While everyone was having fun at RWA I’ve done a little quiet celebrating myself. This past Friday, I finally completed the 2nd draft of my mess-in-progress. 🙂

This may not sound like much but it’s huge for me, because it means the plot and characters have evolved from the primordial ooze of the 1st draft into something that promises to be a story.
It’s the most difficult part of my process. I still have a load more research to do (my plots always twist, requiring new areas of research). I have a lot of rewriting to do, but I am a very good rewriter.

Still my inner demons remind me it’s been about 2 years since I started this story. And…sigh…I’ve heard readers forget authors if there’s a gap of more than a year between books.
I can’t really do anything about that. I’m not a fast writer. This particular story is taking longer because I’ve also worked on 3 other stories at the same time and struggled to locate my errant muse. But even at my best pace it takes time for me to understand my characters. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to write more than one book a year–not a book I’d want my name on, anyway.

This isn’t to imply that taking longer on a book necessarily ends up in a better read. I have read some books that had great concepts but which I thought needed more development. On the other hand, if the concept isn’t workable, no amount of polishing will fix it.

Nor am I saying prolific authors can’t produce quality. We all have different processes. But I have this feeling that the sort of stories I most enjoy require maturing time. Many of my favorite authors take a year or more per book. In the case of those who write more quickly I’m willing to bet the stories were already percolating in their minds ahead of time.

I’m also not sure I buy the whole reader forgetfulness thing. I know I will pounce on the next Judith Ivory or Laura Kinsale whenever they come out. Now *blush* I am not implying my books are anywhere near as memorable as theirs. I’d just rather like to think a few readers will remember me kindly by the time my next one comes out!

So anyway, what do you think about the relationship between the time it takes to write a book and its quality? Do you think the average reader does forget authors after a year? Are there authors you’ll wait for?

Elena
www.elenagreene.com

I love attending this conference! I love walking through the lobby or the bar or the meeting room area and encountering friends I haven’t seen in a year. I love meeting friends that I only know from email or the blog. I love the energy and stimulation and excitement the conference creates, making me excited and eager to get home and write. I was in Dallas from Tuesday to Monday. Wednesday was a big day with the Beau Monde conference during the day to the huge Literacy Booksigning in the evening. The Beau Monde conference was devoted to all things Regency. I missed Kalen’s fashion workshop (darn!), but our own Risky, Janet Mullany, gave a very useful and entertaining workshop on servants, and I did get to spend a lot of time with our Risky blogger and friend Keira but I don’t have a photo!!
Here I am at the booksigning with Olivia Gates who writes Mills & Boon Medicals and Silhouette Bombshell. The booksigning raised $58,000 for literacy.

After the signing, I missed the Beau Monde Soiree because Sophia Nash roped me into joining several other authors to go to a Cowboy bar to learn line dancing. Romance Novel TV came along to film the fun. They also interviewed me at the booksigning, so stay tuned to see me on Romance Novel TV!

On Thursday the Harlequin Historical authors including Amanda and me had a Tea at a posh restaurant specializing in desserts. Not only were the desserts fabulous, but this restaurant is the only one I’ve ever encountered that had a TV in the bathroom–showing the cooking channel. Amanda and I and our friend and fellow author, Deb Marlowe went out to dinner with one of the Mills & Boon editors. Friday was the Harlequin Party which was held at the Fairmont Hotel. A group of us intended to share a taxi and wound up in a white stretch Hummer limousine to get there.

Here are Amanda, Deb, and me in the limousine.

Here we are again before the dancing started.

On Saturday I attended a marvelous workshop by Michael Hauge who wrote Writing Screenplays That Sell. He spoke about the essential components of a romance, and I’ll have to talk more about that in another blog someday.

Two Regencies won the RITA in their categories: Julia Quinn’s On the Way to the Wedding for Long Historical and Tracy Anne Warren’s The Husband Trap for Best First Book.

Here is a special photo! Romance Vagabonds Elodie and Manda (seated), me, our blogger, Santa, and Eloisa James!

I’m home now and already missing the new and old friends I saw at RWA!

Any questions about the conference?

It is with great pleasure that I announce our save arrival, the roads being somewhat muddied and a great storm suffered at Baltimore, but all was well. My luggage arrived safely later that night by another conveyance and I am happy to report my bonnets, gowns etc. emerged quite unscathed.

All the ton was in attendance yesterday at the gathering of the Beau Monde, a bluestocking gathering accompanied by delicious food and edifying speakers. In the evening, after my maidservant had tied me into my gown, we attended the soiree, where I determined that a lady need not remove her gloves to drink a bottle of beer. Much dancing and merriment took place. The renowned Miss A— McC—- was in attendance, wearing a most elegant gown of dark red with matching shoes. Upon my admiration of her shoes, she admitted to Payless; my new shoes, golden slippers which proved excellent for dancing, came from Target.

We have reason to believe pictures will be available at a later date.

The weather is quite fine although somewhat heavy and humid as one would expect.

I remain, my dear friends, your most devoted friend, etc.

A week or two ago Amanda complained about the lame “sitting around in our underwear” ending on the 2007 version of Pride & Prejudice. It made me wonder (not for the first time) how I would have ended the film.

Riskies and friends probably all know that scene was added for the North American version; in the British release the film ends with Mr. Bennett giving his blessing to the marriage.

While I like a bit of basking in the glow of the happy ending–and definitely wanted something there, this ending didn’t hit me quite right. The first time I saw it it felt too sentimental. On viewing it again, though, when Lizzie talks of Darcy being cross with her, it reminded me of this passage from the book:

She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved; and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance.

It’s a realistic happy ending. They won’t always agree but they’ll find a balance. I’m glad there was at least a hint of that in this final scene.

A couple other things bothered me more. First, the “sitting around in our underwear” thing. Not that I’m against characters cavorting half-naked in a garden–I’ve written such scenes. Nor do I have anything against snogging–only purists argue that JA never wrote a snogging scene. But I like to know the setup, i.e., what happened to all the servants? Surely they’re not all staring from their attic windows?!

The other thing is that this scene feels post-coital, so it seemed a bit out of order for them to be discussing what to call one another. It was just confusing.

I’m not sure how I would have ended the film. Jane Austen ended the book with a chapter of narrative describing what happened to everyone. It’s all nicely encapsulated in the wedding scene at the end of the 1995 Firth/Ehle version. Yet a double wedding scene doesn’t seem right for the 2007 version which is shorter, more intimate and more focused on Elizabeth and Darcy.

My idea would be to show the beginning of the wedding night, in their bedchamber (more believable for their first time) and with more of the lovely, youthful, somewhat awkward chemistry that we saw in the mist scene. Then a discreet fadeout to the theme music.

So anyway, it’s time for a poll. How would you have ended this film and why?

A) North American ending as is, sweet talk, snogging and all.

B) British ending, with Mr. Bennett welcoming suitors for Mary and Kitty.

C) Wedding scene as in the 1995 version

D) My idea – wedding night scene

E) Something else – do tell!

Elena
www.elenagreene.com