On Thursday of this past week, I stepped into the “Author Spotlight” on the darcyandlizzy.com blog. Some of you have seen the post (and commented on it), but others have not. So, let me explain a bit about what this whole spotlight thing is and why it led me to choose this song to share.
BrettEldredge. “Brett Eldredge – Wanna Be That Song (Official).” YouTube. YouTube, 22 June 2016. Web. 17 June 2017.
On the 15th and 30th of each month, darcyandlizzy.com features an author who posts her work on the forum. The author shares a little bit about herself and her writing, and there is a giveaway that readers can be entered in simply by leaving a comment on the post.
My post is a short interview. The questions I answered were:
- What are you currently working on and what inspires your muse?
- What first drew you to JAFF (Jane Austen Fan Fiction) and how long have you been reading it? What prompted you to begin writing?
- Do you prefer Regency or Modern? Do you write for other fandoms besides JAFF? Do you have any hobbies besides JAFF?
- What are three of your favourite resources to turn to when writing?
- Are there any people in your life who have inspired certain traits in your characters or scenes?
If you wish to see all my answers, you’ll have to visit the blog post 😉 (the link is above in the first line of this post). However, I am going to share part of my answer to question four because it is that answer that has had today’s song in my head all week. I listed YouTube as one of the resources I turn to when writing (if you read these posts each week — that should not come as a surprise). The reason I gave for using this resource is “Every book needs a soundtrack, right?”
Have you listened to the above song? Can you see (or should I say hear) the connection?
One part of the song, near the end says:
When you’re searching the horizon
When your eyes look back
When you’re standing in the moment
Every life has a soundtrack
That phrase. Right there. At the end. That’s the reason this song has been in my head. In my writing world — the life and love of each hero and heroine has a soundtrack to me. (Some of which I share with you here each Monday.)
As I listened to this song this week, I thought of it in terms of stories. And I would agree with Mr. Eldredge.
Let me be that song that gets you high
Makes you dance, makes you fall
That melody rewinds years
Once disappear, makes time stall
Wanna be those words that fill you up
Pull your windows down and keeps you young
Makes you believe you’re right where you belong
I want my stories to be those stories that make you feel all these wonderful things and leave gyou with a sense of wellbeing.
That is why I have chosen this song today…now on to some story news and a bit of what I wrote this week.
I have some publishing news —
If you are looking for a feel good, flirty, little romp of a story, you’re in luck. Not an Heiress publishes this week. AND to celebrate, there will be a giveaway on my Facebook page starting tomorrow and running for one week. One option for entering involves dropping a
One option for entering involves dropping a favourite quote from the book — so get those ready while you are reading, and hey, if you can’t purchase the book — you can find part of it already posted on darcyandlizzy.com. (The rest will be posted there over the next two Saturdays.) I am excited to see which quotes you guys like. (I hope there are some that you like, and I won’t just hear crickets. 🙂 )
I am excited to see which quotes you guys like. (I hope there are some that you like, and I won’t just hear crickets. 🙂 )
In addition to getting things ready for the book launch and being part of darcyandlizzy’s spotlight, I finished one round of edits on His Beautiful Bea and sent that off to my first reader to get her input on what I should include in an epilogue, and I also managed to add a few words to my Henry story. (I only managed to write just over 3,000, which is low, but it is still progress, right?)
(I only managed to write just over 3,000, which is low, but it is still progress, right?)
Below is about 800 words from my last writing session on Friday night.
EXCERPT from Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy:
“Crawford,” Linton greeted the next afternoon as he entered the sitting room where Henry was waiting for Constance. “What brings you to my house again today?”
“Do try to sound civil,” Aunt Gwladys chided from her corner. “Remember that Mr. Crawford is your friend.”
Linton raised a brow at his aunt. “I am remembering precisely who Crawford is, and I see his curricle in front of my house and wish to know why?”
“He is taking Constance for a drive at my request.” Aunt Gwladys spared only a glance up at her nephew from her stitching. “Do you not remember that Constance and I are helping Mr. Crawford learn to be a proper gentleman?”
