GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: TC! Please check your email for information on how to claim your gift card!
Good morning everyone!
I can scarcely write–I am THAT excited to be introducing myself on Austen Variations today! It is a great pleasure and an honor to join this group of well-established and incredibly talented Austenesque authors. I hope that I can add something worthwhile to the blog and I look forward to getting to know these lovely people.
Who am I? MJ Stratton is a pen name, as I am sure many are already aware. I’m horrible about responding to posts from my author page so a lot of time, you’ll see my ‘real name’ pop up. Unfortunately this habit has succeeded in confusing more than one reader. Sorry everyone! My real name, in case you’re wondering, is Leah Pruett.
Why did I pick a pen name? Lost of reasons, but a HUGE one is that there is a racecar driver named Leah Pruett. Yep, someone that is actually famous. Here she is and she is NOT me.
So it could have been tricky to use my given name. But, I did learn not too long ago that there’s an MJ Stratton on Instagram that is a poet. So even picking a pen name didn’t work entirely.
Now that that is out of the way, let me tell you a little about myself. I am mother to four children. We homeschool and have a little farm in a small rural town. I currently have three types of bird (chickens, guinea fowl, and ducks), and 5 cats.
I taught 2nd grade for 6 years but left the classroom in the 2021-22 school year. It was the right decision for my family and I don’t regret it at all. One positive to my choice is that I can write full time now! I have loved Jane Austen since I was a teenager and love that I get to combine two of my favorite things–reading and writing–and make a career out of it.
My muse has been pretty favorable this year, and I’ve published 6 books this year! I have another coming on December 26th, a forced marriage scenario (and other tropes) book titled To Marry for Love.
I think I’ve rambled long enough! To end, I’d like to offer a ten dollar amazon gift card to ONE lucky commenter! Please, tell me what your favorite thing to read on the blog is for a chance to win!
Until I write again!
MJ
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Welcome, MJ! It was wonderful meeting you at JAFFCon and learning more about you. I absolutely adored “No Less Than Any Other”. It is a truly wonderful book. I am looking forward to reading your contributions to this site. I like almost everything that the other authors share, but these are some of my favorites: WIPs, new release alerts, and interesting topics that led an author down a research rabbit hole.
Oh my! I love your books and they are in my read again category. I am looking forward to tour next on. ❤️
Welcome. It’s so nice to have you here.
I love reading about author’s WIP. It’s a fun leaser and a heads up regarding what’s to come!
Author
Thanks for stopping by! I love WIPs, too!
Greetings and Salutations,
MJ Stratton!
I’m looking forward to getting to know you better and to learn your style of writing.
I’m fairly new to Austin Variations myself an so haven’t picked a favorite aspect of the blog, in truth, I’m loving it all.
Once more,,Welcome! : )
Welcome!! Excited to have you here – I loved Thwarted and The Lake House at Ramsgate when I read them earlier this fall! My favorite things to read on the blog is definitely WIPs. I adore finding out about new books. Several favorites were first discovered here or on the blogs of the combined AV authors. Second favorite is the group things: either theme of the month or projects like the POV retelling or Mr. Darcy’s Enchanted Library.
Author
Both of those are among my favorite stories! I am very pleased yo liked them, too! I’ve discovered new favorites here, too!
Welcome! I’ve only read When Given Good Principles so far and I loved it🥰. I’m really looking forward to To Marry For Love as I’m a big fan of early marriage between ODC whether forced or chosen. I do like posts about the author’s books especially with excerpts. I’m in the U.K. so don’t shop on .com, alas I can’t enter the giveaway.
Good luck in all that you do.
Author
I hope you love To Marry for Love! And I can totally send a gift card from paypal or the UK Amazon!
Hi, MJ! Welcome! One thing I enjoy reading on the blog is book excerpts shared by authors. It is a great way to find books that I would enjoy reading.
Author
I LOVE excerpts!
My favorite thing is to find out why authors write the storylines they do, what makes them focus on a particular character or theme.
This has led me to look at characters in a new way and appreciate sometimes overlooked ones.
Author
Secondary characters are among my favorite to look at. Like Elizabeth, I have always been a studier of character, wondering why people behave the way they do.
Welcome to the blog! I look forward to your future posts. I enjoy hearing what inspired authors to write certain stories. I also LOVE the Regency research and facts. If I could, I would dress in Regency styles every day, minus the corset.
Author
Dresses are pretty comfy! I wore them all the time while I was teaching. Thanks for you support!
I am also a mother of four who homeschooled her kids. I have NO idea when you find the time to write, but I’m thankful that you do because I have thoroughly enjoyed your books over the last couple of years! So glad you are now included here.
Author
Summer says that to me all the time. “How do you find time to write and do all the other things?” The answer is: I have no clue! For example, I was supposed to be binge writing today… but I haven’t even written a thing!! Hoping to do that after I’m done here.
Welcome to Austen Variations! It is well deserved as you have published great books. I like forced marriage books so December 26 new book will take me into the New Year. I like learning more about the research into Regency period as you write. What rabbit hole were you sent down to research? Also, your interviews with your favorite Jane Austen characters is always entertaining. Laughter is needed! Thank you for the generous giveaway, which would be used to purchase your upcoming release.
Author
Thank you for your kind words! I hope you love To Marry for Love. It was a lot of fun to write and took a few unexpected turns!! Good luck on the giveaway!
MJ–thank you for the insight into your life. Reading about such things make an author seem more real and gives your readers insight into what a busy life you lead. Something I would like to know more about is the writing process; how do you develop ideas for your plots? Do you outline the significant scenes of the story before you begin writing or do you let the characters take you where they may? Is the editing process very stressful? What is your primary motivation: just to tell a story or to make money or an inner sense of accomplishment?
