Nov
Saturday Salon: Austen Inspiration with guest Brenna Aubrey
Jane Austen herself
Because Thursday was Thanksgiving, today we’ve decided to combine our end-of-month guest post with our Saturday Salon. And it’s perfect, because my guest today is Brenna Aubrey, who recently had her published fiction debut with “The Love Letter,” a short story in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It. This seemed like the perfect time to talk about taking inspiration from the author who is arguably to thank for the entire genre of Regency romance: Jane Austen.
Ooh, and there’s a giveaway attached, so be sure to comment for your chance to win!
Brenna and I are good friends in real life, so I knew last year she’d entered the Jane Austen short story contest at Pemberley.com, for which the prize was a slot in this fabulous anthology. Bren, I still have the text saved in my phone, from when you wrote to tell me that your entry won. I was so excited for you, so I can only imagine how YOU must have felt!
Tessa, you are so sweet. I do remember it was pretty late so I didn’t want to call you, but you were one of the first people to find out (aside from the people I live with, that is). Because of the nature of the contest, I had to go roughly five months before I was at liberty to spread the news because the announcement was planned to tie in to the book release. That was an excruciating set of months, as you well know because you shared the frustration with me.
I know! I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But the wait was worth it in the end, right?
It’s all been a great experience! I can’t begin to describe what it’s like to share cover credit with the likes of Syrie James, Jo Beverly, Lauren Willig, just to name a few. All of them are such amazing authors and then there’s little ol’ me.
Fabulous Anthology!
Now, now. Those authors are Ballroom Blog favorites and tremendous talents, but enough with the “little ol’me”! Your story had to rise above the scores of other entries. So Brenna, tell me — When it came to writing “The Love Letter,” just how and why did Jane make you do it? 
Jane Austen has been a muse to me for many years. I never cease enjoying her books, crying with her heroines, swooning for her heroes and cursing at her villains. With Jane, I’ve walked down muddy lanes in Hertfordshire and danced at a ball in the pump room in Bath.
Persuasion, especially, has touched me time and time again. I love second chance stories and every time I read the famous letter from Wentworth to Anne, I am moved to tears. The letter is the first thing that popped into my mind when I was brainstorming ideas for a story to write for the contest..
I also know that the majority of Janeites are women (at least the most vocal and visible ones) and I was interested in investigating the possibilities of her work touching a man’s life and teaching him something about himself and his own heart based on what he’d read. This was my primary reason for the unusual choice of writing from a man’s first person point of view.
But Jane Austen’s work has touched so many people and so many modern authors trace the roots of their inspiration back to her. We’ve talked many times about and I know that Jane’s work holds a particular place in your own heart as well.
Absolutely. Several years ago, I started writing Austen-inspired fanfiction for online friends. That’s how I got my start at writing original historical romance. Jane Austen totally made me do it.
"Yes, I truly am this handsome."
Okay, I have to admit… It might have been Darcy who made me do it. And here’s a key difference between us. I’ve always been hot for er, inspired by Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and your favorite Austen hero is clearly Captain Wentworth of Persuasion. I’m amazed that we can still be friends.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d never throw Darcy out of my boudoir for eating crackers in bed. However, he just doesn’t have that… certain… je ne sais quoi that a certain erstwhile navy captain possesses. What’s Darcy’s big cachet?
You want me to list his many, many fine attributes?
- He’s refined, handsome, intelligent, and he has a sly wit.
- Though he can come off as aloof at parties, he does not prattle on like other young men do.
- When he makes a mistake, he’s (eventually) willing to admit it and correct it.
- He doesn’t wait around eight years to win the woman he loves! He sees an obstacle to winning his love (one named Wickham), he fixes it. And the managing old women involved can go sit on a pin.
- Ten thousand a year and Pemberley. ‘Nuff said.
So Darcy’s got a superior attitude, a huge bank account and a ginormous house. But Wentworth…
Are you dazzled by my brilliance yet?
Wentworth…
- HE’S a ship captain with gold epaulets and his closest friends are captains
too.- He didn’t inherit his money, he went out and commandeered it from the
French- Spinsters sprint through the streets of Bath for him…
- He’s got a big, shiny sword.
And…Where other rich Regency dudes write letters explaining why they were so rude to the girl they love, Wentworth writes a love letter to make a woman turn into putty and swoon… and then agree to marry him!
To this, I will only add…
Darcy’s letter is longer.
What do you say, Ballroom denizens? Who is the more inspiring hero: Darcy or Wentworth? Has Jane Austen (or another favorite author) ever inspired you to take chances in real life?
One lucky commenter will win a copy of the Jane Austen Made Me Do It anthology, signed by Brenna!
Nov 26, 2011
9:04 pm
It’s not the size of a man’s letter, it’s how he… uh… uses his pen? Squirts his ink? Forms his capitals?
I’m a Henry Tilney gal myself. I like a sense of humor.
(Don’t enter me, have already read it.)
Nov 26, 2011
11:48 pm
LOL, willaful. I do love Henry.
Nov 27, 2011
5:07 am
Priceless, Willa! That made me laugh.
And the way Wentworth wields his pen… is… *sigh*
But yes, as I was saying, it has been too long since I’ve read NA. Will have to give Henry another look.
Nov 28, 2011
11:58 am
I feel the need to quote Caroline Bingley. “I mend pens remarkably well.”
