Leenie Brown

La Maison De Musique (Pierre Carrier-Belleuse)

La Maison de Musique (The Music House) by Pierre Carrier-Belleuse, c. 1901. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

The young lady above could be Miss Mary in my book Christmas in Gracechurch Street.

(Even if, as I look at this image while typing this, the dress reminds me a bit of one that Wes did not approve of Mary wearing in Persuading Miss Mary, but I digress. LOL)

You see, the Mary in Christmas in Gracechurch Street changes when she gets to town with Elizabeth. She becomes more fashionable, and well, as you can see from this excerpt, much more proficient with music. She’s been hiding a quite a few things actually, and discovering this new Mary was fun when I was writing.

Well… it was fun for me. It might have been a little less fun and more shocking and occasionally disconcerting for her sister. But then, I suppose that made it more fun for me. 🙂 Ah, my poor characters. Forced to entertain me before they entertain you.

In this excerpt, which is set in a music room at Matlock House, we are at the darker part of the romance for Elizabeth, which is why the first line is what it is. To find out what has happened to make Elizabeth wish to cry, you’ll have to read the book. 😉

The December 2022 Saturday Broadsheet

This month’s Saturday Broadsheet, with all my writing life updates, is now available at the link below.

In this issue of the Broadsheet you will find:

writing project and publishing updates
a few books that are on sale or free
and Warm Toes, Happy Heart, a sweet Regency short story

CLICK HERE TO READ THis Month’s SATURDAY BROADSHEET

Have a great weekend!

Music Monday: In My Veins, Andrew Belle

This week I have been writing some rather sad moments, and a song that Youtube happened to recommend to me, really captured the feeling I wished to convey in my writing. The song is outside my regular listening genres, but then again, writing sad, angsty moments is pushing me outside my regular writing boundaries as well. So, let me share both the song and a small snippet of what I was writing.

“In My Veins – Period Dramas.” YouTube. Video created and posted by PiepMiau04, November 7, 2011.

Excerpt from Through Every Storm:

“Oh, yes!” she shouted. “It matters now because you know of the children and because your business would suffer!”

Her fists were clenched at her sides, and his stomach roiled at the look of disgust on her face. Desperation clawed at his heart. He was failing. He had failed. That which mattered most to him was about to push him out of her life, and he had no idea how to stop her. He could hold her─force her to remain, but she would only be there in body. He saw her turning from him and grabbed her arm. “Lydia, please. It is not like that.”

Continue reading Music Monday: In My Veins, Andrew Belle

Music Monday: I Don’t Dance

Yesterday afternoon, I was creating this graphic…

(it’s a pinned tweet on my twitter profile this week)

…and the song that kept going through my head was…

(This song has always made me think of Mr. Darcy. 🙂 )

I often use music when writing:

relaxation music that helps me focus

upbeat motivational songs (played at a high volume) that get me going

and of course….

songs that evoke emotions and ideas inspiring some part of a story.

Since this blog is about following my imagination….I thought I would start sharing some songs that I find spark that imagination. Unlike those that are often a part of Wordless Wednesday, these songs will probably have words (though maybe not always). And just as Wordless Wednesday has a connection to a story, these may also have a connection…just like today’s.

Enjoy your Monday!

Just Three Words

Sometimes a short story begs for a sequel. Well, at least in my writing world it does. A while ago now I wrote “A Change of Heart,” a story which takes place just after Darcy’s disastrous first proposal, but before he leaves the parsonage.

This story takes place shortly after that one, when Elizabeth arrives in London.

“Please, Brother? If I am to spent the whole of tomorrow afternoon sitting with Great-Aunt Margaret, might I not have a bit of new ribbon or lace in my work basket.” Georgiana peered out the window of the carriage as they traveled the streets of London. “It would make the task ever so much more enjoyable.”

Darcy chuckled. “Spending time with Lady Margaret is hardly a thing to be endured.” He noted the small pout that formed instinctively on her lips. It was not an attempt to procure his favour, but rather a small twinge of disappointment which would soon be replaced by a smile and accompanied by a ‘very well.’

Continue reading Just Three Words