Shannon Winslow claims she was minding her own business – raising two sons and pursuing a very sensible career – when an ordinary trip to Costco about fifteen years ago changed her life. That was the day a copy of the ’95 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice fairly leapt off the shelf and into her oversized shopping cart. After watching the mini-series, Shannon was hopelessly hooked on the story, Colin Firth’s Darcy, and all things Jane Austen. One may guess what followed – compulsive reading, late-night trips to the library and video store, secret rendezvous with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley. Finally, only one thing remained. Her dedication (or obsession, as it could more rightly be described) ultimately inspired her to begin writing her own stories a la Austen. Here's what Shannon says about her unique approach to writing JAFF: "Since I’m just sappy enough to believe there’s only one true story for the characters I’ve grown to love (and Jane Austen wrote it), I amuse myself with adding onto rather than varying from canon - expanding on what Jane Austen gave us and filling in the blanks in the record with prequel, sequel, and supplemental views. What was Mr. Darcy doing all the time he’s absent from the page? What happened to Colonel Brandon in India? And how did our favorite couples fare after the wedding? Inquiring minds want to know, and I’m happy to deliver the answers!"

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Author's posts

Anniversary February — Admiral and Mrs. Croft

To commemorate our second anniversary here at Austen Variations, this month we will be visiting some of Jane Austen’s beloved characters as they celebrate their own anniversaries. Today, Shannon Winslow begins by eavesdropping on the Crofts from Persuasion.     I have a warm spot in my heart for Admiral and Mrs. Croft, especially since …

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Jane Confides How She Fell in Love with Mr. Bingley

  What better way to start the year than to focus on one of Jane Austen’s most beloved characters. Join Austen Variations as we spend January looking into the lovely Jane Bennet.   When the theme for this month was announced, I thought the perfect piece for me to share would be this scene from …

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The 12 Days of a Jane Austen Christmas – Jane’s Birthday Celebration

On the sixth day of our special Christmas celebration, we commemorate the gift of Jane Austen herself, since December 16th is her birthday! I’m sure we all started by falling in love with Jane’s novels and characters. That’s how I began. But somewhere along the way, I became equally intrigued with the lady who created …

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When a Lady is to be a Novelist

I love making connections with other fans of Jane Austen. And even though I’ve been with this lovely group of authors from the beginning, many of you may not yet know me or have heard about how I ended up here. First of all, I must tell you that I was as surprised as anyone …

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Is it Spelled or Spelt?

Last spring, while my then-upcoming novel (The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen) was out to a few trusted beta readers for some feedback, and my graphic designer was working on the cover, I assigned myself a project or two toward readying the book for publication. Probably the most daunting of these was the task of trying …

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P&P: Behind the Scenes – Gardiners Compare Opinions of Mr. Darcy

    Elizabeth and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner have made their second visit to Pemberley – Mr. Gardiner to accept Mr. Darcy’s invitation to fishing and the ladies to wait on his sister. Elizabeth and her aunt talk over the day’s events on their return drive to Lambton, but neither of them is bold …

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P&P: Behind the Scenes – Mr. Collins Applies to Sir William for Charlotte’s Hand

    In chapter 22 we’re told that, the morning after a dinner at Lucas Lodge, Mr. Collins slyly slips away from Longbourn with the covert aim of proposing marriage to Charlotte Lucas. This is exactly what Charlotte has been hoping for, and, perceiving him from an upper window, she instantly sets out “to meet …

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P&P: Behind the Scenes – Caroline Detects Danger of Elizabeth

  November 15, 1811 With Jane ill upstairs at Netherfield, Elizabeth is forced to spend long hours in the company of Mr. Bingley’s sisters and his unsociable friend. While Caroline entertains at the pianoforte, Mr. Darcy is drawn to Elizabeth’s side – noticing her intriguing mixture of sweetness and archness of manner. And Caroline has …

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“Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley” makes her Debut!

Yay! I’m delighted to make Austen Variations the first stop on my virtual book tour for Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley, my new sequel to Pride and Prejudice. While the book is a true, stand-alone sequel, it is also a variation, not so much of P&P itself but of my own novel, The Darcys of …

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P&P: Behind the Scenes – Lizzy Reflects on the Meryton Assembly

    Chapter 3 of Pride and Prejudice describes the night of the Meryton assembly, where we (and Elizabeth) first meet Mr. Darcy as a member of the Bingley party from Netherfield. But what was Elizabeth thinking and feeling afterward, especially concerning Mr. Darcy, who had insulted her? Here is that missing scene: October 15, …

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