A Dash of Darcy Companion Story – Page 3

Music Monday: Mayapple Road, Thad Fiscella

Here in Nova Scotia, it is March Break, so this week, I will get a reprieve from homeschooling, and my husband will be home more. However, it will still be a full week, so I decided we should start it with a calm and lovely piece of music that I first discovered while randomly listening to “more like this” songs on Spotify. (I enjoy discovering new songs that way.)

Let’s first cover a couple of things that are happening this week on Tuesday and Thursday which you might want to know about.

Thursday, March 15, 2018, is release day for this book! (It is on pre-order right now.)

Now on to an update about what I did in my writing time this past week.

I worked on getting things ready for the release of Enticing Miss Darcy rather than editing since I did not have a completed manuscript begging for my attention.

However, as of Friday, it seems that has changed, and I now have a story needing first round edits. You see, I have been waffling on what to do with Confounding Caroline. I felt like it was coming to an end as I have been writing on it the past few Fridays. But, I felt conflicted since it is not ending with an HEA ending but rather an HFN (Happy For Now) ending. No matter how I tried to not let that be true, it did not feel right for the story to introduce a new quest or goal for my main character. So, I allowed it to end — very sweetly and with the idea that there will be a story to follow. Therefore, I will be spending what editing time I have this week analyzing the story structure and beginning to reread, and I will be brainstorming how the next story (Delighting Mrs. Bennet) is going to progress. The final post for Confounding Caroline is currently scheduled for April 12th, and then, I will likely take a week or two break before starting to post the next story. This will give me time to actually get that story started and be enough of a distance into it to feel settled in the plot. That’s the “big” WIP news for the week, but it was not the only WIP I was working on.

I have gotten to chapter 6 in Mr. Darcy’s Comfort. Chapters 1-4 have been posted at Patreon, and chapter 5 will go up early this week. It has been taking me longer than two writing sessions to get each of these chapters done. I have really felt “bottlenecked”– as if something has been holding me back, and I suspect that it was making that decision about Confounding Caroline because there was a sense of relief once I finished writing Friday night (well early Saturday morning 🙂 ). Hopefully, this relief will translate to quicker writing, but it is March Break, so all bets are off as I will be spending time with my husband (and kids).

As I was writing Mr. Darcy’s Comfort this week, I moved from the melancholy tone that the story has had to this point to a more hopeful tone. A new character was introduced at Rosings — Mr. Collins :), and I have just returned to Longbourn to check in on Elizabeth before Darcy returns to the area. The excerpt below is part of what I wrote in Thursday’s writing session and is where I will be picking up the story tonight when I sit down to write.

AN EXCERPT FROM Mr. Darcy’s Comfort: Continue reading Music Monday: Mayapple Road, Thad Fiscella

Music Monday: My Heart Will Go On, 2Cellos

This week as I was writing, I shared this video with my Dash of Darcy Readers group on Facebook and told them that it might just be the song I shared on Monday on my blog. And here it is. 🙂 Along with this video, I shared the following line from what I had been writing that evening:

“I could never forget you, even without these things,” he said to Anne. “You will always be in my heart. I may not have loved you as well as I should have, but I did love you.” [Doesn’t it go well with the song?]

I’m not sharing the scene in which you will find that line today. Instead, I am sharing the scene that follows immediately after it. However, that scene starts on a similar melancholy note. So, the song choice still seems to fit well.

But first, I must update you on the release of Enticing Miss Darcy. I have just uploaded the ebook files and set a release date of March 15, 2018. I made the decision to push the date out a week because there are some things I would like to do before the book releases and rushing it just to hit the deadline I had set was not going to be conducive to getting those things done. [And my back is doing better. It’s not 100% yet, but it is much improved. I have also figured out how to get work things done with some modifications. 😉 Now, I ‘m just trying to play catch up.]

And now for…

AN EXCERPT FROM Mr. Darcy’s Comfort: Continue reading Music Monday: My Heart Will Go On, 2Cellos

Music Monday: All of Me Cover, Daniel Jang

Today’s musical selection is a cover of John Legend’s “All of Me” which I added to my Music to Write By playlists this week both on Spotify and YouTube. I’ve had one of those two playlists running this week as I was writing, and I did get a good bit of writing time in as well as some editing time.

