Announcing – Pride & Prejudice: Reader’s Choice
Are you ready for a new, fun, and exciting writing project from the Austen Authors?
The amazing success of our Pride & Prejudice 200 project cannot be denied. WE loved writing the pieces! YOU loved reading and commenting on them! It was a win-win!! With that outcome in mind, we put our heads together – figuratively – and have cleverly devised a new project for the months ahead that, dare I say, will knock your socks off. Are you sitting down? Okay!
Here’s the scoop…….
With 2013 the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice, we will once again turn to the pages of Jane Austen’s most popular novel. Stealing from a basic “round robin” storytelling concept, the Austen Authors will incrementally craft an original P&P Variation by writing scenes building upon what the previous AuAus plot out. Our individual voices and creative talents will infuse each scene, taking the story down twisting pathways unimaginable!
Sound exciting? Ah, it gets better!
The BIG Twist within our twisty round robin is that YOU will tell us where the story must next go.
What’s that, Sharon? What are you talking about? Let me ‘splain…
1. Starting today, we are offering 3 beginning scenarios.
2. YOU will decide which starting scenario is your favorite, and then cast your vote. *One vote/person, please.
3. The deadline for voting is this Friday, January 18 at midnight EST.
4. Once the winning scenario is known, one of the Austen Authors will begin writing. The scene will be based on the winning scenario, but the author can throw in her/his own twists as well!
The first scene will be posted on Wednesday, January 30. Be sure to come back to read it! Not only will it be awesome, but YOU are still needed! Why? Because at the end of that scene 2-3 new plot alternatives will be offered. Once again YOU will vote on what happens next! A new author will take up the quill, inventiveness and wit put to the test for a new scene continuing the storyline. On and on this will go, the story installments posted every other Wednesday, always with 2-3 new plot alternatives that YOU will vote on. Just think where we, working in collusion, could lead Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet – and Jane and Bingley and Wickham and Georgiana and…. – before they find their “happily ever after”! It is mind-boggling!
Our new project is called Pride and Prejudice: Reader’s Choice. Without YOU and your input, we cannot write Darcy and Lizzy to their deserved HEA. That would be a tragedy! We are confident they will find their way into each others’ arms, but of course every good love story begins with drama…..
~ ~ Beginning Scenario Options ~ ~
1. The Netherfield Epidemic As in P&P, Jane Bennet becomes ill after traveling through the rain for a luncheon date with the Bingley sisters, and Bingley insists she remain at Netherfield to recuperate. By the time Lizzy arrives on the following day, his kindness (and desire to have his “angel” conveniently near by) proves questionable when several members of the household also become sick. Is Jane’s illness merely a common cold? How far will the contagious sickness spread? Might a quarantine be necessary? Will anyone stay healthy enough to care for them? Is there any truth in the old fall-in-love-with-your-nurse/patient adage?
2. The Bennet Brother Elizabeth has an older, very protective brother. Returning to Hertfordshire after a time away, he is not pleased to learn of his favorite sister being insulted by Mr. Darcy! Will he confront the emotionally-conflicted Darcy? Does Lizzy’s brother know Mr. Darcy, or heard rumors of him? Or perhaps vice versa? And what about this mysterious brother, anyway?
3. The Mis-Matchmaking Mama Mr. Darcy’s presence at Netherfield with Mr. Bingley is discovered before the Meryton Assembly. As the richer of the two, Mrs. Bennet pushes Jane to pursue Mr. Darcy, leaving Mr. Bingley for Lizzy to ensnare. Will the daughters bend to their mother’s insistent advice? With their attentions unwillingly directed upon different Bennet daughters, how will Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley notice the lady meant to be with them? And if they don’t notice their truly intended soulmates, can multiple dances and intolerable comments occur?
Can you imagine the myriad possibilities? WOW! Alas, only one story pathway can be taken, and because it is Pride and Prejudice: Reader’s Choice, we need to hear from YOU! Cast your vote below.
Sharon Lathan
Sharon Lathan is the author of The Darcy Saga sequel series to Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Her published novels include: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Loving Mr. Darcy, My Dearest Mr. Darcy, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, The Trouble With Mr. Darcy, A Darcy Christmas, Miss Darcy Falls in Love, and The Passions of Dr. Darcy.
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72 Responses to Announcing – Pride & Prejudice: Reader’s Choice
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It’s too bad we can’t suggest scenarios ourselves; that would be so much fun.
Then we would end up with several dozen different scenarios and no one agreeing! LOL! Better to have some idea of where to go. Did you vote, Beatrice?
Beatrice, we talked about doing just that, but felt that it might be better to have more control over the ideas this first time since not all ideas lead to the kind of conflict you need for good plot development. If this works, we may try that in the future.
Yay fun
I had two I really wanted to see in action
Well, two of the ideas are mine, and I may still write the one that isn’t chosen.
