Susan Kaye
Round and Round She Goes …
If she never starts, we shall not be bothered by her petty plot devices.
When some writers begin a new work, many throw themselves headlong into the story. They will it to sweep them away in the same way they hope it will sweep away readers.
And then there are writers like me launch headlong into doubt. The only sweeping that happens with my writing is sweeping the kitchen so I can avoid writing.
Prolific I am not. In one of the previous Austen Author blogs, I’m quoted as saying I was going to finish the third novel of my trilogy or die. I wasn’t kidding. To that end, I’m endeavoring to be more constant in my work so it’s appropriate that I write Austen’s Constant Hero, Frederick Wentworth.
This is a blatant ploy to keep my hand-in-the-game and let readers know I am working. I thought you might like to see the progress I have been making.
All of these approximately 200 words sections are the three different openings of A Word, A Look, the third volume in the Frederick Wentworth, Captain series.
Opening Number One:
February 09, 1820
Sir Richard, 38 gun frigate
At sea
Wentworth descended the companionway with the grace of a man completely at ease on a ship. It was his fondest hope that the short, graceless ship’s surgeon, Mr Hannigan, who trailed behind, would catch his foot and stumble—but certainly not fall—whereby giving the captain some relief from the man’s incessant prattle.
“I am certain, sir, you will agree that Llewellyn is grossly overstepping, and overstating the need to move your wife to the sick-berth.” The man neither stumbled, nor fell, and was right on the captain’s heels. There would be no respite owing to an accident.
The ever-vigilant Marine opened the door to his cabin. The man was nothing more than a scarlet blur as the captain strode by without slowing. The door to his bedchamber was standing wide open. He surveyed the scene. Aside from Anne’s absence, the only thing that registered in his mind was a bloodstained sheet lying on the floor by the bed.
“I told you, sir, she was taken down to the sick-berth. I must say, sir—”
Wentworth turned. Hannigan thought better of continuing on with whatever unremarkable thought he might be preparing to give voice. As Wentworth headed to the door, he took a perverse amount of delight in the sight of the stout fellow practically throwing himself out of the way. Continue reading
Exxxactly WHO Owns Jane?
I’ve written a post on my blog, Jane Started It! that ponders who owns Jane Austen’s name online, and who owns MINE!
Come over to Jane Started It! and see what I think.
Susan Kaye
Beyond Compare 2
I shamelessly stole this idea and title from a post of Carolyn Eberhart’s where she compared Darcy to a character of J. D. Robb’s. I decided to put Captain Frederick Wentworth to the test against a relative youngster from TV: Captain Malcolm Reynolds.
Most of you know Captain Frederick Wentworth of Persuasion. I’ve been writing him for some time now and he’s my favorite of the Austen Heroes™. But, also enjoy captains of a different kind now and again.
For you who are unfamiliar Reynolds and the show, Firefly, go HERE to read up on this cult SciFi favorite. In a nutshell, it’s a space opera lead by Captain Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion, now of Castle fame. (And a little plug for Ciaran Hinds who will be appearing in the movie, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with Colin Firth, opening in November in the US.)
Here are our heroes:
 |
|
|
| The Gentlemen: | Captain Frederick Wentworth | Captain Malcolm Reynolds |
| Cultural background: |
English | Human, Shadowian |
| Location: | Regency England (1814-1815) | Post unification universe (2516) |
| Monetary Comforts: |
Rich, 20-25,000 English pounds | Not a pot to … you get the idea |
| Preference in the ladies |
Dark hair and eyes. | Ditto. |
| Occupation: | Captain of the Royal Navy | Captain of the firefly class ship, Serenity |
| Love Interest: | Anne Elliot (they eventually marry) |
Companion Inara Serra |
| Sweet Nothings: |
None. Shame on him. | Mal has never gotten to the endearment stage. |
| Authors: | Jane Austen | Joss Whedon |
I’m sure you are just dying to know my opinion on the whole Frederick vs. Mal question. Even if you aren’t, here it is:
Wentworth gets a point because he’s older than me. And so is Ciaran Hinds. So that’s two points. Nathan Fillion (Mal Reynolds) is not older than me, and the character is not even born yet. Cougarism is not my thing, so, points to Wentworth. (Yes, I do know these men are fictional, but thank you for pointing it out.)