However, it was not as much as I hoped for since I spent time doing some other necessary things, and they took longer than I expected. I have also been a bit less productive since I did something (I have no idea what) to my lower back/hip which has just made things a bit more challenging. However, I think I have some things figured out as far as position changes and such which will help. And the discomfort is very manageable at present, so that is very good. It has also impressed upon me the need to change positions more than I normally do (because I get into my work and forget — there is no forgetting with this 😉 ) So that is good as well.

Anyway, you are not here to hear about my back. 🙂 You are here to hear about my writing news and to read an excerpt — Yes! I have one this week!

I do not have too much news on the writing front to share.

The Kobo promotions end today. If you haven’t heard about them you can check out this Friday Feature post.

I have begun final edits on Enticing Miss Darcy, and I have started to post that story at darcyandlizzy.com. I still expect it to be ready in, at least, ebook format by March 6 if this week goes well. If this week is as slow as last week, that publication date might end up being one week later.

I have reached the end of chapter 3 (or about 8,000 words) in my current work in progress. This one will be the first Dash of Darcy story for 2018 and is called Mr. Darcy’s Comfort. Since I am happy with what I have written so far, I thought I would begin sharing from it today.

Chapter 1 has been posted for my Patrons to read, and Chapter 2 should be posted there either tonight or tomorrow during writing time. The sample below is from the end Chapter 2 and drops us into the middle of a sisterly conversation. This portion of the story is set at Netherfield while Jane is ill.

AN EXCERPT FROM Mr. Darcy’s Comfort: Continue reading Music Monday: All of Me Cover, Daniel Jang

Music Monday: Song from a Secret Garden, Hauser

Happy second Monday of 2018! How was your first week? Mine was “interesting.” 🙂 My son and I resumed homeschool classes — sort of. A winter storm altered our plans. The wind howled and rain (not snow for us) pelted the house. Then the rain stopped and the wind calmed, only to pick back up as the storm wrapped around, and the backside of it passed through. We were very fortunate. We sustained no damage and only lost power for a few hours. So, I am not complaining. I’m just saying it created a week I wasn’t expecting.

Hauser. “HAUSER – Song from a Secret Garden.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Nov. 2017, youtu.be/qZSJvyBag8A.

While the wind blew and the candles flickered on Thursday, I found it difficult to focus to write until I pulled out my mp3 player and turned on some music. Music plays such an important roll in my writing process. 🙂 The above song is not one I was listening to on Thursday but is one that I recently added to my Music to Write By playlist on YouTube which I have been using during my writing sessions this week (on days when there is power).

In writing news…

I have gotten One Winter’s Eve back from my first reader, made the necessary corrections, and sent it on to my second reader. I expect to have it back sometime this week so I can start final edits and get a preorder set up for January 15. Release day is scheduled for January 25, 2018.

I have posted three chapters of Enticing Miss Darcy on Patreon and am halfway through writing chapter 4 (excerpted below). I plan to have that chapter completed and posted on Patreon by tomorrow evening. I had hoped to get a full chapter written on Friday, but I ended up spending a good bit of time doing some research for the story. The tentative release day for this book is March 6, 2018. (I did some planning this past week. 🙂 )

As part of my plan, I have switched up my writing schedule just slightly to fit in writing time for Confounding Caroline. I am now doing Work In Progress writing M, T, W, and F, and giving Th over to my Thursday Three Hundred story writing. I will say that, while the power was out on Thursday, I finally wrote the part of Confounding Caroline where we will first see Elizabeth. Those two parts will post on the blog in the second half of February.

That, I believe, is all the writing news I have for you this week. Now, to share a portion of what I wrote on Friday night.

AN EXCERPT FROM Enticing Miss Darcy: Continue reading Music Monday: Song from a Secret Garden, Hauser

Music Monday: Coffee Shop Angel, Dean Brody

I know it is Halloween tomorrow, but at my house during writing hours, it’s Christmas — or just about Christmas. My story timeline is currently in early December, but Georgiana’s plans to give her brother a wonderful Christmas gift are well underway. So, as I have been transitioning from editing Becoming Entangled (which I just sent off to my first editor yay) to writing time, I have been indulging in a few Christmas songs, such as the one below, to help me shift mental gears.

DeanBrodyTV. “DEAN BRODY ‘COFFEE SHOP ANGEL.’” YouTube, YouTube, 11 Dec. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=rinnHmkGJ_s.

