Over the years many of the books I once enjoyed reading have disappeared from my shelves.  Certainly, the children’s stories, comics, Nancy Drew series, and Lucy Maud Montgomery novels have long been passed along for others to appreciate.  Yet particular favourites, even from childhood, remain in my possession.

Two works by local Nova Scotian authors have been boxed and moved from shelf to shelf as I changed address.  Beautiful Joe by (Margaret) Marshall Saunders touched me more than Black Beauty.  The works of author Kay Hill, my mom’s friend, include And Tomorrow the Stars: The Story of John Cabot.  Perhaps thorough enjoyment of that biography was the onset of my enduring interest in historical characters, whether real or fictional.  

Eons ago, my Grade Six class was assigned a novel to read.  It was Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart, and I was instantly hooked.  I have remained a loyal fan of her work but was especially enchanted by Stewart’s The Crystal Cave and its sequels.  That enchantment with the Arthurian legends inspired me to seek out many other authors‘ works on the topic, and my fascination never waned.  The first book I’ve written (Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge) has a chapter in which its characters recite puns about King Arthur and his knights.  The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley still sits upon my shelf, and then there’s Jack Whyte.  I highly recommend Whyte’s Dream of Eagles / Camulod Chronicles series.  Start with The Skystone and then enjoy its many sequels.  For me, discovery of Whyte’s works was akin to stumbling upon treasure, and his books only leave my shelf to be reread ... or when I have to dust.  I could fill several blog posts with my intense dislike of housework, but I won’t. 

More favourite reading material will be revealed in Part 2 of My Bookshelf’s Shelf Life.  Dust will not be given further mention, except for a certain silky Maltese named Dust Bunny, who appears in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.  

Here’s a link to Rhemalda Publishing’s blog post explaining the delay in distribution of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge and the other two titles scheduled for launch today.

Be sure to visit Austen Authors on November 2nd for my celebration.

Ok ... I admit it's more like
a week late and a weak excuse short.  
Nevertheless, I'm very happy to announce 
the winner of my contest.

Congratulations to
Charlene/Chatty

Charlene will receive a signed copy of 
Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge 
plus a few other surprises.

Here are the answers to my quiz
 How Well Do You Know Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice?

1.Westerham

2.Michaelmas

3.Kympton

4.Colonel

5.attics

6.Charles Bingley

7.Brighton

8.barouche box

9.St. Clements

10.hack chaise

11.Georgiana Darcy

12.Lucas

13.Elizabeth Bennet

14.stupid

15.War Office

16.Haye

17.attorney

18.six

19.Harriet

20.Pope


>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<


Let's Do Launch


The launch date for Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge is almost here, and I’ve been reflecting on my decision to name this website/blog ‘Pride and Pre-jitters’.  The months have certainly flown by since then and a lot has obviously happened.  Yet, even now, on the eve of the book’s official release, proud and jittery are still apt descriptions of my state of mind.  I cannot wait to actually see Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge on a bookstore shelf.  Yet wait I must.  Although it may appear in USA stores starting tomorrow, my book won’t be available in Canadian shops for a while yet due to a recent printer and distributor switchover.  However, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge is available through various on-line sites, and you should also be able to order it as an ebook now. 
 

Here’s a link to my publisher’s blog post regarding their first year, tomorrow’s launch, and their plans for 2011.


My sincere thanks to those who have already purchased Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.    

Blissfully unaware they were soon to receive an unwelcome visitor, Mrs. Bennet and her two eldest daughters were in the sitting room of their London townhouse busily choosing ribbons, beading, and other trimmings suitable for the brides’ trousseaux. The fact that Jane and Elizabeth had made very eligible matches and were truly in love with their husbands-to-be was, of course, deeply satisfying to their mother. Most gratifying was the undeniable fact the gentlemen returned their affection tenfold. However, Mrs. Bennet realized she would be quite melancholy when it finally came time to part with her dear girls; that said, having three more daughters and a son still under her care was, in some measure, a comfort. The woman could not image how bereft she would feel when the last child had finally flown the nest.

