8/22/11 Monday’s Random Thoughts: Sequelitis and BOATK Ratings

So, for the most part, people seem to like BOATK and it’s selling well, which is a weight off my shoulders.  Or, at least it started out to be.  Inevitably, thoughts turn to what’s next, and I don’t necessarily mean about my next book out in February/March 2012 (unrelated to Bear).  I mean about what’s next for the boys from BOATK.  Before I go on, a definition from Urban Dictionary:

Sequelitis: A medical condition propogated by a combination of commercial success and creative ineptitude. Symptoms include bad movies, books, and music: arrogance, denial, and desperation.  In that order.  Treat symptoms with a daily dose of self-realization.

Does BOATK need a sequel?  I don’t know.  I’d kinda-sorta planned on writing one, should the mood have struck me.  Really, though, I knew that any second book would be a bridge to a third book following the Kid when he’s older.  But last week something struck me, an idea for a direction to go with a sequel, and I started writing.  Will it amount to something?  Maybe.  I’ve found in my own experiences that sequels usually can’t live up to the original (see pretty much any summer movie sequel; with the exception of X-Men 2 (fan boy squeal!), the rest are usually crap).  So am I suffering from sequelitis?  Fuck if I know.  I do know I would never write anything to make a quick buck.  I can’t do that, it’s just not in me.  I think it’s bullshit.  Does it help that BOATK is successful?  Well, of course it does.  I’d be a liar if said that hadn’t crossed my mind.  I just want it to live up to the first one.  If I don’t think it does, then I don’t see the point of releasing it. Crap for crap’s sake is still crap.

That being said, I just wrote a scene where the Kid discusses his views on nudists colonies, the apparent nymphomaniacal ways of Mother Nature, and his new shirt GIVE ME TOFU OR GIVE ME DEATH.  God, sometimes I love him so much it hurts.

People are being generous with their ratings of BOATK.  The biggest complaint so far seems to be Bear’s long windedness (“I just wanted him to get to the point already!” someone wrote).  I can agree with that to a certain extent.  Could it have been shorter?  Probably.  Could Bear have gotten to his points quicker?  Sure, why not.  But, I ask you to remember and to understand, when dealing with life changing events, who doesn’t over think things?  I know I sure as hell do.  It’s human nature.  So again, could it have been shorter?  Yes, but I don’t think I wanted it to be.  But, that’s just me.  But still, the ratings are kind, especially since this was my first book and people didn’t know my name from the other multitude of m/m authors.  I’m still taken aback a bit by how many people have read it and/or are reading it and/or are planning to read it.  I didn’t expect that, in the slightest. Thanks!

(And, as a side note, my favorite criticism of BOATK have been from people who feel that the Kid was far to mature for his age and kids, no matter their I Q, would never be that logical—I think someone wrote that not even her 52 year old husband was that mature.  It’s my favorite, because I then receive emails from people who say that they have gifted children of their own and that I’ve nailed it spot on.  Who’s right?  I don’t know.  One person’s reality is another person’s falsity.  I just find that divide hilarious.)

So, we’ll see what happens from here.  I’m excited about my next novel, This Is How We Burn The World, the start of an urban fantasy trilogy following the same characters through each book  (shorten that title to TIHWBTW—doesn’t have quite the same ring as BOATK, huh?) and can’t wait for people to read it.  It’s dark and suspenseful but there is still humor there (I can’t wait for you all to meet the Clock Twins, Tick and Tock). 

Until next Monday, then.  Have a great week and happy reading!

TJ