“You said you were going to instruct him on how to treat a lady.”
“And we are.”
“By sending Constance out in his curricle with him?”
Aunt Gwladys nodded and peered over her spectacles once again at Linton. “There is no better way to learn something than by doing. So, Mr. Crawford is going to practice courting a lady on your sister. There is nothing to fear. Constance is not so retiring that she will not tell him where he is going wrong, and you have been threatening the man with bodily harm for several years, have you not?”
Linton growled, and Henry worried the brim of his hat as his longtime friend turned toward him. “If you harm her or her reputation, I will see you pay.”
“I know, you have said so several times, and I do not doubt your words,” Henry replied. He swallowed as Linton stepped close enough to his side that their shoulders were touching.
“Do not break her heart,” Linton whispered, “or I will pierce yours.”
“I have no intention of engaging her heart.”
Linton scowled. “See that you don’t.”
Constance stopped at the doorway. She knew that her brother had said he threatened Henry on a regular basis, but she had never seen it until now. Though she did not hear any exchange of words, she could tell that Henry was not just uneasy but fearful. To give him time to compose himself and to spare him any embarrassment, she stepped back from view and called out cheerfully that she was ready as she entered.
A pleased smile crept across Henry’s face as he took in the sight of her. The blue of her eyes was heightened by the blue of her pelisse and hat. “Shall we go then?”
Constance shook her head and grinned. “No. A gentleman should always compliment a lady on her looks before they depart. We like that sort of thing. Begin again.” She caught how Henry darted a look at her brother. “He shall not harm you for saying his sister is lovely.” She crossed her arms and glared at Linton. “Unless, of course, he thinks she is not.”
“Do not be ridiculous, Connie. You know I think you are beautiful.” He crossed the room to give her cheek a kiss. “I just find it difficult to hear other gentlemen say it.”
She patted the hand that had grasped hers. “Then do no listen.” She chuckled at his huff. “Mr. Crawford and I are only friends. He requested my help, and I am providing it.” She tipped her head and smiled up at her brother.
“Be careful,” Linton cautioned.
“When am I not?” Constance asked.
“You do not wish for me to answer that. However, I will remind you that you are intelligent enough to know how easily plans can go awry.”
“All will be well,” Constance assured him. “Now, my pupil awaits to tell me how fetching I look.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “You can question me about every detail over dinner.”
She turned away from her brother and back to Henry. All would be well, she assured herself. She could entertain the attentions of a charming gentleman without falling under his spell. This was Henry Crawford, after all. She had never before fallen for his pretty words. Of course, that was before he had taken on his current persona. No, she shook herself mentally, this was Henry. All would be well.
“You look lovely,” Henry said as he approached her and offered his arm. “Now, shall we go?”
She nodded and placed her hand on his arm. “That was much better. However, in the future, a more specific compliment might be better. You might wish to mention the colour of my ensemble as being flattering or some such thing.”
“Not with your brother present,” Henry muttered.
“Are your intentions less than honourable?” Constance questioned in a teasing voice.
“No.”
“Then you should not fear what a brother or guardian might think. They do the same when they greet ladies. I have heard Trefor do it.”
Henry laughed, looking over his shoulder at Linton. “Perhaps I should not fear your brother, but I do.” He gave Linton a knowing nod and was rewarded with something less like a scowl and more like a smile.
~*~*~
KOBO AMAZON NOOK IBOOKS MAILING LIST
Thank you for sharing this Leenie! We are so proud to feature you and your stories on the blog and the forum. Wishing you the best on the publication of your latest novel. Hugs, Brenda
You’re welcome, Brenda! I am delighted and honoured to be in the spotlight, and I love sharing my stories on the forum and getting to interact with readers as they are posting. It is both fun and encouraging.
Thank you! Preorders have gone well — so I hope that the readers who purchased will enjoy the story as much as I did when I was writing it.
Thanks for finding me something new for my playlist! I love this song!
You’re welcome! It’s a great song. 🙂