IWSG: Back in Time

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Tuesday, February 04, 2025

IWSG: Back in Time

Our Insecure Writers Support Group question for February 5th is: Is there a story or book you’ve written you want to/wish you could go back and change?

This is a tough question because of the sheer volume of backlist I’ve amassed in the nearly thirty years since I first sold – 80 published books if you need a number, along with dozens of finished but not contracted or begun but never completed novels.

As a rule, I didn’t, and still don’t, do a lot of rewriting, mainly because my contracts were so close together I didn’t have infinite time to spend with any one book. I submitted an outline, wrote the first draft, did the necessary edits (which, with the exception of my very first Regency, were usually either minor or nothing I felt strongly enough about to object to), sent the finished book in, then moved on to the next project. While working on any one of those titles, there was nothing but that work filling my concentration (even when working on several books in various stages of publication at a time!).

I saw each book more as a film than as a novel, with characters and plots weaving through a very visual backdrop of emotions and motivations. If, when finished, I could sit back with a satisfied sigh, the hows and whys of how I got there were immaterial. Being blessed with a great critique group and fabulous editors who were awesome cheerleaders was HUGE.

At this point in my career, I’ve gotten back the rights to the majority of my early works, so when getting them reissued I’ll have the luxury of time and the ability to make changes if I feel they’re needed. And I’m looking forward to that challenge!



Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the February 5th posting of the IWSG will be are Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

  

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7 comments

  1. It's amazing you have so many published books. I can see why you'd change some of the earlier ones or ones you wrote on deadline.

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    1. I'm amazed that most of them are STILL in good shape and ready for another round of new reader. But then the editors I worked with back in the day were industry legends.

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  2. You'll enjoy tidying up those older stories.
    I've always seen my stories playing in my head like a movie.

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    1. If I can't SEE them, I struggle to write them. Yes, a movie in my head.

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  3. You are an inspiration, Nancy! My stories play inside my head, too. Happy IWSG Day!

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  4. I love how you visualized each novel as a movie. That seems like a great way to keep the stories going. Happy IWSG Day!

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