This post was originally posted at Austenesque Reviews, but I'm sharing here for my readers to enjoy as well. Rational Creatures is a new anthology from the Quill Ink Collective that celebrates Austen’s female characters and explores the ways in which they challenged the social mores of their time. One of Austen’s greatest achievements was creating characters … Continue reading Letters from the Drawing Board
Author: Jessie
I have a house, a husband, 2.4 kids and an out-of-tune piano in the back room. I also have a ferocious love of words and a penchant for laughing at life's absurdities.
Rational Creatures Blurb
But I hate to hear you talking so, like a fine gentleman, and as if women were all fine ladies, instead of rational creatures. We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days. —Persuasion Jane Austen: True romantic or rational creature? Her novels transport us back to the Regency, a time … Continue reading Rational Creatures Blurb
Ask Tabitha #2
Question submitted by Worried of Cheltenham: Tabitha - you seem like a lady with plenty of experience in such matters. Will you please tell me which gin is best for serving to uninvited (except by themselves), unwanted and probably unappreciative relations? The aim being to a) make them leave, or b) if they don't make … Continue reading Ask Tabitha #2
Outwitted by Words #4
The latest incidents of words outwitting the world. ~♥~ I don't know whether my local butcher has been outwitted by words or is merely a pleasant pheasant plucker with a literary sense of humour. Either way, this sign made me smile... ~♥~ A recent conversation that happened whilst driving my eldest home from school: Eldest … Continue reading Outwitted by Words #4
Taking Jane Bennet for a Walk in Darcy’s Shoes
Mistaken is a Pride and Prejudice variation, the most obvious difference being to Jane Bennet's character. The change wasn't arbitrary. She doesn't begin as a wholly unrecognisable person, but alters gradually and plausibly as a result of differing external influences to those with which Austen presented her. The decision to test her strength of character in this … Continue reading Taking Jane Bennet for a Walk in Darcy’s Shoes
Ask Tabitha #1
Question submitted by Jane Mayberry: You sound like an old friend of mine called Tabatha Fortescue? I seem to remember you marrying someone with a name similar to Sinclair. Please do let me know if you are one and the same. Yours in hope your old freind Jane Mayberry. Tabitha's reply: I am ancient dear, you must … Continue reading Ask Tabitha #1
Dreams and Desires: A Mistaken Vignette
At over 300,000 words, Mistaken was a tad long when I finished writing it. Something had to go if I didn't want to rival Tolstoy for page count. The first things to be axed were the dream scenes. I do love a good dream sequence; you can show so much about a character's innermost thoughts … Continue reading Dreams and Desires: A Mistaken Vignette
