A reader writes in: I thought this might be a good question to ask “Betsy the Blogger.” Before we continue, let it be known that Betsy does not like being referred to as “Betsy the Blogger.”
So, I’m writing a memoir on painkiller addiction, and much of my story involves my experiences in “Drug Court”. Proof positive: I attract junkies. And as I’m writing, a nagging voice keeps suggesting to me that perhaps there is a book in the Drug Court story alone… so, a few questions:
First, is it completely solipsistic of me to think about a second book before finishing the first? YES.
And, if it were reasonable for me to contemplate a second or “follow up” book, should I be concerned with how much subject matter I cover in the first? NO.
I have trouble evaluating at any “communication” in isolation. That’s the great existential joke. The writer is often that last person to know if his work is any good, and by that I mean if it communicates or reaches other people. That’s why it’s usually so terrifying to put it out there, worst fears confirmed. I think everyone will agree that it is worse to be met with silence than rejection.
So, is it crazy to think about your sequel before the book you are working on has found its place on the shelf? Yeah, of course it is. But it may also be a sign of mania, and/or what I call the rapture of the deep. This is where you’re so deep into your work that you think everything you see and touch is related to the book. That it’s not just one book, but two, and maybe a series.
Dearest writer with checkered drug history, just remember, one book at a time.
Betsy Lerner 
Excellent advice as always. One of the problems with being a writer is that your hand leads the pen which leads their mind. As a consequence, impatience with the world is only to be expected.
” …First, is it completely solipsistic of me to think about a second book before finishing the first? …”
No, it’s “optimistic”.
Mark Twain – lightning, lightning bug … et cetera
hahahaha. I’m totally working on two books at once because if I get writer’s block on one, I have the other to work on. But they aren’t really related to each other.
One of them, though, I had thought I wouldn’t be able to fit everything in so I decided to break it up into two books. While I think fluffing up the content is no good, I think agents are glad to see someone who’s not just a one hit wonder but has more books up their sleeves and plans to write more.
Is it a bad thing to think about a sequel to the book while writing the first? No, because then you can foreshadow things an entire book ahead to make for a more compelling and cohesive series. But that’s only if you’re absolutely sure they WILL be published in sequence.
I love the mention of Mark Twain’s lightning bug quote. I love that quote and keep it next to where I write.
If your motivation for creating a sequel or a series is to squeeze more volume out of your writing or make your fans buy the second book, don’t do it. But if the story demands it or if you feel like your characters are so awesome you want to spend more time with them, then that’s a good sign that your readers will want to as well.
Ufda. This is becoming a longer comment than I thought. Didn’t know I had so many opinions about sequels. 😛
Best of luck … If I tried writing two books to thwart Writer’s Block, my blocks would respond by becoming boulders. They can smell fear, you know.
Sometimes there’s just nothing to say.
“… I think everyone will agree that it is worse to be met with silence than rejection…”
I prefer rejection: that way I know the Post Office still delivers to my address. So far they’ve been quite dependable.
“…as I’m writing, a nagging voice keeps suggesting
to me that perhaps there is a book in the Drug Court
story alone… so, a few questions: ”
First, is it completely solipsistic of me to think
about a second book before finishing the first? “
That depends on your Drug Court sentence.
“And, if it were reasonable for me to contemplate
a second or “follow up” book, should I be concerned
with how much subject matter I cover in the first? “
Wait and see. With the right cellmate, you may have new experiences to draw from.
” I have trouble evaluating at any “communication” in
isolation”
Complying with the Correctional Officer’s instructions will help avoid isolation.