Not always so in writing.
When I began to glimpse the phenomenal response to The Selkie, the first in my Orkney Selkies series, I knew I had to create stories for Calan's flirty brothers. They barely appeared in the first book, and yet each reader seemed to gravitate to one brother or another, just from small mentions. I was thrilled and excited that these men elicited such responses! It became clear to me that I had to tell Machar's ("Call me Mack") story next. There was something in him that just called to me. Selkie's Revenge was born.
I began to plan the book and was immediately struck with my dilemma. Calan Kirk was a larger-than-life character in some ways. He used Orkney words and was a wonderful flirt and possessed the unique qualities that make selkies such astounding lovers. With Mack, I needed him to have some of the same traits but was desperate not to regurgitate Calan back onto the page. I needed Mack to still have that Orcadian charm, but to also be his own man.
He also needed to have a different journey to love. Calan's journey was fun and buoyant, filled with laughter and need. When I first thought of Mack's heroine Beth, it became very clear that his journey wouldn't be the same as his brother's. Oh, I've still tried to inject it with lightness, especially in shedding more light on a couple of the brothers, but Mack's tale is a darker one. He and Beth walk a more introspective road. They know grief and heartache, and need to learn to surrender to each other. For Beth, this is especially hard. Oh, we still have some smokin' sex, but this is not a couple that falls into bed immediately with each other. There are obstacles in the way.
In short, I hope all the readers who embraced Calan will also love Mack and that they will respond to his journey as well.
Selkie's Revenge will be available at www.lsbooks.com on July 15, and at all ebook outlets. In the meantime, you can add it to your TBR list at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18076055-selkie-s-revenge
Happy reading!
Rosanna, I sooooo get what you are saying.
ReplyDeleteI've gone through this same thing with my second book in my series. Kal--the secondary character in my first novel was funny and carefree. Readers loved him. Well, Kal isn't the same character as he was in the first book. What he faces in his story is serious--HE is a lot more serious. I hope the readers will embrace Kal in his book.
I look forward to reading S.R.
Thanks Brenda, and I look forward to seeing Kal again too! Sometimes our secondary characters show themselves one way and surprise us later. They have new depths we didn't initially plumb. It's a good thing, but scary too. Best of luck with the new release!
DeleteI know exactly what you're saying! I haven't had a chance yet to work on the sequel to Touch of the Gods and it freaks me out trying to make something as special and unique as the first.
ReplyDeleteI personally can't wait for Selkie's Revenge. I loved the first book!
Thanks so much, DX! It's not easy tackling book 2, but you just have to remember it's a different story, and hope readers will love it as much as the first. I'm sure yours will be as wonderful as your first!
DeleteGreat post Rosanna! It is fascinating seeing the difference in different types of series books. There are two types: those where character who are in book one also star in book two (such as Rowena and the Dark Lord) and those where secondary characters in book one become the primary characters in book two. The challenges for each type of series book are different. Great topic.
ReplyDeleteThe challenges are different, Melodie. I'm sure it was just as tricky for you carrying Rowena forward for new challenges. I'm hoping my readers respond to Mack too! Thanks for stopping by.
Deleteomg! 10 more days until i get to have a new rosanna created book boyfriend! i can't wait! i adore you rosanna! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks so much Adam's Girl. I'm so lucky to have you as a reader and hope you enjoy Mack's tale too.
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