It is my distinct honor and pleasure to be a guest blogger here! The Risky Regencies are the blog of my heart, the blog that along with Squawk Radio introduced me to the romance community and fired up my desire to write.
I started reading RR in June of 2006. In those early days I couldn’t muster up the courage to comment on any of the posts. However, when Gerard Butler as Beowulf graced the pages of RR, I couldn’t stop myself!
That first comment emboldened me to visit daily, leave more comments, then comment on the comments by others. (Note from Risky Regencies: You see how commenting is a slippery slope!!) Here’s how the first week went:
On July 3, Diane wrote The Gerard Butler Post
On Tuesday, Cara blogged about Period Views of America, hilarious quotes by Americans of “our” period in honor of Independence Day.
Then Elena talked about Roughing It describing a flooding disaster that struck her home and actually made me weep.
Janet’s discussion about How Literate We Are according to the top 30 books of British librarians was a surefire “Uh=oh!” for me.
Megan’s recounting of the events of her son’s birthday had me wishing she would organize my daughter’s party.
Amanda finished up the week with A Brief History of Soccer in honor of the World Cup.
You can see why I was hooked. How could I not be?!
The Riskies vary widely in their hobbies and interests, but are united by their love of history, books, and writing. I have learned so much from them. Diane and Amanda introduced me to craft of writing, the ups and downs of the writing life, and the modern joys of Project Runway and Dancing With the Stars. Cara added to my 3-year long Netflix list with all the versions of Jane Austen movies, made me into a cardsharp 200 years removed, and delighted me with her brilliant Austen Trek.
Elena showed me how to write from the heart, how to balance writing with motherhood, and how to serve colored meals for holidays (red food for Valentine’s Day, orange for Halloween, etc). If blog posts were to have emotions, Janet’s posts would always be smiling, for instance this and this. If there’s anything about the servant life in the 1800s that Janet doesn’t know, then it’s not worth knowing. From Megan I discovered that Clive Owen has hundreds of publicity headshots, everyday life can be fashionable, and it’s alright to be sad or silly, but for heaven’s sake don’t be boring!
A year and a half later, I’m still here, chatting just as much as before! In the course of dedicated blogging by the Riskies and their guests (with a special shout-out to Todd and our dear beau Bertie), I have made fast friends who’ll see me into the next decade and beyond.
If I’ve made a small contribution to the Risky community, then I’m indeed blessed. Ladies, thank you from my soul and the soles of my feet for having me here!
Keira Soleore can be found in many (many!) spots in the online writing world! She’s the board moderator for Candice Hern’s message board, she’s at her own website, and at her blog Cogitations and Meditations (see the links on Risky Regencies!). If you wish to nosh about Top Chef, email her straightaway.
Welcome, Keira! Or I guess I should say “welcome back,” since we love seeing you here every day. 🙂 What are some types of posts you’d like to see more here?
Ammanda, thanks much for inviting me to guest blog with you.
I love the variety of posts the Riskies post. Every week, there’s something different. I also like reading the Sunday interviews with different authors.
It would be great to have guest blogs from, say, well-known editors, agents, reviewers, and other industry professional.
What a sweet blog post. It was obviously so heartfelt. I’ll admit it I was moved.lol. Nice seeing you again Keira!!!
Hey, I never thought your blog would be praising us, Keira! How nice of you.
I, too, love the individual “voices” of the Riskies, even if I often feel like the illiterate one. I’m in awe of the intelligence of my comrades and of our commenters, too.
But I can’t express how touched I am that you blogged about US! I’d totally forgotten about that July 6, 2006 blog when I was looking forward to seeing Beowulf in NY.
Kelly: So kind of you to follow me around the ‘Net and comment on my blogs. Thank you!
Hey, I never thought your blog would be praising us, Keira!
Nothing like being pleased due to lowered expectations. Just kidding… 🙂 For a year and a half, I’ve been following the events and interests of you Riskies, and you’ve made run through the entire range of emotions alongside you. And I’m grateful for that.
Well, fancy seeing you here! LOL 🙂 It would be hard to make a post about it, but it’s good for a comment — it’s just lots of fun here, and that’s why we (well, definitely me, but I’m sure I can say we) keep coming back! 🙂
Lois
Lois, you have a long, treasured history with the Riskies. Do you know when you first started reading them and/or commenting?
Hi Keira! I think you’ve summarized very well what makes Risky Regencies such a great blog. The one element you could have said more about (at the risk of tooting your own horn) is how much the regular commenters, of whom you are a prime example, add to the online community! And I must say, it’s been a blast for me, personally, being able to trade jokes with you on the blog.
