Lisa Jensen's Blog
December 9, 2023
A Comedy Of Marriage
My historical novel, A Comedy of Marriage, is now complete and absolutely free online! Against a backdrop of theatrical life in Britain in the age of Edmund Kean, a motley collective of strolling players grapples with issues of social, racial, sexual and marital equality within the looking glass of life imitating art imitating life that is the theater, where the ever-relevant words of Shakespeare provide both mirror and compass.
Everything I love about Shakespeare, history, and the theater has been poured into this novel. It's the most fun I've ever had at the keyboard! Better still, the online version comes festooned with plenty of vintage illustrations, wherever I could dig them up. The complete novel is now live, so feel free to binge, or sample small, digestible bites, or ignore it completely. It's up to you!
Enjoy the show!
PS: Many thanks to the intrepid readers who have already been following along. I have also (finally) uploaded the Glossary of period slang, so yay!
https://comedy-marriage.blogspot.com/
Everything I love about Shakespeare, history, and the theater has been poured into this novel. It's the most fun I've ever had at the keyboard! Better still, the online version comes festooned with plenty of vintage illustrations, wherever I could dig them up. The complete novel is now live, so feel free to binge, or sample small, digestible bites, or ignore it completely. It's up to you!
Enjoy the show!
PS: Many thanks to the intrepid readers who have already been following along. I have also (finally) uploaded the Glossary of period slang, so yay!
https://comedy-marriage.blogspot.com/
August 25, 2023
New Free Book!
What does an author do when she's written a book that can never being published? She could self-publish, which would take time and expense that the plucky little book might struggle to recoup, going out into the world like a new college graduate, crippled with debt. Or she can eliminate the profit margin and make the entire book available online for free. Which is what I've done with A Comedy of Marriage.
I love this book— the setting, the characters, the repartee, the themes. But it's the third installment of a trilogy that began with my first historical novel, The Witch from the Sea, then ended abruptly when my publisher at that time stopped publishing fiction. Few publishers are interested in sequels to a book that originated elsewhere, and the publishers of my two subsequent historical-fantasy novels don't find this series appropriate for their line. So the mystic portals to conventional publication seem to have clanged shut like the opening of The Prisoner.
But conventional publishing is no longer the only option. We live in a brave new world of instant connection between creators and their potential fan base. Artists post virtual gallery tours. Craftspeople open Etsy shops. Musicians perform on You Tube. In most cases, the objective is to sell your creation directly to the public, or snag the attention of an agent, label, influencer, or some other middleperson to sell it on your behalf. In the digital megaverse, this is referred to, with cold-blooded aplomb as, "monetizing."
The opportunity to monetize my little book has long since passed. But does it deserve to die in my computer, unread, just because it can't be sold? This is my favorite of all my novels, published or otherwise. What began as a swashbuckling romp has relocated to the theatrical world of post-Regency, pre-Victorian England. My characters grapple with issues of social, racial, sexual and marital equality within the looking glass of life imitating art imitating life that is the theater, where the ever-relevant words of Shakespeare provide both mirror and compass.
Writing it was the most fun I've ever had at the keyboard!
But an author's labor is only half the creative process; the rest depends on the reader. No matter how lovingly crafted, a book only comes fully to life in the reader's imagination.
So here's a link to the introductory page: Coming Soon. To read ahead, go to the bottom of the Blog Archive and start working your way up. At the end of each chapter click on Newer Posts to upload the next one. 10 chapters are up already, along with the Prologue. (DO NOT SKIP THE PROLOGUE!) The text will be going up in 5-chapter increments every week or so; I'll let you know.
Happy reading!
https://comedy-marriage.blogspot.com/...
I love this book— the setting, the characters, the repartee, the themes. But it's the third installment of a trilogy that began with my first historical novel, The Witch from the Sea, then ended abruptly when my publisher at that time stopped publishing fiction. Few publishers are interested in sequels to a book that originated elsewhere, and the publishers of my two subsequent historical-fantasy novels don't find this series appropriate for their line. So the mystic portals to conventional publication seem to have clanged shut like the opening of The Prisoner.
But conventional publishing is no longer the only option. We live in a brave new world of instant connection between creators and their potential fan base. Artists post virtual gallery tours. Craftspeople open Etsy shops. Musicians perform on You Tube. In most cases, the objective is to sell your creation directly to the public, or snag the attention of an agent, label, influencer, or some other middleperson to sell it on your behalf. In the digital megaverse, this is referred to, with cold-blooded aplomb as, "monetizing."
