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Monthly Archives: December 2006


This week, we’re talking about our favorites of 2006. Of course, that raises the question… Our favorite whats? For the sake of argument, or, rather, lack thereof, I will limit it to favorite books/movies/plays that I can at least pretend have something to do with the Regency or Regency Romance.

BOOKS

1. I had great fun with Naomi Novik’s imaginative Regency dragon book, HIS MAJESTY’S DRAGON (known as TEMERAIRE in the UK). It was the Regency background we know, crossed with Anne McCaffrey, with some Patrick O’Brian thrown in. Great fun!

2. I just loved Jennie Klassel’s THE LADY DOTH PROTEST. It’s a romantic romp set during the Middle Ages — no, I’d never heard of such a thing either! It’s broad and hilarious and bizarre, and I’d never read anything like it. And it’s link to the Regency is….that there once upon a time were a lot of Regency romps out there. (Yeah, I know, it’s a stretch.)

3. I really loved the science fiction novel SPIN by Robert Charles Wilson. Todd and I both voted for it to win the Hugo Award this year, and then it won, convincing us we were invincible. And the link to Regency Romance is…um…. Well, there’s a love story in it…

4. I loved the FIREBIRDS anthology of fantasy stories, and its follow-up, FIREBIRDS RISING. Fantastic authors. And the link to Regency romance is…um…well, I really liked it, and I like Regencies too.

MOVIES

1. Okay, here’s something that has a real Regency link! TRISTRAM SHANDY. Bizarre and massive book. Massively bizarre movie, though not quite as random as the book. Very funny. Very weird. Has a childbirth scene in for Elena! Go rent it. (Released in Britain as “A Cock and Bull Story.”)

2. Other movies that I either really liked this year, or that I liked better than I expected, included: MUNICH, THROUGH A SCANNER DARKLY, THANK YOU FOR SMOKING, THE PRESTIGE, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, THE QUEEN, MARIE ANTOINETTE, and THE FOUNTAIN. (And by now you’ve all seen through my ruse of pretending this have any link to the Regency, so I won’t keep on with it. Well, except I guess that MARIE ANTOINETTE does actually have some relation. Or maybe THE QUEEN.)

PLAYS

1. I saw the RSC put on all three of Shakespeare’s Henry VI plays in one day, at their cool new theatre in Stratford. That was really exciting, fascinating, and fun (believe it or not).

Well, those were my favorites, as I remember them! If you read/saw any of these, what did you think?

Cara
Cara King, author of MY LADY GAMESTER — which is also one of my favorite novels, albeit in a rather different manner

A Poem for Christmas Day. No matter what holiday you celebrate (or have celebrated) at this time of year, I hope it is/was a wonderful one. This poem by Tennyson, although a little later than “our” time, brings my wishes for all of us.
Cheers,
Diane

RING OUT, WILD BELLS
Christmas Poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.


This past week I’ve been off work (yay!) and trying to get ready for the holiday. Here’s what I’ve been doing:

1) Reading the new Phillipa Gregory book
2) Working on the “Muses” WIP (122 pages so far!)
3) Researching two future projects. This is confusing the heck out of me, because one is set at the court of Henry VIII and one in eighteenth century France! So, I’ve been switching back and forth from Regency England, 1528 England, and 1780s France.
4) Making Christmas candy. I’m not much of a cook, but there are a couple of things I like to make at this time of year. Maybe it’s that winter “hibernate and pack on pounds” instinct. Maybe childhood memories–I also like to read Eloise at Christmastime, because I remember my mother reading it to me when I was a kid (see the photo!). Boy, was my mom sorry when I took Eloise as my role model. One of my favorite holiday treats are my grandmother’s Christmas bonbons. They’re super-easy to make and very yummy. See the recipe at the end of this post.
5) And, on evenings when no one is having a party, I’ve made popcorn, put on my flannel pajamas, and watched some favorite non-Christmas, romantic movies. Like these:

Amelie–if Eloise grew up French, she might turn out to be a bit like Amelie. I love her schemes, her self-made rocky road to love, the characters she works with at the cafe, and the silly touches like talking photos! Tres French.
Strictly Ballroom–lots of dancing, a hunky hero who (eventually) falls for the plain but spunky heroine, Australian accents, outrageous costumes. This, along with Dancing With the Stars, has inspired me to sign up for a samba class after the holidays. Hopefully I can dance away those bonbons!
The Cutting Edge–one of my top guilty-pleasure movies since high school! Shrewish prima donna ice skater and oafish ex-hockey player forced to team up (as if that would happen!). Arguments (“Toe pick!”), kisses, and Olympic medals. This makes a great double bill with Strictly Ballroom!
Cold Comfort Farm–the romance in this is minimal (it does feature Rufus Sewell, but not as the love interest), but it’s an adorable movie. Kate Beckinsale (before she decided to morph into Posh Spice) sets a passle of grimy relatives to rights. Great costumes, stellar cast, hilarious!
Shakespeare in Love–admittedly, I’ve seen this one so many times I speak the dialogue along with the actors, but I love it every time. Perfect holiday escape. It also makes a great Valentine’s Day film, along with Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet.

