Welcome to our newest member: L.L. Diamond

1475878_347570898745939_1378663844971222217_nAs I considered today’s post, what is to be my introduction to you, I could only think of how I came to this point—where I am today.

I became interested in Jane Austen’s work long ago, but only found Jane Austen fan fiction about five years ago. I went on a reading frenzy, devouring titles I located on Amazon. I found the forums soon after, and my addiction grew from there. I never dreamed I would write. In fact, I insisted I wouldn’t write for nearly a year before I took the flying leap.

In retrospect, I suppose I’m being a bit melodramatic when I say a flying leap. While I liked to daydream and create stories in my head, I’d never considered writing them down much less showing them to the world at large.

A JAFF chat room and the group of ladies within changed everything. Anyone who enters or comes in regularly gets lumped in with the Chat Chits, and they became the cheer crew who pestered me to write. I tried to give away an idea I had for a story once, and the ladies told me I should write it myself. I then wrote Rain and Retribution. I wouldn’t be where I am if they hadn’t convinced me to give it a go and supported me as I figured everything out. I owe them a debt of gratitude as much as I owe those who volunteered to be my betas and those who purchased my books.

I never began writing because I set out to publish. My husband, after reading responses to Rain and Retribution, began suggesting, but I finally gave it a go in response to readers. Their comments prompted me to finally format everything and this time hit the publish button. I have never looked back. I explore and write the subjects I want, and I have an amazing community with which to do so. I could not be happier with where I am.

Now, I get to embark upon something new, while remaining within the community that I love, and I am so excited! I will be able to share what I learn from my research, share what I am passionate about. Sometimes, I may even bore you with what I learn on my travels around England or beyond. I can’t wait!

Austen Variations has always represented the ‘big names’ of JAFF—excellence in the genre. I’m honored they have asked me to join their ranks. I would also like to thank them for giving me the chance to be here. Ladies and gent, I look forward to joining some of your writing adventures and to have you join in mine.

 

L.L Diamond

L.L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends, Mom to her three kids, and servant to her three cats. A native of Louisiana, she has been a wanderer for the past 20 years, living in Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, England, and Missouri before settling in Maryland.
One day, Leslie may decide what she wants to do when she grows up but for now, she enjoys writing the stories that live in her head and coaching age group swimming. She has degrees in biology and studio art, certifications to coach swimming in the United States and Britain, and numerous fitness certifications. Leslie is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Her accomplishments include drawing, watercolor, and playing flute and piano, but much like Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

After watching Sense and Sensibility with her mother, Leslie became a fan of Jane Austen, reading her collected works over the next few years. Pride and Prejudice stood out as a favourite and has dominated her writing since finding Jane Austen Fan Fiction.

Aside from mother and writer, Leslie considers herself a perpetual student. She has degrees in biology and studio art, but will devour any subject of interest simply for the knowledge. As an artist, her concentration is in graphic design, but watercolour is her medium of choice with one of her watercolours featured on the cover of her second book, A Matter of Chance. She coaches swimming and holds a variety of fitness certifications. She is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Leslie also plays flute and piano, but much like Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

72 comments

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  1. Welcome Leslie!

    I enjoyed reading your path to writing Austen fiction and I look forward to your future blog posts.

    1. Thanks, Sophia Rose!

  2. So glad to have you with us! Welcome!

    1. Thanks, Evie! I’ve been around a bit as a reader, but I look forward to contributing as well.

    • Anji on January 22, 2015 at 2:05 am
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    How exciting to have a new writer join this wonderful group. Welcome Leslie!

    Looking forward to reading your contributions.

    1. Thanks so much, Anji! I’ve tried to hit the ground running, so I’ll be posting again soon!

    • Barbara on January 22, 2015 at 2:31 am
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    Welcome Leslie! Believe me this is the best Jane Austen’s website you can find! Kisses

    1. I am in no doubt of that, Barbara! Thanks! 🙂

  5. Welcome to our merry band, Leslie. We’re thrilled to have you with us!

    1. And I’m thrilled to be here! Thanks, Monica!

  6. Welcome, Leslie! Look forward to meeting you in the summer!

    1. I look forward to meeting everyone this summer as well! Thanks, Cassandra!

    • Jane Odiwe on January 22, 2015 at 4:22 am
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    Welcome, Leslie, to Austen Variations – it’s lovely to have you join us!