The opportunity to monetize my little book has long since passed. But does it deserve to die in my computer, unread, just because it can't be sold? This is my favorite of all my novels, published or otherwise. What began as a swashbuckling romp has relocated to the theatrical world of post-Regency, pre-Victorian England. My characters grapple with issues of social, racial, sexual and marital equality within the looking glass of life imitating art imitating life that is the theater, where the ever-relevant words of Shakespeare provide both mirror and compass.
Writing it was the most fun I've ever had at the keyboard!
But an author's labor is only half the creative process; the rest depends on the reader. No matter how lovingly crafted, a book only comes fully to life in the reader's imagination.
So here's a link to the introductory page: Coming Soon. To read ahead, go to the bottom of the Blog Archive and start working your way up. At the end of each chapter click on Newer Posts to upload the next one. 10 chapters are up already, along with the Prologue. (DO NOT SKIP THE PROLOGUE!) The text will be going up in 5-chapter increments every week or so; I'll let you know.
Happy reading!
https://comedy-marriage.blogspot.com/...
August 1, 2020
RUNAWAYS: CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 39: THE PLAYMAKERS The final installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
"It seems like every time we try to make a fresh start, it all blows up in our faces."
"But we can’t stop trying. We'll make it all up anew, as we always have. Like a play."
Jack shook his head. "But what about you, Rusty? England isn’t your home."
"My home," echoed Tory. "Well, had I stayed in my home, I suppose I might have become an underpaid governess who wakes up after thirty years have slipped by to wonder what’s become of her life. Instead of — "
"A rootless vagabond in a tattered pantomime adrift in the middle of the Atlantic?" Jack suggested.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
"It seems like every time we try to make a fresh start, it all blows up in our faces."
"But we can’t stop trying. We'll make it all up anew, as we always have. Like a play."
Jack shook his head. "But what about you, Rusty? England isn’t your home."
"My home," echoed Tory. "Well, had I stayed in my home, I suppose I might have become an underpaid governess who wakes up after thirty years have slipped by to wonder what’s become of her life. Instead of — "
"A rootless vagabond in a tattered pantomime adrift in the middle of the Atlantic?" Jack suggested.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 27, 2020
RUNAWAYS: CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 38: PLEDGES REDEEMED The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
Tory rushed to the window again, eyes straining into the night, trying somehow to mold the darkness into Jack’s familiar silhouette, loping along as if nothing were the matter. There were so many ways for a man to die, that’s what Captain Hart always said. It was damned odd that she could not will the dark to assume Jack’s living shape before her eyes, when she could envision him battered and lifeless in the dirt of some nameless roadside gully all too clearly.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
Tory rushed to the window again, eyes straining into the night, trying somehow to mold the darkness into Jack’s familiar silhouette, loping along as if nothing were the matter. There were so many ways for a man to die, that’s what Captain Hart always said. It was damned odd that she could not will the dark to assume Jack’s living shape before her eyes, when she could envision him battered and lifeless in the dirt of some nameless roadside gully all too clearly.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 25, 2020
CHAPTER 37: RECKONING
CHAPTER 37: RECKONING The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
"Why, I’ve lost my way in the dark, officer." Jack tried his most civilized accent. "Be good enough to point me toward the road."
There was a beat of terrible silence. Then Raleigh’s hand clamped down on Jack’s filthy collar. "Oh, you’ve lost your way, all right. Mountebank. D’ye take me for a fool?"
"You’re a long way from Basseterre, Constable," Jack muttered. "Who’s terrorizing the market women while you’re away?"
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
"Why, I’ve lost my way in the dark, officer." Jack tried his most civilized accent. "Be good enough to point me toward the road."
There was a beat of terrible silence. Then Raleigh’s hand clamped down on Jack’s filthy collar. "Oh, you’ve lost your way, all right. Mountebank. D’ye take me for a fool?"
"You’re a long way from Basseterre, Constable," Jack muttered. "Who’s terrorizing the market women while you’re away?"
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 23, 2020
RUNAWAYS: CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 36: PLAYING TRICKS The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
Peeping out from behind their stage, Tory spotted them too, white faces at the back of the crowd, three or four younger men flanking an older gentleman in the type of brassy frock coat favored by deputized officers of the militia. Were they watching for Alphonse? Did that mean they hadn’t caught him? Or were they lying in wait for Jack? And then it was her turn to fling open the curtain and take the stage as Columbine.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
Peeping out from behind their stage, Tory spotted them too, white faces at the back of the crowd, three or four younger men flanking an older gentleman in the type of brassy frock coat favored by deputized officers of the militia. Were they watching for Alphonse? Did that mean they hadn’t caught him? Or were they lying in wait for Jack? And then it was her turn to fling open the curtain and take the stage as Columbine.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 19, 2020
RUNAWAYS: CHAPTER 35
Chapter 35: THE MERRY GREENWOOD The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
Across the clearing, almost hidden in more leafy woods, Jack spied some kind of outbuilding. Long and low, like a barracks. Well hidden. Defensible. That was where he would plot, far away from any overseer’s prying eyes. But he would have to cross the open clearing to reach it.
