Rewriting Old Classics

Once my books were finally published, back in the eighties and nineties, I thought that was it. They were in print, which seemed like an ending. Granted, some of my characters used to protest their dismissal from my mind. They were accustomed to talking to me, and with their fellow characters in their respective stories. They had a wicked tendency to change the plot,by doing or saying things that I hadn’t planned for them. Obstreperous creatures that they are, they forced me to produce new novels SLOWLY, because they kept interfering with what I had foolishly supposed was my power over them.

Sounds crazy, I know. But I suspect other writers will understand what I am talking about.

For some time, while I was doing other things besides writing books, the characters in my head actually quieted down. So much so, in fact, that I missed them. But, hey, now they are back! This is because now (and trust me, they are exhilarated about this) I am self-publishing my backlist. Which means I am editing, revising, and in some cases, entirely rewriting my old books.

Fires of Destiny, my award-winning historical novel/romance, is the first example of these special new editions. Roger Trevor, one of my first dark sexy heroes, has always been particularly noisy in my brain, and he was delighted to get the opportunity to order me around again! Alexandra, his indefatigable partner in love, drama, and suspense has been similarly vocal. Now that their book is finally available again, I hope I have done well by them.

Because I have the rights back now to all my books, Roger and Alix have had to compete with a score of equally passionate men and women who are also clamoring for my attention. Soon, if they will all be a little patient with me, I will complete my revisions on these novels, too, clearing the way for my brand new stuff. It’s funny, isn’t it, how characters are always being magically created in an author’s imagination.

I intend to post more about the re-writing and revising process, if they will all shut up for a while and give me a few minutes to blog!