Feels good to be back on track, after weeks of family illnesses and work stuff slowed me down. Rewrote the opening chapter of Blood Game, and then finished the second chapter last night.

By the thirty-chapter outline I’m working with, it’ll take three chapters to properly set everything up. Then two or three chapters to establish some side characters and side plots, before the ball really gets rolling.

There’s a lot to take into consideration when writing the second book in a series. I can’t assume the reader has read the first book — some readers will find me through the sequel, and go back and read my debut later. That means the sequel has to be able to stand up on its own.

But it can’t be entirely independent either. My main character, Thomas Vale, has to be essentially the same person, maybe a little more experienced. He has to be consistent with what readers have seen before. I have to quickly develop him in the sequel in a way that informs new readers, but without being tiresome and redundant for those who read the debut.

That means I need to give my protagonist ways to show off who he is and what he can do, early and often, but in a different way than in the debut. Simultaneously, I have to establish a new story with new support characters, and begin developing those characters.

And finally, because I’m writing in the thriller/action genre, the story should start with a bang and maintain a good pace during most of the book, and especially near the beginning.

Phew!

It’s a juggling act, but a fun one. And there will be many drafts … oh yes indeedy. But later drafts, in my experience, are a lot less grueling if you really roll up your sleeves and put in the extra effort into the first draft. Especially the opening. Take as much time as you need and really nail that opening.