Janet Aylmer's Blog: Darcy and the accidental author
April 23, 2016
Blog ADDITIONS
I have been exploring ways of making short stories more interesting before I publish them as ebooks.
It would be interesting to know whether any of you have done this, with pictures and/or with music?
It seems to be possible to "embed" both in Kindle ebooks (and in blogs!)
It would be interesting to know whether any of you have done this, with pictures and/or with music?
It seems to be possible to "embed" both in Kindle ebooks (and in blogs!)
HORTUS SICCUS
Another idea I have for a new short story is about an early emigrant to Western Australia. Here is an extract -
"The heat always seemed that much more unbearable when Jack was away in Perth. Even if they had been able to prevent their servants from leaving, she doubted that she would have agreed to travel across the world, so far from home, if she had really understood what the weather was going to be like.
Yet here she was, with six-year-old Sabina by her side, willingly venturing out at the hottest time of day to collect plants for Captain Mangles.
Perhaps it was that there were so few other occupations available to divert her mind from the drudgery of household tasks that his request had not been an imposition, but rather a happy diversion, an excuse to walk into the bush.
"Why is that book called Hortus Siccus, Mama?”
"It means dry garden, Sabina."
"But everything here is dry?"
Yes, indeed, Georgiana thought.
“But in England, where Captain Mangles lives, and where your Papa and I were born, the weather can be very wet. That is why they need a special book to press the flowers, and write about them, so that people know what they look like when it isn’t raining."
Sabina looked at her wisely but said nothing.
"The heat always seemed that much more unbearable when Jack was away in Perth. Even if they had been able to prevent their servants from leaving, she doubted that she would have agreed to travel across the world, so far from home, if she had really understood what the weather was going to be like.
Yet here she was, with six-year-old Sabina by her side, willingly venturing out at the hottest time of day to collect plants for Captain Mangles.
Perhaps it was that there were so few other occupations available to divert her mind from the drudgery of household tasks that his request had not been an imposition, but rather a happy diversion, an excuse to walk into the bush.
"Why is that book called Hortus Siccus, Mama?”
"It means dry garden, Sabina."
"But everything here is dry?"
Yes, indeed, Georgiana thought.
“But in England, where Captain Mangles lives, and where your Papa and I were born, the weather can be very wet. That is why they need a special book to press the flowers, and write about them, so that people know what they look like when it isn’t raining."
Sabina looked at her wisely but said nothing.
April 22, 2016
The Miracle
I have decided to put together a set of short stories, each with a historical and/or romantic connection.
The one that I am writing at present is based on a true story - when the Emperor Charlemagne sent money to pay for a chapel to be built in the village to commemorate a miracle on 28 May 778. The villagers in Laroque-Timbaut (in South-West France) still celebrate that anniversary every year.
This is the beginning of the story –
Tara had only a few minutes in the evening to rest from the heat under the trees on her way home before she must prepare the supper. As always, her face was dusty with soil, and her legs under the ragged dress weary from the long day in the fields.
As she was about to move on, Tara heard sounds behind her. That would be Thomas; he always came that way to bother her. She had known him since she was a young child, but her mother had never liked any of the local peasant farmers.
Before she could turn her head, a pair of strong hands gripped her arms, and she was lifted up and turned to face away from the valley. A short distance away, Tara saw a very frightened Thomas, short and squat with his hands bound, with a rough looking man standing behind him. The tall stranger was holding her firmly, so it seemed a waste of time to struggle.
“Tell the girl,” said the tall stranger in French, “that I won’t hurt her if she comes without trying to escape.” The other man spoke to Thomas, and he passed on the message to Tara. She replied to him in the local patois, as Thomas did not understand the foreigners’ language.
“Who are they?”
The one that I am writing at present is based on a true story - when the Emperor Charlemagne sent money to pay for a chapel to be built in the village to commemorate a miracle on 28 May 778. The villagers in Laroque-Timbaut (in South-West France) still celebrate that anniversary every year.
This is the beginning of the story –
Tara had only a few minutes in the evening to rest from the heat under the trees on her way home before she must prepare the supper. As always, her face was dusty with soil, and her legs under the ragged dress weary from the long day in the fields.
As she was about to move on, Tara heard sounds behind her. That would be Thomas; he always came that way to bother her. She had known him since she was a young child, but her mother had never liked any of the local peasant farmers.