    1. Thanks, Jane! I’m excited to be here!

    • Deborah on January 22, 2015 at 5:00 am
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    Thank you for sharing your journey into writing. I look forward to more of your posts and to reading more of your publications. Looking forward to your next book as well as more of your art work, too. 🙂

    1. I’m glad you liked my intro. I love to write, but writing about myself is an entirely different story. I’m proof-reading/editing before I send off some chapters to the grammar beta, so the “newbie” is coming. When my bio goes up, there will be a short blurb-not that I ever give too much away! I plan on posting a sneak peak soon!
      Thanks, Deborah!

    • Eileen on January 22, 2015 at 5:02 am
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    So excited for you, Leslie! 🙂

    1. Eileen! Thanks so much, hon!

    • Stephanie Mudd Carrico on January 22, 2015 at 6:23 am
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    Welcome…look forward to reading some of your work…

    1. Thanks, Stephanie!

    • Diana Birchall on January 22, 2015 at 6:24 am
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    Glad to see you here, Leslie! Is that the Cliffs of Moher in your picture? Well, we want to see Moher of you!

    1. Hah! Nice pun! We took a trip to Kent last September and went to Deal, Ramsgate, and Dover, where we all took a picture with the cliffs in the background. I do look forward to going to Ireland while we’re here, though. I have family there I haven’t seen since I was a child.
      Thanks, Diana!

  12. Congrats, Leslie! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Jessica!

  13. Welcome to this group of writers. You have joined a very talented group. I enjoyed reading Rain and Retribution. Look forward to reading more of your work.

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed R&R! I have An Unwavering Trust on the way–hopefully soon! I just have to get through the editing. Thanks Patty!

    • Linda Shen on January 22, 2015 at 8:41 am
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    Good morning Leslie, welcome to the Austen variations group, I’m happy you got your dream come truth, I wish I have you courage for doing you writing with friend’s help. Congratulation for your book getting publisher.

    1. Thanks so much, Linda!

    • Kara Louise on January 22, 2015 at 10:03 am
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    So many of us have such similar stories! We are delighted to you have joined our blog! We hope you will feel most welcomed!

    1. I have felt very welcomed. Thanks, Kara!

    • Sheila L. M. on January 22, 2015 at 10:26 am
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    Welcome. I only just very recently read Rain and Retribution and I see one other book, A Matter of Chance, on Amazon. I look forward to reading more from you. Love the cliffs photo and recognize them from movies, etc.

  17. So far, Rain and Retribution and A Matter of Chance are my only published work. I am planning to release my next, An Unwavering Trust as soon as I get it through the betas! The cliffs are really pretty. We were so tired that day and our feet were sore–3 castles and the cliffs is a lot for one day! I’m just glad it wasn’t a long hike to the lookout!
    Thanks Sheila!

    • Esther on January 22, 2015 at 12:06 pm
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    I read Rain and Retribution in 2013 and again in 2014. Yes, I do keep track of the books I read, and when I read them. Not many get a second read. I am pleased that you are being acknowledged for your writing. You deserve it. I was not aware of A Matter of Chance. I’m off to Amazon to buy it now.

    1. I hope you don’t mind a modern! Thanks so much, Esther!

    • Mary Simonsen on January 22, 2015 at 12:41 pm
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    Hi Leslie. It’s so nice to have your here at Austen Variations. We have the most generous readers in JA World.

    1. I think our readers are wonderful! Thanks, Mary!

    • Maggie Griscom on January 22, 2015 at 1:00 pm
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    Welcome Leslie, The authors at Austen Variations are the best and so generous with their stories and their time. I have read your Rain and Retributhion and look forward to “WIP” here.

    1. I’m so glad that you liked R&R! Thanks, Maggie!

    • Joy Dawn King on January 22, 2015 at 1:14 pm
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    Congratulations!!! Leslie, this is a wonderful privilege and acknowledgement of your skill. I, personally, enjoyed the fact that you went on a reading frenzy when you first found JAFF. Me too! In fact, I’m still frenzied, I believe. Please accept my best wishes and I look forward to reading your future posts.

    1. My reading frenzy gets forced to the side some when I’m writing, but I do read a lot. I hardly watch television anymore because I’d rather read. Thanks so much, Joy!

  22. Congratulations, Leslie! You already know I love you and your work! Best wishes for the future! I can’t wait to read what you’ve got next!

    1. Thanks, Rose!

    • Carol on January 22, 2015 at 1:40 pm
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    Welcome to this fabulous group of writers. A Matter of Chance and Rain and Retribution are on my TBR shelf. Going in ABC order by authors, but will get there.

    1. Hmmm…depending upon whether you’ve organized by first or last names that could put me either near the middle or not too far from the top. I hope you enjoy both of them!
      Thanks, Carol!