I can sense through the ether all the Riskies blushing, albeit with pleasure, at your post. But I think you hit the nail right on the head. 🙂
Todd-who-tends-to-hit-the-nail-on-the-thumb-himself
As usual, Todd, you’ve hit the nail on the horn causing it to toot merrily. Blushes aside, the Riskies are among the oldest continuously posting romance group blog. They’ve created a great community here that is open to newbies and warm-hearted with everyone.
“is how much the regular commenters, of whom you are a prime example, add to the online community!”
This is so true! All our regular visitors make it feel like a “home” on the Internet, like a group of friends sitting around gabbing about great stuff. I love coming here during the work day and having a virtual cup of tea with everyone. 🙂
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Ammanda, good idea. Let’s each of us have a real cup of tea as we chat here. I’m having “Lichee Congou” a China flowery orange pekoe black tea from Tiger Mountain Tea Co.
Sipping Earl Gray this afternoon, Keira, as it is my day off and I am enjoying it. I have to agree with everything you said about the Riskies! I have learned so much and laughed and cried so much with this terrific group. Everyone is so encouraging and willing to help. And we have to admit the subject matter has run the gamut. It reminds me very much of the mornings I saw my mother stand at the gate of our house in the little English where we lived with a cup of tea in hand and the neighbor ladies would soon join her, tea in hand to gossip and discuss whatever struck their fancy.
I love to come home after a day at work and see what everyone has had to say about the latest topic!
Oh Pam, I envy your mother for having had such marvelous group cozes once the children were off to school (phew!). What a beautiful picture you just painted there. The Riskies and the Banditas are certainly the web version of those chats. As usual, your words and your story are right on the button. Thanks, Pam.
I’ve been missing out, lurking all the time! It’s true, I think, that commenting is the real draw of blogging. Otherwise, you may as well be reading a newspaper. (Which is informative, but not nearly as fun.)
Wow, you’re so sweet, Keira! And we’re so glad you’re our first guest blogger.
Bertie the Beau says hi! If I can get him to turn off the television and put down his fifth cup of Keemun, perhaps he’ll stop in later and say it himself!
Diane wrote: I, too, love the individual “voices” of the Riskies, even if I often feel like the illiterate one.
Diane has won the Rita, the Golden Heart, the Reader’s Choice Award, and she’s still humble… If ever there were a woman worthy of a certain Gerard, she’s it! 🙂
Cara
Keira, what a lovely post! And I’m not surprised you love the Riskies – I think their blog is fantastic, as you say so erudite and varied and FUN!!! And I think it’s great that they’re all so different. Yay, Keira! Yay, Riskies!
Hi Keira! Swinging over from the Romance Bandit’s Lair to say hi! We love you too and love the Riskies as well. :> *Waving at Diane* I loved your post and love that you and so many other keep the dialogue going about Romance, Regencies, books, laughter, and what color food to eat on any given day. That had me laughing. Wish I’d read it. In fact I’m gonna go read it. Hugs to you Keira on being such a great blog pal, reader extraordinaire, and all around good sport! Glad you’re feeling better!
Oooh, bring on Bertie! I keep wanting Bertie to ask me to dance at the asssembly, but I’m obviously not enough of a diamond of the first water for him! Sigh. I have to make do with Toby Lumpthighs, the vicar’s son, instead!
Swinging over from the Romance Bandits to say what a lovely post, Keira! Friendly, informative blogs like the Risky Regencies are addictive. but then so is Gerard Butler. Oh mama!!
What a wonderful post about a wonderful blog, Keira!
If ever there were a woman worthy of a certain Gerard, she’s it! 🙂
Whoo hooo! Now there’s an award that might be more useful than the ones on my shelf!
*Waving at Diane*
Waving back, “duchess” (watch out. I may call you that in public)
ooooh, I feel like we’re having a party. Let’s get the dancing started, Anna. You can have Toby Lumpthighs and I’ll take Gerry! (He danced in Mrs. Brown)
Cracking up at Toby Lumpthighs, La Campbell! Yes, we need to get together and capture Gerard Butler, dip him in chocolate and award him to the Divine One. Who is up for a little kidnapping and chocolate wrestling with Mr. Butler? All for a good cause, of course!
Thanks, Keira. That picture is one of those childhood memories I have never forgotten. My mother has not seen those ladies in 37 years, but since her introduction to the internet several years ago they have taken up where they left off and the computer has become that lovely old garden gate. My mother knows everything there is to know in the village and all from thousands of miles away. That is what we get here with the Riskies and the Bandits – that sense of community, of sisterhood. I can’t put a price on that!
Ouch, Toby, that’s my foot! This is a waltz not a military exercise!