Before she could turn her head, a pair of strong hands gripped her arms, and she was lifted up and turned to face away from the valley. A short distance away, Tara saw a very frightened Thomas, short and squat with his hands bound, with a rough looking man standing behind him. The tall stranger was holding her firmly, so it seemed a waste of time to struggle.
“Tell the girl,” said the tall stranger in French, “that I won’t hurt her if she comes without trying to escape.” The other man spoke to Thomas, and he passed on the message to Tara. She replied to him in the local patois, as Thomas did not understand the foreigners’ language.
“Who are they?”
March 14, 2016
Why don't more books have illustrations?
Sometimes pictures can help?
Why not take a walk through Georgian Bath with me? Jane Austen enjoyed Sydney Gardens, and so can you.
https://www.goodreads.com/videos/7899...
I sometimes wonder why pictures are excluded from fiction books (having tried to persuade my American publishers to include them, without success).
Several well known classics were published with illustrations in the 19th century, including the works of Dickens as well as Jane Austen.
Please discuss!
Why not take a walk through Georgian Bath with me? Jane Austen enjoyed Sydney Gardens, and so can you.
https://www.goodreads.com/videos/7899...
I sometimes wonder why pictures are excluded from fiction books (having tried to persuade my American publishers to include them, without success).
Several well known classics were published with illustrations in the 19th century, including the works of Dickens as well as Jane Austen.
Please discuss!
March 11, 2016
Actions rather than words?
Sometimes, actions can tell us more about a character in a novel than words.
In my first book “Darcy’s Story”, the hero seems to have few friends, but is very fond of his much younger sister Georgiana, perhaps especially because of the early death of their parents. When something unexpected occurs concerning her, he is very quick to notice, and to take action. This extract from my book is an example:
“The following afternoon, Darcy visited his attorney, Mr Stone, to discuss his business affairs. On his return, he found a letter waiting for him from Georgiana.
He took his favourite seat in the drawing room of his house in London, facing the window onto the Square, and began to read.
“My dear brother, We called in at Rosings as I promised.
Our cousin Anne was unwell, and kept to her room. However, Mrs Younge and I took luncheon with Lady Catherine before continuing on our journey. Our aunt had messages for you that I will pass on when we next meet.
Mrs Younge and I are now well settled in our lodgings, and Ramsgate is a most delightful place. We are walking every day along the front by the sea to watch the ebb and flow of the tides. We have also taken a carriage out into the country; there are many pretty lanes and woods to see round about.
I am very much enjoying the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with the gentleman whom I mentioned to you in my last letter. He knows Mrs Younge quite well, and is just as delightful a companion as I remember him.
He says that I should not tell you anything of his being here, which seems to me a little strange. I have not seen him for more than 5 years, when he returned to Pemberley with you while you were both at Cambridge.
If I say that his name begins with W, I shall not be breaking my promise to him to keep our secret.
Your loving sister
Georgiana.”
Darcy read the letter twice through.
Suddenly, a terrible thought came to him. He leapt to his feet and called to his man to pack an overnight bag, and get the carriage to the door within half an hour.”
In my first book “Darcy’s Story”, the hero seems to have few friends, but is very fond of his much younger sister Georgiana, perhaps especially because of the early death of their parents. When something unexpected occurs concerning her, he is very quick to notice, and to take action. This extract from my book is an example:
“The following afternoon, Darcy visited his attorney, Mr Stone, to discuss his business affairs. On his return, he found a letter waiting for him from Georgiana.
He took his favourite seat in the drawing room of his house in London, facing the window onto the Square, and began to read.
“My dear brother, We called in at Rosings as I promised.
Our cousin Anne was unwell, and kept to her room. However, Mrs Younge and I took luncheon with Lady Catherine before continuing on our journey. Our aunt had messages for you that I will pass on when we next meet.
Mrs Younge and I are now well settled in our lodgings, and Ramsgate is a most delightful place. We are walking every day along the front by the sea to watch the ebb and flow of the tides. We have also taken a carriage out into the country; there are many pretty lanes and woods to see round about.
I am very much enjoying the opportunity to renew my acquaintance with the gentleman whom I mentioned to you in my last letter. He knows Mrs Younge quite well, and is just as delightful a companion as I remember him.
He says that I should not tell you anything of his being here, which seems to me a little strange. I have not seen him for more than 5 years, when he returned to Pemberley with you while you were both at Cambridge.
If I say that his name begins with W, I shall not be breaking my promise to him to keep our secret.
Your loving sister
Georgiana.”
