I've seen a couple of posts/articles about this topic lately and it got me pondering. I never had the problem as my then publisher took both the books I had - finalists in American contests, so with a track record - and the second book was actually the first written. It was a paranormal that came out of nowhere and I have not been tempted to try one since. I am tinkering with some supernatural/spooky stuff for the WIP- just a little bit witchy - we'll have to see how that turns out - it's just a sub plot/thread, not the whole story. Anyway, back to second book syndrome. When you think about it logically, there are perfectly reasonable explanations for doubts that have nothing to do with a superstition about the book's place in the running order.
Conditioning - how often have you been told about 'the difficult second book'?
Deadlines - you have maybe been working on that first book for a long time. Now you have to produce to someone else's (probably shorter) time table.
Expectations - now you have something to live up to. You have readers (we hope) and have been edited. You now have other people in the room with you, as well as your characters. Other people with agendas. And you don't want to disappoint them.
Book One may have been 'the book of your heart' - the one you always wanted to write. Now like a certain famous Doctor, you have to find yourself another heart.
It can be done. Writing books is hard. It's work. Don't let anyone tell you different - and if you ask any published author, whether they are on book five or book fifty, they will probably tell you that the book they are currently writing is rubbish. The next one will be better - of course.
We have high expectations - which is how it should be. Readers deserve the best. We just have to hang on in there and give it to them.
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