Nov 26, 2011
9:16 pm
Hands down, it’s Darcy! Who doesn’t love the tall, brooding, sulky type that has little to say, but when they do speak, what they say is profound!
Nov 27, 2011
5:09 am
how is “She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me” truly profound?
Come on! People… it’s all about the written word… really
*sigh*
Oh ok the fancy uniform has a little something to do with it, too, I guess… *blush*
Nov 28, 2011
11:59 am
I agree, kimmie!
Nov 26, 2011
9:21 pm
I have to admit that the Mr. Darcy I fell in love with was the one portrayed by Matthew MacFadyen in the 2005 version and not Colin Firth (horrors!). I love the classic aloof-hero-charmed-by-witty-and-loveable-heroine story! Something almost like bad-boy-meets-sassy-girl Regency style! Then there’s the hand scene…the rain scene…and the dawn sc–sorry, I’m getting ahead of myself…er… cheers to everyone who loves Regency heroes!
Nov 27, 2011
5:11 am
A subject we can ALL agree upon! HOORAY for Regency Heroes… (and… hooray for wet Darcy too)… and um… Hooray for wet Wentworth even though he’s never shown wet, he definitely should be.
*ahem*
Nov 28, 2011
12:00 pm
Oh, I love that version too. Even if Colin Firth remains my imaginary Darcy, I did love MM in the role – and that film was totally to thank for my renewed interest in all things Austen.
The rain scene! *swoon*
Nov 27, 2011
11:43 am
I have always been a Wenworth girl myself. Although Darcy has numerous good qualities I always found him a bit stiff. Even after he had admitted his faults and done lots of nice things he never struck me as very loving or tactile. His love was the kind you knew was there but manifested itself through generous acts towards other people rather than focused on the woman herself. Also his reaction to Elizabeth turning him down felt a bit to bland to me, he was never very passionate.
Wentworth on the other hand behaves like a man I can appreciate. He attempts to make Anne jealous, he tries to convince himself he wants somebody else and all the while you can feel passion bubbling under the surface.
In short Wentworth doesn’t need a wet t-shirt short to make him sexy, he just is.
Nov 27, 2011
1:28 pm
yay! Beautifully reasoned ! Who could argue with any of that? Welcome to Team Wentworth
Nov 28, 2011
12:00 pm
Well-reasoned, indeed. I am almost hard-pressed to argue back. Uh-oh.
Nov 28, 2011
5:41 pm
Hard-pressed to argue back? Does that really happen?
*tease*
Nov 27, 2011
12:14 pm
Ooooh, I would have both….
LOL But since I can’t be too greedy and I can only have one, I would choose Wentworth. I like Darcy a lot too and find him charming and cute but Wentworth has this hot factor mixed in with adorable that I find irresistable. I also find it really great that he still loves Anne after 8 years apart.
Nov 27, 2011
1:30 pm
Yes, that eight years really says something. He’s tried to forget her, tried to move on but despite all his efforts, he can’t! *swoon*!
Nov 28, 2011
12:01 pm
I know, but why’d he let those 8 years go by..??? His constancy is admirable, but his inaction is what bugs me.
Nov 28, 2011
5:46 pm
Because he struggled with himself, but he did it in silence, rather than giving a pompous “In vain I have struggled, it will not do…” speech which offends the heck out of his heroine. Wentworth thought he had zero chance with Anne, even after he came back at the end of the war. It’s not like she really clued him in that she still loved him.
His “inaction” is action in a different direction. He does everything he can to forget Anne but in the end finds he can’t.
Nov 27, 2011
1:00 pm
Wentworth! I can`t resist a blonde hero.
Nov 27, 2011
1:30 pm
Another for Team Wentworth! Woo hoo! Thanks for stopping by
Nov 28, 2011
12:01 pm
We’re actually never told much about any Austen characters’ looks. Darcy could be blond!
Nov 27, 2011
11:07 pm
LOL ladies! Darcy vs. Wentworth? Hard call. It would be neck and neck, but a man in a blue uniform wins every time hands down.
So pleased that Brenna’s story has received such praise from readers. Well deserved. I am proud to have had a small hand in her start.
Cheers, LA
Nov 28, 2011
11:55 am
Laurel Ann, thanks for dropping by the Ballroom! Kudos to you for putting together such a stellar anthology.
Nov 28, 2011
1:55 am
Thanks for visiting at the Ballroom, Laurel Ann. It is a hard call, but the uniform will tip the scales every time, won’t it?
Nov 28, 2011
11:56 am
Wow, thanks to everyone for such a wonderful discussion of Austen heroes! (Even if some of you favor The Wrong One)
Our Random Prize Picker picked Jay!
Congratulations, Jay – you’ll be receiving a signed copy of the anthology. I’ll email you for your address.
Nov 28, 2011
11:57 am
And thanks most especially to Brenna for joining us and being such a great sport. I hope we can have her back someday in the not-so-distant future, when she has a full book out!
Nov 28, 2011
5:50 pm
Tessa, thank you for inviting me. The ratafia was delicious, the music was supreme and the dancing was capital, as Sir William Lucas would say. I would be delighted to come back any time.
And of course, I will be lurking about the comments section on future posts as I did before. But for once, it felt mighty nice to be the belle of The Ballroom!