This is a great idea, AuAu. Can’t wait to read the first part of the story.
Oh I love this idea. Choose Your Own Adventure stories were the best. You all have such talent that I look forward to seeing it stretch with this one.
Thank you Austen Authors. Your creative abilities just tweaked my “love to read” Austen Authors on a daily basis needs.
Wonderful! I just voted. So happy your are continuing with writting installments. I had sooo much fun reading all the P&P200 and was sad seeing it end. But thats a lot of fun ahead of us readers!! Thank you, AuAu!
You are welcome, Katrin. We did have fun thinking this one through. My idea was a standard “round robin” – which would have been tremendous fun for us. But, Abigail and SusanMM came up with the reader participation twist. Brilliant! A bit more planning on our part, but it will be SO worth it!
I should add that almost all the AuAu have volunteered to take part. So the story will easily cover most of 2013, if not all of it!
Oooh, that sounds wonderful. A fun year ahead!!
What a fantastic, fun idea! I voted, can’t wait to see what unfolds!
How is a girl to decide? I want to read about all three scenarios! My mind is overrun by all the possibilities each story could take! Oh! This is going to be good!
Can’t wait to see what you talented AuAus come up with!
Aargh!
Selecting a scenario from a terrific triad is verily vexing. I shall ponder the poll and optimally opt.
Joanne
Wish you were with us, Joanne, to add your puny influence.
Joanne, how have we survived without your puns and alliteration? Good to see you here.
That makes three of us.
How fun! What a great idea for a new project! I LOVE variations! It will be interesting to see how the results turn out – will readers all decide on the same choice, or will our votes be evenly distributed?
Looking forward to it!
Looking to be evenly spaced so far, but we have until Friday to gather lots of votes!
This is going to be a great story!
I voted! Scenario #2 for me– The Bennet Brother!
Dun, dun, dun……
I liked scenario one completely. Scenario two was good but I cannot guaranty that the authors will take it where I want it to go… the problem with the entail… a dual… Mr Darcy “doing the right thing”… I almost hope this one doesn’t win so we can do it again. Scenario three is nice but I’d rather Mr Darcy actually be into Jane and Mr Bingley actually be into Elizabeth. That would muck things up a bit!
Ah! See, that is the extra fun rub, Evie… the author always has the opportunity to interpret the scenario and add his/her own twist! Perhaps Mrs. Bennet’s scheming won’t work on Lizzy or Jane, but maybe it DOES influence Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy! Who knows???? Only the author, for sure, and then the next twist could change it all around once again!
I love this idea
I voted and thank you! I know it would be almost impossible to do, but what I wish is that the #1 top answers would go on to be one story, #2 top answers go on to be another story, and the #3 top answers go on to another one 
So we would end up with 3 stories which would be awesome 
We may end up doing more of these depending on how this turns out. There’s one of the ideas I may end up writing myself if it isn’t chosen for this.
I’ll bet you a Klondike Bar I can guess which one.
This sounds like so much fun. I am a horrible creative writer so helping decide is the next best thing. Gonna be great.
I voted and am beyond thrilled at this prospect. I hope when completed austen authors considers publishing it to be read easily in one long story. ooh, I can’t wait
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that I would be very happy with any of the scenarios to be chosen, but I voted for #3 and hope for it. I’ve often wondered of a similar plot direction.
Thank you Austen Authors, I am so excited! My choice is # 2. Good writing to you all.
Sharon, what did I sign up for here, lol! This sounds like it’s going to be tricky. Loads of fun, but tricky! (But I can’t wait!)
You’ve signed the contract Susan – in blood – no turning back now!
Can’t wait!! It’ll be so much fun!!!
I just voted and I think this is really exciting!
Today is a day of big surprises, I also got your newspaper Sharon.
Lots of love,
Susanne
You got it? Great Susanne! I am trying something new as a way to share my information, Austen Authors updates, and various other newsy items that I think are fun to share. Hopefully readers like it too!
So exciting! I can’t wait to begin!!!
Pingback: Pride & Prejudice: Reader’s Choice at Austen Authors | Sharon Lathan
How exiting! I love the idea about us choosing the scenario. I have just voted, but now I’m thinking: Whould it not have been fun to have a mix between #1 and #3?
Can’t wait to the first post comes!
Well I like the sound of both 1 and 3 very much, but I bet whichever of the three wins will lead to an interesting story, I’ll look forward to it
Number 2. Number 2. Number 2.
LOL! They all sounded great though and I’d be happy to read any of them. What fun this will be. Thank you guys for taking the plunge.
Bennet Brother! OMG YES! Lizzy needs a brother to quarrel with!
P&P Readers’ Choice – what a clever idea! I have every confidence that whatever plot line you choose, it will be absolutely delicious – although I will confess to voting for #3. I can just imagine Darcy and Jane in very formal, stiff interactions watching Bingley and Elizabeth play with and tease each other and feeling a bit envious of their fun. Can’t wait, and thank you!
