July 16, 2008

Starting a New Project

Written by Margo Maguire in Jaunty Post

As soon as I turned in my most recent book for Avon, I started brainstorming my next story. I knew I wanted one of the characters from Wild (Avon, January 2009) as the hero of my next book. He is Hugh Christie, Earl of Newbury, and I don’t reveal a whole lot about his character in Wild. Which is great for me, because it gives me all kinds of leaway to write about him. What we do know is that he’s about 30 and a widower who doesn’t like to talk about his late wife. In Wild, he mentions an interest in making the heroine his mistress, so we know he’s a “player.” Beyond that, I can do anything with him.

I ran several ideas by my editor, but the one that stuck has these elements:
-> Hugh Christie feels guilty about his late wife.
->He also runs a smuggling operation from one of his properties, a castle on Scotland’s eastern coast.
->The castle has a ghost.
-> The heroine is Brianna Gilroy, whose guardian wants her to wed a duke’s creepy son.
-> Brianna will inherit a fortune from her spinster aunt when she turns 21 in two months.
-> She just wants to live as her aunt did - with no men to harass her.
-> She will go into hiding until her birthday.

These elements give me tons to work with, and hopefully I’ll devise an exciting, emotional, sensuous story!

While I was researching smuggling in Scotland in 1829, I came across this youtube video. It’s exactly what I needed in order to “place” my story. Newbury’s castle will be something like this.

This is going to take place in winter, and I’m planning to have Hugh and Brianna get snowed in together. And then there will be fireworks.

Now, all I’ve got to do is get to work! I had knee arthroscopy last week and I’m feeling cooped up and … crippled! although the knee is definitely improving every day. I think I overdid it yesterday and so I paid (with pain) overnight and today. I’ve stayed off it as much as possible today and iced it several times. I’m hoping tomorrow will be better.

If not, I’ve decided to make it better for someone. Send me a comment here about anything in this post and I’ll enter your name into a drawing for a copy of my last book, Temptation of the Warrior. Good luck!

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13 Responses to “Starting a New Project”

On July 16th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Shana Says:

Awesome video, Margo. If I ever get back to Scotland, I want to go there!
On July 16th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Dorothy Says:

Margo, thanks for the video. Loved it! That is one of my most favorite castles. Hauntingly beautiful. I love what you have told us about your book. Scotland, a castle, a castle ghost and a strong-willed woman. What more could you ask for?? So, about when will this book be coming out??
On July 16th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Anna Says:

The elements for your new novel sound like they’ll be fun to write about. Can’t wait to read the finished project!
On July 16th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Teresa W. Says:

Enjoyed the video and hope your knee gets back to normal soon!
On July 16th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
cheryl c. Says:

I like your ideas! They sound like they would make a wonderful story.
On July 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Kathryn Says:

How beautiful and impressive… the cliffs with the waves crashing against them… I could not imagine going over the edge in a basket, even to escape!

A widower who is also a smuggler, a haunted castle and a woman with a mind of her own… sounds fabulous, can’t wait to read it!
On July 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Margo Maguire Says:

Dorothy, this book isn’t scheduled yet. But I’ll keep you posted!
On July 16th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Jane Says:

I enjoyed the video. I hope visit some Scottish castles some day. I love the premise of your new project. Is “Wild” the first book in a new series?
On July 16th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Margo Maguire Says:

Jane - I don’t think I’ll call it a series. The hero of my new book was introduced in Wild, but I’m not quite sure what I’ll do with my next book. Maybe a connected character … maybe not!
On July 16th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Fedora Says:

Margo, I hope your knee’s feeling better soon! It’s not fun feeling not-quite-yourself–a bit frustrating! Thanks for the tidbit about what you’re working on now! Being snowbound can definitely lead to fireworks (at least in romances ;))
On July 16th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Mary M Says:

I want to know why Hugh feels guilty about his wife. I think Hugh and Brianna will be a great love story.

And I hope your knee is better tomorrow too!
On July 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Kimmy L Says:

Margo,
Hope your knee gets better soon.
I can’t wait for Wild to come out.
I loved “A Warrior’s Taking.” I was wondering will there be more from this series. I haven’t read Temptation of a Warrior yet but plan too soon.
On July 17th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Margo Maguire Says:

Kimmy - I don’t have any plans for extending my Warrior series. It will be just the two books.

July 16, 2008

Starting a New Project

13 Responses to “Starting a New Project”

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