Sequels
A number of people have written to me over the years, and now lately with this blog, asking if I’ve ever considered writing a sequel to any of my novels. They ask it about a book they particularly like, and I’m always pleased to hear they liked it.
I don’t know who said that ‘comparisons are odious’, and I’m not sure if they’re odious, but I somehow suspect that’s true. We all compare things, one restaurant to another, a movie we liked and then a follow up to it comes out. What has always convinced me not to do a sequel to any of my books is that it’s an invitation to comparison. And if they loved the first book, there’s a strong chance that they won’t like the sequel to it as much. (Just as people compare a movie to a book, and usually prefer the book if it came out first). I think it would be hard to please them as much with a sequel to a favorite book. I really don’t like the idea of competing with a first book, and I’d rather write a whole new book than try to recapture the mood of a past book and try and surpass it. I’m always afraid they won’t like the sequel as much, so I don’t write them.
Also, it gives the reader more room for their own imagination, wondering what happened to the characters in a book, once the story ends. I usually try to wrap up endings neatly, or at least get the characters to a safe place in their lives. But the question of the future and exactly what will happen remains unanswered. Many people have wanted a sequel to my book ‘The Gift’, wanting to know what happened to the young girl once she gave up the baby and left. Did she come back? Did she and the boy she fell in love with get married when they were older? (They were so young). I’d rather turn the book over to you, the reader, once I finish the book. After that, you can decide what happens to all of them in future. I don’t want to intrude with a sequel to the story that you may not like.
There are none of my books that I want to write a sequel to. Once I finish a story, it’s done for me, and I move on to the next, and I fall in love with that story and those people too. So it looks like there won’t be any sequels. It’s more fun to keep things fresh and new.
Leave a Comment
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Gotcha…that makes a lot of sense. “The Gift” is actually one of the books I’ve often wondered about, yet I never wanted to really know. I enjoy happy endings, so that’s what happened in my mind!
Danielle,
In your opinion, would it be “cheating” the reader if the ending were not happy? I’m working on a melancholy drama with a sad ending. I prefer endings that are unpredictable regardless of sad or happy. When I come up with an idea for a book, I always think about how it would end before how it will begin.
Thanks for the post.
Linda
I would appreciate knowing if there is any place
I could get a copy of CROSSINGS dvd or vhs? I
know it has been on tv a couple of times as a
mini series, but I would love to have a copy.
Thank You-
Miss Steel I’ve never read any of your books, unil now I read the Ghost it was so good I was left wanting more what happen to charlie? did he truly find happeness, what happend to his ex-wife was there another book a sequil to the Ghost. Charles happeness.
I love sequels to books. I never compare them. I just love for stories to keep going. It makes me read more of the writer when there are sequels to a book. I think “The Gift” would definately be a good book to write a sequel too. I felt like the book reached the climax at the very end and then left you waiting for more. Great book, but I really wanted to see what would happen in the end. I did enjoy the ending in “The Gift” but it just left me wanting to know more.
I have just finished reading a perfect stranger and am disappointed about how its ended i personally think that there should be a sequel to it as i have reading something that ends in a cliff hanger and prefer to read what happens after to me it feels as if the story is incomplete and would love it if there was a sequel to it
i just finished the book “The Gift” and i have to say i could not put this book down!! the best book i have ever read!! and close to the end…well i had to put it down because i did not want it to end!!!i would relly love to know what happened…did she go to collage and find tommy again did kate ever know her? or paul did he ever want to know if she had the baby?? soo many questions left unanswered!!! i dont want to guess what happed… i want a sequel!!!!
I feel a bit like Becca (Sept 10, 1911) who wanted to see a sequel to “Perfect Stranger.” Oh well, no sequel, life isn’t meant to be perfect. Though I did feel that there were a few loose ends in it that might have best been tied up, without detracting from the “they kiss, fade to black, roll credits” end.
I am currently away from home on an extended posting, and your books give me great solace, companionship and joy, I have learned so much through them, and cannot bear to not have another on the table ready and waiting to start.
