I’m always amazed by the power of a single line or two from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to inspire a “what-if” story. With over 122,000 words to choose from, fashioned into such charming and witty prose, is there any wonder we have so many fantastic variations and sequels to entertain us? Better still, we have more and more enticing stories coming our way each month.
Here are some of the Austen quotes that have inspired my writing.
“Well, my comfort is, I am sure Jane will die of a broken heart;and then he will be sorry for what he has done.”
“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
My current work-in-progress is inspired by a particular quote as well.
“My dearest child,” she cried, “I can think of nothing else! Ten thousand a year, and very likely more! ‘Tis as good as a Lord! And a special license. You must and shall be married by a special license. But my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of, that I may have it tomorrow.”
I love this story. It will be available in September 2015. I was progressing quite nicely on As Good as a Lord until another idea came to mind. It’s my newest release titled, To Refuse Such a Man. Here are the inspiring words drawn from the pages of Pride and Prejudice.
“Steady to his purpose, he scarcely spoke ten words to her through the whole of Saturday, and though they were at one time left by themselves for half-an-hour, he adhered most conscientiously to his book, and would not even look at her.”
I invite you to enjoy an excerpt from Chapter 2.
Achingly aware of her, thoughts that no gentleman ought to entertain in the presence of a gentlewoman crept into his mind as he began to feel the danger of being in such proximity to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Darcy had but one purpose in being in Hertfordshire: to help his friend Charles Bingley in navigating the tricky waters of being the master of his own estate. The last thing he expected was to meet the woman whose nearness caused him to entertain ideas of what it would be like to know her as his wife.
At seven and twenty, Darcy had managed to avoid any entanglement that might give rise to an expectation of marriage. At first, it might be said that he took some comfort in the presumption that those who knew him best held that he would marry his cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh. However, when Anne herself began to entertain such notions, Darcy put an end to that by declaring to anyone who dared ask that such a union would never be. Anne took the information as well as could be expected; however the same could not be said of her mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The older sister of his late mother, Lady Catherine insisted that it was the favorite wish of her sister that the two young people should be married.
Anne and Darcy were fashioned for each other at birth, she always pontificated. Even Darcy’s own words to the contrary were insufficient to douse her hopes that such a union would one day unfold. Oh, what a determined advocate Lady Catherine could be when she put her mind to it. Satisfied in the knowledge that his aunt’s wishes were not and would never be his own, Darcy simply pretended not to hear a word she spoke about his future marital prospects.
He took his responsibilities as a landlord, a master of hundreds, and an older brother and co-guardian of his younger sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, quite seriously. Among those responsibilities was choosing the next mistress of Pemberley wisely.
The next thing he knew, the thought of how Miss Elizabeth Bennet would be received in London crossed his mind. Darcy could hardly fathom why he would be picturing Miss Elizabeth traveling in his sphere in town. Then again, there were places in town where tradesmen of means cavorted with the ton: the park, the shops, and the theater. He then began to wonder if, indeed, they had frequented some of the same places. Her only connection in London that he was aware of was the uncle who resided in Cheapside.
Surely if there were other, more consequential, connections, she or her mother would have said something.
Speaking of her mother, there was a woman whom he barely tolerated. His intercourse with Mrs. Bennet had been marred by contentiousness. When he rightly pointed out how the company in town was far more varied than in such a small place as Meryton, she took umbrage, insisting that they regularly dined with four and twenty families. As insignificant a number as that was compared to the Society he was referring to, he did not see how it could even be that high. Arguing with the woman was hardly something he wanted to do.
I have done quite enough of that with her beguiling daughter since the young woman’s arrival at Netherfield.
What say you to an exciting giveaway to conclude this post? I have two copies of To Refuse Such a Man up for grabs: one paperback (US mailing address required) and one eBook (International). The giveaway ends on Tuesday, August 4th at 11:59 pm PST. Leave a comment for a chance to win!
Another great book, I’m sure. Please add my name to your giveaway list.
Thanks, Carol. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Thank you for taking part in the giveaway!
Hi,
Thank you for letting us have a peek in to your story.
That is what I admired Lizzy about. She is so courageous to refuse such a man like Darcy.
Hope I could get your giveaway for international this time, since last time I got your present giveaway but can not receive in the end cuz my country was not in the downloadable list.
It’s my pleasure, Kandy. Thanks for commenting for a chance to win an eBook edition of To Refuse Such a Man.
Love the title of the book. It makes me even more eager to read it.
Joan
Thanks! I hope you’ll enjoy the story.
Should be an interesting book to read curled up in bed! Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome! Thank you for taking part. 🙂
Thanks for the generous giveaway. Looks like a good read!
Marilyn
You’re welcome, Marilyn. Thanks for commenting for a chance to win!
It’s always fascinating to read how authors come up with the ideas for their stories. Thanks for a fun post!
