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30 Day Fanfiction Meme, day 21!
21 – Sequels – Have you ever written a sequel to a fic you wrote, and if so, why, and if not, how do you feel about sequels?
I wrote "It's All an Act, You Know" as a one-shot, and posted it marked complete. Since then, I've written three more chapters, each one a stand-alone, without intending to write more. I still do plan to write more, I just don't know when.
I do consider the added chapters to this fic as sequels, since I didn't plan for them from the start. I suppose if I were posting this fic now to AO3, I'd make a new series and post each chapter as its own fic within the series, as that's how authors do it these days. (This is a way to cheat the system and earn more named kudos and fic hits. A signed-in person at AO3 can only leave one kudo on a fic. If they read chapter 1 and kudo it, then when they read chapter 2 and want to kudo again, they can't unless they sign out and kudo as a nameless guest. If each chapter is posted as its own fic, then they can kudo away individually. Also each fic in a series is listed under the fandom, making a larger presence and chance to earn readers, rather than one listing for a chaptered fic. Yes, I have feelings about using a series this way to cheat the system. And no, I am not the only one. Humph.)
I think sequels are fine, though if they are short--say under 5k--I prefer them to be posted as chapters on a fic, rather than separate fics declared sequels. It makes things neater. Many a time I've been scanning an author's fics, find a one that looks interesting, and click to see "sequel to Fic Title Here", which I then have to go read first. If the sequel is under 5k, I definitely grumble--and if the prequel is also under 5k?? GRRRRRR.
When it comes to content, of course the fic should be as good as possible. I know it's difficult for a sequel to live up to the original, but it can happen! I think Greengecko's Resolution is better than its two prequels, Resonance and Revolution, for example. ^^
As for being pressured into writing one...that does bother me. If an author writes a one-shot as a one-shot and is satisfied with it, then I say they're good. They are NOT obligated to write more. (My own one-shots earn pleas for sequels several times a year, and I politely reply that I have no plans at this time, but if a bunny attacks, then I will probably give in.) I myself have read plenty of fics that made me WANT MOAR, and if I end up asking the author, I try my best to be polite. I know how irritating it can be to constantly read "WRITE MOAR!" on a fic you are done with.
I wrote "It's All an Act, You Know" as a one-shot, and posted it marked complete. Since then, I've written three more chapters, each one a stand-alone, without intending to write more. I still do plan to write more, I just don't know when.
I do consider the added chapters to this fic as sequels, since I didn't plan for them from the start. I suppose if I were posting this fic now to AO3, I'd make a new series and post each chapter as its own fic within the series, as that's how authors do it these days. (This is a way to cheat the system and earn more named kudos and fic hits. A signed-in person at AO3 can only leave one kudo on a fic. If they read chapter 1 and kudo it, then when they read chapter 2 and want to kudo again, they can't unless they sign out and kudo as a nameless guest. If each chapter is posted as its own fic, then they can kudo away individually. Also each fic in a series is listed under the fandom, making a larger presence and chance to earn readers, rather than one listing for a chaptered fic. Yes, I have feelings about using a series this way to cheat the system. And no, I am not the only one. Humph.)
I think sequels are fine, though if they are short--say under 5k--I prefer them to be posted as chapters on a fic, rather than separate fics declared sequels. It makes things neater. Many a time I've been scanning an author's fics, find a one that looks interesting, and click to see "sequel to Fic Title Here", which I then have to go read first. If the sequel is under 5k, I definitely grumble--and if the prequel is also under 5k?? GRRRRRR.
When it comes to content, of course the fic should be as good as possible. I know it's difficult for a sequel to live up to the original, but it can happen! I think Greengecko's Resolution is better than its two prequels, Resonance and Revolution, for example. ^^
As for being pressured into writing one...that does bother me. If an author writes a one-shot as a one-shot and is satisfied with it, then I say they're good. They are NOT obligated to write more. (My own one-shots earn pleas for sequels several times a year, and I politely reply that I have no plans at this time, but if a bunny attacks, then I will probably give in.) I myself have read plenty of fics that made me WANT MOAR, and if I end up asking the author, I try my best to be polite. I know how irritating it can be to constantly read "WRITE MOAR!" on a fic you are done with.