WeWriWa: Feels Like the First Time

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Sunday, April 09, 2017

WeWriWa: Feels Like the First Time


They say you never forget your first time . . . Mine was back in the early '80s when I got an unexpected call from Carin Taylor Richman in New York saying she wanted to buy my book . . . and to see anything else I had written. That first book, which I'm proud to say went into a second printing, was my first real learning experience, and now, as I'm getting it ready to go back into print and, for the first time, e-format with Tell-Tale Publishing, I realized how much I'd learned in the last thirty years.

SWEET TEMPEST was written as a long, sexy historical set during the Regency period, before sexy Regencies became wildly popular. Zebra published it in their traditional Regency line which was mostly made up of standard chaste Georgette Heyer fare, so mine was a Zebra in a pony corral. I mean it wasn't like I was trying to keep it a secret! From the first chapter, and this first newly edited excerpt I'll share, the heat index was already rising . . .

"Now, sir, to business," she began brusquely. "Why are you keeping me here? Since you have admitted your intent to kill me, I don’t think you to be a soft-hearted reformer, and since I am for the most part still decently clad, I assume your motives are not of a depraved nature—unless you were waiting for me to be a more responsive victim to your lusts . . . so, what is it then?"

"Gad, you are famous," Connor laughed, leaning back in his chair to ob­serve her as he smiled. "What a delightful creature you are."

Tempest didn't share his amusement. "I am waiting, sir. I demand to know your purpose."

His lazy stare warmed with humor and a deeper, more intimate heat as he told her bluntly, "I should like you to be my mistress."

Her eyes went wid­e in shock.


That was the beginning of a long, prolific career with Zebra, writing regencies as Lauren Giddings (my first pen name!), historicals and contemporaries as Dana Ransom, and finally a vampire series under my own name. Now that I have the rights back to all of them, I've gotten to enjoy (and edit!) them all over again. Belle Books rereleased the contemporaries and vampire books. Tell-Tale is bringing out my two Regencies, and I've not yet decided how to handle the historicals.

In the first chapter of SWEET TEMPEST, my POV was all over the place, the voice passive, the participles dangling (and I hate it when they do that!), but I still loved the story of the spoiled, bored aristocrat whose life is turned upside down when the daring highway man he shoots during a robbery turns out to be a lovely young woman he takes under his wing . . . and eventually under his covers. I'm going through it with a more sophisticated eye (one hopes!) and am looking forward to the August release. And the other thing that needs updating . . . that cover!

Have you pulled out any of your old works and attempted to breathe new life into them? How did that work out for you? Too much work or a learning experience? You can let me know how I did in August!


Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

18 comments

  1. Good premise, Nancy--and fascinating backstory! I wish you much success with all of those re-releases!

    My first book--ugh! POV all over the place. So many things I didn't know. lol. And have spent years since trying to get right. I will get there. It will see print someday. My mom, my biggest fan--I promised her, and actually wrote the ending to the series so I could read it to her while she was in hospice during her final days. A promise made...

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    1. Thank you, Teresa! It's never too late to keep a promise!

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  2. What a wonderful publishing career you've had. I admire you. I only got my start when ebook publishing came into being. I love Regency romance. I enjoyed your snippet.

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  3. So much for being decently clad as a predictor of his motives! Congratulations on the re-release. The thrill of that first sale is a real rush.

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  4. Ah, the beginning of a new career. What wonders lie ahead. No one told me about marketing!

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  5. Well, that's an interesting proposal. I'm curious how she respond. Great snippet and all the best with your re-releases!

    I forgot to sign up this week: http://www.markofthestars.com/wp/weekend-writing-warriors-63-jager/

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  6. I love the mixed morality of that era. Casualy discussing death and rape, only to be shocked by his 'mistress' proposition.

    What an illustrious career, Nancy. Thank you for sharing. It is an awesome legacy!

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  7. I'm such a sucker for Historical, especially Regency Romance. I'm interested in her thoughts and, of course, her response. Next week? Maybe? Please?

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  8. Enjoyed the excerpt, always love some good Regency banter and verbal fencing! Best wishes with the re-releases...

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  9. Heh, an indecent proposal if ever the was. I hope he explains himself.

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  10. I've known you for over 20 years and didn't know you wrote Regencies. How did that happen??? Love this excerpt. Can't wait to read the book. You know about Switched and how I updated it to release it 10 years after it was published. Like you, it's my favorite because it was my first. Best wishes.

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  11. The best thing about Regencies is the sharp banter, and you've got it down!

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  12. I used to love Regency romances when I was younger. Like you I have been thinking of re-writing and releasing a few books that I wrote and self-published about 15 years ago. It's incredible how my writing has changed in that time. Good luck with the re-releases.

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  13. LOL. I guess she didn't expect that.

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  14. Any relationship that starts with death threats will be an interesting one!

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  15. Totally fantastic, and I loved how blunt he was at the end. ;)

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  16. Well, that was unexpected! Great snippet! And congrats on the re-release!

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