Tag: A Scandal in Springtime

Secondary Character Inspiration

Chris Hammond (1860-1900) [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
Every H/h needs a good wingman — a person who…

has your back (or wishes to stab you in the back),

helps you succeed (or hopes to see you fail so they can trample you once you’re down),

points out your flaws to help you improve (or illustrate your ineptness),

makes you look good (or ensures you look ridiculous).

For good or ill, all stories NEED secondary characters.

But how do we create these important, though not headlining, cast members?

In this episode of the LLS Society Papers*, we’re talking about how we created and used a few of the many secondary characters we have written into stories.

Live Stream will begin at 3 PM EST or 4 PM Atlantic. 🙂

Books and links mentioned in the show:

Rose’s Links
Sufficient Encouragement
Mr. Darcy’s Bluestocking Bride

Leenie’s Links
Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy
Charles: To Discover His Purpose
Music Monday post, containing an intro to Trefor Linton with Charles Edwards as a secondary character

Zoe’s Links
Darcy’s Secret Marriage

Pride & Prejudice & Racecars series
Darcy’s Race to Love
Georgie’s Redemption
Book 3/Friday’s Race to the Weekend blog feature

Have a great weekend! Thanks for joining us!

*Longbourn Literary Society is a Facebook group founded by three friends, who share a love of writing and Jane Austen for the purpose of promoting those loves and our work.  

~*~*~

You can find Rose and Zoe’s websites at these links:

ROSE FAIRBANKS          ZOE BURTON


Music Monday: Collide (Emma and Knightley)

“Is that so?” Carlyle taunted. “Exactly how good a friend is she, Shelton? We all know your reputation with the fairer sex.”

“Mr. Shelton.” Grace was at his elbow. “Please, do not hit him.”

“Why not?” He pulled his arm away from her. “Even you must know what he is insinuating about Victoria.”

“I do, and it is most improper. But think of the explanation that will be required if Mr. Carlyle returns with a black eye or bloody nose.” She looked at Carlyle and added, “Not that he does not deserve both.”

From the vehement tone she used to say that last bit, it appeared to Roger that there was some fire hidden within Miss Grace Love. Hopefully, she would learn to use that fire when dealing with her sister, who was smiling behind her fingers as if what was happening was the most amusing things she had ever witnessed.

“Do you find me entertaining, Miss Love?” Roger asked. “Or do you find it diverting when someone accuses another lady of impropriety?”

Felicity gasped. “You are very forward, Mr. Shelton.”

“And you are a conniving wench, Miss Love.”

[from His Darling Friend, A Touches of Austen Novella, and the current Sweet Tuesdays story]

Published to YouTube by SaraBethie on July 20, 2012.

I thought it imperative that I use and Emma video this week since His Darling Friend is nearly over since that story has touches of Emma in it.  There are only two chapters left. 🙂 And I thought the title of the song went well with the snippet I shared above as well as the cliffhanger last sentence of tomorrow’s chapter. 😉

I have exciting writing news this week.  Continue reading Music Monday: Collide (Emma and Knightley)


Music Monday: Desire (Denise Young)

“And poor Mr. Clayton.” She sighed. “I quite like him. I did from the time we arrived at Heathcote. However, as Felicity pointed out, she is older, and so it is she who should marry first.”

Roger stopped walking. “And you gave him up for her?”

Grace shrugged. “I had not lost my heart to him.” She glanced back at the library door. “And I thought my sister had.” She shook her head. “But apparently, she has not, for she is at the rotunda with Mr. Ramsey likely letting him kiss her.”

“But I thought you thought Mr. Ramsey was of interest.”

Again, Grace shrugged. “I did, but…”

“Your sister is older?”

Grace nodded.

“She deserves to be an old maid,” Roger muttered. “Is she at the rotunda alone with Mr. Ramsey?”

“No. Miss Hamilton and Mr. Carlyle are with them.”

Roger pulled Grace across the drawing room in his hurry to reach the window. “I do not see them.”

“That is because Felicity wished to see the far side of the rotunda.” She blew out a breath. “So, she can kiss him,” she whispered.

[from His Darling Friend, A Touches of Austen Novella, and the current Sweet Tuesdays story]
Published to YouTube by Denise Young – Topic on August 22, 2015.

There are no pictures with this ‘video’ today, but the song title and tone seemed a very good fit with the small excerpt from tomorrow’s story. The song, “Desire,” is one that is on my ever-growing list of Music to Write By, and I am actually listening to this album on Spotify as I write this. 🙂

I have learned how to listen to share the music on my Spotify phone app with the Spotify app on my tv. It wasn’t hard, but I didn’t know you could do that. 🙂 So I have been listening through the tv in the room where I write. I would call it an office, but it isn’t just an office. It is more of a multipurpose room which was traditionally designed to be a living room. My house is not huge. 🙂  Continue reading Music Monday: Desire (Denise Young)


Music Monday: Say Something, Violin and Piano Cover (Daniel Jang)

“If you are not able to dance, there is always the chance of a stroll in the garden,” Mr. Carlyle said.

Felicity ducked her head and blushed but not before Victoria saw her cast an uneasy glance at Mr. Clayton. “I do enjoy gardens.”

“Indeed,” Mr. Clayton muttered. He turned and looked back towards the house. “They will likely start playing games soon. We should head back.”

“But I had hoped to see the far side of the rotunda,” Felicity said with a small pout.

“You do not need me for that,” Mr. Clayton said. “I find I have had my fill of gardens.”

Victoria’s eyebrows rose. It appeared Mr. Clayton had reached his limit for endurance. She could not help but feel somewhat happy for him.

[from His Darling Friend, A Touches of Austen Novella, and the current Sweet Tuesdays story]
Published to YouTube by Daniel Jang on November 22, 2014.

That Felicity! She’s a piece of work! In His Beautiful Bea, she was the character who was supposed to have touches of Maria Bertram in her, and she has not left those unsavoury details behind just because we are in a different book now. Oh, no! As you will see in tomorrow’s story, her unpleasant personality is flourishing.

And while we are talking about tomorrow’s story… Continue reading Music Monday: Say Something, Violin and Piano Cover (Daniel Jang)


Music Monday: Song from a Secret Garden (Hauser)

“You cannot skip a rock standing like that.”

“I think I can,” Berk retorted.

“I am not taking your money, nor am I giving you any of mine.”

“Then, let’s make a different agreement. If I can skip the rock – not if I can skip it further than you, but just if I can skip it – you truly do not think I can?” he asked in response to Roger’s look of disbelief.

“No, the angle is all wrong.”

“You might be right, but then again, you might be wrong.”

“Very well, if you can perform this feat, what do you require in payment besides my admitting that you were right?”

“You must answer one question.”

“What question?” Roger eyed his brother-in-law skeptically.

“No, I will not tell you. You must agree to an unknown question, which should not be too hard to do unless, of course, you are hiding something?”

[from His Darling Friend, A Touches of Austen Novella, and the current Sweet Tuesdays story]
Published to YouTube by Hauser on November 24, 2017.

Will Roger take the bet and possibly have to reveal his secret to Diana’s husband, Berk? That’s just one of the secrets that are contained in tomorrow’s chapter of His Darling Friend. That is why I thought this song’s title seemed like a good choice to share today — and it’s just a beautiful song! I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I do. 🙂  Continue reading Music Monday: Song from a Secret Garden (Hauser)