Edith Layton: Gotta Write
Hello, everyone, I’m Edith Layton and I write. It’s no use tell me to stop, because I can’t. I started young, and all the pamphlets, lectures, and 12 step programs just don’t work for me. I write because I have to. <g>
I blog on www.wordwenches.com, write novels and novellas, and email the immediate world whenever I can.Â
But the novel’s the thing.Â
If I take too long a vacation between books, I get edgy and irritable, or at least, edgier and more irritable than usual. When I’ve selected my characters and my plot, and they chime in lovely resonance, my blood pressure lowers, my mind feels at ease, and I can float by for weeks in relative calm because I’m writing.
Today is an especially good day for me because I’m blogging here – and it also just happens to mark the very day of the release of my latest book: BRIDE ENCHANTED, from AVON! This Historical novel set in the Regency period is a bit different from others I’ve written because I take a new course, and added concepts I haven’t used in a novel before.Â
I’ve always loved Engilsh history, especially those stories that must be believed by the heart, not the mind. Stories about all those mystical beings that inhabited the British Isles before man did: great serpents in lochs, other water monsters with vengeful mamas, lovely tiny shining creatures that slept in blossoms, dwarves with powers unknown, beautiful enchanting beings that humans had to either fear or adore, and all kinds of other wondrous and terrible magical beings.Â
I always wondered what had happened to them all. Did they ever exist? Are they extinct? Or only hiding, waiting their turn again? I’m far from the first to think of them, of course. Magical stories influenced dozens of great writers down through the centuries: Shakespeare, Tolkein, J.K. Rowling – I could fill a page with their names.Â
But I thought of a different story, a love story set in the Regency period, one involving what we know as real and what we imagine might be. The more I thought, the more I wanted to write it.
And so, Dear Reader, I did.
What came first, the characters of the plot? In this case, the plot snagged me, and I had to find if I had any characters lurking in my backbrain that would fit it. Luckily I did. You can’t write a book if your characters don’t belong there, no matter how wonderful the plot.
Usually, it’s the other way round for me. Characters tell me the book they want to be in. I shape them and craft them and if I’m successful they take on their own life. They have also sometimes made me change a plot so that they can fit in it more comfortably. If they try to make me change it too much, I know we just aren’t suited and I have to retire the project. Characters should live, but not get too pushy. And sometimes, I compromise. I promise a character his or her own book if they’ll only be good and wait their turn. This is why I’ve written so many “connected” books. It is seldom planned. Each book stands alone, but my connected books contain characters or a character that I came across while writing another book and just couldn’t bear to let go out of my life.
If my characters are strong enough and my knowledge of them complete enough, the book can just roll along with no complications.
I’m grateful when my editor and my agent agree.
BRIDE ENCHANTED made me happy while I was writing it, and I can’t ask more of a book than that. (Well, I can. Imagine Oprah seizing upon my book, gasping with delight, and turning it in a worldwide sensation. A lovely thought, but I’m trying to be realistic here.)
So why do I write? The bottom line is that, as I said, I love the process. If you face a manuscript with dread, ditch it! If it delights you, then whatever its fate, it was worth your time and effort.  
It took me two years to sell my first book. I knew I had the right characters and the right plot, and refused to change the ending just to sell it. Some editors offered me a contract if I’d just change the ending. I couldn’t – that wasn’t the book I was writing. Eventually, an editor saw my point, and asked me to put in a few more of my reasons for that ending in the story. I did. She bought it! (It is a Regency, titled: THE DUKE’S WAGER. It’s been reprinted a lot.)
Again, first the idea, then the characters and fitting them to the plot, and then working on it with joy. That’s my formula.
Now over thirty books and two dozen novellas later, I still get the same thrill when I sit down and face an empty screen, and then type in ‘Chapter One.’ I pause, thinking of the enormity of my gall in thinking I can write four hundred more pages until it will be time to type ‘The End.”  What nerve! What a daunting idea. How delicious.
It’s scary. And tempting. And I’m hooked on the feeling.
I hope you find BRIDE ENCHANTED and other books I’ve written worth your time. They sure were worth mine.
*Ely’s note: one lucky person will receive a copy of BRIDE ENCHANTED.*
Edith, no matter what plot you work with, your books are always special. I finished Bride Enchanted this weekend (oops, once again the little old ladies in my local bookstore messed up). And without giving anything away, I loved your description of Aubrey’s home town and Eve’s reaction to it. You’re on my auto-buy list, and of course I’m a devoted Wenchling!
Hi Edith,
Thanks for blogging with us!!! Interesting you say if the project is not working you just need to put it aside. I Have fought with my characters, trying to mold them my way, they often refuse, so I let them mold the story and things work out for the better.
Te book sounds Enchanting (okay so I’m not very original) Can’t wait to get it!
