Category Archives: literature

Author’s “Voice” ~ What is It?

Posted on April 29, 2022 by reginajeffers

Writers often hear another author warn them about losing their “voice.” But what exactly is “voice”? In reality, there are so many theories on this question that I could be here for years debating them all. I am of the … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, literature, publishing, reading, word choices, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

The Strict Social Structure of Jane Austen’s Novels

Posted on April 27, 2022 by reginajeffers

Overall, the early 19th Century novels were those that expressed society in realistic terms. Austen’s novels, as well as others of her time, immerse the reader in the various levels of society, the social strata, so to speak. Austen does … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, British currency, British history, customs and tradiitons, estates, Georgian England, Inheritance, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, marriage, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, primogenture, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Obsession with Money and Society in Austen’s Novels

Posted on March 25, 2022 by reginajeffers

 Austen’s novels speak loudly with society’s obsession with money and connections. Money and status was obtained through marriage. What we soon come to accept as a reader of Jane Austen’s novels is that her heroines marry for love (and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Austen Authors, British history, estates, family, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, reading, reading habits, Regency personalities, Regency romance, romance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Jane Austen and the Brontës: Tory Daughters (an Overview)

Posted on March 16, 2022 by reginajeffers

Recently, I was asked by a local teacher to speak to her English class after the students had read Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights. Below, you will find my notes for a comparison/contrast between the Brontës and Austen. As I have been out … Continue reading →

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Ben Jonson’s “Song to Celia” ~ The Poem You Did Not Know Was a Song

Posted on March 11, 2022 by reginajeffers

 One of my favorite love songs comes to us from the poet Ben Jonson. According to Poets.org, “The poet, essayist, and playwright Ben Jonson was born on June 11, 1572 in London, England. In 1598, Jonson wrote what is considered his … Continue reading →

Posted in British history, literature, love quotes, music, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Paston Letters, the Earliest Known Archive of Private Correspondence in English

Posted on February 11, 2022 by reginajeffers

The Paston Letters is a remarkable collection of letters between different members of the Paston family, their staff and their friends. In truth, the collection might better be referred to as the Paston Archive, as the medieval section contains many … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Resolutions for Some Favorite Classic Characters

Posted on December 31, 2021 by reginajeffers

New Year’s was not always celebrated on 1 January. Ancient cultures celebrated the New Year in mid-March with the planting of a new crop. It is said that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions. That would … Continue reading →

Posted in books, drama, Elizabethan drama, Jane Austen, King Arthur, legends and myths, literature, playwrights, Pride and Prejudice, reading, reading habits | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating the Release of “Fated Hearts, A Love After All Retelling of the Scottish Play” and the Gift of a Happily Ever After for Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

Posted on December 28, 2020 by reginajeffers

Fated Hearts, A Love After All Retelling of the Scottish Play Release Day: December 29, 2020 Thank you so much for having me as a guest today, Regina!  My contribution to the Tragic Characters in Classic Literature Series is a … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, British history, customs and tradiitons, England, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Guest Post, heroines, historical fiction, history, legends and myths, literature, military, reading habits, real life tales, Regency romance, Scotland, suspense, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Austen-Homage Literature and the Mystery Genre

Posted on August 3, 2020 by reginajeffers

Although publishers long ago labeled Jane Austen-inspired pieces as “niche” literature, they erred. Austen’s touch can be found in a variety of pieces: women’s literature, romance, variations, historical fiction, paranormal, fantasy, and mystery. Over the years, I have written several … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Jane Austen, literature, mystery, Regency era, Regency romance, romance, suspense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

18 July 1817: The Death of Jane Austen, a Guest Post by Kyra Kramer

Posted on July 17, 2020 by reginajeffers

This is a repeat of a post from 2017 from Kyra Kramer. It speaks so poignantly of the loss of Jane Austen that I thought it appropriate to share here with you on the 202nd Anniversary of Jane Austen’s passing.  … Continue reading →

Posted in book release, British history, buildings and structures, Georgian England, Guest Post, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, Regency era, Regency personalities, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments