It’s been quite a while since I’ve physically worked on my prequel to the Herezoth trilogy, but after getting book three into shape, returning to it will be my next project, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot.

It’s in the developmental editing stage–the first and deepest stage of editing that deals with story structure, plot holes, character development, etc. We’re talking the big picture items. (You need to get those straight before going on to deal with “Could I tell what I need to tell in a better or clearer way?” or micromanaging sentence structure and grammar, basically.)

I’ve found that a prequel is an especially tricksy project, to quote Gollum. Because there is so much extra stuff to consider, such as:

Plot armor, for one. When your readers know how the story ends and who will be alive at the end of the book, how you build interest, craft suspense, and employ end-of-chapter cliffhangers is going to be different. At least, it SHOULD be.

Another thing is characterization. The bulk of the characters are already known to the reader, so you really can’t have the point of a scene be to characterize someone the readers already know–not in a standard or typical way.

I love my prequel because it’s a redemption story. I’ve ALWAYS been a sucker for a good redemption story, and in this context, a redemption arc for a new-to-the-reader protagonist helps evade plot issues of “what will happen with the League,” etc, because that is not the focus.

I feel like it’s a “best of both worlds” situation. I get to reunite with old favorites while also having a few new, major characters to keep the story going, provide for characterization, etc.

I’m going to have so much fun getting back to it . . . if only because the prequel really gives one or two of the more minor characters in the League more of a chance to shine, and I LOVE it. I love them. I loved getting to know them better while writing the first draft and giving them the spotlight. It’s a beautiful story. I can’t wait to dive back in.