While the music that plays while I write must be only instrumental, I find songs that have great lyrics — especially ones that tell a love story — to be very useful in getting my imagination working. This song is one of those sorts of songs. It tells a sweet story, and, though it is a song by a Canadian country artist, it has a 1950s feel to it that, in my opinion, adds both to the enjoyment of listening and to the story itself. Without looking at the video, the words and music style create for me a great mental image of a couple in love and dancing in a darkened coffee shop with the chairs put up and the tables pushed back.

As I mentioned above Becoming Entangled is one step further down the publication trail. I have a sticky note marking November 21 as a tentative release day. It’s a fun story, and I am eager to share it with you all.

Of course, the fact that I have finished my first round of edits means my editing timeslot will be open for a few days. I haven’t decided yet if I will use that time to double up on my Christmas story, add to Confounding Caroline, begin another story starring Georgiana that will follow Becoming Entangled as a second sequel to Unravelling Mr. Darcy, or pick out one of my other many projects that are just waiting for attention. So many choices! 🙂 I’m thinking that I will likely put in extra time on Two Days before Christmas, but I am not making any promises. 🙂 I’ll have to let you know next week. For now, I will leave you with a sample from this week’s writing.

AN EXCERPT FROM Two Days before Christmas:

“Georgiana,” Darcy called as his sister passed the door to his study later that day.

Georgiana took four more steps before stopping and abandoning her plan to ignore his summons. There was no need to stir his ire any further; he was likely angry enough with her for her recent behaviour. She had not seen him scowl as much as he had during Caroline and Louisa’s call in a very long time.

“You wished to see me?” she asked from the doorway.

“Come in and sit down.” He leaned back in his chair and waited for her to comply. “Your behavior today was quite disturbing.”

Georgiana bit her lower lip and lowered her gaze to her hands.

“It is completely unacceptable for you to speak as you did — and in front of guests!” He rose and came to stand before her. “It was disrespectful. I expect so much more from you. Where have I erred?”

Georgiana peeked up at him. He was propped against his desk with his arms folded across his chest, looking down at her with such a sad expression that it nearly destroyed her determination to press her point. However, if she truly wished to see that heartbroken look in his eyes removed forever, she must not waiver. Therefore, looking down once again at her hands, which were nervously twisting in her lap, she answered. “Our parents, as well as you yourself, have taught me that a Darcy’s word is to be steadfast. I am to consider promises carefully before I make them because a promise should not be broken save for the noblest of reasons.”

“This is true,” Darcy muttered.

Georgiana lifted her eyes to his. “That is where you have erred. You promised Mr. Bingley that if he leased Netherfield, you would spend the autumn and most of the winter seeing that he had things well-in-hand before Easter, yet you have come home and refuse to return to Netherfield for who knows what reason.” She lifted a brow. “I truly do not believe it is to save him from a lady who is beneath him.”

“None of that explains your behaviour.”

“No, it does not,” Georgiana agreed. “But it is my answer to your question. You have not erred with me. I know my behavior was wanting and drastically so. However, it seemed the best way to capture your attention and get you to listen to me.” She stood and placed her hands on his folded arms. “You are my brother, and I love you with all my heart and hold you in the highest regard. You have cared well for me. You have even saved me from certain ruin. I wish to repay your kindness if only I knew how.”

He pulled his arms out from under her grasp and opened them wide to her in invitation. Gladly she stepped into his embrace.

“Let me love you,” she whispered. “Allow me to care for you and to point out your errors when I see them. I am not the foolish girl I once was.” She lay her head against his broad chest and listened to him pull in a deep breath and expel it in a whoosh.

“We are all fools at times,” he murmured as he squeezed her tight. “If there was a way for you to assist me with my current dilemma, I would gladly seek your help, but I fear there is not.”

“You will not keep your promise to Bingley?” she asked quietly.

He sighed. “Your point was valid. I shall consider it.”

“Are you still leaving?”

His grip on her tightened. “I do not know. I long to leave, to be far away from…” his voice trailed off and the room was silent for half a minute. “I will consider staying, but I cannot promise beyond that.”

“I am sorry,” she said.

“You are forgiven,” he replied.

She shook her head as he released her. “Not just for my behaviour.”

“Then what?” he asked as she moved toward the door.

“That I could not save your heart from breaking.” She smiled a sad, knowing smile at him as she said the words that he had repeated to her over and over again after her ordeal with Wickham. He stood quietly, looking at her as if he was uncertain if he should acknowledge that what she had said was true or false. “It is in your eyes, Fitzwilliam. Your heartache is in your eyes,” she whispered and took her leave.

~*~*~

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