  24. Welcome, Leslie! So glad to have you as part of the group.

    1. Thank you, Abigail!

    • RMorrel on January 22, 2015 at 6:57 pm
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    R&R will always be a favorite of mine — there is something about the begining that is simply addictive.

    Congratulations,
    Ruth

    1. Addictive is a great compliment. Means you’re completely engaged in the story.
      Thanks for letting me know, Ruth!

        • EvelynTost on January 23, 2015 at 4:35 am
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        I totally agree with RMorrel’s comment about the first part of R &R being addictive. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read it!

        Welcome to this wonderful site we readers enjoy so much, and I dare say we readers are pretty spoiled by the wonderful work we are able to read here!! Thank you!

        1. Thank you so much, Evelyn!

  26. Hi, Leslie, and welcome! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Monica!

  27. You’ve already contributed in so many ways, Leslie. We’re lucky to have you with us!

    1. I’ve tried to jump in with both feet. I’m glad I’ve been able to pitch in so much so far. I’m having a great time with it. Thanks, Shannon!

    • Carole in Canada on January 22, 2015 at 9:36 pm
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    So happy you are going to be joining this wonderful group of authors! As you know, I loved A Matter of Chance. Enjoy your travels too!

    1. I believe you’ve mentioned it, Carol, but it’s always great to hear. There’s always a bit of me in my novels (it can’t help but sneak in), but AMoC has more than the Regency books. Thanks, Carol!

    • Pam Hunter on January 22, 2015 at 10:05 pm
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    Welcome, Leslie! I look forward to hearing more from you! 🙂

    1. Thanks, Pam!

    • Kathy on January 22, 2015 at 11:03 pm
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    Congratulations on joining Austen Variations! It’s funny how everyone starts off discovering JAFF and reading anything and everything in sight! I have read your works on the fan fiction sites, and looking forward to reading more.

    1. We do become an addict quickly, don’t we? I had to search out the forums because I was going through my book budget in one order and reading those within a few days. I prefer actual books, but due to moving and space, thank goodness for e-readers too!

  31. Welcome! It’s nice to have you with us. Looking forward to meeting you in person.

    1. Thanks, Susan! I look forward to meeting you, too!

  32. It’s difficult to express how excited I was when I heard you’d joined a group of quality authors like yourself. But here goes: I didn’t need Depends, but it came close!

    This new relationship will be mutually beneficial, and as pleased as AV was when they made the announcement, it will be nothing compared to their pride when they see you continue to succeed and grow with the supports, tools, and backing they’re able to offer. Congratulations. You’d be my first pick, too!

    1. Aww! I think you were as excited as I was. LOL! Thanks so much, Suzan!

    • Debra on January 23, 2015 at 6:07 am
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    Dear Leslie, Rain and Retribution was the first Fan Fiction novel I read and bought and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve also read and own A Matter of Chance, another delightful story. Any more in the pipeline?

    1. I’ve only heard that once before (I apologize if it was you because I don’t remember the name of the person who told me that!), but that is such a compliment to have one of my novels be the first JAFF. Thank you so much!
      Oh! There’s one trying to make it’s way through the end of the pipeline now. An Unwavering Trust has just a bit longer before I start prepping it for publication. My first beta is completely done, My second is on the last three chapters (then the short epilogue), and the next is about half-way. The grammar beta is on chapters 6-9, but she’s a whiz and turns them over in record time.
      I do apologize to everyone for the long wait on this one. My last semester of school made it impossible to write, and then I had to prep for the move and actually move. I began one book before we packed up and then swapped to this one. I’m going back and picking up the first story now. I have an entire nest of plot bunnies and they multiply like…well rabbits. It’s just finding the time to write them.
      Thanks Debra!

  34. Welcome, Leslie!
    Loved getting to read your post and learn more about you 😉 . All the best!

    1. Thanks, Marilyn!

    • BeckyC on January 23, 2015 at 9:57 am
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    Welcome! I have Rain and Retribution sitting on my shelf. Loved it. And Matter of Chance is in my TBR. Will be fun to hear more from you.

    1. I hope you like AMoC! Thanks, Becky!

  36. Hi Leslie, glad to see you here!

    My mum’s name is Lesley, and her dad was Leslie so I am very fond of that name 🙂 I’ve read your work on AHA but not the published versions so far. Your work stands out in my mind for, amongst other things, wonderful kids and pets and an obscenely obnoxious Georgiana! I hope I can get to the published versions soon. All the best.

    1. There are some differences in the published work to what’s posted on AHA. Georgiana is still obnoxious though! Thanks, Ceri!

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