A Curious Propostion

I recently received a fan letter (Yay!) with a curious request. She told me how much she enjoyed my books she'd read, except "for the explicites and occassional expletives". And could I re-write and release them without those things (like the swear words and sex scenes) in order "so the books can be included in family libraries and
read by wider readers."

I told her I wasn't planning on doing such a thing, but I've also learned to never say never. But her question got me to thinking.

First of all, has anyone else ever been approached to rewrite their book to make it more palatable for younger readers?  If so, did you?

Second, I write Sensuous Romance. That means creating love between two people where having sex is an essential part of building that love. It would be very difficult to show the depth of love growing between the hero and heroine without the sex scenes - or, at least, that's my opinion.

At this time when publishers are asking writers to push the boundaries in terms of sex, etc., it was refreshing to get an email asking for less. Although I wonder if a snipped version would sell.

Dear Linda - re: The Battle Lord Saga

Dear Linda (or is it really Gail?),

First, I just read your 7 rules for Romance books and I agree with every one. These days there are very few Romance authors whose works I read and even some of them have "jumped the shark." I notice this most often happens when they are picked up by the large publishing companies and/or when their books begin to first be offered in hard back.

I am re-reading the Battle Lord saga to get ready for #4 (cannot wait; will it be Feb. or March?), and there is one thing that always bothered me: the fates of Atty's mother and little sister. I know that Atty's life has been one crisis after another, but there was been no closure on this issue. Will it ever be addressed? I am not trying to act like an editor, I just want to know.

Have a great day. Hold to your convictions regarding your rules; we appreciate your committment.
***
Hi!

It's really Linda. Gail is my middle name and Smith is my maiden name, hence my choice of pseudonym when I write horror.

It looks like Battle Lord #4 will be later this year. Oh, and just to let you know, there will also be a book 5 (already outlined). ;) My external hard drive is at Geek Squad where I hope they can rescue my current WIPs. In the meantime, I've done no writing since Sept. :( My school's demands on my time and energy are becoming impossible to keep up with, and I come home after 9 and 10-hour days totally drained and brain dead. :( But the good news is I've been trying to come up ways to get back into the swing, and I think they're working! :D

As for Atty's mom and sister...hehehehehe. ;) Trust me, I haven't forgotten that loose thread (although I've had people argue with me that life isn't always tied up so neatly at the end.) Well, this is my book, and I don't leave such threads behind. 

Thank you for your correspondence. You're such a day-brightener!

Dear Linda - Will there be a sequel to The Gifted?

I really loved your book The Gifted. Are you planning to write a sequel for The Gifted? I ask because you left a lot of questions unanswered for me. Such as what was the anomaly that brought Sah'Reena to earth and what became of her home planet? Please say you will be writing a sequel to The Gifted. Love all your other books as well but The Gifted was my favorite.


Hi!
 
Thank you for your wonderful words of encouragement! Yes, I am working on a sequel to THE GIFTED. In it I do address the anomaly and what happens to Sah’Reena’s planet. At the moment I don’t know when it will be finished, contracted, or published, but know it’s already in the works.

Thanks for getting in touch with me!