And look at that Diane, the toast of the county, swirling around so elegantly with Gerry B. But wait… Is that an elegant young lady in a red and white bonnet sneaking up on the couple with a lasso? Is this a western or a Regency we’re writing here, girls?
Pam, can I have the leftover chocolate? 😉
Great post Keira I come here a lot and read the posts and agree that this is another fun place to be although I don’t usually post I do read them often Risky Regencies is in my favourties just above Romance Bandits I love everyones comments you are all so witty and charming.
Have Fun
Helen
Wow, Keira, what a lovely tribute to the Riskies! You’ve perfectly expressed what makes this blog so great.
Lacey wrote, “It’s true, I think, that commenting is the real draw of blogging.”
And it’s also true, as you said, that there’s commenting, and then, there’s commenting everywhere all the time. There’s time for commenting, but before that, there should be time for writing. Thanks for visiting, Lacey.
Cara wrote, “And we’re so glad you’re our first guest blogger.”
OMG! I had no idea that I’m the first one. A debut of a debut. Thank you, Riskies. Thank you.
Diane wrote, “I, too, love the individual ‘voices’ of the Riskies, even if I often feel like the illiterate one.”
Cara wrote, “Diane has won the Rita, the Golden Heart, the Reader’s Choice Award, and she’s still humble.”
I sputtered in my second cup (fifth cup, Bertie?) of English Breakfast tea. I missed it before. The truly great are always truly humble. Diane’s in good company. 🙂
Bertie, c’mere dear. I have some good Keemun, too.
Hi Keira! How cool is this blog, folks? I’ve known Keira since I first started commenting on Squawk Radio and here with the Riskies. In cyberspace years I believe that’s a good twenty years or so,lol.
Risky Regencies is one of the greatest blogsites for me. It’s fun and informative, both bloggers and commentors are witty and intelligent. The Riskies have also been very helpful to me in my writing.
One of my favorite parts about this blog is that folks respond back to your comments and acknowledge that you took the time out of your day to make a statement. If you can’t tell already, this is a pet peeve of mine about other sites and the reason I lurk rather than participate there. To me, it’s all about community and we have a fabulous one here.
And Keira didn’t mention that she’s started her own blog, brave soul that she is. I give her and so many other of my friends who’ve ventured into blogs. It’s a huge committment which is probably why I’ve only done one myself. And I do apologize for not participating more at your site, my dear. I’ll pop over more frequently.
Great blog, my dear!
Banditas: thank you so much for making the time to visiting me here at the Riskies, especially since Joanie’s post is one of the best reasons for a good party at The Lair.
Foanna: The Riskies have my heart and my loyalty. They’ve been a quieter group than most, but week after week, they’ve continued to blog about event in their lives. To do so for more than two and a half years without pause takes courage and committment.
Jeanne: Love ya, too, oodles. Elena is a marvelous cook. There are many holidays where she does themed food, and often times, color is the theme. I’m looking forward to her recipes in early July of red, white, and blue food.
cough cough Foanna, you called me a Diamond of the First Water. So, naturally, my beau would be dancing with me. And consider this: Toby Lumpthighs is better than Tom Limpdick.
Suz: OMG the addiction. As Lacey can testify, blogs and blogging is incredibly addictive. Whenever I go on holiday to get away from life, I miss my online life very much. Vacation means I should have unlimited online time. It’s the real one I want a break from. 🙂
Happy Guest Blogger Debut, Keira!
Ditto on all of your sentiments.
In order to meet my personal writing deadlines, I recently had to “discipline” my blog time, taking a hiatus from many worthy websites.
But the Riskies is still the blog I visit everyday!
Susan: Glad you stopped by. Given the GORGEOUS day we’re having today, I didn’t think I’d find you online.
Diane wrote, “I’ll take Gerry! (He danced in Mrs. Brown.)”
Diane: Gerard can clomp all around as much as he wants, I’ll still dance with him.
Pam: Sign me up for getting my hands all over a certain GB (not to be confused with the GR) as he’s dipped in chocolate. After all, we wouldn’t want to deliver a less-than-perfect product, now would we?
And Pam, your story gets better and better. I’m so glad to read that the ‘Net has helped set her coterie up again. How absolutely wonderful. Suddenly, the technical term “portal” has acquired a wonderful old term “garden gate.”
How very annoying. I wrote an extremely witty and elegant comment, but the Blogmonster ate it.
How very déclassé of it. And de trop. And detestable.
I will say more later, when my ire has cooled and my tea has been warmed.
yrs,
Bertie the Beau
Yay! Home from vacation in time for Keira’s blog!
I totally agree, the Riskies have created a lovely and welcoming community–a favorite stop for the day.