Just read “The Gift” and couldn’t believe I started scouring the internet to try to find out if there was a sequel. I guess there were many before me asking for one because I found the information I was looking for. I’m so sorry that there will not be a sequel, it was a wonderful book full of human emotions and I was looking forward to more of the same!
I agree with you. Probably if she didnt come back .. I or any of the reader wouldnt have liked it and if she came back we would have still had our own viewpoints of how she would be with Kate. Its just that we all get so much involved with the stories and characters you have created that we feel as if its happening for real or we start associating with one of the characters … its just fantastic and I really love reading your books 🙂 Keep writing more
Hi Maureen Forever Neverland was not a huge seller, and like annoye trying to make a living, I find it necessary to concentrate on series that will sell. Beyond Neverland has not been shelved, but it is not the first on my publication list at the moment. I am hoping for this year but I can afford to make no promises. xoxo
Miss Steele,
I’ve loved your books for a long time and recently went back to read a book I read many many years ago…The Gift. This truly is the only book I’ve ever desperately wanted there to be a sequel to. To open the cover of a book and find Maribeth has returned to go to college and her and Tommy struggle somewhat through college together to get married and finally create their own “Gift” would be fantastic. I know I basically just said what the sequel would be (in my mind) but to read it in words and sequences that only you seem to be able to put together would be perfect. Maybe even make the sequel about Liz and John and Kate with Maribeth and Tommy in the background of the story. I love the characters. Even if you refuse my one wish to bring these characters back to life 🙂 I’ll still appreciate and respect you for the work you do. Thank you.
Pls write a sequel of The Ghost! What became of her kids? Was the architect her descendant? Sequel please….! Thanks
Hi I love reading your book The Gift.I’ve read it that often I could write it myself lol. Even though I’ve read it so many times I still think it’s amazing when I read it again. I understand you don’t do sequels to your books but it would be amazing to find out what happens in the future for Maribeth and Tommy do they get married or what happened with Liz and John and their new daughter Kate did they ever tell her who real mother was. Even if you don’t do a sequel would you ever consider doing a movie for The Gift as I know I would watch it everyday.I want to thank you for your amazing book and hope you have a lovely future.
If only there were a sequel too many of your amazing novels. After years and years I picked up the novel again and it was so touching….its been 23 yrs since you released it and I just wonder where Meredith and Tommy are today. Thanks for staying true to you and giving your fans so much joy.
Just finished read “The Duchess” and wanted you to know how much I enjoyed it. It was an easy read but truly captivating for me.
Thank you.
Jeanne
I would like to know how you came up with the thought for The Gift? It is so different from your other books. Have you ever seen a newspaper article and came up with a story line? Ummmmm? !!!!
My favorite book is The Ranch. I remember reading another book where Tanya marries her cowboy and they move into the the ranch she purchased. Zoyie dies and they are able to adopt her baby. What is the title of that book?
Thank you for your stories. You are an amazing writer.
Hello Danielle, I just reread “The Gift” after so many years and all I could do was go and see if you wrote a sequel. Where I can understand your reasoning I really do hope one day you will reconsider. This book made me want to read more, yes I can come up with my own endings, but it’s your writing we love so much in your books that a sequel could not disappoint me or anyone else for that matter. I really think you should give it a try to at least the books like “The Gift” that has an ending of…What will happen next.
Thank you
Danielle, I just read your book “The Gift” and I just couldn’t put it down. Please won’t you reconsider writing a sequel to it? I know I’m not the only one that would like to see that happen. I love your writing and have read many of your books.
I have read most of your books and kept them all for a long time. I had to downsize and so I got rid of. They were hardcover books and since I had read the it made it easier to let them go. I just read The Gift today. When I start a book that is as good as this I can’t stop reading it until I’m done. I respect the fact that you don’t want to do sequels but I believe that it would be worth it to do that. I have read many books that had several sequels and enjoyed them immensely!!! Please give it more consideration… Thanks for all your books, I have enjoyed reading them and continue to look forward to reading more!
Deborah July 2019
Hi loved Ghost, felt cheated at end wanted to know what happened to her family. I could not put book down. It was great. I felt i could read it for another whole book. I wanted more
Hi Danielle,
I just wondered if your book “The Ghost” has ever been made into a movie like many of your other wonderful stories? I’ve read it a few times now and would love to see it on film too. And a sequel to it would be amazing?!!
