So Weird (Thoughts on Reading My Backlist)

I tasked myself this year with re-reading my older series.

For some of them, it’s been a WHILE. Like, over a decade while. I’ve lost touch with the characters, the smaller plot points, the dialogue, the character dynamics…

Turns out, it’s hard to talk about past books at events when you don’t remember them!

So in January, I reread my Invisible Entente prequel. I figured start with the short one and go on from there. I’ve read this one more recently, but I really enjoyed it! It was such a fun experiment in a new-to-me genre, and I love how it gave me the chance to meet all these characters in single moments of their lives. I learned so much about them in very little space, and it’s really no wonder this Supposed-To-Be-A-Standalone-Novella became so much more.

In February, I re-read Death at Peony House, and I’d forgotten how much the relationship between Daphne and Hunter crushed me. This is in no way a romance-forward book, but their second-chance sub-plot was really heartfelt and wonderful. Both of them wanting, but so much regret and resentment hanging between them that it was impossible to move forward… until the lies were cleared away. I’d also forgotten Hunter is a redhead. I really have a thing for auburn-haired guys.

March will be for Song of Wishrock Harbor and I am SO excited about this one. Gabe is one of my favourite characters in this series, and I recall that the mystery is this one is kind of dark. And full of feminine rage.

It’s definitely strange going back and reading the words of past-me, though.

There are things I would absolutely do different if I were to do a massive edit on them (which I have no current plans to do).

Like change them to first person POV.

Like set the books in Canada instead of Fictional Probably USA.

I made those decisions based on where I was at the time (just coming off writing 2 epic fantasy series in third person; believing my books wouldn’t sell if they were set in Canada, so many other things), but I’ve formed more of my own voice now. While I like that my epic fantasy books are written in third, I believe urban fantasy flows more smoothly in first. And as for the set in Canada? Well. I’m an independent author and can set my books wherever I damn well please, thanks very much! AND write in Canadian English, to boot!

But I’m not rereading these books to judge them, and I find it’s actually really easy to turn off my editing brain and just enjoy.

My hope as that as I fall in love with them again, you will too ^.^

And to give you a chance to do just that, here’s 20% off Death at Peony House through my direct store. Enjoy! Just enter PEONY at checkout.