Darcy read the letter twice through.
Suddenly, a terrible thought came to him. He leapt to his feet and called to his man to pack an overnight bag, and get the carriage to the door within half an hour.”
March 9, 2016
Using an Argument in your novel
A lively argument can often be a useful “trigger” when writing a novel – not only to move the story on to a new situation or event, but also to tell the reader more about one of your characters.
In “Dialogue with Darcy”, I took the opportunity to use Mr Darcy’s discussion with his cousin Fitzwilliam in an early chapter of the novel to show our hero discovering that his frequently stubborn opinions must be modified to take account of other people’s views.
“Sitting at his desk in the library, Darcy looked out of the window. However, his eyes did not really see the familiar view over the lake at Pemberley. Instead, in the forefront of his mind was the soft touch of Elizabeth’s fingers on his when he had left her at the door to the terrace only a few minutes ago, and his memory of that secret smile that she kept only for him.
On the other side of the library, Colonel Fitzwilliam was standing with a book in his hand, looking rather less calm than usual. He might be a guest in his cousin’s house, but that did not mean that he had to agree with everything that Darcy said.
His host had always prided himself on his ability to advise his friends and family about their lives. That he was not inclined to take any notice of what they might suggest was not something to which Darcy ever gave much attention.
“After all, Fitzwilliam, we have already agreed that it is essential for you to marry well, for your future financial security. So what is the problem? I cannot see any difficulty.”
His cousin sighed. Why was it that Darcy suddenly became deaf to any rational discussion if one held an opposite view to his own? He had hoped that his cousin’s happy alliance with Elizabeth would mean an improved understanding on Darcy’s part about personal matters. Marriage, after all, was one of the most important steps in life that anyone had to take, and his own lack of a settled income made it particularly necessary that the decision should be given great care.
The irritation that Darcy felt about his cousin’s attitude was tempered by his pleasure in seeing his new wife Elizabeth sitting outside in the sunshine, reading one of the books that she had brought with her from her father’s library. It did not seem so long ago that he had feared he might never be able to persuade her to marry him. But now their settled future lay ahead, the very real prospect of a family of his own, and the support of the person that he loved most in all the world.
However, a slight movement by his cousin reminded him of his duty. He had not hesitated to speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam about his future marriage plans.
After all, the colonel was a close relative and was now nearly thirty years of age. As the younger son of an earl, he might not have significant financial prospects, but he was very well connected socially, quite apart from being Darcy’s own first cousin. In addition, he was tall, had a distinguished appearance and a very pleasant personal manner.
“Surely you really must agree that my suggestion is the best solution for both of you.” Darcy had been very irritated that the colonel had not shared his initial enthusiasm for the idea.
Colonel Fitzwilliam took a deep breath, and repeated what he had said to Darcy several times before.
“Of course, she is a most delightful young woman and, as you have reminded me, we have known each other for a long time, indeed ever since she was born. But why should Georgiana see me as a potential partner in life? She has a handsome dowry, as you have so often told me, and that would attract many men with a more substantial income and at least as elevated a social situation as myself, and who could offer her much more comfortable circumstances.”
“That may be so, Fitzwilliam, but she has shown very little interest to date in any of the young men to whom she has been introduced, despite the best efforts of myself, and more recently my dear wife. If Elizabeth cannot persuade Georgiana that any of them are worthy of her consideration, then has it occurred to you that she might be harbouring a secret passion for someone else, for you?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at him with a weary expression. There were times when Darcy behaved in a very similar way to their aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who could be so high-handed as to alienate not only her acquaintances, but also her immediate family. Yet Darcy was even less inclined than most people to do what others suggested to him.
“As far as I can tell, Georgiana is not harbouring what you call a secret passion for anyone, and certainly not for me. For heaven’s sake, Darcy, where is the urgency for you to have to find her a partner in life?”
The colonel walked over to look out of the window at the view outside. On the sunny terrace, Elizabeth was now getting up to join her sister-in-law standing by the lake, and soon they were busy in animated conversation. He was sure that Elizabeth would have rather different views about her husband’s suggestion, and perhaps it was time for him to take her aside and discuss the matter in private.
“Would you like me to have a word with my sister on your behalf?” said Darcy.
“No, I would not,” his cousin hastily replied, “that would be premature, to say the least. In any case, I have no need of you to make my addresses for me, and I wish to consider the subject much more carefully before I do anything.”
