Dusting off a manuscript and the Alpha Male……

 

I was going through some papers when I came across my manuscript for my novel about Colonel Fitzwilliam and my heroine, Lady Grace. As I read through the pages I was infused with a sense of contentment and realized that I had been missing very much my characters and the story I was attempting tell. The Colonel and Lady Grace deserve to have their story told. It is a shame that I have allowed their story to collect dust for the past 2 years. Yes, it has been 2 years that I have allowed the Colonel and Lady Grace to waste away. My only explanation was I was uninspired, not by the characters or the story I am telling, but by my environment.

In 2013 I married my amazing husband, who is equal parts Capt. Wentworth and Henry Tilney. I was living in California at the time. My husband is in the military and was stationed in North Carolina. In early 2014 I was finally able to make the cross country move from California to North Carolina. We were both extremely happy to be living on the same continent and in the same place after so must time doing the long distance, but I wouldn’t change out journey.

I have never warmed to North Carolina, even after almost 2 years. Now, part of it could be my due to my day job which I was able to keep when I moved. My office environment leaves must to be desired on my part, but I am blessed in what I do have, so I cannot be overtly dissatisfied with my current situation. In essence my current environment left me uninspired. It is something that probably plagues writers all the time. I like to think that I have rediscovered my inspiration and I feel inclined to finish the story of the Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace and in turn share it with the world.

I am hesitant though. I have indicated that I was ready to return before, but then found myself uninspired all over again. However, something feels different this time and I hope that this time I am truly ready to continue on the journey I started 5 years ago. I hope that there may still be those who are interested in the story I was trying to tell for the Colonel and Lady Grace.

Colonel Fitzwilliam is an alpha male and as such he has been quite vocal in is displeasure at being pushed aside for the last two years. I will admit that my take on the Colonel may have been a tad scandalous for the lovely Jane Austen, but I love an alpha male. He is strong, loyal, firm in his convictions and a bit possessive of what is his. A male who when he does fall in love, loves his female fiercely.

In addition, Lady Grace herself has voiced her discontent quite a bit about the lack of resolution between her and her Colonel.

In conclusion, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace are demanding that I bring some resolution to their romance. It is only fair that I appease them.

What kind of hero and heroine do you like? Are there characteristics you typically look for?

Finding the perfect Regency Portraits for Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Grace

I have made the brave decision to self-publish. I am quaking on fear in the inside and I have to ask myself what insane urge has processed me to think such thoughts. I have ambition and I have always wanted to see my name in print, I’m a bit self-centered that way. As I work on finishing my story and then thrusting it on my nice, yet great critiquing friends, I have been pursuing the wonderful realm of Regency paintings. What fun!

I was also in a conundrum as my twitter friend Farah (Hi Farah *waves) did a fantastic piece of artwork portraying my heroine Lady Grace. As I rifled through the romance section of the bookstore I came to realize that these books often have a cover picture and then a picture on the inside. So, why can’t I have to best of both worlds?

Here is Farah’s fantastic artwork. I really love it! I really do. :D



Farah Khan Sadozai 2011



Here is my portrait of Colonel Fitzwilliam at the moment. At least this is the one I like best. I don't know if I will like something better later, but for the moment here he is in all his glory. Even better it is public domain so I am legally allowed to use it.





John Vanderlyn Self-Portrait 1800



Here is my portrait of Lady Grace. I have yet to figure out if this lovely image is public domain. If it is not then we are back to square one which would make me sad as I have fallen in love with this one. Besides finding a Regency image of a redhead with green eyes is like looking for a needle in a haystack.



Portait of Princess Marthe Bibesco by Giovanni Boldini 1911



What do you think of these images?

Finally, looking for an image of a potential Darcy for one of my twitter friends, Nancy Kelley, who will be self-publishing later this year I stumbled across this hot portrait. She thought I intended him to be Colonel Fitzwilliam. Now the wheels turn. Oh, dear!

Eugene Delacroix self-portrait