“Mama, are you crying?” A soft voice roused Mrs. Bennet, and she suddenly realized Jane knelt in front of her and had reached to clasp her hand.

“Most certainly not, my dear. Good heavens, why would I have occasion to weep? Is this not every mother’s fondest wish ... to be planning her daughter’s wedding? I have been doubly blessed with the duty of overseeing the production of not one but two trousseaux, which, of course, would be incomplete without: ‘Dresses for breakfasts, and dinners, and balls; Dresses to sit in, and stand in, and walk in; Dresses to dance in, and flirt in, and talk in; Dresses in which to do nothing at all; Dresses for Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.’”2

“Speaking of all these purchases of attire, it is fortunate Papa’s own clothing has rather deep pockets,” said Lizzy.

A modiste in the city was already at work on the young ladies’ wedding clothes. When she had been needled for a completion date, the woman had hemmed and hawed before replying. “I am only doing sew-sew. I toile day and night, and eye-let my assistant, Velvet, do the crewel embroidery work. But the darn thread, together with the tight fit of the bodices, causes much seam-stress. I will not embellish the truth but must tack on a few extra days. So awl things considered, I have a notion you may pin your hopes on the garments being ready five days before the wedding.” The Bennet ladies had quickly cott-on to the dressmaker’s wordplay; and, without bias, they baste their trust on Mrs. Lovelace and Velvet.


 2  From William Allen Butler’s “Nothing to Wear”

One of my 'pride and joy' daughters wrote a post for my publisher's blog.  Here's the link to:   'J. Marie Croft - blown away by biggest fan'   

Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals play important roles in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge; and throughout my life, pets have always been considered family members.  

As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian until I discovered the necessity and frequency of surgery and euthanasia.  In Grade 10 Biology there was no way I was cutting open that frog! I have the greatest respect and admiration for veterinarians. They perform those surgeries and euthanasias to relieve animals’ suffering.  

Molly, our beloved Border Collie received excellent and compassionate care from our vet, who cried with us while we all said goodbye.  

Here are some of the critters in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge:

Pug-Nacious (Pug puppy)
Dust Bunny (Maltese puppy)
Barbara Thorne (hedgehog)
Herr Stewart (rabbit)
Rex and Regina (Dalmations)
Geoffrey Canterbury Tail & Chaucer Cantering Burybones (Italian Greyhounds)
Romulus and Remus (Foxhounds)
Cato, the Philoso-fur (ginger kitten)
Balthasar (Gordon Castle Setter-English Setter crossbreed puppy)
Khaldun Kahleil (grey Arabian stallion)
Majeed (grey Arabian colt)
Sharifa (Arabian filly)
Gloriana (sorrel mare)
Zephyr (gelding)

Excerpt from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge (Elizabeth Bennet):

“... Mama and Papa have never permitted us to have animals in our residence. Hmm, I wonder whether they are concerned about household pets taking over the world. Why the puzzled look, Mr. Darcy? Have you never heard of reigning cats and dogs?”

 (from September 23, 2010)


Interview with
 J. Marie Croft
Author of
Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge

Hi Joanne. Welcome to my first interview on Austen Authors. Please give us a brief summary of your book, Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.

Impeccable comportment is mandatory in Regency England, a society governed by strict rules of conduct. Perfectionist Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to an august ancestral estate, is the epitome of an unimpeachable gentleman, at least until…

Our hero’s immaculate image is somewhat tarnished when he and his handsome traveling companions arrive, hot and sweaty, at Pemberley and decide to take a fateful plunge into a scummy pond. An embarrassing encounter on the estate’s lawn leaves a long-lasting impression on Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, who are new acquaintances of Georgiana and Anna Darcy. With both families in London for the Little Season, Darcy finds himself thrown again into the path of perky Elizabeth Bennet; but a handsome army officer just might blockade further advances.

