How to Write a Companion Novel

This summer I am working on a companion novel to a middle grade book I wrote years ago: Don't Feed the Boy  by Irene Latham, illustrations by Stephanie Graegin (Roaring Brook Press, 2012), about a boy named Whit who lives at a fictional zoo in central Alabama...and wants to escape.

The other primary character in that book—and a major change-agent for Whit's life—is a girl named Stella, whom Whit calls “The Bird Girl” because Stella comes every day to the zoo to draw the birds. She's also trying to “escape” a difficult family situation, and in each other, the kids find friendship and inspiration.

And so, now I am telling Stella's story in her voice, discovering what happens to her at the close of Whit's story, and I'm loving it!

I am also discovering some things about writing companion novels.

1. They shouldn't be the same story as the original novel. A LOT needs to be different. But not TOO different. For instance, I love The Hunger Games franchise and have enjoyed every story. The latest Sunrise on the Reaping, goes back in time to tell us how Haymitch got involved in the Games. I loved learning his back story, but I found myself skimming the chapters that chronicle the Game itself: been there, done that!

2. It's super-fun for the reader to find mentions of things they know from the original book, but the companion book shouldn't be dependent upon these things. Each book should be able to stand alone.

Another companion book I read recently was Away by Megan E. Freeman, a companion to Alone, which told Maddie's story after folks were evacuated and she was left behind. 

In this one, we get the story from multiple narrators at the refugee camp...and an explanation for the mysterious “what caused the evacuation?” question that hovers over the original novel. Readers also get an adventure that is completely different from the first novel, yet reminiscent of it. That's essentially what I'm aiming for in my effort.

Yes, there will be birds! And lots of new animal facts to satisfy the animal-lovers who picked up Don't Feed the Boy. I'm also continuing the themes of freedom/recovery/family disease of addiction.

Additionally, we'll explore a whole new setting, new characters, and so on, as Stella has relocated to Mobile, Alabama, by the end of the original novel. 

Fun for me, and fun (I hope!) for readers eventually, someday. . .

If you want to learn more about writing companion novels, check out this excellent post. 

Meanwhile, I'll be here writing 1,000ish words a day.