From Novella to Trilogy: My Writing Journey

When I wrote my novella, Willful Obsession, I had low expectations. I figured it would be an e-book, and that’s it. Now, it’s a paperback, and I have visions of creating a large print version, and want to explore an audio version. 

I wrote Willful Obsession as a standalone and didn’t even consider a series. Now, I’m happy to share that I’ve just finished the draft of the second story and … there will be a trilogy. Gasp!

What you might wonder, and my answers:

1. Why did I decide to write a follow-up novel? 

Because I fell in love with the characters and the town. I set the story in my hometown in Oregon, where we have lived for 37 years, though I gave the town a pseudonym to allow myself more artistic license.

3. Given that you had the characters and the setting already, was the second novel easier to write?

No way! I added more characters and a lot of plot lines. The second story is essentially laying the foundation for the third one and completing the story arcs for all the main characters.

4. Will the second story be a novella as well?

No, it’s already twice as long as Willful Obsession! It’s early stages, and the draft hasn’t gone to beta readers yet.

5. What’s it called?

Keeping in mind that Willful Obsession changed its name three times (The Will >> The Garden Plot >> Willful Obsession), the working title for the second story is: The Twilight Splash.

6. When will the new book be out?

I hope it will be this year. In fact, I want the entire trilogy out this year. Fingers crossed

7. How long did it take you to write part two?

It took only two months. But it took two to four months of mulling, thinking, and strategizing. I plotted out both part 2 and 3 because I had to know how things would end before I could start

8. You’re not one of those writers who just starts writing and sees where the story goes?

Mostly, no. I’m what’s called a plotter. I like to have an outline and really plan the scenes out. Other writers are called pantsers who fly by the seat of their pants. Having said that, characters have their own minds, and sometimes they tell me what to write, and I just go with it. The best-laid plans …

9. Will you finish part two, release it, then start on part three?

No. My concern is that I don’t want the plot in part two to box me in for part three. My current plan is to finish both parts two and three and then release them pretty close to one another.

10. What has been your greatest thrill being a writer?

A few things come to mind. One was getting a four-star review from an independent reviewer. Another was having my local library buy the paperback and then have people check it out. That’s fun!

Well, it’s time to start plotting out the scenes for part three. If you could see me, you’d see smoke coming out of my ears with all the thinking going on. 

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