It’s my pleasure. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Congrats on the new release, Pam. Thanks for continue to write more P&P-centred stories. Speaking for myself, I can’t get enough of Darcy and Elizabeth finding their way to each other. Please consider me for the e-book drawing because I’m international.
Thanks so much, Sylvia. I’m glad you enjoy my stories. Thank you for commenting for a chance to win.
I’m in the U.S. so I’d like to win the paperback. I’ve read one of your books, the one about Body and Soul. I’d like to read more.
Thanks so much for taking part in the giveaway by commenting for a chance to win, Michelle.
I’m very excited about the prospect of two new books from you! I’d love to win one, so please consider me for this giveaway.
I truly appreciate your enthusiasm, Ginna. Thank you for taking part in the giveaway by commenting for a chance to win.
I am SO looking for an intelligent variation- can’t wait for your release!
Sounds wonderful, Ann! I truly hope you’ll love the new story. 🙂
Congratulations on the book’s release. Hope I win the giveaway. I have read your other books.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Susan. I’m delighted to know you enjoy my stories. Thank you for commenting for a chance to win To Refuse Such a Man.
I hadn’t really noticed your use of Jane’s quotes. What a good idea. I look forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome, Glynis. I hope you’ll enjoy reading the story.
Great excerpt, Pam! Can’t get enough of P&P variations, and your books are always stellar.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Pam
It’s my pleasure, Pam. Thanks so much for reading and enjoying my books. I hope you’ll love reading To Refuse Such a Man.
I found this excerpt intriguing. Thanks for the taste of the new book.
You’re welcome, Patty. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt. I hope you’ll love the story.
Sounds like another great book, Pam. Glad that Jane’s writing inspired you again. 🙂
Thanks so much, Brenda. I’m glad Jane’s writings are inspirational for so many of us.
I really enjoyed learning how quotes have inspired your ideas for new books and even titles. I have enjoyed your previous books and look forward to reading these new ones. Thank you for the giveaway!
It’s my pleasure, Eva. I’m delighted to know how much you enjoyed the post. Thank you for reading and enjoying my books.
Thanks for the Giveaway, looking forward read this book and also the one which will come out in September
You’re welcome, Nicole. I hope you’ll love both stories.
I have found scenes with those two sitting together in a library intriguing. I try to imagine myself with only a handsome man…could I even read one page? But Elizabeth seems to have great powers of concentration. I know I will enjoy any new writing you produce as I have enjoyed others in the past of yours. Good luck in your continued works and thanks for this snippet.
You’re welcome, Shelia. I’m always intrigued by what might have been going on in their minds as well, especially because Darcy was trying so hard to ignore Elizabeth. Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my stories!
Sounds like another great story. Good luck with your publication. Jen
Thanks so much, Jen. I truly appreciate your kind words.
Sounds like a perfect beach read to end my summer with!!!
I like the sound of that, Cheryl. I hope you’ll love the story. I’m looking forward to my end of summer vacation as well … fun in the sun!
Congratulations on Your new release and thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome, Chiara! I truly appreciate your kind words. Thank you!
I loved the excerpts! It is also quite intriguing to see how only a few words or sentences can inspire a new idea that develops into a wonderful story. So powerful! Thank you for the generous giveaway and looking forward to diving into your book!
It’s my pleasure, Robin. I love giveaways. I’m so glad you love the excerpts. I hope you love the story!
Thank you! Wonderful choices. It really is not the number of words, but the weight of those words.
You’re welcome, Barbara. I’m glad you liked the choices. I always chuckle when reading Mrs. Bennet’s words which inspired Bewitched, Body and Soul.
Looking forward to reading another one of your books!
I’m delighted to hear that, Dung! I hope you’ll love the story.
Thanks for the giveaway. It is always so interesting to me to learn what gave someone their ideas for a book.
You’re welcome, Tresha! I’m delighted you enjoyed the post. I hope you’ll love the story.
Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to read. Huge fan of all of your work.
It’s my pleasure, TaNeshia. Thanks for reading and enjoying my stories. I hope you’ll love To Refuse Such a Man.
Sounds delightful!!
Thanks, Claudine. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
I loved the excerpt! Words are SO powerful!
Thank you, Carylkane. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I hope you’ll love the story.
I love this excerpt. I can’t wait to see the reasoning Darcy uses to change his own mind, that is if it is reasoning he uses. Thank you so much for this generous giveaway.
You’re welcome, Debbie. Giveaways are always fun! I’m glad you loved the excerpt. I hope you’ll enjoy the story.
I also meant to say I find it interesting how certain points in P&P send you off on a variation. Thank you for sharing a bit of your creative process, jumping off points, with us. I find it intriguing.
I’m so fascinated with Pride and Prejudice, Debbie. I don’t go a day without thinking about some part or another of the story.
Thank you for sharing! Please add me to the drawing. Thank you!
It’s my pleasure, Linda. Thanks for commenting for a chance to win.