June 4, 2008
What’s New …
Written by Margo Maguire in Jaunty PostWell, I just finished revising the manuscript I sent to my editor in April (for WILD, my January book). The revisions turned out to be a major piece of work … There was one character my editor didn’t like. He was the heroine’s former suitor, who jilted her a couple of years before. He turns up again, and the heroine (Grace Hawthorne) is open to reviving their relationship. My editor thought that didn’t work well and actually made Grace appear lame, even though it’s the hero who really takes up all of Grace’s attention.
And you know … my editor was right. Sometimes you can’t really see a particular detail as you’re writing, but a fresh set of eyes does. And that’s why I love my editor. (Even though it meant a major re-write). In the new version, Grace gives the old suitor the heave-ho, which makes her look a lot more feisty and independent than she did before. This action sets the stage for all her following assertive acts. 
I’ve mentioned WILD before. It’s the book about the earl’s son (Anthony Maddox) who was lost in Africa twenty years before, and returns to England against his will. For all those years, he believed his father abandoned him, so he has trust issues. As a result, he doesn’t really want anything to do with society or claiming his title. He just wants to go back to Africa where he has no responsibilities beyond taking care of himself.
Grace is his grandmother’s companion. And since Anthony is a “wild man” who has been away from society for so long, the grandmother doesn’t want him exposed to society until he’s ready. She ignores his obvious desire to leave England (he is injured and can’t leave right away), and gives Grace the task of “civilizing” him. Grace is not happy about it. She has had a number of disappointments in her life, and has learned to protect herself behind a cloak of complete propriety and impersonality. Anthony throws a wrench into this, especially when they are forced into intimate quarters with one another for the tutoring.
This was one of the most enjoyable books I’ve ever written. And I’ve seen the cover … it is probably the sexiest one I’ve ever seen, too! I’ll share it with you as soon as I get the OK from my editor. In the meantime, enjoy the beginning of summer - for those of you in the northern hemisphere. And for everyone Down Under, I’m jealous … I love the fall!
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Helen Says:
This book sounds so good I can’t wait till January so I can read it.Anthony and Gace sound wonderful I am sure the sparks are going to fly between them.
Down under at the moment here in Sydney anyway it is cold raining and windy but perfect weather for reading a great book with a nice cup of coffee and of course Tim Tams.
Have Fun
Helen
Emily McKay Says:
Wild sounds wonderful! I love that kind of story.
And I can’t wait to see the cover, because I thought the cover for Temptation of the Warrior was hot, hot, hot!
Shana Says:
Oh, Margo, hugs on the rewrite. I’ve so been there. It sounds like the book is going to be awesome!
Shirley Karr Says:
Doesn’t it just drive you nuts when you don’t see something until someone else points it out, and then it’s so obvious you can’t imagine how you didn’t see it before?
Sounds like Wild is a really fun story. Can’t wait to read it!
RobynDeHart Says:
I’m so looking forward to this book and the more and more you post on it, the more intrigued I get. Thank goodness for those extra perceptive eyes our editors give us.
Fedora Says:
Ooh, this does sound like a good story, Margo–can’t wait!!! (We have to wait until January??? Noooooooooo…..)
AndreaW Says:
Can’t wait for this one, Margo!