Wentworth also gets a point for the sna-zee uniform. I know, I know, Mal is a Brown Coat, and a rebel so there are no sna-zee unis. Too bad, blue and gold beats brown.
Wentworth LOSES a point because the only weapon wielding we we see in the novel or any adaptation is to shooting birds. Thin gruel for a fighting man, I say. We are treated to Mal using all sorts of things to beat the bad guys in every episode. 2 points for Mal.
Wentworth also loses a point for no sweet nothings to Anne. Not even a “dearest, loveliest Anne” moment. But, he gets half the point back because in the canceled chapter of Persuasion, after they get everything straightened out about her not marrying Elliot, it reads, “Still a little nearer, and a hand taken and pressed: and ‘Anne, my own dear, Anne!’” It’s not that sweet, but it is something. Mal on the other hand is bound by a script that kept him and his love interest from doing much, and then they were canceled. No deductions.
Let’s see, carry the three and bring down the 5, Wentworth wins by 1/2 a point!
I rigged the results, but I do, overall, like Wentworth better. I am of the opinion that if a mash-up were written, they would be great together battling Napoleon, or the Alliance.
So, how do the gentlemen stack up in your eyes? what other points would you award our heroes? Who else would you like see compared to Wentworth?
Take care–Susan Kaye
Magic Happens Here –>
First things first, to day is my 53rd birthday and I am not going to do anything I don’t want to. If you are afraid of aging, don’t be. My worst birthday was my 30th and I have never had a bad one since.
Next on the agenda is my writing space. Now, I have in the past mentioned that I write (most of the time) in a room referred to as The Dog’s Room. While I am not a stunner looks wise, it doesn’t refer to me but to a pooch we had years ago. In the spirit of I’m-53-and-I-am-a-bit-fearless-today, I’m going to show you what my writing space looks like.
One Week to Make It
Summer for me is not about the beach, or even about beach reads. It’s about writing. And the next week of this summer is going to be about editing a novella of mine and formatting it for Kindle. It’s kind of like my version of a summer job.
The story I’ll be working over on, is “When I Dream, I Have You … “ Here’s an excerpt.
The success of Persuasion is predicated on the once engaged Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth meeting after a separation of nearly nine years. In this time both have changed a great deal. She has learnt that love is not as easily had as she thought when she was 19, and he has gotten the money and success he hungered after as a younger man. When they meet again, there is still much pride and misunderstanding to overcome before all is set to right.
Ten Days of Antwitterpation
The intricacies of Twitter escape me. The @’s and #hashtags leave me weary, but I understand enough to play around with the 140 word limit. Here’s my take on Anne Elliot Twittering Frederick Wentworth’s arrival in Bath. ~~ SK
GivenUpDancing Anne Elliot
Mollands. Raining. Saw FW and we spoke! EE behaving badly. WWE meddlesome. FW struck and confused. *smile*
9 days ago
GivenUpDancing Anne Elliot
Riding with LR this morning. Saw FW on Pulteney Bridge. Did she see him?!? Did he see me?!? Wondering.
8 days ago Continue reading
You Don’t Look A Day Over 225
Today is Elizabeth Elliot’s 226th birthday. I don’t have the money to pay a public performance fee for Happy Birthday, so if you all would just hum it to yourselves, that would be great.
I’ve said before that I occasionally toy with the idea of contemporizing Persuasion. When I do I am usually at a loss when it comes to Elizabeth. As with all of the characters who have few pleasing qualities, and no skills because of the time period, how to I faithfully bring them into the 21st century?