Edith – So exciting your Bride Enchanted is out. Like Maggie, you are an auto buy for me. I haven’t read it yet, but am salivating knowing you have combined historical with a bit of magic… two things that will get me every time!
Excuse me now – while I go read!
Edith, I haven’t had much time for reading lately. Summer has been too busy, even though I tell myself every day that it should be a time of relaxation, bbq’s and pool parties. Oh well, maybe next year.
So even though I have a stack of books waiting to be read about as tall as I am, your book goes to the very top, and I’m digging into it this weekend.
Thanks for coming by, and for sharing. I love hearing about how other authors work through the writing process.
Yay! I have a new author to buy! *g*
btw, your baby is absolutely adorable. he/she reminds me of a border collie I used to have in college (her name was Cookie. The child who named her reasoned it was because she looked like an oreo cookie. isn’t that sweet?)
Okay, so, you definitely have me snagged on this new concept of yours. I *lurve* magical creatures and almost any story they’re in. Historical just makes it that much tastier!
Question: Do you wend your own descriptions and behaviors into these magical creatures? Or do you allow them to have traditional d/b? For example, Neil Gaimon takes the Rat King and Beast legends of London and weaves them into a much richer tapestry of an entire civilization in the underground (Neverwhere). Instead of standing alone, they became part of a whole. Karen Marie Moning took the idea of the fairies and one of their many definitions in British folklore and created a society of ostracized aliens. Of course, I use the term “alien” loosely. ;D
it may be too early in the morning for me to be making sense, but I felt brave after drinking my first cup of coffee made out of a real Bialetti *squee!*
Oh Maggie, I love you too! And Tiffany, Maria and Kris, big ol’ smoochies on you too.:”>
OMG! I am having a big fangirl moment here, Edith! I’ve been reading you for half my life at least! It’s such a thrill to have you here in the gypsy caravan with us! And you’ve written some of my all time favorite heros. Drum from The Conquest and Christian from Lord of Dishonor for starters.
I am about halfway through Bride Enchanted and love it!
Thanks so much for coming by!
I *love* “connected” books, even though all books can stand on their own without having read the others. It’s like all your friends got HEAs as well.
And I love your description of your writing process! It makes me feel like I might be on track after all!
And I also loved that you refused to yield about changing the end of The Duke’s Wager–and it ended up being reprinted several times. (Now that’s a happy ending.)
Do you write a certain amount each day? Or do you write so long each day? When the writing is not going well (I can’t imagine this, personally, for you but we’ll pretend)–is there something in particular you thing like to do instead? (Solitaire, gardening??)
Hi Edith,
Bride Enchanted sounds wonderful, and I can’t wait to read it. I love your idea of blending the history of England with the mystical elements that so pervade the Isle.
It’s very interesting that you mention the powerful and therapeutic effects of writing. When I’m in the writing zone (not as frequently as I wish) I actually feel physically better. Little aches and pains don’t bother me, my brain calms down, and my general troubles seem to fade away. Plus, I don’t have any desire to head down to the kitchen and eat! My characters just pull me into their world take over. It’s such a blessing when that happens. It obviously happens to you a lot!
Thanks for the great blog and the great books.
Edith Layton! Oooh, I love your books. You are definitely on my automatic buy list. In fact, my local bookseller just called to tell me my copy of Bride Enchanted is in!! She has a standing list of my must have authors so she ordered your book without asking me. It sounds divine and I cannot wait to get my hands on it. I happen to adore Leland and Daisy from HOW TO SEDUCE A BRIDE!! I think what I like most about your books is that in addition to being funny, poignant and passionate they are also clever. I love those moments when I read a page and it just makes me smile that little “aha” smile. I too would love to know if you write every day, a certain number of words per day or what your process is. My characters tend to talk to me and tell me how the story will go, but there are times when I have to give them a nudge or worse, tell them to “pipe down!” Thank you for writing such wonderful books!
Hi Azalea!
My “baby” Daisy is half Pointer, half Foxhound, and half Martian.
As for your question:
>>Do you wend your own descriptions and behaviors into these magical creatures? Or do you allow them to have traditional d/b?>>
The wonderful thing is that there is really no “traditional” in British mythology. There are so many sources and stories and so much background that a writer can pretty much pick and choose attributes for magical characters. Actually, my favorite interpreter of magical folks these days is Terry Pratchett… but I can never forget those stories I heard as a child, on my way to sleep. They are truly the stuff dreams are made on.
Oh Manda!
>>OMG! I am having a big fangirl moment here, Edith! I’ve been reading you for half my life at least!
Hi Edith and thanks for joining us!
I love your story of The Devil’s Wager and how the rest of your books came into being. That’s what I always loved about your writing — they’re very much character-driven books with people who encounter real problems and how they overcome them.
You said your characters come to you — what advice do you have to writers in how to listen to their characters?
Also, what will your next book be about?
Welcome Edith Layton!
