, for an author, a new book. I have three titles lined up and as I like to do, I’ll work through each steadily with no rush to finish anything too rapidly.

What have I got lined up?

Selena: Sea Nymph is intended to be a standalone, and however well it flows, if you’ll pardon the pun, I don’t intend to let the story tempt me into a sequel. I’m pleased to say that I have the first five chapters written and available for reading/comments in my Work in Progress menu. From Sunday, 6th February, only the first chapter will remain on view.

Crusader is a crime thriller, and will be worked on when the Selena manuscript is ‘resting’ for three or four weeks. The two books will take turns in commanding my attention. This is a system that has worked for me for a few years now.

The third proposed title for this year is Constance, which will be the sequel to Crusader. I wouldn’t normally suggest I was writing a sequel prior to the first story being written but on this occasion I’m confident that the premise will work. As you might expect, this second part will bring the story to a close.

Will I produce anything else this year?

I don’t intend any more novels during the year, and I’m still undecided about working on another anthology.

My wife and I have recently rejoined the camping fraternity with an updated set of wheels and a touring caravan. With luck and reasonable conditions I aim to spend more time mobile and on ‘research’ rather than writing.

My creative hands will continue to be full because I’ll be working for the brand produced for my pseudonym, which is seeing more attention than my work in recent times. It’s a strange feeling, to be successful anonymously. The stories are fun to write and when I last peeked at the website there was mention of a two-part novel, an anthology, and three novellas.

I’ll be reading widely as normal and beta reading for members of the IASD, but I might maintain a low profile on social media.

For now, from me, I hope you have a safe and prosperous year ahead and you read (and write), as much as you hope to.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and as Bugs Bunny would say, That’s all folks.

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