Austen’s Men

Let’s talk about Jane Austen and how she wrote men. Why? Because I think they remain one of the favorite subjects of lots of her readers over the centuries. Also they’re dreamy and that’s worth highlighting from time to time. I … Read More

Turn Off the Fluorescent Lights!

This post touches on writer’s craft and has some spoilers. I used to write love scenes like fluorescent lighting: I revealed everything. Like a sportscaster giving the play-by-play, I accounted for every breath, every moan, every facial expression, every body … Read More

Review of “For Darkness Shows the Stars”

As part of an Austenesque reading challenge on Goodreads, I’ve decided this year to read as much Austenesque as I can. I’m also a middle school English teacher, so part of my professional responsibilities include keeping up on the latest … Read More

Looking Back and Ahead

Janus is the Roman god of beginnings and transitions. He’s characterized by having two faces – one that looks forward, and one that looks behind him. It’s appropriate, then, that our month of January is named for Janus, as the new year … Read More

Ballet Basics Part 2 – Company Class

In this installment of Ballet Basics, we’re going to learn about the ritual of company class, a routine so fundamental to ballet that I chose to begin The Muse in Ballet Theater of New York’s company class. Company class, or “class,” as dancers … Read More

December 22, 2014: New story excerpt at A Happy Assembly: “Letter from Ramsgate!”

Interrobang! A livid Darcy scowls, then storms out of the Parsonage at Hunsford, just after he and Elizabeth have declared their mutual love?! Attractive widow Isabel Younge plans to mould Georgiana Darcy into an interesting young lady like herself, so … Read More

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