Mary and the Captain was so much fun to write! As part of my writing process I collected several images that helped inspire (directly and indirectly) different scenes in the story. I thought I’d share a few of those images with you.

We all know Mary Bennet loved to play the pianoforte and the image below made me think of Mary (although I believe Mary would have worn her hair in a much plainer style). Added inspiration: I love the intricate mullions that divide the panes of glass in the window behind Mary.

I found the following image on an old Rafael Tuck French postcard. Although I didn’t have a scene in the book where Mary played for a young child, I though this illustration was very sweet.

In the book, ten-year-old boy Daniel Westover receives a gift of new toys from Kitty Bennet. This 1774 painting by Jean Simeon Chardin shows a boy about the same age as Daniel Westover, playing with a small top, similar to the one Kitty would have given Daniel.

And this painting by Louis Monzies shows three men playing with bilbo-catchers, trying to get the ball in the cup.

When I wrote the scene where Caroline Bingley calls upon Mr. Penrose at the vicarage, I had in mind this lovely watercolor of Oakham Parsonage by John Hassell:

And here’s a second view by the same artist showing Oakham Church. Wouldn’t this be a lovely place to listen to one of Mr. Penrose’s sermons?

Now that I’ve shared these images with you, I wonder if they match the way you envisioned the same scenes in Mary and the Captain?

Haven’t read Mary and the Captain yet? You can read the first four chapters of Mary and the Captain; just click here!