Tag: Diana Birchall

Jealousy in July: Who is Jane Austen’s Most Jealous Character?

Is Caroline Bingley green with envy as she notices Mr. Darcy’s attentions to Elizabeth Bennet? Does Emma Woodhouse wish unspeakable horrors on Harriet Smith because of Harriet’s crush on Mr. Knightley? After Willoughby, does Marianne covet Elinor’s more sensible behaviour? We could go on for ages, but it’s only for this month so don’t miss …

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March Madness: Lady Catherine meets Mrs. Elton

Have you ever wanted to read how a conversation would go between Darcy and Captain Wentworth? Have you ever wished Caroline Bingley might make the acquaintance of Sir Walter Elliot? Have you ever thought Mrs. Norris and Lady Catherine could be best buds? Then you’ll love March Madness where we combine characters from Jane Austen’s …

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P&P Behind the Scenes: Lydia’s Wedding

    In this last of the three-part story about Lydia and Wickham, Lydia is brought to her wedding, but not to reason, by Mrs. Gardiner. It was after breakfast that Mr. Gardiner was called away to consult with his man of business, Mr. Stone, and Lydia was wild with fear that he would take …

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P&P Behind the Scenes: Lydia Elopes

    Part Two in this three-part series of stories about Lydia and Wickham’s wicked elopement. Let us join this young pair, whom Jane Austen said were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue.  “ “Look here, Lydia,” said Wickham, getting out of bed and standing by the window, watching red coated …

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P&P Behind the Scenes: Wickham’s Scheme of Elopement

  Today we begin three parts of a story about Lydia and her shocking relations with Wickham that (some would say unfortunately) led to their wedding. A preface to this tale was posted on August 24, 2015, so you may like to go back to prepare yourself!  About a month after Lydia’s removal to Brighton, …

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Considering Jane Bennet – and her Sisters

What better way to start the year that to focus on one of Jane Austen’s most beloved characters? Join Austen Variations as we spend January looking into the lovely Jane Bennet. Writing a Jane Bennet story the other day (“In the Shrubbery”) naturally made me think about this remarkably sweet secondary heroine, and I hope you …

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12 Days of a Jane Austen Christmas: Lady Catherine’s Christmas

It was Beatrice Nearey, an Edmontonian Janeite, who gave me an auspicious kick start as a Jane Austen Playwright. I had written Austenesque stories for years, but it never occurred to me to try my hand at plays, until Beatrice and her friend Dolores Kohler cleverly adapted a story of mine, “The Courtship of Mrs. …

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12 Days of a Jane Austen Christmas: A Book of Days

In 1798, a little more than a week after her twenty-third birthday, Jane Austen wrote to her sister Cassandra what might certainly be called a Christmas letter, as it was begun at Steventon on the Monday night of Christmas Eve. She opens with news of hopes for a promotion for her brother Frank, then a young Navy …

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