And wishing you many happy hours of writing, Keira and much success on your path to publication!
Foanna: I may be a Regency gal in a bonnet, but if you turn it inside out, it becomes a cowgirl hat. My great-grandmother on my mother’s side lived on the American frontier.
Helen: Aha, fellow Bandita Buddy, thanks muchly for swinging by.
Lindsey: How fun is this? Your popping over here. Thanks for your kind comments. (BTW, I’ve added you to my blogroll on my C&M blogsite).
((Santa)): Thanks much for your kind comments.
Everyone: I met Santa for the first time at National last summer, and she’s one of the reasons, I returned home in a happy buzz and I can hardly wait till National’s here again. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to more online chats with you.
Santa: Those other blogs you mention seem to believe in information going one way from blogger to reader without the need for forming a community. The Riskies on the other hand have always been about community and information, but community first. In fact, I don’t know why you’d blog if you weren’t interested in have a conversation with others.
JaneGeorge: It about broke my heart to leave some groupd, but there’s no way I can even contemplate leaving the Riskies and the Banditas.
Deb: Welcome home. Thank you for your fabulous wishes — from your lips to my muse’s ears. 🙂 Oh, do tell about your vacation. Where did you go? What did you do?
My dearest love, Bertie. You’re here. (mucho kisses) My day’s now complete. Ugh on aggravation with Le Blogmonstre. Those Frenchies… (sigh).
Another Bandita dropping in to say hi! As always, you write so beautifully and your heartfelt words lift us all.
So glad to hear you’ll stick with us in the Bandits’ Lair – we miss you when you’re not around!
Cool blog, Riskies – had such fun on my first visit.
Hi Keira, what a terrific post! Thanks for all the nice things you said about the Riskies and for the trip down memory lane.
It’s an honor and a pleasure to have you as our guest.
My dearest love, Bertie. You’re here. (mucho kisses) My day’s now complete.
So pleased my presence has completed your day — pleased, although perhaps not surprised. (My beauty is a joy forever.)
As for dancing…I shall dance with you all! I am at my most aesthetically pleasing on the dance floor…and nothing shows off the elegance of my arms quite so well.
ever yrs,
Bertie the Beau
Hi, Keira! What a terrific tribute you’ve done today! I’m pretty new to RR, and it’s quite a lovely mix here. Congrats on your guest blogging debut here 🙂
Hi, Keira! I think your praise captures the uniqueness of the Riskies with heart-warming honesty.
I mostly lurk here, but I have been a fequent visitor since RV Manda introduced me to the site. One of the things I like most about group blogs is visiting because of one author whose books I love and discovering more authors and more books to add to the TBB list. The Riskies have certainly made their contributions. 🙂
I second your praise Keira. Risky Regencies is a great blog with a lot of great people!
Bertie, m’dear: Elegant arms are so important, but their elegance in romance literature is highly neglected. Glad to see you highlight the topic and exemplify its virtues.
V.Anna, love: I’m so glad to introduce you to my other home on the ‘Net, and I’m so glad to also be spending time daily in my other home The Lair. Thank you for dropping by.
Janet: Those photos from National last year that I took of you trying on the gloves and hat (you won in the Beau Monde auction) are the coolest. Particularly when you hammed it up for us.
Fedora: Welcome to another Bandita Buddy swinging by. Thanks for your kind words. I hope you’ll stay on here, and comment frequently.
((Janga)), it’s always, always a pleasure to read your posts and comments. I visited the Fog City Divas because of my love of Candice Hern’s books. JoBev’s books introduced me to the Word Wenches and Kalen Hughes to the History Hoydens. With humongous TBR piles and TBB lists, reading led to blogging and commenting, whihc in turn led to more reading.
Georgie: Thanks for stopping by to comment. Yes, they’re super cool, aren’t they?!
Welcome all newcomers, lurkers, and our dear, faithful friends.
My goodness, Keira! We haven’t had this many people post in a long time!
Wow.
Sorry, Diane, I can’t post anymore. I’m just too busy LMAO at the idea of my new partner who is even WORSE than Toby Lumpthighs! See? This is why we miss Keira when she doesn’t come and visit us at the Banditas every day!
Keira, just popping over from the Romance Bandits to say how lovely of you to write a post praising the Risky Regencies!
So many nice things said about the RR that I definitely will be a more regular visitor!
Diane: All the long-time and newly converted RR readers are coming out in force in support of the Riskies.
Jo-mama: You’ve delighted me no end by saying that you’re intrigued enough to be a regular visitor at a spot that is one of my loves.
(((Foanna))) I wuv you. Thank you for visiting so often.