Why The Second Novel is Scarier Than The First

By the time you read this, my sophomore novel, Can't Help Falling, will have just been released. Coming just under six months from the release of my debut novel, Close To You, has made for a busy year!

Before I was published I remember hearing a few times that your second novel is
scarier than your debut. As I prepared for the release of my first book, I
couldn’t understand how that was possible. Your debut is the first of
everything! First time working with a publishing house, first time navigating
cover and title selection, first one-star reviews, first readers letting you
know what they didn’t like about your book or what you got wrong.

You’re (Usually) Writing Under Contract For the First Time When I wrote Close To You it was the crazy story that I genuinely believed no publisher would be interested in. Who would want a romantic comedy set in New Zealand about a Lord of the Rings tour of all things? I had no expectations and no deadlines beyond the (moveable) ones that I set for myself. If life got in the way of writing it wasn’t a big deal.

When I signed my publishing contract for two books all I knew about the second
book was contained in one sentence. It was to be set in Oxford and have a C.S.
Lewis theme. I had eight months to take that and turn it into a 90,000 word
manuscript.

This time the day job being crazy, children being sick, the muse not showing up or you feeling more like spending your evenings watching reality TV over wrestling with obstinate characters were irrelevant. There was a deadline set in a contract with an advance that would have to be paid back if I didn’t deliver. At the back of my mind was the insistent voice asking over and over What if I can’t do this? What if the best that I’ve got in me is that first book? What if I’m about to fail my editor, my agent, myself, and all the people who have believed in my author dream? Expectations

Your debut novel is a crazy exciting terrifying time. Your first book baby is
being released into the world and you have no control over how readers are going
to react to it. However, readers also don't have any expectations based on
previous reading experience as to what they expect from a "X Author" novel. You
have a blank slate as an author. This changes with the sophomore novel. People
have thoughts, opinions and hopes as to the kind of story you might be deliver.
Now you feel the weight of hoping, praying, that your new story will not be a
disappointment to those who enjoyed your first.

You Know How Really Hard It Is To Get Readers To Take A Chance on a New Author

With your debut novel you knew this in theory. As a reader you knew how hard it
was to convince you to spend your hard earned money on an unknown author when
your budget didn't even reach to all those authors you already know and love.
But you naively hope that between sheer force of will, your great hook, and
feeling like you're wallpapering the internet with all your guest
posts/interviews/articles that readers will flock to your story.

With the sophomore novel, you've learned in the trenches that you are the rule,
not the exception. You've eyeballed sales figures that have you wondering if the
system lost a digit somewhere. You've let out many a silent virtual scream at
people assuring you that they can't wait to read your book, they're just waiting
for the e-version to be made free. You've seen much coveted positive reviews in
sought after publications give your sales figures a low double digit bump that
week. You've learnt from experience that this author thing really is a long game.

But, in all of that, you also know the joy of having readers who love your writing. A tribe of people cheering you on for no other reason than they love your imaginary friends. Readers who become friends and tell you you can do this. And that makes facing down the fear worth it over and over again.

Giveaway

Kara is giving away a copy of CLOSE TO YOU and CANT HELP FALLING and a mini-journal