Jane Odiwe Jane Austen Sequels

It's snowing again today in Barnet; the sky is as grey as the plump breasts of the woodpigeons that strut about outside in the garden looking for their breakfast. Increasingly, I am reminded of Narnia, and C.S. Lewis's magical, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and wonder if winter will be here forever. There are signs that spring is on its way, however, - there are tiny green shoots pushing their way up through the earth, despite the cold weather. At last, the snowdrops have made an appearance - aptly named, their delicate heads nodding as the snow falls down from the heavens. I was reminded of this poem by William Cowper, one of Jane Austen's favourite poets. I used a tiny portion of this poem in Willoughby's Return - Marianne is feeling rather vulnerable and lonely when she receives a gift of Cowper's poems. The volume falls open at this particular poem where she also finds a letter, which gives rise to feelings of mixed emotions. Here is the poem in full ...

I love using pictures and prints for inspiration. When I was writing Lydia Bennet's Story, I drew on many that I was able to find in museums and books. These prints of contemporary scenes in Brighton by the seaside helped me to write a scene where Lydia and her friend, Harriet Forster, are interrupted by the attentions of a certain gentleman. The following afternoon found Harriet and Lydia taking a turn along the seafront. They were standing watching some ladies riding on donkeys when Lydia was startled by a voice in her ear which seemed to come from nowhere. “Mr Wickham,” she cried as she turned to face him, “whatever do you mean by pouncing on young women in such a manner?! You quite frightened the life out of me.” “Forgive me, Mrs Forster, Miss Bennet, but you were so engrossed, I could not resist making you jump. I declare, Miss Bennet, that I never saw you in such studied contemplation since I saw you outside the milliner’s in Meryton!” Lydia could not help herself; she struck...

To celebrate Valentine's Day, here is a snippet from Willoughby's Return. I wanted this book to be as much Margaret's story as Marianne's and I thought it high time she started to enjoy herself by attending balls and meeting young men. Colonel Brandon's sister and family have recently returned to Whitwell and his nephew, Henry Lawrence, back home from university, is introduced to Margaret for the first time at a ball at the Brandon's home, Delaford. The gong rang out, calling the weary dancers to rest awhile and replenish their energy. All the guests hurried off to the dining room, where tables were set, groaning under the weight of a magnificent spread. The musicians laid aside their instruments and dashed to the servant’s hall for a glass of negus and a bowl of soup. Colonel Brandon ushered his guests, Sir Edgar and Henry Lawrence, to his table, where much to her great delight, Margaret already sat, with her mother, the Middletons, and Mrs Jennings. There wa...