Tory’s face swam suddenly into his mind, the way he had last seen her, tense, anxious, biting back words she dared not speak. He wished now that he had held her for a moment, coaxed a smile from her to carry with him now. That had been no way to say goodbye.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
Across the clearing, almost hidden in more leafy woods, Jack spied some kind of outbuilding. Long and low, like a barracks. Well hidden. Defensible. That was where he would plot, far away from any overseer’s prying eyes. But he would have to cross the open clearing to reach it.
Tory’s face swam suddenly into his mind, the way he had last seen her, tense, anxious, biting back words she dared not speak. He wished now that he had held her for a moment, coaxed a smile from her to carry with him now. That had been no way to say goodbye.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 16, 2020
RUNAWAS: CHAPTER 34
Chapter 34: HARLEQUIN'S LAST GAMBIT The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
Jack sat very still, his face without expression, and signaled for another drink. He sat back, nodded to the boy, and took one slow, careless sip, and then another, like any other preoccupied gentleman of business, while the blood thundered in his ears and his stomach dropped away to somewhere deep within the core of the earth. It was no good now cursing Alphonse’s dangerous games, or wondering how they had come to this pass. He must think fast and flawlessly. There could be no miscalculation in his plan; he would get no second chance. He’d be damned fortunate to get a first.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
Jack sat very still, his face without expression, and signaled for another drink. He sat back, nodded to the boy, and took one slow, careless sip, and then another, like any other preoccupied gentleman of business, while the blood thundered in his ears and his stomach dropped away to somewhere deep within the core of the earth. It was no good now cursing Alphonse’s dangerous games, or wondering how they had come to this pass. He must think fast and flawlessly. There could be no miscalculation in his plan; he would get no second chance. He’d be damned fortunate to get a first.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 11, 2020
RUNAWAYS: CHAPTER 33
Chapter 33: THE DEVIL'S RING The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
That damned curse. Everywhere he went, he heard the same tale. There wasn’t a smuggler, merchant or huckster in all of Basseterre who hadn’t heard of the Devil’s Ring, and the curse of death upon whoever owned it. You’d think he’d been offering them a vial of poison instead of a valuable piece of gold.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
That damned curse. Everywhere he went, he heard the same tale. There wasn’t a smuggler, merchant or huckster in all of Basseterre who hadn’t heard of the Devil’s Ring, and the curse of death upon whoever owned it. You’d think he’d been offering them a vial of poison instead of a valuable piece of gold.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
July 9, 2020
RUNAWAYS: CHAPTER 32
Chapter 32: PIRATES AND ENGLISHMEN The next installment of my novel online, Runaways: A Tale Of Jonkanoo, a sequel to Witch from the Sea
"It was a Papist monk who invented champagne," Jack told her. "And this," he grinned, "is the only useful thing I ever learned in my brief adventure in London society." The cork disengaged with an abrupt little sigh, and the bubbles inside foamed up to the top of the bottle neck, but not out of the lip. Jack poured a little of the wine, as pale and delicate as moonlight, into two of the goblets set out beside the bucket, and handed one to Tory.
"The monk said his creation tasted like stars," Jack went on, lifting his glass to hers.
Tory took a cautious taste, but she wasn’t prepared for the explosion inside her mouth. She swallowed too fast, then coughed, then laughed.
"Well, you are supposed to sip it," Jack observed.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
"It was a Papist monk who invented champagne," Jack told her. "And this," he grinned, "is the only useful thing I ever learned in my brief adventure in London society." The cork disengaged with an abrupt little sigh, and the bubbles inside foamed up to the top of the bottle neck, but not out of the lip. Jack poured a little of the wine, as pale and delicate as moonlight, into two of the goblets set out beside the bucket, and handed one to Tory.
"The monk said his creation tasted like stars," Jack went on, lifting his glass to hers.
Tory took a cautious taste, but she wasn’t prepared for the explosion inside her mouth. She swallowed too fast, then coughed, then laughed.
"Well, you are supposed to sip it," Jack observed.
http://runaways-jonkanoo.blogspot.com...
