Author: Brigid Huey

A Happy Discovery

Brigid Huey

How did I not know about this?

Have you ever made a discovery that made you say, “How did I not know about this!”? That’s me today with the discovery of The Meryton Assembly and the subsequent fan fiction posting board A Happy Assembly, or AHA. A friend pointed me to the site today, and I felt my jaw drop as I perused the page.


Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

It’s filled with Jane Austen Fan Fiction, or JAFF for short. To be sure, I knew all about JAFF. I spend a great deal of time reading and writing it after all! But I honestly had no idea about the existance of a site that was dedicated to the sharing of free JAFF and community building.

Needless to say, I signed up immediately.

Embarrassing as this may be…

I must admit that there is another reason I am astounded that I was not familiar with AHA before today. My publisher, Meryton Press, is directly connected to The Meryton Assembly. I’ll just go hide at the breakfast table now, drinking my tea and hoping Captain Wentworth doesn’t stumble upon me in all my embarrassment.

Pride and Prejudice and Fairy Tales

Brigid Huey
Miss Bennet? Could that possibly be you?

Today I share with you an idea that struck me some weeks ago. I have not been able to let it go, and so I believe it will develop into a full-fledged story. I love fairy tales. I love Jane Austen. In fact, my senior thesis paper was about fairy tales in the works of Jane Austen. Ah, college.

Inspiration, ideas, and knights

I shared the idea of somehow turning Pride and Prejudice into a more straightforward Cinderella story. And my idea-man knight said, “You could do all the fairy tales.”

He’s a man of few words. But what fun! All my favorite Jane Austen works and all of my favorite fairy tales? Yes, please. Alas, that is as far as I’ve gotten. Well, that’s not quite true. A lovely scene involving Elizabeth, Jane, Darcy, and Bingley at a ball has been swirling around my head. I hope to put fingers to keys soon and hash it out.

Music To Write By

Brigid Huey

Sweeping Classical

I always listen to music when I write, unless it is physically impossible. These days I’ve been working my way through a lovely book called Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill. Through it I’ve discovered two new favorites that I find so achingly beautiful I had to share them.

Gustav Mahler

First is the above piece by Mahler. It’s the Adagietto from his Symphony No. 5, and it is just stunningly beautiful. The story goes that Mahler wrote this piece as a love letter of sorts to his wife, Alma. The music alone is enough to move me, but then add that bit about the love letter and I’m imagining all kinds of stories in my head. Oh, and this work was also largely composed while Mahler was visiting his summer cottage. So we have a beautiful piece of music, a love letter, and a summer cottage. The imaginative mind starts to bubble.

Edward Elgar

Another piece I discovered through Burton-Hill’s book, Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85: I. Adagio – Modereto. Don’t ask me what any of that musical notation means, because I do not know. All I know is that this music, composed right after World War I, is achingly beautiful. A bit of interesting history: the piece was not well received when first performed, owing at least in part to a lack of rehearsal time for the soloist. Its popularity stems from this beautiful interpretation of the work by cellist Jacqueline du Pre. You can read more about that here if you are interested.

Credit where it’s due

I have to give a nod to one of my all-time favorite podcasts, That Classical Podcast, for introducing me to both these pieces before I ever came across Burton-Hill’s book. If you’ve not heard of That Classical Podcast, please do go check it out. Two young people talk about their love of classical music while cracking my kind of ridiculous jokes. It doesn’t hurt that they are British, or that they are both artists in their own right. Seriously, check them out.

Not my usual fare

I usually listen to soundtrack music while I write. I actually create whole playlists for each writing project. I’ll be sharing more of my favorite pieces here soon, because I just feel like inspiration should be shared.

An Illustrated Vignette

Brigid Huey

My daughter has always been my biggest fan. She enthusiastically tells everyone about my writing. She is an amazing, loving child.

When I told her I was writing a vignette about Darcy and Elizabeth, she was very interested. What’s a vignette? What’s the Lake District? What do they do there?

I told her a little of the story line for the vignette I’ve written, to be published later this summer as part of Meryton Press’ Summer Holiday blog series. After asking me a few questions for accuracy, she went off and created this illustration for me:

“Miss and Mr Darcy on Vacation”

I love, love, love the way we only see Darcy and Elizabeth’s legs and feet. And I love the little detail of their Scottie dog. Of course, as soon as I asked her if I could post the picture on my website, she started fretting about getting it “right.” Luckily, I was able to convince her that it was this version I adored, and she let me have it without a fuss.

So there we have it. A perfect little illustration of my vignette that has something to do with Elizabeth and Darcy, the Lake District, and a picnic. (The Scottie dog was my kiddo’s addition, but I do wish I had thought of it!)

The exact date of publication is still to be determined, but I will let you know as soon as I know! In the meantime, check out the other vignettes already posted. They are so much fun.

My Own Austen Hero

Brigid Huey

“It is a handsome face…”

Created by Dawn Wells

How does one choose a favorite Jane Austen hero? I certainly cannot say which is my favorite definitively, but on any given day I can name my best-loved. Today it is Mr. Tilney, because today I had a small revelation while sitting for hours in the dentist’s chair.

That’s right. While in the dentists chair, desperately trying to distract myself from the many tools and noises around me, I decided to chose which Jane Austen hero my own husband was most like. At first, I thought of Mr. Darcy. He’s shy, passionate, can be gruff, and is also arrogant. Hmm…that last part didn’t quite fit. Also, he’s reserved beyond measure, much as I adore him.

