Since I’m considering my self-pub options now that Loose Id is closing its doors, I decided I should reread some of them. After all, in the case of Dark Elves 1, I wrote that about 13 years ago (2005). So, yeah, I may have written it but I don’t remember all the details because I haven’t actually read it for years.
OK. Wow.
It’s not that bad. To be honest, I expected much worse. Because, y’know, my writing has improved since then, yeah? I’ve gotten better, learned more, had experience. I’m better at this.
But you know what? I think I might have been better back then. Why? Because I didn’t know any better. I wrote what felt right. I wasn’t thinking outside the box, which sounds bad but I think in this case it wasn’t. I was totally and absolutely into that world and it made it rich and colorful. The characters are raw but they feel real. Diana may get on some readers’ nerves with her fight everything hard attitude, but I think her actions and reactions are pretty understandable. And the craft of the story, in my humble opinion, is pretty spot on. I cringed a bit at some of the world details because I remember my naive mention of some things painted me into a seemingly impossible box in later books, but the story and the dialogue still work. I didn’t know exactly where it was all going back then, but I gave it all a sound basis.
Yay me!
So what now? I plan to read all 6 before going forward. I think I might tweak some of the stories before putting them up on Amazon. You know, fix some of the things that’ve been bugging me for ages. And I think — don’t hold me to this, although I’m writing it on the web so there is a record of my thought — that I might have come up with a new story.
Gulp.
As for the images… Doubt I’ll put those in the new version. They were a neat kink at the time, the only illustrated books that I think Loose Id ever released(?), but they show wear and tear more than the story. I might put the book images up on the website for all to see. Haven’t decided yet.
Anyway, that’s the current thought on the Elves. If I can just get real life to leave me alone, I’d made better progress in writing.
I absolutely adore the raedjour. I thought your stories were so much fun and more than a little titillating! I have re- read them several times and would love it if you wrote more about them.
Thanks so much, Leah!
I loved the series. I haven’t reread it, but I liked it a lot when I read it the first time. But I’ve lost count on how many times I reread the Heaven Sent series and the two new ones with the same characters. You are good. Never doubt yourself. Good luck with your next book because I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Dorice. I very much appreciate it.
I haven’t reread the Elves series in probably 2 years. But I know I’ve read the series 2 or 3 times and enjoyed it very much. I do recall some inconsistencies, but overall I really liked it. It’s not my favorite series you’ve written, that would be the Heaven books, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love reading the Elves books. Anyone who writes a series is going to have problems I think. Things that seemed perfect in book 1 or 2 suddenly cause huge problems in book 6. I’m currently on book 13 of the Sookie Stackhouse series, the books True Blood is based on, and she has the exact same problems. So if Charlaine Harris has these problems don’t be to hard on yourself. She can afford to hire a fact checker. From what I can see you have a respectable fan base that waits eagerly for the books you write. Unless they are totally clueless they realize writing is not your only job. And only a complete idiot would think you didn’t have the same difficulties that life throws at all of us. If you want to rewrite the books, applying the knowledge you’ve gained in the years since you first wrote them, go right ahead. I’ll buy them again and read them. I’ll give you the same advice my father recently gave me when it seemed like everything was wrong in my life. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Deal with what you can and set the rest aside forever or for when you can deal with it. Remember you are human, not a character in a book that can have their problems written away. Your true fans will be here waiting for you when you are ready to publish your next book. And that book will probably get you some new fans. Just think of how many people you have already made happy by publishing what you have written. That’s more of an accomplishment than most people have their whole lives.
Thanks so much, Pamela. That is fine advice and humbling praise.