Laurie Viera Rigler's Blog: Jane Austen Addict

Advice for new authors, and more, at The Quill Ink

I’m delighted to have been interviewed by the lovely and prolific fellow author and editor Christina Boyd of The Quill Ink, a wonderful site whose blog is packed with advice and insights for authors, and much more.

Enjoy!

The post Advice for new authors, and more, at The Quill Ink appeared first on Jane Austen Addict, home of author Laurie Viera Rigler.

Chat GPT, schmat GPT

“I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”–HAL 9000, the AI from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

If only Chat GPT were that simple to dismiss. But resist? That you can do.

Authors, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, and other creatives are panicking about the appropriation of their work and the possibility of being replaced, rendered obsolete.

Perhaps my favorite commentary on Chat GPT is this brief, bruising one from Nick Cave’s Red Hand Files.

This one on Lit Hub...

What I’m reading: Novels by Mhairi McFarlane

I’m new to the novels of Mhairi McFarlane and am definitely captivated. Speaking as a lifelong, voracious reader, what makes McFarlane’s novels stand out are that they not only fulfill my wish for uplifting reads, but also, and quite impressively, they pair a feel-good, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy vibe with an exploration of some very complex and painful issues. Sounds like a difficult feat to pull off, right?

It is, but Mhairi McFarlane does it beautifully and believably. After al...

Holiday viewing to lift your spirits

If you have mixed feelings about the holiday season, you’re not alone. It can be elevating, exciting, and inspiring, and it can also be stressful, exhausting, and bewildering. Fear not. You just need a bit of cinematherapy in the comfort of your home. That and my favorite essential oil blends, Lift-me-up and Merry Christmas!

I’ve watched both seasons of Home for Christmas three times (at least) and totally love it. If you’ve ever felt the pressure of family to get your life in order (find a...

8 tips for getting through the day.

Hint: Watching your favorite happily-after is one of them.

Fear. Uncertainty. Stress. Sometimes it feels like we’re in one of those movies when the monster has finally been defeated–and then gets up and starts attacking again. It’s enough to make you want to dive under the duvet.

While the following list won’t make you queen of the world, it will help you be queen of YOUR world.

1. Turn off the newsfeeds. It’s an abyss and no good can come from it.

2. Give your social media a time out. Do you re...

Celebrate Girl Power on July 4th with Jane Austen.

You always knew Jane Austen was a feminist, right? What better way to soothe the disappointment of cancelled 4th of July events than to enjoy some intellectual fireworks?

Register for this live online lecture, JANE AUSTEN’S MESSAGE FOR YOUNG WOMEN TODAY, where “Dr Georgina Newton examines how the hopes and concerns of today’s young women compare with those of Jane Austen’s era and how the author of Pride and Prejudice has much to say to modern readers.“

July 4th at 7.30pm British time (2....

Lit Lovers & History Nerds: Featured Links

Are you a bookworm, bibliophile, avid reader, nose-in-a-book sort of person? Then you’ll love Lit Hub, “the best of the literary internet,” a somewhat recent discovery of mine. You’ll find bits of wisdom from great authors, writing encouragement and inspiration from great minds, things you must know about your favorite authors, insights about the publishing biz, and much more.

So much more that, like me, you’ll want to sign up for Lit Hub‘s weekly or daily digest and dig in. Enjoy, fellow li...

Writing Workshops for Storytellers (& Aspiring Storytellers)

Join me at Vroman’s, Southern California’s oldest and largest bookstore.

I’m thrilled to be returning to Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, CA to teach two writing workshops. There’s still space available.

One-Day Writing Workshop: Novel vs. Screenplay: Exploring Your Options. Saturday, May 25th, 1:30-4:30 PM.

Six-Week Writing Workshop: Storytelling Techniques. Six Thursdays, starting May 30th and skipping 4th of July, 6:30-8:30 PM. For authors of fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Both classes...

Writing Workshops for Aspiring Storytellers

Join me at Vroman’s, Southern California’s oldest and largest bookstore.

I’m thrilled to be returning to Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena, CA to teach two writing workshops. There’s still space available.

One-Day Writing Workshop: Novel vs. Screenplay: Exploring Your Options. Saturday, May 25th, 1:30-4:30 PM.

Six-Week Writing Workshop: Storytelling Techniques. Six Thursdays, starting May 28th and skipping 4th of July, 6:30-8:30 PM. For authors of fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Both classes...

Nick Hornby’s Juliet, Naked Brings Austen Devotees to Mind

On Twitter, someone asked for book recommendations for Austen fans, and what came to mind was not a continuation, a sequel, or an inspired-by. It was JULIET, NAKED by Nick Hornby. 

Nick Hornby is my idea of a contemporary Jane Austen. So is Zadie Smith, particularly  her novel ON BEAUTY. Both authors make profound observations of human nature, give us romance without sentimentality, have a divine sense of humor, and are simply master storytellers. In my writing workshops I inevitably read pas...