The second novel in the Actors and Angels Series is not like your usual sequel.
This book is called Drama Queens and Adult Themes, and follows Drama Queens with Love Scenes.
The idea for the plot of the second book came from the first – I know that’s stating the obvious, but bear with me. The first book takes place in The Limelight Quarter, which is the theatre district of the Afterlife. One of the plays that is performed in that book centres around a heterosexual couple and a younger man. A warlock has placed the spell of lust on all three, confusing them as they come to terms with their desires.
“What a great idea for a book,” I thought.
There was a whole year between when the first book in the series was originally contracted to Charles River Press, to when they were considering its release. So with all that time I did something odd for a sequel. I took the plot from that play and made it the plot of book two.
In this second novel, the lovers from the first book are reincarnated. Yes, I know this sounds odd, but there is a chapter in the first where Allan sees his next life, so its not too much of a stretch for readers who have entered this world. Anyway, Allan and Warwick are now Adam and Wade. They are middle aged and both fascinated with a young man named Mannix.
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Stills from the Book Trailer for Drama Queens and Adult Themes
Fabien and Ipan, the two warlocks that were in the play featured in the first book, could now come to life for the second. They were joined by a kind-hearted witch named Farah who originally existed in an earlier draft of the initial novel. And of course, Guy the angel, who surprised me by his popularity with readers, also made a return.
But then I had an issue with story structure.
The first book was written in first person. In the second, not everyone knows the whole story. I had a problem. Should I write in third person or tell the tale from different points of view? I opted for the latter, and carefully plotted so that each chapter continued where the last left off, even if another character was now telling the tale.
I only had one reviewer freak out about this. Everyone else was fine. In fact it was quite interesting to read who preferred which book. Half the time I was wrong in my assumptions about various reviewers.
Even my partner prefers Drama Queens and Adult Themes to the first. I guess a book about a midlife crisis has universal appeal.
kevin klehr - author 