Mr Darcy, of course, is used to having his own way, so he returns to the subject later in my book.
But marriage can change people, as you will discover in “Dialogue with Darcy”
In “Dialogue with Darcy”, I took the opportunity to use Mr Darcy’s discussion with his cousin Fitzwilliam in an early chapter of the novel to show our hero discovering that his frequently stubborn opinions must be modified to take account of other people’s views.
“Sitting at his desk in the library, Darcy looked out of the window. However, his eyes did not really see the familiar view over the lake at Pemberley. Instead, in the forefront of his mind was the soft touch of Elizabeth’s fingers on his when he had left her at the door to the terrace only a few minutes ago, and his memory of that secret smile that she kept only for him.
On the other side of the library, Colonel Fitzwilliam was standing with a book in his hand, looking rather less calm than usual. He might be a guest in his cousin’s house, but that did not mean that he had to agree with everything that Darcy said.
His host had always prided himself on his ability to advise his friends and family about their lives. That he was not inclined to take any notice of what they might suggest was not something to which Darcy ever gave much attention.
“After all, Fitzwilliam, we have already agreed that it is essential for you to marry well, for your future financial security. So what is the problem? I cannot see any difficulty.”
His cousin sighed. Why was it that Darcy suddenly became deaf to any rational discussion if one held an opposite view to his own? He had hoped that his cousin’s happy alliance with Elizabeth would mean an improved understanding on Darcy’s part about personal matters. Marriage, after all, was one of the most important steps in life that anyone had to take, and his own lack of a settled income made it particularly necessary that the decision should be given great care.
The irritation that Darcy felt about his cousin’s attitude was tempered by his pleasure in seeing his new wife Elizabeth sitting outside in the sunshine, reading one of the books that she had brought with her from her father’s library. It did not seem so long ago that he had feared he might never be able to persuade her to marry him. But now their settled future lay ahead, the very real prospect of a family of his own, and the support of the person that he loved most in all the world.
However, a slight movement by his cousin reminded him of his duty. He had not hesitated to speak to Colonel Fitzwilliam about his future marriage plans.
After all, the colonel was a close relative and was now nearly thirty years of age. As the younger son of an earl, he might not have significant financial prospects, but he was very well connected socially, quite apart from being Darcy’s own first cousin. In addition, he was tall, had a distinguished appearance and a very pleasant personal manner.
“Surely you really must agree that my suggestion is the best solution for both of you.” Darcy had been very irritated that the colonel had not shared his initial enthusiasm for the idea.
Colonel Fitzwilliam took a deep breath, and repeated what he had said to Darcy several times before.
“Of course, she is a most delightful young woman and, as you have reminded me, we have known each other for a long time, indeed ever since she was born. But why should Georgiana see me as a potential partner in life? She has a handsome dowry, as you have so often told me, and that would attract many men with a more substantial income and at least as elevated a social situation as myself, and who could offer her much more comfortable circumstances.”
“That may be so, Fitzwilliam, but she has shown very little interest to date in any of the young men to whom she has been introduced, despite the best efforts of myself, and more recently my dear wife. If Elizabeth cannot persuade Georgiana that any of them are worthy of her consideration, then has it occurred to you that she might be harbouring a secret passion for someone else, for you?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at him with a weary expression. There were times when Darcy behaved in a very similar way to their aunt Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who could be so high-handed as to alienate not only her acquaintances, but also her immediate family. Yet Darcy was even less inclined than most people to do what others suggested to him.
“As far as I can tell, Georgiana is not harbouring what you call a secret passion for anyone, and certainly not for me. For heaven’s sake, Darcy, where is the urgency for you to have to find her a partner in life?”
The colonel walked over to look out of the window at the view outside. On the sunny terrace, Elizabeth was now getting up to join her sister-in-law standing by the lake, and soon they were busy in animated conversation. He was sure that Elizabeth would have rather different views about her husband’s suggestion, and perhaps it was time for him to take her aside and discuss the matter in private.
“Would you like me to have a word with my sister on your behalf?” said Darcy.
“No, I would not,” his cousin hastily replied, “that would be premature, to say the least. In any case, I have no need of you to make my addresses for me, and I wish to consider the subject much more carefully before I do anything.”
Mr Darcy, of course, is used to having his own way, so he returns to the subject later in my book.
