Guest Post & Giveaway: Belinda Roberts' Writing Routines
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Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet are two of my favorite classic characters, and I often enjoy reading retellings, sequels, and modern-day versions of the classic story, Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Sourcebooks has become my go-to publisher for these types of novels, and they've got a slew of upcoming titles in this subgenre, including Belinda Roberts' Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard.
According to the publisher's summary:
The balmy seaside resort town of Salcombe boasts the best in bikinis, sandcastle contests, distance swims, and a fiercely competitive squad of buff local lifeguards as Regatta Week approaches.
And if that weren’t enough excitement, Mrs. Bennet hears that the splendid villa of Netherpollock has been rented by a young man of great fortune. She is determined that he’ll go out with one of her daughters, until Mr. Darcy glides into the harbor on his stunning yacht Pemberley and she decides on the instant that he would be the better catch…
Jane Austen has never been so hilariously recreated as in this modern seaside retelling of Pride and Prejudice, complete with a Mr. Darcy you won’t soon forget! Don't take their word for it, though, check out reviews at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Reflections of a Book Addict, and Library of Clean Reads.
Without further ado, here's Belinda Roberts on writing:
My favourite writing time is late at night and into the early hours. Children in bed, husband in bed ... there comes a point when either I go to bed or wonder into my office, start messing around on my Apple Mac and then I’m off. No interuptions. Fantastic. Creep into bed as daylight starts peep through the shutters.
I do of course write in the day. I sit down at my desk. Wonder why there is some lego lurking on my keyboard, a small lonesome sock on the scanner and a school reading book - which - oh dear - should have gone off to school today with the youngest. Check which older children are online on Skype. Try not to call them. Then just type ‘Hi’ to one of them. We fire a little correspondance back and forth, then one of us caves in and rings. Next half an hour is spent chatting. Skype over for now I sigh and really get started. Just check those emails. Lots of sorting out for our youngest - cricket club, party, lost library book. All sorted. Now I will really get started. Musn’t forget to thank someone for something so write a quick card. (I write cards for thank you letters as I have designed some myself and have got loads of them if anyone wants any!) Now I really will get started. Quick cup of coffee. Now I really, really will get started. Head down, type away on my fantastic iMac and there’s no stopping me until ... is that the time already? Got to dash. Pick up youngest from school. That’s it until perhaps tonight! Thanks, Belinda.
About the Author:
Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard is Belinda Roberts’ first novel, although she has written twelve plays for children’s theater, which have been performed by groups throughout the world. She lives in England.
And now for the giveaway; 1 copy for US/Canada reader:
1. Leave a comment on this post about a Darcy-related or Austen-related retelling or sequel I should be reading.
2. Spread the word about the giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, etc. and leave a link here for a second entry.
Deadline is June 30, 2011, at 11:59PM EST