Dear Readers:

Until I started creative writing classes, I thought the word sequel referred to the next exciting episode of a mystery thriller, a hit movie, or a serialized comic book. Imagine my surprise when I learned that sequel is the wedge that provides breathing and thinking space between scenes. It knits together the rock em, sock em excitement of the action, the moment-by-moment surprises, that keep your reader turning those pages late into the night, with your characters’ inner-most thoughts and feelings. Obviously, sequel is an important part of weaving an interesting tale. If scenes have to contain the goal, conflict and disaster to be complete, sequels need reaction, dilemma, and decision. Sounded good, although a bit formulaic, at the time. However, tackling the actual writing of an effective sequel remained a challenge. The plot thickens.