Keep writing. I think you have a gift and I thank you for sharing it with us.
Author
My plot ideas hit me like a ton of bricks sometimes. I keep a plot bunny list in my phone and then pull from that. I usually plot one story in my head whilst I write another so I have a pretty good idea where I am heading when I start. My WIP is a Elizabeth is not a Bennet. Darcy was supposed to be a jerk, but they fell in love early and without my permission. Oh well. The story is shaping up nicely.
I don’t usually do more than jot a few ideas for scenes. The Characters take it where they want.
Editing is stressful, but I have slowly built a reliable team that helps!
I think all 3 motivate me. I never thought my stories would be interesting to anyone. The income is nice because then I don’t need to go back to school, but ultimately I get a lot of joy from my work bringing happiness to others.
Thanks!
I love your books and have been looking for your new ones. So excited when I see them. Your profile is neat, and I don’t blame you for skipping out on teaching as you are able to do. Been there, done that, have the T=shirt.
Author
Ah yes, the mas exodus from the education system. I love homeschooling my kiddos! It’s an adventure and exhausting, but fun. How many other people can
say they get to do what they love and make money off it? Writing is as big a dopamine hit as reading for me!
Welcome to the gang!
Author
Thanks! I am SO excited to work with you guys!
Welcome! Looking forward to reading more or your stories. 6 this year is awesome!
Author
Thanks! My muse has certainly kept me busy!
Lovely to see that you will be part of this group, which is always interesting for ideas, excerpts, background information and even news of Real Life. Looking forward to reading your next book and have to say again how much I enjoyed “No Less Than Any Other” as a truly different plot idea.
Author
Thanks! No Less is close to my heart. Hopefully I’ll write some other neurodiverse characters soon! It sounds like you’re an avid reader! I hope I keep you entertained.
Welcome! My favorite thing to read on the blog… well, I really enjoy it when authors tell us about their research into the Regency period that they do for their books. I love Joana Starnes’s photos of her travels in England.
Author
I love the history part of it! I actually learned some things about April Fools Day for To Marry for Love.
Congratulations, Leah/MJ!! What a year you’ve had! I’m so happy to see you here too. I’ve loved all your books am amazed you can come up with so many ideas within a relatively short period of time. Wishing you every success with the blog and in all you do! Proud of you, girl!
Author
Thanks, Ree! You’re a wonderful person and I love that we are friends!
Hi MJ! Long time, no see!
I enjoy reading stories that are posted here (such as the Untold Stories, recently). And I like excerpts and information about upcoming releases.
And I like chocolate! Please thank your mom!
Author
You’re amazing, Ginna! And I’ll pass on your words to my mom. She’s actually making chocolate now. 🙂
Welcome & glad we can see more of you here
Author
Thanks, Glory!!
Welcome MJ! I look forward to reading your contributions. My favorite things to read are excerpts.
Author
I LOVE excerpts. It gives me a taste of what’s coming and then I’m impatient for the next segment or release!
Welcome! I love almost everything on this blog: The untold stories, WIPs/excerpts, background information about the writing process, upcoming releases, short stories, … whatever you chose to share – I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. 😊
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway if it doesn’t work on Amazon.de
Author
I’m not sure if I can send gift cards from Amazon.de. I’ll have to check that out! Can you use Paypal? I’m open to doing that, too!
I use PayPal, but I haven’t used it with other countries/currencies yet.
Summer knows how to send Amazon gift cards that work in different countries, maybe you could ask her.
Thank you so much for trying to make it work!
Author
Always! Asking Summer is a good plan. She knows all the things.
Welcome, Leah. (I love that name!) With your busy life, I can’t imagine that you’d find time to read a book, let alone write one. I’m off now to check out your books, and look forward to seeing your name here on the website.
Author
Thank you so much! I’m pretty excited to be part of this great group! As for reading, I definitely don’t read as much as I used to, but I write a LOT! I hope you love my books!
Great to have you here! I have really enjoyed your books and look forward to your new one!
Author
Thank you so much! That means the world to me!
MJ,
It’s great to have you as an addition to Austen Variations. This is one my favorite JAFF author sites and I look forward to your contributions. –Leslie
Author
Thanks, Leslie! I hope I can rise to the occasion!
Welcome! It’s nice getting to know you.
Author
Thanks! This is going to be such a fun adventure!
You are welcome!
I came to this blog because of the P&P the untold stories, they will always be my favorites.
Author
Aren’t they so fun?
Nice to meet you! I enjoy reading about new and upcoming releases.
Author
Oh, same!!
So excited you are on this forum.
Author
Thank you so much! <3
Welcome, welcome, MJ! Wow, I am so impressed with all you do: so much writing, plus homeschooling and raising animals and running a farm! So glad you’re here, and I look forward to your future posts!
Author
Thanks! I love your books!!!
MJ. Welcome to my favorite JAFF group. I enjoyed Thwarted for the unusual premise and the early declaration of ODC with a sweet romance. I have followed you on Amazon, enjoying each of your offerings soon after release and anticipate the next as well.
I too, enjoyed JAFF-CON , though my attendance was virtual. I have enjoyed the opportunity to engage with my favorite authors ‘in person’.
Author
Thank you so much for your kind words! Thwarted is a fun story! I hope you’re ready for To Marry for Love! It’s a whole new adventure!
So wonderful you joined us, MJ! Welcome! I love your books, and looking forward to your next. Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and lots of inspiration!
Author
I mean, knowing you’ve read my books is very flattering and humbling! You were one of the first JAFF authors I found. <3