But marriage can change people, as you will discover in “Dialogue with Darcy”
February 9, 2016
ZOMBIES
The film “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is showing soon in cinemas here. The reviews have been mixed, to say the least. I doubt that I will find time to see it. Talking of Zombies … …
We here in the UK have been following the various “activities” of the candidates in your forthcoming Presidential election on the TV news – amazing.
I have visited parts of the USA more than 10 times – many very attractive and worth seeing, and the American people are great.
But what strikes us here in the UK (and of course we have the BBC - www.bbc.co.uk/news - as our main news channel) is how isolated your people and many of your news channels in the States are from world news compared to us.
I recall visiting Virginia several years ago, and staying in a hotel where NO world news seemed to be featured on ANY of the popular TV channels. Putting one’s head in the sand is not a wise option in this very fast moving and sometimes threatening modern world?
As for having a popular presidential candidate (I will not name him) who does not seem to know anything about world affairs, and who has not only a very unfaithful marital history but also a very variable grasp of financial matters – no candidate to head the government in the UK (except perhaps the newly arrived Mr Corbyn, who will not be a “stayer”) would get anywhere for long here with that record.
An article in one of our “serious” newspapers -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world... -
suggests that someone who does know how the world works may stand as an independent. That would be a great relief to many people over here. We do not like to see our friends in the USA being misled.
We here in the UK have been following the various “activities” of the candidates in your forthcoming Presidential election on the TV news – amazing.
I have visited parts of the USA more than 10 times – many very attractive and worth seeing, and the American people are great.
But what strikes us here in the UK (and of course we have the BBC - www.bbc.co.uk/news - as our main news channel) is how isolated your people and many of your news channels in the States are from world news compared to us.
I recall visiting Virginia several years ago, and staying in a hotel where NO world news seemed to be featured on ANY of the popular TV channels. Putting one’s head in the sand is not a wise option in this very fast moving and sometimes threatening modern world?
As for having a popular presidential candidate (I will not name him) who does not seem to know anything about world affairs, and who has not only a very unfaithful marital history but also a very variable grasp of financial matters – no candidate to head the government in the UK (except perhaps the newly arrived Mr Corbyn, who will not be a “stayer”) would get anywhere for long here with that record.
An article in one of our “serious” newspapers -
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world... -
suggests that someone who does know how the world works may stand as an independent. That would be a great relief to many people over here. We do not like to see our friends in the USA being misled.
Great to have a new Fan!
On a rather damp and chilly February day here in the UK, how pleasant to have a new and enthusiastic fan living in the state of Oregon, USA!
Welcome!
https://twitter.com/Moreor_Leslie/sta...
Do take a look at my web site at www.janetaylmer.com
Best wishes
Janet
Welcome!
https://twitter.com/Moreor_Leslie/sta...
Do take a look at my web site at www.janetaylmer.com
Best wishes
Janet
November 19, 2015
A new review of my favourite book
Apologies for such a long delay in adding to my blog – quite a lot has been happening around here, including finding some Huguenot ancestors!
There is a review of my book “Sophie’s Salvation” just added to the Historical Novels' Society web site. In many ways it is complimentary, but I thought that I had written a Georgian romance which was rather different from the rest! For instance, no “machinations” during a ball scene.
Rather, I had wanted to develop the stories of two rather unhappy people (for different reasons) who find themselves coming together to be just the partners that they each need in life.
You will have to read the book to tell me whether the reviewer missed the point, or whether I did not write the book that I intended. Please let me know in commenting on this blog
There is a review of my book “Sophie’s Salvation” just added to the Historical Novels' Society web site. In many ways it is complimentary, but I thought that I had written a Georgian romance which was rather different from the rest! For instance, no “machinations” during a ball scene.
Rather, I had wanted to develop the stories of two rather unhappy people (for different reasons) who find themselves coming together to be just the partners that they each need in life.
You will have to read the book to tell me whether the reviewer missed the point, or whether I did not write the book that I intended. Please let me know in commenting on this blog
September 1, 2015
An Interview
Readers always seem to like to know more - about authors - as well as heros and heroines!
So here is a link that you may like - An interview with M E Wood - from Bellaonline
http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/...
So here is a link that you may like - An interview with M E Wood - from Bellaonline
http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/...
Darcy and the accidental author
News from Janet, for whom everything began with not knowing Mr Darcy's Story.
Let us go back to the beginning of my journey as an accidental author – a Sunday evening in Bath in the autumn of 1995. Wit ...more
Let us go back to the beginning of my journey as an accidental author – a Sunday evening in Bath in the autumn of 1995. Wit ...more
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