Austenesque Extravaganza

Reminder: You can still enter to win a Kindle at Indie Jane. The giveaway is open until August 11.

This August, Meredith of Austenesque Reviews is hosting a month-long celebration of Austenesque novels and the authors who write them. Each day of the week has a theme: Sociable Sundays, My Recommendation Mondays, Traveling Tuesdays, etc. The themes are a balance between new content from Meredith and some fun and games for her readers.

Tuesday and Thursdays she's linking to posts on other blogs--including Austen Aspirations! Tuesday, August 2 is my official Traveling Tuesday shout-out, but I decided to go a bit beyond the call of duty and do a series of five posts, one for each consecutive Tuesday in August.

I'll be blogging on the building of an Austenesque sequel, starting with choosing a scenario, then the hero etc. This is an audience participation series, so come prepared to get involved.

I hope you'll check out the Austenesque Extravaganza, and come back here on August 2 for my first post on the Austenesque novel.

The Book That Changed My Life

Five years ago, I started wondering if maybe I should move. Not just to a different neighborhood, or even to another city, but abroad. I didn't know why exactly (and I'm still not sure), but I felt restless--like I just wasn't where I belonged.

It didn't take much thought to choose England for my new home. I've been an Anglophile for a very, very long time. Books are probably at the root of the initial obsession as well, but frankly it's been so long I honestly can't remember.

I planned a trip, which I referred to as a recon mission. I wanted to know exactly what I was getting myself in for by moving there. After all, my only previous experience with England was two weeks in London over Christmas in 1997. I was pretty sure things had changed since then.

That trip got postponed at least twice due to finances, but finally I went in March. As you know if you've read my #DarcyHunt entries, I had an absolutely fabulous time. Everything went right. England opened its arms to me and said, "Welcome. You'll feel at home here." (Only this was said in a much more English-y/much less Midwestern kind of way.)

Well... a funny thing happened. Knowing how right it felt made me wonder if I was wrong. I second-guessed myself. Did I really want to move overseas? How would I like England as a permanent resident?

I have spent the last three months in limbo, not sure exactly what I wanted to do. Then on Saturday night, I picked up The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson and I read this:

Home. It was a nice thought. She had missed her parents, her friends... but the word didn't have quite the same meaning anymore. England was home too. So much of her was here.

[...]

She wanted this train to break down, for her flight to be canceled, for immigration to tell her that she wasn't allowed to go. She wanted London itself to rise up and refuse to let her pass out of its boundaries.


And just like that, I knew what I needed to do. I know there will be obstacles ahead, legal ones in particular. I know I have financial obligations I need to meet first. I know my cat is absolutely going to hate me for taking her across the ocean, and I know she'd hate me even more if I left her behind.

Despite all that, I know that if I don't do this, I will regret it for the rest of my life. (I swear, I did not intentionally paraphrase the proposal from Runaway Bride.)

England is home, too. Just like Ginny, so much of me is there. I can't wait until the actual me part of me is there as well.

A few giveaway reminders before you go:

1) I launched a website on Monday. IndieJane.org is giving away a free Kindle during our inaugural month, so slip on over and enter to win. While you're there, take a look around--it's a site for both indie authors and lovers of Jane Austen fiction. 

2) Remember Absolute Liability, the book I featured in last week's post on writing cross-genre? My friend (and Indie Jane co-owner) Jessica is giving away FIVE COPIES! Check out her blog to win.

Indie Jane is Here

Presenting Indie Jane:

The Premiere Independent Austen Community

Today is the official launch of IndieJane.org, a community of both indie authors and readers of Jane Austen fiction. Jessica Melendez and I have been hard at work to create a site that will offer something unique for all Janeites.

For Everyone:

We are offering one giveaway a week during our inaugural month, including a Wi-fi Kindle with special offers. Check out IndieJane.org for more information on how to enter. 

For Readers:

In our chat room and on our message boards, you will have a chance to meet some fabulous self-published Austen authors. You'll find reviews of their books on our blog, and weekly posts about Jane.

We'll also run special events, such as read-alongs and movie nights in the chat room. For the reader, Indie Jane is a place to meet other Janeites and make new friends. 

For Authors:

Indie Jane celebrates the self-published author of Austenesque literature. Like you, Jessica and I are hacking our way through the undergrowth of the publishing world, forging our own path. This is something that's always easier done when you have a trailblazer ahead of you. We'll share self-pub hints and general writing  tips we come across, leaving you with more time to work on your story.

We also know how hard it can be to market your book as an indie author. Indie Jane offers you a chance to meet your potential readers in a casual manner. We all love Jane, so right away we've got something in common--readers and authors alike.