I’ve imagined Elizabeth as an investment banker who makes her life in Singapore, leaving Anne to take care of Walter Elliot. I have made her the least talented, but most demanding daughter in a family of actors much like the Barrymores or the Carradines. Come to think of it, perhaps she could be fashioned into a female Charlie Sheen! /scribbling notes/ With the help of a friend, I even envisioned her as a gum-smacking, big-haired, over-tanned beautician in a small-town salon. Continue reading
The American Invasion
Author’s Note: I find I am having trouble taking anything seriously these days. And no one is safe it seems. I apologize in advance for any agitation my sarcasm and photo editing software may cause. ~SK
Young ladies in filmy dresses with empire waists, married ladies wearing lace caps, elegant dinners starting with white soup, the thrill of riding in a barouche, and gentlemen in blue coats. All these things epitomize the Regency period. We know about Napoleon and Wellington. We hear the name Jane Austen, smile, and consider the beauty of the English countryside. We sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a houseful of servants and whether we would be a good mistress. Until now, the intimate lives of women in Regency England have been largely lost to time. Now, Austen Broadcasting Service takes a bold step and looks inside the lives of these ladies. Continue reading
Fashion Forward Frederick
“Yes, Miss Louisa, I am forced to agree. This
touseled windblown style does accentuate my rugged good looks
…
But tell me, don’t you think Fletcher would admire the arrangement of my neckcloth?” Continue reading
Persuasion as a Reality Show — UPDATE
by Susan Kaye
For years I’ve messed with the idea of contemporizing Persuasion. Short of novelizing it, I play around with the characters on various lifestyle and reality shows. I think the Elliots would be a great Dr. Phil family. Heck, Sir Walter could be a weekly guest as Dr. Phil tries to unravel, with the help of various experts, the financial and ego problems of the Baronet.
PM: “Walter, I’m just trying—”
PM: “Yeah, Sir Walter. You’ve got to get that pile on the market, but you refuse to advertise. How’s that workin’ for yeah?”
Folksy Texas common sense meets British gentility unplugged. Before it’s all over, Sir Walter might be looking to sell a few things on Craig’s List or Ebay, buying Groupons, and reading financial blogs to help get his budget under control. Could be a winner.
Overlaying Persuasion with modern American culture got me to thinking Elizabeth Elliot might fit as the Regency Paris Hilton—minus the sex tape, please—and Penelope Clay could be her Nicole Richie. I think Elizabeth doing The Simple Life would be interesting. I’m sure her first meeting with a WalMart greeter would be a lesson humility. I’m just not sure who would be more humiliated after Elizabeth got finished.
In a few years, Charles and Mary Musgrove could be appearing on Divorce Court. Or Super Nanny. I choose Super Nanny and then we get to see Mary taking the boys to the grocery store while the nanny observes. First she has to pull little Charles out of the frozen food case, and then she’s bellowing for Walter to crawl off the end cap. When she gets home she complains to the nanny about her mother-in-law loading up the kids with sweets. Charles later complains that he could handle the kids quite well if Mary weren’t always interfering. There might be hope because that show usually ends with happy contented kids and serene parents. (It’s funny, I don’t remember much about child rearing that was serene.)
With the Harvilles, I think the only choice is Extreme Home Makeover. A military man, wounded, no insurance, and his family having to live under a pier. Where shall we send the family? How about Brighton? Of course Benwick will go and walk the boardwalk, sighing over his dear Fanny while the others enjoy the all-expenses-paid vaca. So, would Ty Pennington call Frederick to help demolish the house by pulling it down with a boat–”Captain, make sail!”–or cannon fire? Nah, the neighbors might complain.
I really want to see William Elliot appearing before Judge Judy, Judge Milian—People’s Court—and another TV judge to be named later when Mrs. Smith takes him to court for laweryly misconduct in the nonexecution of her husband’s will. Between all the gavel pounding and yelling, it might not be very informative but it could be fun to watch. And, we might get to see some burst of feeling when he tries to leave the courtroom and the ever-present announcer sticks a microphone in his face.
Last but not least, Frederick and Anne could be on a season of The Bachelorette. Now we know she will ultimately choose Frederick. However, I think he might deserve a little payback for being such a romantic klutz and having to watch Anne date all.those.guys. might just be the ticket.
Persuasion as a whole might be a difficult novel to contemporize, but the characters could be a lot of fun as reality TV stars.
Take care–Susan Kaye
UPDATE–For those of you who are Wedding-minded, and fans of Rupert Penry-Jones, take a gander at this You Tube of the man reciting Marriage Morning by Lord Tennyson. You’ll thank me for it.–SK
Our Novels
P&P: RC
Be sure to vote!
*Giveaways
Enter our monthly contest using the Rafflecopter form on the
Giveaway Page.
All rules and prizes are listed there! Click the image or link provided.
Our Imprint
Purchasing
Austen Authors Amazon Marketplace
Contact Us
Authors can be contacted via their email link on the Austen Authors page. For general information or to contact the admins, click the image to the left.
April 30
Facebook
RSS
Twitter
Amazon Store