Category: modern
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A Visit I Will Forever Remember Taking: Part 2
This past September, my husband, aka the Marine, and I went to England for a day to see Stonehenge, then we traveled the next day to Romania. I shared of my visit to the lovely England countryside, and the busy Romanian Old Port in the first post. Here I continue my adventure. Our first two…
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Christmas in Paris: A Short Story
I’ve just returned from a wonderful holiday in Paris, one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen. And of course, the plot bunnies kept on hopping all the time we were there. I hope you enjoy this short contemporary story that hopped out of my head. Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. However you celebrate, may…
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Rules of the Road for Regency Language
Writers of Austen-based or broader Regency fiction regularly discuss the use of language by a modern writer for that period. I, too, reflect on my approach—which I considered for quite a while in my historical fiction based on Jane Austen’s life. For general language, I take the actor’s approach when preparing to play an historical…
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‘To Bay or Not to Bay’: Did Shakespeare Talk Country?
When I was in college, the drama department at the University of Arkansas wanted to do a bang-up job on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Over the summer, they sent the actor playing the lead role off to study proper enunciation. He returned with an impeccable rendition, but no one anticipated the disconnect for the audience caused by…
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Darcy and Lizzy Going Dutch?
Good morrow, dear readers! A question was asked on one of the JAFF FB groups recently about a modern Amish P&P variation. As I mentioned in my introduction in February 2023, my family and I spent five years in an Amish community, attempting to join the church; thus, such a variation would seem perfect for…
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A Little Known Adaptation – Leslie Knope is Elizabeth Bennet
The themes of Jane Austen and her characters transcend time and culture. Austen literally wrote the book on on how to craft humorous, poignant stories about people and communities, and we see this pattern repeated over and over in contemporary media.
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Romance Tropes Enduring Through the Ages
What’s your favorite romantic book trope? Romance tropes are the subject of much debate, but whether you love or hate them, they are a staple of modern romance books. Have you ever stopped to think about where they first appeared?
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A Trip to Italy
Aren’t I the lucky duck! I’ve just returned from a 12-day trip to Italy, and oh, the history geek/art-lover in me is still in raptures. My kid, who is studying in the UK, finished classes right when my husband was able to take a bit of time from work, and we decided to meet up…
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P & P & Texting Fun
Some fun texting convos from the cast of P & P
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Does Jane Forgive Bingley Too Easily?
Jane is expecting a ring, and then Bingley disappears for 8 months! Does she take him back too easily?