The Entry Without a Title

I'd like to blog something but can't think of anything to say. My writing is in limbo right now. As of last month, the novel I have been working on turned seven, meaning that it is seven years old. I suppose its not realistic for me to continue working on it, but I can't let go. I love it too much to give up on it. I've read blogs by agents and editors, and writers too, that advise an aspiring author to move on to other projects. Tell that to Jane Austen, who spent sixteen years waiting for her beloved "First Impressions" (a.k.a. "Pride and Prejudice) to be published. Now, I'm not comparing my novel to "P&P" but I'm just as attached to the story as Austen was. I pray to God that someday, someone might realize who valuable my story is. I did finish a first draft of another project a couple of months ago and I've set that aside for a little while. I'm now working on something new; another holocaust novel. But I don't have the devotion to these newer projects that I do my seven-year-old one.

There is a quote somewhere by some other author that a piece of work must sit for nine years or so until it can be published. Well, if that's the way it is, I have two years more to wait! Part of my problem is that I've submitted it to anyone one and everyone who I thought might be interested. I should have been more particular. I have to find someone who falls head-over-heels in love with my novel. Someone - editor or agent- who can be as passionately devoted to it as I am. And I must learn humility. I'm afraid that in the past few years I've acquired an inflated ego about myself and my God-given talents. On top of that I continually take Jesus off His throne and place my own wants before others.

On the positive side, I've lost weight. Last November I was nearing 180lbs and so far I've lost nearly 13lbs. So, yay for me!

All for now.

“Self-Control,” by Mary Brunton

Author Bio:
Mary Brunton (née Balfour) (1 November 1778 – 7 December 1818) was a Scottish novelist.
Mary was the daughter Colonel Thomas Balfour of Elwick, a British Army officer and Frances Ligonier, sister of the second earl of Ligonier. She was born on 1 November 1778 in the Orkney Islands. Mary's early education was limited, though her mother did teach her music, Italian, and French.
Around 1798, Mary met and fell in love with the Reverend Alexander Brunton, a Church of Scotland minister, who later became a Professor of Oriental Languages in the University of Edinburgh. Although Mary's mother disapproved of the match, she married Brunton in 1798 and they had a happy marriage, which included companionship and mutual interests. After twenty years of marriage, Mary finally became pregnant at age forty, but she died in 1818 in Edinburgh after giving birth to a still-born son.
Brunton started to write her first novel in 1809. Like many of her fellow novelists, she also recorded bits and pieces of daily life in a journal. In her lifetime, Brunton wrote two complete novels, Self-Control (1811) and Discipline (1814). After her death, her unfinished work Emmeline, along with a Memoir, was published by her husband in 1819.

My Description:
“Self-Control” is the little-known tale of Laura Montreville, a seventeen-year-old girl living in the Regency Era, daughter of a widowed Captain Montreville. What makes this piece of work stand out from most classics of the Regency Era is the heroine’s strong faith in Christ. Not only does she “talk the talk” she “walks the walk.” There are several scenes of Laura praying, speaking of her faith and following the ways of God rather than the ways of man. When family-friend, Colonel Hargrave, confesses to her of his passionate and violent love for her, and continually pursues her even after she refuses him, it takes all of her self-control to hold fast to the faith she professes.

My Thoughts:
I really loved “Self-Control” and I consider it on par with Jane Austen’s canon, unfortunately neither the author nor this story has received much attention the last few decades. Published a year prior to “Sense and Sensibility,” it shares a lot of common themes with Austen’s first published work. Like Marianne Dashwood, Laura discovers that though passion and attraction often awakens love, it seldom lasts. She learns that love grounded in friendship, respect and selflessness is the love that never ends. I wish that someone would take notice of this novel and have it reissued into a brand-spanking new edition, the way Bethany House has done with Austen’s classics. The edition I read had the characters’ dialogs running together and it made it difficult to decipher who was speaking. Also, I firmly believe that “Self-Control” would transfer well to screen (hint, hint Emma Thompson, or BBC). Anyway, anybody who loves Austen or “Sense and Sensibility”, I highly recommend this book for you.

Attention All Jane Austen Lovers!!!

While Sis and I were crusing Books A Million this afternoon, we stumbled upon a new edition of Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility." I swear, just a few weeks ago I was complaining to Sis that Bethany House should release more Jane Austen books. Of course I bought it, any obsessed Jane Austen fan would (even though she already own the book LOL!).