And one more thing for authors: Indie Jane has ad space available. We are currently running a special promotion; one month free or two months for $15. Yes, that is one month free with no obligation to purchase the second month. The space is 128p by 250p, or you can send your art to contact@indiejane.org and we will size it appropriately.

There is so much more to Indie Jane than I could ever put in one blog post. It's a community, it's a resource, it's a marketing opportunity. Whether you are a reader or writer of Austenesque literature, or just someone who loves Jane, there is something for you--so come on over to IndieJane.org and check us out!

Writing Cross-Genre

Back in February, I featured Charlotte Collins in the first of my Austenesque Lessons. Last week, Jennifer Becton released her second book. It's not another Austen novel (though Caroline Bingley is coming soon).

Absolute Liability is a contemporary mystery/thriller. Julia Jackson, the heroine, is an insurance fraud investigator for Georgia's Department of Insurance. One day, she took a coffee break from the insurance company she was working out of and learned on her way back to the office that she'd been abducted.

Obviously, the victim wasn't her. Equally plain is the fact that she was the target, which generates a suspect list drawn from her current cases. The DOI sends her a hot ex-Navy partner to wrap up those investigations--and to keep her safe.

I loved this book. The plot was tight, with no holes that left me wondering at the end. Both Julia and her partner, Mark Vincent, were well-drawn, three dimensional characters. The southern flair added a unique spark and left me wishing for some sweet tea. If you like mysteries and need a summer read, this is my recommendation.

However, it is quite a departure from the world of Jane Austen. Classic wisdom states that an author should stick with one genre, at least for their first few novels. "You're building a brand," they say, "and if your books are too different, readers won't know what to expect." That seems to sell the readers short, but the advice is oft-repeated.

So how does Jennifer make this work? First and most importantly, she writes stellar books, no matter what genre they are. The same attention to character details that made Charlotte Collins stand above the crowd is here in Absolute Liability. She knows the characters, she knows the plot, and she knows how to write.

Secondly, she understands how both genres work. Every genre has its own rules and clichés, and ignorance of that stops many writers from succeeding at breaking the genre barrier. When I first read Charlotte Collins, I was impressed with the research Jennifer had done into the Regency period. Her details were realistic, which made the novel an enjoyable read. In Absolute Liability, I saw the same attention to detail. Her pacing in particular was impeccable, and we all know that can make or break a mystery.

Finally, she developed a sense of community with her readers in between the two books. This is that elusive thing known as platform. She didn't disappear after releasing Charlotte Collins in September and only resurface last week to pimp her new novel. Her readers got to know her in those ten months and wanted to support her new venture.

So really, the path to writing in multiple genres isn't any different than the path to writing in one. Do good work, do your research, connect with readers. Hmmm... maybe those readers aren't so easily confused after all.

Is Darcy Too Sexy?

I've spent the last year working with Mr. Darcy in very close quarters. If anyone is qualified to judge his sex appeal, I am--and let me tell you, he has it in spades.

But too sexy? I think that's going too far, but perhaps I'm biased. Watch the video and tell me what you think.

The Never-ending Story

I heard once that Walt Disney's least favorite of his animated features was Snow White. He spent so much time working and reworking the story that by the time the film was released, all he could see were the flaws that still remained.

Two weeks ago, I finished the first round of edits for HIS GOOD OPINION. Since then, I've gotten congratulations from all my friends and family, but each time someone comments on how much work I've done, I feel a little more like a fraud. They don't know how many errors still remain, especially in the last five chapters.

Editing is a never-ending process. I finished one revision on the 18th and started back in with the next round on the 20th. That won't stop until I publish the book in November or December, and even then, I'm sure I'll find little things I wish I could fix.

However, at some point you have to let the project go. That's what I'm learning right now. Even if there's still work left, I need to allow myself to feel like I accomplished something. And when I release the book... that's it. Unless I find major errors that need to be corrected, I won't continually pull the ebook down for corrections.

How do you know when a story is done? When do you know to let it go and move on to the next thing?

A Different Kind of List

About a year and a half ago, I started the Day Zero Project. The idea is simple: Create a list of 101 things you'd like to accomplish in the next 1001 days... and then do it. I blogged on my list for a few months, but I was never very faithful about it, even though I did keep the list in mind.

I decided this week to bring the list over here. I just don't have time to maintain two blogs, on top of work and writing. My tentative plan is to do a 101 Things blog post on the last Monday of the month, to recap what I've accomplished.

I started on February 2, 2010, and my last day is October 30, 2012. I am almost exactly halfway through my 1001 days. I've finished 18 items and started another 23. That's not quite half, but I still have time.

