It’s February. I know, I can’t believe it either.
But even though time seems to be flying by, I’m really looking forward to a new month, since everything I hoped to accomplish in January didn’t quite happen as planned.
On January 4th I came down with the flu, and it really took me out of commission for about two solid weeks. I needed a third week of home confinement just to ensure I looked presentable before going out in public again.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get much writing done during the month.
But some good things happened, too . . .
First, I began plotting a new Jane Austen inspired story that centers on Kitty Bennet.
Lydia (Julia Sawalha) and Kitty Bennet (Polly Maberly) in BBC’s 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice.
In Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Kitty is a minor character, who never really gets a chance to show readers who she is. In fact, Kitty is really little more than a follower; her personality is constantly overshadowed by that of her younger sister Lydia. I’ve always been intrigued by Kitty (just as I was by her sister Mary, who also got short-shrift in P&P). I’m hoping this new story will give Kitty a chance to shine and find a Happily Ever After of her own. I’ll keep you posted in my progress.
The other great thing that happened in January: I scored tickets to Hamilton! Here’s my happy dance:
I absolutely love going to the theater and seeing live performances; it’s even better when I can make an evening of it by having dinner at my favorite restaurant before the show.
But before I put on my best clothes and head downtown for a night out in Denver, I have some serious writing to catch up on. I have publishing goals to meet this year and I’m already behind on my daily word counts.
So today I’m going back to work with a vengeance and, if everything goes right, I’ll soon be able to report to you on my progress. In the meantime . . .
Happy February! I hope it proves to be a great month for you!
Nancy Lawrence 
Oh my goodness! I just finished ‘Mary and the Captain’ and I had to check your blog to see if you had any plans to write about Kitty!!!! So excited to hear that you are! I love secondary character stories where they are developed and given their own time to shine. I must say, I was absolutely blown away about your Mary…off now to write my review! Which now begs the question, will Caroline be featured in it with John Penrose, or do you have a book planned for them too?
Hope you enjoyed Hamilton!
Carole, thank you for leaving such a glowing review! I’m so glad you liked Mary and the Captain; it was a lot of fun to write, and I’m working on a sequel in which Caroline and Mr. Penrose play a part. Kitty’s in the story, too, but I also think she deserves a book of her own, so that’s now in the works, too. I have to confess, I’m a slow writer, but I hope to have preview chapters available for you to read soon. Stay tuned! And thank you, again, for your encouraging words and kind review. All the best, Nancy