Why I’m Not Writing a Sequel to Ashes Swept

Posted on January 8, 2018 by juliajsimpson

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After the release of Ashes Swept, I was surprised by how many readers said they were excited for the sequel and asked when it would be out. This caught me completely off-guard, because Ashes Swept was always meant to be a stand-alone novel. The book covers the important part of Synda May’s story, so I’d never even considered adding on beyond that.

It’s flattering, though, that people enjoyed the characters and world so much that they want to spend more time with them. So, why not write a sequel anyway? I would if I thought more of the story needed to be told, but there would need to be a conflict that ties into the first book, and there isn’t one. I could create one, but I also don’t want to force it. I imagine the rest of Synda May’s life playing out happily but uneventfully as she fights the “quiet revolutions” while going about business as usual. And as much fun as it would be to follow her into that next phase of her life, it just doesn’t seem to warrant an entire book.

Having said that, there’s always the possibility I will write some Ashes Swept shorts as bonus material at some point. If that ever happens, you’ll be the first to know! In the meantime, I’m steadily plugging away at what I hope will be my 2018 release. It’s a little different than Ashes Swept, though it does take place in the future and follows the adventures of a young woman trying to find her place in the world. More details to come later in the year!

Category: UncategorizedTags: amwriting, author, books, fiction, fiction writing, indiepub, kindle, monday blogs, na, publishing, reading, romance, speculative fiction, stories, storytelling, writer, writer life, writing

3 Comments on “Why I’m Not Writing a Sequel to Ashes Swept”

Bobbi Clementi
January 10, 2018

I tend to agree with you. I always hated that someone decided Gone With The Wind needed a sequel. It was so disappointing. You have such a terrific imagination. Go with it where it takes you!
sthauthor
January 11, 2018

I’m always up for an AS sequel! ☺️👍 But I do understand that Synda May’s story is nicely wrapped up and she is living her happily ever after!

When I was writing Solitary Sky I knew I would be writing a trilogy….so I had a lot of backstory planned from the beginning that never made it into the book. So yeah, unless it’s something you’ve planned ahead for, it could seem forced and that never works out well!

Plus new characters are always exciting! And I love your Idea of revisiting Floridian in short stories….that would be amazing!!! 😎💖💖💖
Ann Cozad Jansson
January 11, 2018

I agree!