For those familiar with Bethany House Publishing Company, back 2007 they released the esquisite Insight Edition of "Pride and Prejudice." The "Pride and Prejudice" edition included an introduction by the highly ecclaimed author Nancy Moser, who wrote a bio-fiction of Jane Austen's life called, "Just Jane" (She is also the author of How Do I Love Thee?" the bio-fiction of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's life).



Well, the introduction of this new "Sense and Sensibility" edition was written by none other than Julie Klassen, author of Regency masterpieces "Lady of Milkweed Manor," "The Apothecary's Daughter" and the newly released "The Silent Governess."

Unlike most editions, the Insight Edition includes comments throughout the whole book, on Austen's life, little-known-facts about the book, information on the Regency Era, and tid-bits about the movies inspired by these classic books.

I'm sure within a few years time, all of Jane Austen's beloved classics shall be re-released as Insight Editions. I can't wait for Emma. Dear God, let them put Mr. Knightley on the cover!

New Version of "Emma" Coming Out In...

October 2009.


Check out http://us.imdb.com/title/tt1366312/ for more info.


Series Directed by
Jim O'Hanlon


Writers:
Jane Austen (novel)
Sandy Welch (writer) (2009)


Series Cast
Robert Bathurst ... Mr. Weston (1 episode, 2009)
Christina Cole ... Mrs. Elton (1 episode, 2009)

Louise Dylan ... Harriet (1 episode, 2009)

Rupert Evans ... Frank Churchill (1 episode, 2009)

Dan Fredenburgh ... John Knightley (1 episode, 2009)

Michael Gambon ... Mr. Woodhouse (1 episode, 2009)

Romola Garai ... Emma Woodhouse (1 episode, 2009)
Tamsin Greig ... Miss Bates (1 episode, 2009)
Jodhi May ... Miss Taylor (1 episode, 2009)

Jonny Lee Miller ... Mr. Knightley (1 episode, 2009)
Laura Pyper ... Jane Fairfax (1 episode, 2009)

Blake Ritson ... Mr. Elton (1 episode, 2009)

Cassandra and Jane: A Jane Austen Novel by Jill Pitkeathley

::Spoiler Alert:: Rated: 3 stars
Ever since I read "Just Jane" by Nancy Moser and watched "Becoming Jane" starring Anne Hathaway, I’ve come to adore Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra. There is so little known about her yet her story still fascinates me. The older sister of a well-known author, an amateur artist, a woman who never looked at another man because her one true love died at a young age. So when I discovered "Cassandra and Jane: A Jane Austen Novel," by Jill Pitkeathley, I was eagerly expecting a book about the Austen sisters’ unique relationship. No two sisters could be closer (with the exception of my sister and I). I won’t outline the story; any Jane Austen nut already knows what it is. And if you don’t, you’ll just have to read it for yourself.
There is nothing objectionable in the story’s content. Sex is referred to as a woman’s duty to her husband and whenever the topic is brought up, they characters are vague about it. Faith in God and prayer is held in high esteem; in fact two of the Austen sisters’ suitors believe they are called of God to serve Him rather than just viewing the church as a means of making a living. As a Christian who is pretty picky about what she reads, I think that this is a novel that could easily be sold in the Christian market or at a religious bookstore.
However, as an avid Austen-ite, I was disappointed. From the multiple biographies out there about the author, it is believed that the characters Jane Bennet and Elinore Dashwood are loosely based on Cassandra, yet this portrayal of her in no way resembled those characters. She comes across as bland and boring, with no references to her own personal interests or passions.
As a first person narrative told in Cassandra’s perspective, Cassandra herself isn’t really given much of a personality, just observations of the events in her life. When reminiscing about her relationship with Tom Fowle, the author doesn’t go in-depth about Cassandra’s feelings. In this book, he is rarely ever mentioned. I can understand that she mourned for him on her own, but this being a book from her point of view, I expected that because of her steadfast devotion to Tom that the author should have at least depicted it more than she did.
Truth be told, this story focuses mostly on Jane Austen; her characterization is another disappointment for me. Before her fling with Lefroy, Jane behaves almost as ridiculous as Lydia Bennet and afterwards she is more like Marianne Dashwood. I had imagined Jane Austen to be a vast deal more mature and reserved. What bothered me the most was that Jane relied heavily on Cassandra’s opinions, even when it came to writing. Instead of applauding Jane’s own creative genius, Cassandra is credited with assisting her sister in naming the Dashwood sisters and for titling "Persuasion." Often enough in the book, Jane is unable to think for herself and goes running to Cassandra to work out troubles for her.
Maybe I’m just being nit picky; perhaps if you read it you’ll like it better.