This romantic comedy is a lighthearted adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and features a softer, sweeter, sillier side of Austen’s beloved characters.


Your interpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is truly unique. Classifying it as “humorous” does not do it justice. Would you please describe it for us?

Hey, I was quite content with your calling it ‘unique’ and ‘humorous’, Mary. But I’d also describe Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge as being full of pretentious puns, artful alliterations, a child who says the darndest things, a Candel-lit Christmas (not a typo), Regency slang, corny clichés, a drunk Mr. Darcy, as well as healthy, wealthy, and wise-cracking characters. It’s sweet, light, and fluffy, sort of like angel-food cake ... without the angel ... or the food ... or the cake. No, wait. I forgot about Jane Bennet (although she’s not quite so angelic as usual), and there are a few dinner parties, and, huh, there’s even a wedding cake. Hmm, so yeah, I suppose it’s exactly like angel-food cake.


You have more puns per square inch of writing paper than any other author I have ever read. Do the puns just flow from your pen or do you write a sentence and then insert the puns?

A reader at the Derbyshire Writers Guild had a similar question for me last year. I believe her exact words were, “May I ask whether these pleasing puns proceed from the impulse of the moment or are the result of previous study?” Sound familiar? Perish the thought, but I may have more in common with Mr. Collins than I care to admit. The puns arise chiefly from what is passing at the time; and though I sometimes amuse myself with suggesting and arranging such wordplay as may be adapted to ordinary occasions, I always wish to give them as unstudied an air as possible. Seriously, Mary, I wish I could channel Jane Austen; but, instead, it appears it’s none other than Mr. Collins who inspires me. 


How disciplined are you in plotting your story? Do you work with outlines or just start typing?

Well, I tried working with an outline and mapping out how to get from point A to point B; but the characters in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge threw away my map and hijacked the vehicle I was using. I was then disciplined, forced to perform stenography, and instructed to just type whatever they dictated. The dictators changed my plotted course, and it veered wildly from my original destination. I thank them for steering me away from that insipid place.


Why did you choose Jane Austen? Does her work lend itself to pun-filled re-imaginings?

If Austen’s Pride and Prejudice could lend itself to zombies, there can be no objection to lighthearted, pun-filled re-imaginings; but I must not decide on my own performance. I’ll let readers do so and hope they’ll not be offended that I took such liberties with Austen’s characters. Gah! First Mr. Collins, and now, by taking liberties, I also have something in common with Mr. Wickham. Sheesh! 


You have indicated that you are a fan of A&E’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. So I shall assume that you had Colin Firth in mind for Mr. Darcy, but who did you picture for Colonel Fitzwilliam?

I’m so glad you asked that question. It behooves me to answer with the assistance of a few visual aids. So, without further ado, allow me to present to you the four handsome gentlemen of Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge:

These gents bear a remarkable resemblance to (respectively) Colin Firth, James Purefoy, Rupert Penry-Jones, and Richard Armitage. Uncanny, isn’t it?

Now, Mary, I know you only asked about Colonel Fitzwilliam; but, but ... just look how pretty they are! To further transform these fine fellows into characters from Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge, you must picture them in Regency attire ... but without hats, gloves, cravats, waistcoats, and coats ... just damp, clinging white shirts, snug breeches, and tall boots. Er, no further comment.


Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

Um. Let me think. Hmm ... something to tell them ... Ooh, ooh, ooh! I know! Can I tell them to buy my book?


Joanne, I agree with you. Those are four gorgeous guys. Thanks for sharing your love of Austen with us. It is love, right?

Thanks, Mary!

Disguise of every sort may be his abhorrence, but the title character does become disguised in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.



The first Jane Austen fan-fiction I wrote had a scene with a hung-over Darcy.  It was a gender-reversal story based on Pride and Prejudice, so the character was actually named William Bennet; but that’s beside the point.