What fun! ! !
I chose plot #2. I love the idea of Lizzy’s brother confronting Darcy for his insult and attitude.
I chose #2 as well, Monica! This is one variation we do not hardly ever see…Lzzy aging an older, protective brother! I hope it wins! I would love to see brother Bennet & Mr. Darcy have some conflict!
How do you know Darcy will issue the insult? Maybe the Bennet Family won’t be so silly. Just sayn’.
I thought about that, too, how the family may be different with a son. Maybe Mrs B won’t be such a spaz. But I can see her being really overprotective with him so he doesn’t get sick or injured and die, leaving them all to starve in the gutter. Maybe Darcy will remark about how sexy he thinks Lizzy is, at the assembly, and brother Bennet will be like “dude, that’s my sister!” Lol
Seriously, this many potential what-if scenarios and outcomes is going to have my imagination in overdrive. I love it.
The choice was difficult as all are great plot ideas! I have voted and can’t wait for Jan 30th. Thank you all for creativity!
Agh, such tough choices! I want to see stories based off of them all!
I’ve think Austen Authors are bringing a little Mary Shelley into the equation on this one. LOVE the idea!!!!
BTW – I went for the flu. I’m heading to Chicago on Thursday, and everything on the news is about how the city is in crisis. Doh!
Love, love this idea!
Oh my, all the story lines were promising- but there’s something appealing about Mrs. Bennet and her machinations! Anyway, I can’t wait !
Yayyyyyy I am so excited…
Oh.My.Goodness!! This is a FANtastic idea!!! I voted, it wasn’t easy, but I voted for Bennet brother – so many things can change with his “birth”. Y’all are such wonderful people for doing this for us
If we end up with the epidemic, you better let me start it…or maybe Sharon and I should do it together……….hmmmmm. Sounds like a great idea! (for those who don’t understand this, Sharon and I gave a talk on 19th Century Medicine at the Romance Writers of America meeting last July…really fun!)
Actually, you should come later. The first scene will just be setting it up, the first couple of people getting sick – your expertise will pay off later on when the epidemic is full-blown!
Can’t wait! Good practice for my course on Regency medicine I am doing for the Beau Monde next fall!
What a wonderful idea….can’t wait to get the reading started!
This is going to be such fun, especially since we’re all going to get to work on it together!! I can’t wait to find out which scenario gets chosen!
I think this plan is genius!! Fabulous idea guys!! Woo hoo!! I voted but admit to being excited for whichever path the majority choose.
I can think of incredible plot twists on any of the options and with you guys writing, what I can think of is just scratching the surface. 
I may seem like Switzerland, but if all paths lead to Austenesque books, I’m in! So much fun, thanks for including us!!
Love this idea!!! Can’t wait for it to begin. I do hope you pick my choice!
The brother plot negates the entire Bennet issue, that of no male heir. This would have changed the opening premise for the characters, as they would have developed differently prior to the beginning of the story. The other two at least began with the opening premise. If you don’t assume the characters have developed to where the story begins, you may as well write about something else.
I would like to see a Bennet brother. That’s highly original. Number three is my second choice, then number one.
I think this is a fabulous idea! Kind of like a pick-your-ending book. But, I think that this is far more interesting because it will be based on the collective decision of so many people who truly enjoy the story and have plenty of their own ideas and questions of what could’ve/would’ve happened had any number of things been different in the story. The number of possibilities are really endless, and this is a fresh take on making the story over again unlike simply uncovering one author’s own take on things. This should be extremely interesting. I’m thoroughly looking forward to it!
I voted, but can see that it really doesn’t matter. Any of the 3 ideas will be fun and can go in so many directions! What a wonderful idea. I always looked forward to P&P200. And now for 2013 we have a new adventure. I can’t wait!
I voted! I loved the idea of them all, but I opted for the one that I think might have the most opportunity for disastrous conversation and misunderstandings! What a fabulous idea, can’t wait to read the first instalment!
A very exciting and creative idea! Looking forward to what unfolds over the year. Great to have such fresh approaches to JAFF.
Such a dreat idea to do this. I loved choose your own adventure books when I was a kid. I can’t wait to see how all the authors blend their styles.
Great idea everyone! I’ll admit I went with option one, I’m a sucker for a temporarily weakened/sick Darcy and maybe Lizzy showing him some compassion a little earlier. Or vice/versa. Looking forward to reading
# 2 The Bennet Brother sounds great!
The Bennet brother changes the dynamics among the characters completely.
I’m too late for the vote but decided to comment anyway. This sounds like a lot of fun. It will be very interesting so see these stories and plots brought together. I think I would have picked The Bennet Brother had I made it in time. The Netherfield Epidemic would have been my other choice. Look forward to this!