Do you have a similar list? What kind of items would you put on yours?

Legend:
plain text--not started
italics--in progress
purple bold--complete

Writing

1. Join/start a writing group

2. Spend at least 70 hours a month writing, or 60 in February (3/31)

3. Keep a writer's notebook every day for a full month (0/30)
4. Do a writing prompt from creativewritingprompts.com every day for a month (0/30)
5. Read five books on the Regency period (2/5)

6. Finish His Good Opinion

7. Begin another fiction work

8. Write 100K in NaNo
9. Read a book on professional blogging

10. Start a writing blog

11. Read five books on writing/publishing (0/5)

12. Self-publish His Good Opinion

Health

13. Lose 25 pounds
14. No fast food for a month

15. Buy a bike--and use it

16. Walk to Rivendell
17. Exercise at least two days a week for two months (0/8)
18. Sleep eight hours minimum every night for two separate weeks (0/7)  (0/7)

19. Go to the dentist

20. Give up soda for three separate months (1/3)
21. Try pilates at least once a week for two months (0/2)
22. Use my pedometer again
23. Use My Fitness Plan to keep track of diet and exercise
24. Take vitamins daily for one month six times (0/6)

25. Order something healthy 6 times (0/6)
26. Take one day off from the internet each month (16/31)

Beauty

27. Take care with my appearance every day for two separate weeks (7/7) (0/7)
28. Get a mani/pedi
29. Get a LBD

Cooking

30. Make a custom recipe book

31. Attend a cake decorating class
32. Try at least one new recipe a month (3/31)
33. Bake a loaf of bread
34. Trade out all my most used spices for Penzey's
35. Try five new dessert recipes (0/5)
36. Learn how to make a soufflé

Fun and Relaxation

37. Spend six rainy days watching films in my PJs (1/6)
38. Have one lazy Monday each month (17/31)
39. Have a traditional picnic in a park
40. Go ice skating
41. Go to the zoo
42. Buy myself flowers
43. Finish a 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzle

Arts and Crafts

44. Finish afghan
45. Finish senior year scrapbook
46. Finish baby book

47. Get my NaNo prints framed

Personal and Spiritual Development

48. Don't complain about anything for a week
49. Identify 101 things that make me happy (0/101)
50. Create a list of ten flaws I have
51. Create a list of twenty things I like about myself
52. Journal every day for a month (0/30)
53. Write down one thing I'm thankful for every day for a month (0/30)
54. Blog about something positive every Wednesday for two months (0/8)
55. Memorize 101 new Bible verses (0/101)
56. Read through all the Psalms, noting each name used for God

Travel

57. Go on a random day trip to someplace I don't usually go
58. Go hiking three times each summer (3/9)
59. Spend three days in Portland as a tourist (1/3)
60. Take a road trip
61. Go to Disneyland

Financial

62. Build an emergency fund

63. Pay off my credit card

64. Pay off Mom and Dad
65. Pay off Dr. Lewis
66. Make no extraneous purchases for one month
67. Shop for a week of groceries using only coupons or sales four times (0/4)
68. Save money by not going out to eat for a whole month
69. Save as much spare change as I can, not touching it until the 1001 days are complete
70. Track daily expenses for three months (0/3)

Learning

71. Learn Italian
72. Learn Elvish (Sindarin)
73. Watch ten documentaries (1/10)
74. Try something I might be terrible at

Reading

75. Read The Hobbit again

76. Complete current reading project
77. Read half of Shakespeare's plays
78. Read all six of Austen's major works (5/6)

Organization

79. Get an iPhone

80. Sort through all my papers; bin/shred the ones I don't need, file the ones I do

81. Change our phone/internet service

82. Backup my computer--flash drive or external hard drive

83. Be to work early every day for two separate weeks (0/5) (0/5)
84. Throw out or donate clothes that no longer fit or are worn out

85. Set up my home office

Do unto others

86. Pay for the person in line behind me
87. Send a letter to a friend once a month (1/31)
88. Send someone a care package
89. Finish sending Christmas cards
90. Have ten dinner parties (0/10)
91. Have five tea parties (2/5)
92. Convert to entirely reusable shopping bags

93. Randomly give flowers to three people (1/3)

94. Send someone an encouragement card

England

95. Get my passport

96. Take a trip to England
97. Take high tea in England
98. Decide details regarding my move to England

Meta-tasks

99. Donate $5 to charity for every task I don't at least start
100. Blog the results of this list
101. Evaluate after 1001 days are over: Was this good/fun/profitable?