Friday, August 26, 2011

BB: Guest Post + Contest: Alex Cavanaugh

Next up is the author of CassaStar [My review HERE], Alex Cavanaugh! Enjoy!

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Challenges of Writing a Sequel


Some writers envision detailed worlds and further adventures for their characters. They plan for more books. Not everyone has that vision, though. I certainly didn’t!

When I wrote CassaStar, it was intended to be a standalone book. I’d carried the idea around for years and even wrote a rough draft when I was younger. I’d envisioned many adventures for Byron and Bassa, but when I wrote CassaStar (spoiler!) I killed off one of the characters. That rather nixed further stories.

I panicked when people began asking about a sequel, even before CassaStar’s release. What the heck was I going to write?

One question continued to come up from fans - why weren’t there any women in the book? I decided to give the fans what they wanted and introduced a female lead into the story. Drawing upon an earlier idea, I created a whole new storyline, one that I hoped would satisfy my readers. That definitely taught me to continue fueling new ideas.

I also continued with the theme from the first book - friendship and trust. After countless rewrites of the outline, I used NaNo last year to complete the first draft of the sequel. I revised the story, ran it by my critique partners and test readers, and submitted it to my publisher in June.

And I am happy to say the sequel will be released next February 28 as CassaFire!

Of course, now everyone expects a trilogy! Back to the drawing board…

Thanks again, WDEBO, for allowing me to be part of your anniversary celebration!


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Now for CONTEST!


Enter to win an ebook copy of Alex's book CassaStar. (Just fill out the form below!)





Wdebo :)

26 comments:

  1. So looking forward to CassaFire's release! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Loved CassaStar! I'm looking forward CassaFire. Sequels are challenging. I'm working on two right now. You never know how much to repeat. LOL

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  3. I enjoyed CassaStar and am looking forward to CassaFire! What do you have planned for book 3? :)

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  4. I won't enter the contest as I already own CassaStar - good luck to everyone else! :)

    Writing a sequel when you haven't planned one is tough!

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  5. A trilogy?!?! More moody Byron three times over? Cap'n Alex you truly are spoiling us! Yay!! And more women!! Hoorah!!! Women rock. Especially women in space. But Byron is mine - so back off sister! Ahem. Take care
    x

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  6. Sequels were no problem for me, I just had to know when to stop.

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  7. Alex, thanks for the advice! And congrats on the upcoming sequel! My current WIP will have a sequel (most likely), so this is helpful. Thanks for hosting Alex here! :)

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  8. i am all in great news and review...

    jeremy

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  9. Thanks, Jeffrey!

    Ciara, I didn't want backstory dump. Hopefully I avoided it in the sequel.

    Elizabeth, almost nothing! Crap.

    Jemi, it was.

    Karen, good luck.

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  10. I like the fact that you added a female character. It'll be interesting to see the difference between both books. Good luck onthe next one. :)

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  11. Great advice and thank you for sharing. Looking forward to reading Cassafire, and even more so for a third installment! :)

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  12. Hi Alex, congrats on your release day for your sequel. I entered the contest.

    And it must have been hard to kill off one of your main characters. I've tried... can't do it. I just shoot them and put them in the hospital.

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  13. It's awesome you're so receptive to your fans' requests---and that your ideas kept coming...and keep coming for that trilogy!

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  14. Laila, and that female character was a challenge...

    Thanks, Amy!

    Doralynn, it was hard, because I really liked him.

    Nicki, if it wasn't for my fans, I wouldn't know what to write!

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  15. I look forward to reading Cassafire, Alex.

    I'm trying to come up with sequel ideas while working on two WIPs right now. It's not always easy.

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  16. That is so awesome. I want to be like Alex.

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  17. Awesome! Love ya Alex! Keep up the good work, man and trust me, the third book will be the easiest. XD

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  18. yeah for alex!
    hey, why AREN'T there any females?
    and i cant even fathom a sequel! one thing at a time!

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  19. Mary, it's not!

    PTM, you are your own superhero my friend.

    Mel, I'm holding you to that!

    Tara, CassaFire will reveal why, I promise.

    Thanks again, WDEBO!

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  20. Darn that Alex. I admit he's converted me from a "I'll never read sci-fi" person to one who's soaking it up (at least, soaking up his writing).

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  21. like i said elsewhere, not happy how they drew 'cassastar' on the cover; review is good, tho

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  22. Congrats Alex! I'm reading your first book now; my son was hoarding it...lol. He is now writing his own Scifi book. When CassaFire comes out; I'm getting him his copy and mine on Kindle ;D
    Try not to worry about the third one...something will come to you~ An unknown sibling always causes a rift~ enJOY your fame!

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  23. Thanks, LaughingWolf!

    Lynda, I hope you enjoy it.

    Ella, glad you finally have the copy. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

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