If not Darcy, then who?

Then I realized, my husband may be shy, like Darcy, but he is forever teasing me and the kids. He loves the outdoors, has no interest in pleasing others at the detriment of himself or our family, and is generally a fun person to be around. He is my very own Henry Tilney. No, he may not have Henry Tilney’s ability to navigate a ballroom, but then, that suits me just fine.

The most handsome man of my acquaintance

Other Works in Progress

Brigid Huey
Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com

The opposite of historical

I actually write in a few different genres, although all my pieces are romantic in nature. Why? Because I love a happily ever after ending. Quite simple, really. I adore historical romances, and have written several, including one that has actually been accepted (squee! check it out here). My current work in progress, however, is not historical in the slightest. In fact, it’s set in the future.

Tale as old as time

At its core, my latest work is a classic romance. A young woman meets a young man, there is attraction, obstacles to overcome, and love to be found. What’s different for me this time is the setting. Sora, the heroine, lives in Florida–in the future. Far enough in the future that hovercars are a thing, and people live on the moon, but not so far off that things are unrecognizable.

The hook brings you back…hopefully

So without further ado, I give you my hook. That is, the little sentence that gives you the briefest taste of what the novel is about. When 20-year-old programmer Sora intercepts an incriminating message from an unknown sender, she must decide whom to trust as she races to save Earth from intergalactic war.

The problem is, I don’t have a title. This is not surprising. Old professors at Maryville University could tell you all about my lame titles. I’m open to ideas! Naming stories is just plain difficult. I might have to let my husband name this one. He’s an idea man.

It’s Time for a Remake

Brigid Huey
Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in Pride & Prejudice, 2005

It’s been too long

It’s time for a new cinematic adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The 2005 film was over ten years ago! I’ve seen information about an iTV version made within the last couple of years, but I have yet to find the actual miniseries anywhere. I’ve watched and re-watched all my favorites, but I’m hungry for a new version.

A humble suggestion

This man, Mr. Tom Hiddleston, could be perfect for the role of Darcy, don’t you think? Oh my goodness. He is, in fact, a superb actor. Have you seen The Hollow Crown? If not, you should check it out. So good.

But who should play Lizzy? Miss Elizabeth Bennet must be such a hard role to play. She is so beloved by so many. Emma Watson, perhaps?

A Secret About Jane Eyre

Brigid Huey

I have a confession to make. I’ve never read anything by the Brontë sisters. That’s right. I’ve never read Jane Eyre, nor have I read Wuthering Heights or The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I feel a fair amount of guilt about this.

Why have I not read some of the greatest novels ever written? How could I, a reader, a student of English Literature–and a feminist besides–not have read anything by the Brontës?

How have I missed quotes like these?

The truth is…

The truth is, I missed reading the books in high school and college through happenstance. Why don’t I read them now? Because I choose to read literature with as few triggers as possible. And as wonderful as these books are, you have to admit they are full of triggers. Abusive husbands, abandoned children, mental illness and mistreatment. Goodness!

So when I came upon a clip from the 2011 film adaptation of Jane Eyre, I was nervous. In fact, the first time I tried to watch it I had to turn it off shortly after I began it. However, YouTube being the wonderful thing that it is, I was recently able to watch the best of the movie, while avoiding the sad/terrible bits.

Let me just say, I can now understand why people love this story so very much. Dear me, the passion that exists between these two characters is breathtaking. It drew me in immediately. As a modern viewer, it’s heartbreaking to watch Rochester struggle with a problem that would be easily rectified in our times. Well, more easily rectified at least.

“It’s you. You rare unearthly thing.”

Also, let’s not forget the power of the actors themselves. I know the above quote is not pure Brontë, but the way Michael Fassbender delivers this line is swoon worthy. Add to that the way Mia Wasikowska embodies Jane Eyre, and you have magic.

It’s enough to make me want to read the book, despite the pain represented within. So perhaps one day soon I will join the ranks of Brontë devotees. Or I might just remain on the sidelines, happily watching Michael Fassbender.

Nineteenth Century Fashion

Brigid Huey
19th Century Fashion by Terrize on Deviant Art

What began as research for a vignette (more on that later), has developed into a deep dive into the history of women’s fashion in England. I’ve always loved the costumes in Austen films, but I never realized just how interesting those free flowing, form showing dresses were in regards to history.

As you can see in this lovely graphic by Terrizae on Deviant Art, the empire waist dresses with their freely moving skirts were a mere blip on the map of fashion. As early as 1830, those big skirts were back.

Beautiful as they were, the large hoop skirts made it difficult to move about in a normal way. Can you imagine just trying to sit down in one of those? I think most of us modern ladies would have a hard time managing. And let’s not even think about going to the bathroom!

So why, then, did the empire-waist come into fashion at all? According to historic-uk.com, there was a renewed interest during this time period on Classical works of art and literature. That is to say, the Greeks and Romans were cool again, and people wanted to dress like them.

What I find so amusing is the fact that these dresses, like the one Elizabeth Bennet wears in every adaptation, were considered bold and daring! I confess, I would love to have each and every one of the dresses in this pretty graphic, if only I had somewhere to wear them!