The point is that a brief scene in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge features our beloved title character ... drunk ... or, as they say in Regency slang: ... a trifle disguised, ape-drunk, with malt above water, bosky, eaten Hull cheese, jug bitten, properly shot in the neck, in his cups, dipping rather deep, drunk as a wheelbarrow, foxed, half-sprung, making indentures, on the cut, tap-hackled, top heavy.

Now, some Austen fans may protest such treatment of the proud, prim, and proper Mr. Darcy.  Yet making indentures was a big part of life for young, and not so young, Regency gentlemen who had too much time on their hands.  Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, or playthings, or playground, or tools, or work, or whatever.

Anyway, in my opinion, there’s just something comical, and perhaps also a bit endearing, about the very staid, straight, and stodgy Mr. Darcy getting jug bitten and loosening up a bit.

As I said, it’s just a brief scene; but I admit it usually makes me smile even though I’ve read through it umpteen times by now.  It apparently entertained readers when the original version was posted on-line.  Here are a couple of their comments:  

“In the 12 years that I have read JAFF, I have read some very entertaining stories; but, my dear, this has the #1 all-time ... best hilarious drunk Darcy ...”  (Marg)

“Okay, that was like the best drunk Darcy EVER!!!”  (KarenA)

So, if you read my book, I hope you’ll enjoy the scene in which Ellis Fleming visits White’s and encounters an inarticulate and trifle-disguised Darcy drinking and dipping deeply.

Cheers!

The appropriate page in Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge mentions some of the people who helped me take the plunge, but there is one more I wish to publicly acknowledge.

After reading In a Perfect World at the Derbyshire Writers Guild, Sybil sent me an email which became a bright spot during a dismal time, as I was then dealing with my only sibling’s terminal illness.  Here’s what Sybil wrote:

“ … You amused and diverted me, and I wanted to thank you for sharing your wonderful story, ‘In a Perfect World’.  What an original piece!  It’s teasing and punny, full of clever word play with a generous dollop of (I assume) Regency slang.  Once I look up some of those words/phrases, I warn you, I fully intend to filch them in the future.  I have no idea how you came up with all of the clever and twisted ideas, but they worked beautifully.  

On a recent car trip, a seriously boring one, I amused my husband with several of your remarkably groan-worthy puns.  He has absolutely no interest in anything Austen, but he enjoyed the jokes.  The miles passed by almost unnoticed.

I adored your pairings, especially when you allowed the young couples to sneak off to be alone with one another.  You set some very romantic scenes.  And, if you couldn’t tell, I had no problem with the alternate pairings.  In fact, the (spoiler) and (spoiler) ones worked exceedingly well and could, dare I suggest, give you fodder for additional tales.  

My one big question is what happens to young Robert?  He was such an adorable original character.  I’d love to read more about him, well, actually, more about any of the characters you’ve honed and polished.  Take Lydia, who is usually spotty; in your hands, she becomes spot-tacular!  As for Wickham, may I join in committing Wickhamicide?

Thanks for all the laughs, groans, moans, sighs, cries, snickers, and giggles.  It’s one of the most humorous stories I’ve read in a very long time, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.  On a purely selfish note, any chance of another story coming from your inventive mind?  I shouldn’t ask, since I think I still have two of yours still to read.  I find myself wishing for more time to just enjoy fanfic, for stories like yours are magnetic.

I hope that your sister is doing as well as possible under the circumstances and that you are coping with all that’s before you.  I wish I could brighten up your world as your story enlivened mine.

Thanks again and take good care,
Sybil

PS:  I wanted to email this to you to ensure that you received it, since I had no way of knowing how often you frequent the Austen.com boards.  If you’d like, I’d be happy to also post all or most of it in the Tea Room, to draw the attention of others to your highly entertaining story.  Just say the word, and it will magically appear there.  Can’t ever do enough advertising of the great stories, and this one is in that category …”


Thanks again, Sybil.  Your comments (after making me cry) gave me confidence to submit the manuscript for the story that is now being published as Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge.  

So, there you have it, everyone.  Sybil is to blame!!!