Category: Writing
-
Publishing Options for Women During Jane Austen’s Lifetime
Several people of late have asked me of Austen and self-publishing, especially as many JAFF writers self-publish their books. I was fortunate to have come to the genre when traditional publishers had taken note of the trend. They scooped up several of us who were attempting to self publish our books on sites, many of…
-
An Excerpt from A Fortuitous Wager: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary
I am excited to share an excerpt from my newest work I anticipate coming out soon. Given that one of the most amusing ways I’ve learned valuable lessons was through wagers and challenges, I could not resist using it as a premise for one of my vagaries, and I hope you enjoy this in-edit so…
-
Writing For Readers
Kurt Vonnegut’s Rules 1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted. 2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for. 3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.…
-
My Likes and Dislikes of Pride and Prejudice Variations
When I first started thinking about this post, I would have liked to have done another chapter of Elizabeth Bennet’s Bad Days. However, I had read another author’s post where she had mentioned not doing more excerpts from one of her books because of Amazon’s restrictions. A quick way to get denied Kindle Unlimited is…
-
What is in the name?
Hi everyone. Time again for things bouncing about inside my brain. First, as I will not be posting again until after, I hope you are all going to have a joyful Thanksgiving next week. The holidays are a time not only to be with family and friends, but to remember those who are less fortunate. This…
-
The Perils and Pitfalls of “Writing Like Austen” (Part One)
I’m always being asked how I can write in Austen’s style. Trouble is, I don’t know how I do it. Though I suspect it has something to do with having been a professional ghostwriter for 15 years – and learning how to inhabit celeb’s/other writers’ voices – and something to do with being a musician…
-
Thomas Jefferson’s Influence on “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman”
Thomas Jefferson is best known for writing the Declaration of Independence, but what other “credits” might we attribute to him? He was also a scientist, an inventor, an architect, and even a philosopher. “The papers of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), diplomat, architect, scientist, and third president of the United States, held in the Library of Congress…
-
Jane Austen’s Many Mary Sues and An Unworthy Hero
Captain Wentworth is the worst Austen hero and I think he’s wholly unworthy of Anne Elliot. Okay, now that I have your attention and possibly your anger, Hi! If you’re new here, I’m the blogger who likes to say wildly unpopular things for the sake of discussion. It’s my personal toxic trait. My long-suffering husband…
-
Building a Better Pemberley for “Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman” – Celebrate the Book’s Release with a Giveaway
Today, my latest Austen-related book, Mr. Darcy and the Designing Woman, releases. It has been the work of many days, and those of you who have read it already know there was a great deal of research involved to have the “special bits” of the story accurate. If you are interested in reading the other…
-
Bow Street Runners and a Buddy-Cop Story
I was first introduced to the Bow Street Runners through Georgette Heyer’s iconic regency stories. I always enjoy the entry of these unpolished but smart and resourceful characters. In The Toll Gate, we have a delightfully ill-disguised Runner looking for stolen coins. In The Corinthian, it’s a diamond necklace. So, who were these men? Why…