At last…I have finished the rough draft for ‘Once Upon a Wager‘. I had the epilogue written over a year ago so I knew the end-ending, but unfolding the story to the last chapter (figuring out what entailed the final chapter) has involved much head banging on my keyboard. It needs to be edited, but hopefully I’ll soon be able to send you a newsletter that it’s on line ready to be read. If you’re a Member (and you want the e-mail) make sure your e-mail is up to date (I know it’s been ages since I’ve been able to announce a finished book). If you’re not a member, but you’d like to receive notice let me know and I’ll include you.
A brief intro to the three main characters…
Finley
What could be worse than being Christened Jackandthebeanstalk, raised by sadistic servants and mocked by your parents? Jack Vaughn, Viscount Finley, wouldn’t have to think about the answer. Being legally tied to the harpy, Miss Theodora Sheffield, would be even worse than his childhood. Curse her moss green eyes, perfect breasts and sharp silver-plated tongue; if only he could evict the woman from his thoughts. Even if she wasn’t a harpy, the fact she grew up with the Earl of Mulgrave makes her untouchable. No one sane would choose to be related to Mulgrave.
Mulgrave
What could be worse than being raised by sadistic servants, your only companion a know-it-all female cousin too stupid to realise how intelligent and amazing you are? Tommy Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave, wouldn’t have to think about the answer. Being legally chained to his wealthy cousin, Theodora, would make roasting in the fires of hell a pleasurable option. The fact she insists on remaining a part of his mother’s household is hell enough. Mulgrave would escape, but his mother inherited all his money. He has to wait for his mother to die or chain himself to an heiress. Forced to improvise, when he sees Finley watching Theodora at a ball, he comes up with a brilliant plan that will fill his pockets with gold and rid his life of his annoying cousin. It’s time for Lord Cupid to string his bow.
Theodora
What could be worse than being orphaned and forced to share a nursery with a male cousin who matured into a heartless lecher? Theodora Sheffield knows it could have been a lot worse; she might have been left penniless. Having inherited a fortune, she’s chosen to remain a member of her aunt’s household. At twenty-nine, she wants an intelligent husband who won’t bore her to death. If she can’t find love she’ll settle for being amused. Jack Vaughn, Lord Finley, is the most amusing man she’s ever met, but he’s made it clear he’d literally rather die than marry her. She’s forced herself to continue searching, but it’s difficult when perfection is within view, smiling at some other woman.
Congratulations!!!
@Levita Ayala Goeloe
Thanks! Cross fingers it won’t be too long before it’s ready to go online. 🙂
Congratulations from me also! It sounds really interesting and amusing!
How long does Editting usually take?
@Levita Ayala Goeloe
It depends. This one is only 80,500 words and it’s in fairly good shape. I’m hoping it will only take a couple months (or less – preferably a lot less). I’ll post my progress. Until it’s on line I won’t be able to concentrate another story so that should inspire me to work faster. 😉
Even in poetry though initial ideas are okay it still needs revising
So true Levita! On the rare occasions I find myself writing a poem they can end up in the work pile for ages while I decide on just the right word. Speaking of poetry, I got a book of poems for Christmas I really enjoyed. “Crimsoning the Eagle’s Claw, poems of Rognvaldr Kali Kolsson; translated by Ian Crockatt”. Rognvaldr was a Viking who while doing all the usual Viking things he (and his cronies/crew) would compose complex poetry. There were all these rules of composition (which I couldn’t even understand). Apparently to be considered something special at a Viking fire you’d have to be able to whip out some witty poetry with even more finesse and skill than one’s ax. I don’t know if it’s true, but I read somewhere else that love poems (for the ancient Scandinavians) were considered a civil offence. It could literally get a man killed by the family of his would be lover because love poems were considered akin to a magic spell on the maiden they were written for. I suppose it just made the poetry all the more sweeter! 😉