Tomorrow, I’m off to my parents’ house for presents (yippee!) and my dad’s “famous” margaritas (double yippee!). However you spend the holiday, I hope it’s great, and that you have a “Risky” New Year! Let us know your best holiday “escapes”…

Christmas Bonbons
1 stick butter
2 pounds powdered sugar, sifted
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 can Angel Flake coconut
Tsp vanilla Chopped pecans
Chopped maraschino cherries

Mix these up, refrigerate until chilled. Then form into little balls.

1/4 pound paraffin
Large package chocolate chips (I use dark!)

Melt in double broiler, and dip coconut balls in. Let them harden, and you’re done! (The pecans and cherries are optional–you can really use anything that sounds yummy to you)

As the Big Day approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the Holiday Madness: Did I mail out all the cards, is the house relatively clean, watch out for that ornament!, I thought YOU were going to pick up the Christmas Blend coffee, why am I awake at 12:30am?

But the most important thing about this time of year, no matter what your Big Day is like (or what religion or not you prefer), is to remember the Important Things. Family, even if they drive you nuts. Your friends, who are there when you have panic attacks (ahem.), your significant other, whether it’s your spouse or your nicest cat. The rituals of the season, from Secret Santa with your best pals, or taking a detour on the way home so you can view the crazily-decorated tree.

And what does this have to do with being Risky, or writing in the Regency? Nothing–and everything. Because the books we love are our significant others sometimes, too, because the authors create worlds with love, family, friendship, rituals, and Big Day stress.

Over at my own blog, I’ve declared it Delurking Week (thanks to Meljean Brook, who had the idea first), and I encourage all you Risky visitors to say hi and maybe relate a special holiday tradition you cherish, or just what you do to get away from it all. Maybe talk about what book you’re looking forward to opening after you’ve opened all the presents. Or just pipe up and tell us just what’s on your mind right now.

To all my fellow Riskies, Happy Holidays! May the New Year bring New Contracts, Friendly Booksellers, and Loads of Devoted Fans. To the Risky Regencies Visitors, thanks for coming by and becoming a part of the Risky community.

Megan
www.meganframpton.com

No, this isn’t the cover of my next book. It’s a splendid rendition by writer Delle Jacobs, wearing her designer hat, based on an etching by Fragonard called L’Armoire (the closet) after I’ve been tearing my hair out over a new title for my regency chicklit. Delle pointed out the interesting phenomenon of the hat held in place without benefit of hands.

The marketing department at Avon decided that The Chronicles of Miss Wellesley-Clegg with the Occasional Scribbles of Mr. Inigo Linsley was a bit of a mouthful and might confuse booksellers. Furthermore, it’s no longer a romance/regency chicklit. I have been promoted to the status of a historical writer, and it will be released as a HarperCollins historical–ironic, since I consider this the most romance-y thing I’ve written. And my editor invited–or summoned–me to come up with a new title.

My first round of titles, including the brilliant Running with Rakes (suggested by my agent), were rejected as sounding too much like a romance. I suggested Mr. Darcy’s Trousers, which frankly I think says it all about why we like the Regency period. Nope, there’s nothing about Darcy in the book otherwise. My next batch included the immortal Gentlemen in Tight Trousers. Other (rejected) attempts were: The Smallest Room, Tart Rejoinders, Tart and Sweet, Present Imperfections, Tea and Scandal, The Happiest Delineations, and One Polish’d Horde (the last three after an evening with the Oxford Book of Quotations).

My additional challenge here is that the title has to indicate the book is funny, since this line seem to be quite serious, although very nice-looking with fine art and pretty squiggly things. I have yet to suggest Not Another Austen Knock-Off, but I’m keeping it in reserve.

So what makes a title? What makes a title specifically romance-y–is it random use of specific words like passion, scandal, savage, sweet, secret? And what makes a title specifically a historical title? Any thoughts? Or, more important, what makes a title work?

Janet
(hoping the title fairy as well as santa will visit soon)

P.S. Here’s an excerpt from the book from my website, www.janetmullany.com. And check out my Christmas recipe for Cranberry Nut Tart, too, while you’re there.

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