Friday, October 16, 2009

Guest Blogger: Sara Angelini & Giveaway

A few days ago, I reviewed THE TRIALS OF THE HONORABLE F. DARCY, a modern-day take on Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. I enjoyed the love story and definitely liked the "current" portrayal of Elizabeth and Darcy.

I am so glad that the author of THE TRIALS OF THE HONORABLE F. DARCY Sara Angelini has prepared a guest post for my blog. I think it's especially appropriate since Ms. Angelini talks about motherhood and how much it can change your life. I also relate to her need to have a creative outlet besides work -- I'm sure many moms will agree!

I once had a desk
But then I had two cute kids
Now I have two cribs

That little haiku pretty much sums up the two writing periods of my life: Before Kids and After Kids. Three years ago, when I first began writing The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy, I had a fabulous workspace. My desk was positioned facing a balcony that had a view of the San Francisco Bay. My Mission desk held a computer monitor, a desk lamp, some post-its, and a picture of my husband. Behind my chair was our guest bed, where my husband would often lounge while I tappity-tapped on my keyboard and the dogs snoozed at my feet.

Every evening I came home from work, had a leisurely dinner with my husband, watched a little television, then settled at my desk to write until two or three in the morning fuelled by Diet Coke and cinnamon-sugar pita chips. Sometimes my husband would complain that I was spending too much time on the computer, ignoring him (and the laundry). What started off as a whim - a dalliance in fan fiction that rapidly approached borderline obsession - became a serious hobby, an effort to shake off the pressures of my hectic job as an attorney by indulging in a little lighthearted romance writing. It was the first time in a long, long time that I’d had a creative outlet, and I wanted to make the most of it.

I wrote whenever and wherever I could. I purchased a handheld recorder and dictated dialogue while I commuted to work. I kept a legal pad in my briefcase, designated for jotting down any flashes of creativity that occurred during courtroom downtime. It wasn’t unusual for me to email scene ideas to myself in between phone calls to clients.

When the story was finished to my satisfaction, I began to post chapters on Jane Austen fan fiction boards. My personal commitment was to finish a story completely before I started posting, so that nobody would ever be left hanging with an unfinished Work In Progress. Midway through writing my second story, I became pregnant with my first child. I was unfazed. How hard could it be to juggle work, writing, and motherhood? I finished the story and began posting chapters, even posting from my hospital bed mere hours after giving birth to my daughter, Sophia. I was Superwoman.

It wasn’t long before reality clubbed me over the head. My beautiful bay view office was converted to a nursery. My nights of writing steamy romance gave way to two-hour feedings. Even with my incredibly supportive and helpful husband, my leisure time plummeted to nil, and whenever I did snatch a few moments, I spent them a) sleeping, b) showering, or c) sleeping. We had a new routine. We came home from work, took turns eating dinner and feeding Sophia, bathed and put her to bed, and tried to stay awake past 9 pm.

When Sourcebooks picked up Trials, I had to make a lot of revisions to my original manuscript. I had deadlines to meet and people to answer to. It forced me to sit down and write…or else. Sure it was stressful, but I also proved to myself that I could still write, even without a beautiful view of the bay. I began jotting new ideas into spiral notebooks until I had five different volumes, each housing a story kernel. The creative juices were really beginning to flow again!

Indeed.

So much so that I “created” another life. Just sixteen months after Sophia was born, my son Viggo Luciano was born. He’s just four months old now, and we’re still in the midst of two a.m. feedings and dodging projectile spit-up. I’m tired and cranky and fifteen pounds overweight.

But I’m itching to write again. There are characters in my head bugging me to write them, demanding that I give them voice. All I need is a little nudge, a little pressure to force me to get back in front of the screen. So I encourage all of you: please, nag me!!


THE TRIALS OF THE HONORABLE F. DARCY—in stores October 2009!

A sexy, bold adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that re-paints favorite characters in twenty-first century colors

Judge Fitzwilliam Darcy, a legal expert on both sides of the Atlantic, is ready to hang up his black robe and return to the life of a country gentleman—until he meets Elizabeth Bennet, a fresh-faced attorney with a hectic schedule and no time for the sexy but haughty judge.

Tempers and sparks fly in Judge Darcy's courtroom— and outside, in a series of chance encounters that give each of them pause—as the two match wits and try to fight their overwhelming attraction. When they meet up in England at an international law conference, they embark on a hot, heavy affair. Back in the States, though, ethical considerations intrude, and each is subjected to a torturous period of soul-searching before they can find their way back to each other...

About the Author
Sara Angelini is an attorney living in the San Francisco Bay area. After earning an MS in Animal Sciences, she decided against becoming a veterinarian when she realized she only liked her own pets and moved to California with her husband to pursue law school. She is working on her third novel.

Thanks to the publisher Sourcebooks I have a copy of THE TRIALS OF THE HONORABLE F. DARCY to share with one lucky reader. To enter this giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment (with a way to contact you) telling me what your favorite Jane Austen novel is. To double or even triple your chances, you can tweet and/or blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. This contest is open until Friday, October 30th at 11:59 p.m., and I will notify the winner the following day. U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only -- no p.o. boxes please. Good luck!

