Regency England

     In 1811 King George the third was no longer able to rule England due to his 'madness' now known to be caused by the disease Porphyria. His son George became the Regent, or the ruling power. The period lasted until the death of George the third in 1821 when the Regent became George IV. I have found variations on these dates in different articles and books. Jane Austen began to write her novels in 1797 which is usually included in this era.

     The war with Napoleon was being waged in Europe as well as the American War of 1812 -1814. In 1815, the end of the Napoleonic war, soldiers came home to an economic depression. Riots raged amongst the laboring poor across the country because of unstable prices and working conditions.

     In the midst of all this most of the the nobility continued their lives as usual. The Prince Regent the most extravagant of all. He built luxurious homes including the Pavillions which he regularly redecorated at the slightest whim.

  Next time Romance in the Regency.

Historical Fiction and Why it's My Favorite Read

   I started reading historical novels as a teenager and they are still my favorites. Georgette Heyer is a particular love of mine. Her humor and cant terms of the Regency period in England caught my attention first. Also her grasp of the mores and culture of the time are fascinating to me.

   Then there are the stories of Jane Austen. I have read them all, and I have to admit they are a bit wordy for me. But the stories are delightful and I love the movies that have been made from them. The costumes, the architecture and furnishings all spark my imagination

    Who has not swooned over Colin Firth as the inimitable Mr. Darcy. Or loved Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth in 'Perusasion'. Then there is Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson in 'Sense and Sensibility'.

   I could go on and on, but I shall just say these are the reasons I have chosen to write about the Regency Period. I'll tell you more about it next week.

Write-Write-Edit-Edit-Edit

   While I am waiting to hear from my publisher I am editing,editing, editing my next book. For every word you write you edit three times, at least that's how it seems to me.
   I guess there are some authors, who are so practiced or talented, they can write, edit once and it's done. I am neither practiced or that talented. I am sure I will be editing my book even after that beautiful hardback copy is in my hands.
   I do belong to a wonderful small critique group. I would never have made it this far without them. I am  thankful for their gift of seeing forgotten commas, lack of emotion, unnecessary words, etc. They find  all these after I have edited the pages at least three times.
   The best thing about this group is we cheer each other on, hold each other's hand in the down times, and celebrate the good times. What a blessing.
  

The Waiting Game

   There is nothing like the thrill of 'the call' and signing your first contract. Unless it's the third and the fourth, etc. The shock is simply amazing. It takes days, actually weeks, to come down to earth. Each new step in the process is exciting and a little scary. Will I do it right? My insecurities are showing.
   One morning, you open your e-mail and there is the editorial letter. How many pages? Less than two. Not too bad. Nothing big, just minor stuff. Revisions sent back and accepted. Yeah.
   Now I'm in another waiting period. Waiting to see my manuscript in print. Is that when it becomes real? I'm waiting to see.

New Beginnings

   There's a new look to my blog, a new energy in my life and a new venture in my writing.
    Late in December, while I was with my critique group, I received a phone call from Avalon Books. Their question took my breath away. "Is your book Deverell's Dilemma still available?" When I could speak I assured her it was. "Would you like a contract with Avalon Books?" Would I like a contract? I could hardly contain myself. "Yes," I gasped. I heard a soft chuckle on the other side of the line.
   Meanwhile my partners were listening intently. When I hung up I was in shock. "They want my book." Pandemonium broke loose. Screaming and jumping and hugs all around. Needless to say not much was accomplished after that. It was days before I could think straight.
  It is all a bit surreal yet. Maybe when I get my publishing date or see my book cover I'll believe it. I'll let you know.
 

You probably think I dropped off the face of the earth. Not quite, but it seemed like it. I had two surgeries on my knee in 2009. One in Feb. and one in Sept which was a complete replacement. No one wants to hear about another's aches and pains so I'll just say there were several months of complete dedication to therapy and exercises. Some days were better than others. I was able to write some of the time. In the late summer 2010  my critique group began to meet again. I finished another Regency sweet romance. Although there is editing to do, the story is all in my computer. I think I have my life back. It is a good feeling.

After Christmas letter

It came this morning. Aunt Maisie's 'After Christmas Letter'. She's not really my aunt. We lived next door to her when I was growing up. and she's kept in touch all these years. She must be well into her eighties, but she lives alone and is still spry and needle-witted. Her lively imagination used to fill our childish minds with stories both delightful and humorous. I thought you might like to share her letter, so get a cup of something hot and curl-up in a comfy chair.

Dear Sissy,

Hope yer family is fine. I'm good fer my age. Everythaing still works. You'll never guess what I got fer Christmas. I said you'd never guess. In a white box on my tree amongst the popcorn and paper chains was a present from Santa. When I opened the package and pulled away the red tissue there they were. My two front teeth. I remember writin' to the ol' codger when I was six and askin' fer them, but I never got 'em til they growed in on their own that spring. Now I'm a wonderin' is Santa that fur behind or did the post office mess up agin?

Acshully if there been a way to make 'em stick to my gums I coulda used them fer Christmas dinner. I'd jest got a new set of false teeth two months ago and my uppers got lost. Well, not egsactly lost. You know Maybelle, my oldest. She's named fer me, but my family always called me Maisie. Anyway she come over a couple of days afore Christmas to help out, she said. What she meant was that I don't keep house good enuf fer her so she'd come to clean. She whirled through the living room with her white cloths and pail of cleanin' stuff. Then she whirled down the hall and inta the bedroom. I could hear her muttering. "She must be gettin' blind. Look at all the dust."

I went inta the kitchen to fix some tea. My gums were ahurtin' so I lay my uppers on the kitchen winder sill and put the kettle on. Bout that time Maybelle comes whirlin' in and starts sprayin' and scrubbin'. Would you believe it? She even cleaned the top of the icebox. Who's gonna see the top of the icebox? Maybe my grandson, Lem. He's growed real tall. I don't think you ever met him. He's a basketball star at his high school. Good lookin' boy, but he ain't gonna care if the the top of that icebox is clean or not, as long as it's got plenty of food inside. Well, anyway, Maybelle was a scrubbin out the sink and the teakettle went off. While I was makin' the tea she cleaned off the winder sill. Everythang went into the trash. She took it out, throwed it in the incinerator and lit it.

Well, she were real sorry and promised to have some teeth made fer me, but they won't be in 'til after New Years. I gummed down my Christmas dinner, but I'll sure be glad to have my uppers back.

Give my love to your family, even thet husband or yers. Never could understand why you married him.

luv,
Aunt Maisie

PS You know I was joshun' about your husband. You jest love on him and yer kids. Teach them younguns to honor God and His Word. In the end they'll turn out jes fine.