Kind Regards
Karen
I loved the book The Gift. However, there is so much more to tell on this story and no one could do it justice like you Danielle. Truly a beautiful story. Please reconsider.
This book The Gift does need a sequel
Really hope you will reconsider
Tks
Sad to hear! I was really hoping that there were. I think your very talented and would be able to pull it off! I have about 50 of your books and they all seem like there could be more! Still love your work regardless.
I love reading your books. But, Because I have dyslexia it is very hard for me. So, I listen to them through Audible. I would really like to read your older books. Audible dose not have the ones I’d like to read. Any way I can read them? Thanks so much for your time.
Hello, is there a sequel to Danielle Steel’s novel Echoes?
I don’t mind not having Sequels however I’d love to see more made into movies. Especially Sisters, I loved this one!
Greetings Ms Steel,
Since I finished reading “The Gift”last night, I am unable to come out of ‘Jimmy D’s’ or the ‘Whittakers’ House’. I’m so deeply affected by the story, all my energy, mind and soul are concentrated into it. I don’t know why but I feel deeply connected with this book. I cried with the characters, laughed with them, fell in love with them, yet, I’m left with a permanent void. I couldn’t sleep without thinking of Maribeth and Tommy, and of Liz,John and Kate. I would seriously love to find it’s sequel on my bookshelf, because I couldn’t make out what you felt as you wrote down the story of Tommy and Maribeth. If only I could peep into the depths of your mind. So, I’ve decided to read it again right away. Sometimes, to get rid of the pain, one needs to feel the pain all over again, venture into it to find the cure.
I just finished H.R.H it was a great book, but I am saddened that there isn’t a sequel. I am so interested to know if christianna and Parker do get married so many questions left unanswered. Thank you for being such an amazing writer that has us readers so lost and invested in your story’s I have the book the sisters as well that I look forward to readin!!
Hi, Everyone, there is a sequel to the Gift, it is called the Bible, Jesus is the baby given up by God and the story is, Jesus came to be Savior of the world. Imagine being God and giving up your only son to the ‘not so nice’ people of the world. It broke the Father’s heart, just as it broke Maribeth’s heart to,give up Kate, but he did it to save us from our sin. John 3:16 Sincerely, Rebecca.
I wish there was a sequel to Star..such a lovely story…Karen Rose
I have recently finished the books Zoya and No Greater Love. I love books with history and both these two books were filled with history. I have always been interested in the Russian Tzar and his family. I have read a lot of books on them. Zoya was so wonderful I couldn’t put it down. I do wish she could have ended up with someone to love her. And No Greater Love, I have also read a great deal about the Titanic. It also was hard to put down. I loved both books and when I bought them I had no idea what they were about!!
I would love to read a sequel to Flying Angels by Danielle Steell.
It would be nice to know how the men fit into the Angels lives.
I just finished reading SPY & would totally enjoy its sequel about Alexander Wickham and Sam Bennett, as they attempt an adventure in their 80s 😊
Danielle, thank you for keeping my desire to read novels always alive & fresh 🙏🏾
I have asked googgleed this question every which way…. in Perfect life sequel First sight? Blaise and Salema are in both?????
Wish there was a second book to the book The Gift. Was so good and wanted it to continue on for it was such a book worth reading. Loved it
Barbara Taylor Bradford wrote 6 sequels to her fabulous book “A Woman of Substance” & I loved every book, looked forward to continuing the story & none of them disappointed me or did I compare one to the other. I would like a sequel to your book “Precious Gifts” which I feel that there is quite an opportunity to continue that story. You should have more confidence in your talent & not shy away from writing sequels to certain stories that are so not finished. From the comments below many readers would like a sequel to “The Gift”, which I have not yet read, but now definitely will & so why don’t you challenge yourself to do those 2 sequels and give your readers a special treat (you should have more confidence in your marvelous talent). It would make us very happy. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the beautiful stories that you tell which take us to a magical place & is a wonderful escape from reality.