I love your books and The Duke’s Wager is on my keeper shelf. Actually, all books related to that story are all on the shelf! I can’t wait to get my hands on your latest and greatest (what else would it be).
I am also one of the happy lurkers at the Word Wenches site, as well as, your children’s sites.
Do you know when you’ll be doing any signings, if any, on Long Island? My in-laws live there and it’s an easy trip from here.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your trade secrets.
Jeez, I think I just outed myself! That was me, Santa. Sheesh…that’s what I get for coming out in the daylight!!
Oops! Got cut off. Meant to say, Manda, that I’m very flattered that you’ve been reading me for half your life, but I hope that means you’re very very young.
bestest,
Edith
Yay Romance Vagabonds! I am also a HUGE Edith LAyton fan. Also, I’m probably the only Edith Layton fan who has, in my time, stolen her lipstick, her favorite skirt, and then told it was OK and that I could have it.
But, see, that’s a perk of being Edith Layton’s daughter… :”>
Big love to all the RV’s!
:
Susie
I got a note from my fav bookseller earlier today informing me that my book is waiting for me to go pick up. I can’t wait to read it. Edith, as you know, you’ve been on my auto-buy list forever.
Another long-time fan here, Edith. I have more than twenty of your books on my keeper shelves, but I confess to a special fondness for the Love trilogy. Just saying Arden Lyons makes me sigh! To Wed a Stranger is another particular favorite. It is one of the few romances I know that focuses on the redemption of a less than stellar female character from an earlier book.
I can’t wait to read Bride Enchanted. I am sure it will join the rest of my Lady Layton keepers. What keeps you motivated to try new things when you have written so many beloved books?
Hi, Susie! I feel as if I know you from all your mom’s references on Word Wenches to you and your technical assistance. And you are the mother of that beautiful baby, right?
Welcome, Edith! It’s such a thrill to have you here! I’m a new enough fan to still have a lot of your backlist to look forward too, but I join Janga in being a huge fan of To Wed a Stranger. Oh, and also of many of your novellas – I love novellas and am sorry we don’t see as many anthologies these days.
I can’t wait to read Bride Enchanted! Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now? Are you forging any other new paths?
Thanks for stopping by, Susie – and for the plug on your site!
Yo Hellion! Thanks for the good words.
>>Do you write a certain amount each day? Or do you write so long each day?>>
I try to write from 10 to lunchtime (unless I get so involved I forget it’s time to eat.) And then I write until 4PM, when it’s time for Judge Judy. (Now there’s a smart and sassy lady.)
>> When the writing is not going well (I can’t imagine this, personally, for you but we’ll pretend)–is there something in particular you thing like to do instead? (Solitaire, gardening??)
Oh, you nailed it! Solitaire on the computer. I play without thinking, and when I’m done, I discover I know what to write next.
VanessaK and Pamela Bolton-Holifield (Now, there are two delicious Regency Heroine names!) – you have quite turned my head. Such nice things to say about me. I am tickled to bits. Thank you! I promise your warm words will stay with me when the empty screen in front of me gets frustrating. I will simply superimpose them on the blank screen, and sigh with happiness.
Edith,
I just had to stop by and say hi and tell you how much I love your books–how I would like to win Bride Enchanted! Although I’m sure I’ll pick it up on my bookstore run this Friday. . . I’m the impatient type. . .
(When I preached my “romance novel sermon” one of the books I held up from the pulpit was your Return of the Earl. . .)
Your fan,
Melinda
Edith,
Great post. I just wanted to say, big fan here and I love reading your books.
Elyssa – you asked: >> You said your characters come to you — what advice do you have to writers in how to listen to their characters?
Arggh! Cut off again! Elyssa – what I was going to say was:
If you find you have a character that just won’t say or do something you have planned, then rethink the action or dialogue. it may be coming too early, or without enough build up, or it simply may be something you haven’t built into him/her to start with. If all of this has been done, then try changing some of the set up. If it still doesn’t work – it just doesn’t work.
Oh, Susie – my brilliant and creative and lipstick stealing daughter! Thanks for coming to see what Mama’s doing today.
If anyone wants to see what my darlin’ Susie’s doing (and it’s a lot):
http://felberfrolics.blogspot.com/
Hi Keira and Janga!
Thanks for the support.
And yes, Susie is the Mama of the most beautiful baby in my world.
As for what keeps me motivated? As I said: I gotta work. I love to write. And love it so much more when you do too! Thank You!
RevMelinda – always so nice to know you’re on my side!
Because it’s good to now there’s someone to put in a good word for me when, and where it really counts!
(I meant “know” of course)
Hi Lindsey and Kimmi – Oh you guys are really turning my head!
Thanks so much for having me here.
Hey Janga — yes
sirthat’s my baby! And to JAA and Lindsay, thanks for the warm & welcoming and comments.