54 comments:

Unknown said...

Amazing how you've juggled motherhood with writing. Jane Austen would be proud of you.

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

My favorite Jane is Pride and Prejudice-it was my first and I'll always come back to it!

stephaniefleischer889 [at] gmail [dot] com

Virginia C said...

Hi, Sara! I've read an excerpt from your new book, and sparks definitely fly between the judge and the attorney! It sounds like a great read that addresses the age-old question: "Can women really have it all?". To me, the answer is yes!

Emma by Jane Austen

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

What a wonderful post. My favorite Jane Austen is Pride and Prejudice!

Just Mom said...

I waited until age 44 to try a Jane Austen - it was Pride and Perjudice and i loved it!

mariag said...

Without a doubt it is Pride and Prejudice- Thanks for the giveaway

Sarah E said...

My favorite Austen novel is Pride & Prejudice. Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Pam said...

The only Jane Austen book I can for sure say I've read is Emma.

melacan at hotmail dot com

Stacie said...

Well, of course, Pride and Prejudice. Thanks for the giveaway!
Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

Anonymous said...

An excellent post!! I loved P&P.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Lindsey said...

My favorite is Pride and Prejudice. Please enter me! linds84@gmail.com

Also, I tweeted about this at @lindstx84

holdenj said...

What a great post! I love her comments about the before kids and after kids! I have read all the JA's and although I have a soft spot for the Bennetts, I've always really liked Persuasion!
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Beth F said...

I was just reading another post in which a book blogger was discussing the differences of BK and AK (before and after kids). Too funny to see it here again!

My favorite Jane is P&P -- really can't have enough of Darcy.

BFish (dot) Reads (at) gmail.com.

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/BethFishReads/statuses/4917149622

Serena said...

no need to enter me, but I really loved this guest post and that she found the time to revise the manuscript after she had her kids.

As a writer, I find I need deadlines to make me accountable. Its harder for me to write without them. I tend to procrastinate too much.

Raspberry said...

My favorite is Persuasion. Although Emma and P&P are close seconds.
Thanks!
rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com

Diana said...

My favorite is Emma.

Jonnie (JB) said...

My favorite is Pride and Prejudice
dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, but I also like Emma a lot.


bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Helen M said...

I am a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. I would love to read this book. Thanks so much!! Helen
hmmccusker@mindspring.com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me; I'm just dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

I'd love to read this. Persuasion ties Pride and Prejudice, but I adore Northanger Abbey as well.

je2kids(at)yahoo(dot)com

bermudaonion said...

My favorite Jane Austen book is Sense and Sensibility. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Linda Henderson said...

I like Persuasion followed by Pride and Prejudice. I'd love to read your new book.

enyl said...

My favorite Jane Austen novel is Pride and Predjudice.

enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Jaime said...

My fave is Pride and Prejudice, I think I'll read it again...
copperllama at yahoo dot com

Mozi Esme said...

Pride & Prejudice...

I'd love to read this book!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

Definitely Pride & Prejudice.

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

mrsshukra said...

Pride and Prejudice!!!!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

cqueen2 said...

Pride and Prejudice !!

thanks
wadesherry@hotmail dot com

mindy said...

pride and prejudice thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

Reading said...

My fav Jane Austin book is Pride and Prejudice.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Angie McCullagh said...

P&P, of course!

Kristen said...

I would love to win this one. My favorite Austen is Pride and Prejudice of course, although I do like them all. :-)

whitreidsmama at yahoo dot com

Jennifer said...

My favorite is Pride and Prejudice!

mattandjen[at]gmail.com

Marie said...

My favorite is Sense and Sensibility!

marielay@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I like all of Jane Austen's books but I just love Emma!

Thanks for the giveaway!

Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/5058473723

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah Emmerson

Mary said...

Pride and Prejudice is my very favorite Austen novel.

mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

mabelilly28 said...

My favorite Austen novel has always been, "Pride and Prejudice."

mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

Andrea said...

My favorite would have to be Pride and Prejudice
andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

MaMa said...

I love Sense and Sensibility - my favorite Austen read. Have a great day...Lisa

Melanie said...

My favorite Austen book would have to be Persuasion, but Pride and Prejudice is a close second!

melanies--musings@live.com

Laura Hartness said...

Favorite one is Pride & Prejudice, with S&S being 2nd and Emma 3rd!

I'm now a follower through Blogger.com

I posted about the giveaway on my blog (come follow it!): http://CalicoCritic.blogspot.com

I tweeted about the giveaway: Twitter.com/lhartness

Also now following you on Twitter.

Thanks for the chances to enter!

Laura Hartness
LauraHartness@gmail.com

MyGltyPleasure said...

There's no question that Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen novel, with Emma a close runner-up!

Thanks for the entry!

Wendy
amateur_artiste(at)yahoo(dot)com

g.g. said...

Thanks for a chance to win this.

I have to say Pride and Prejudice does it for me if I must pick just one.

anjamie4 (at) gmail (dot) com

barmesml said...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite!

barnesml@hotmail.com

Lee P said...

Pride and Prejudice of course. It's a classic. Thank you for this giveaway.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

heatherzilla said...

Pride & Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen novel. Please include me in the giveaway.

heatherzilla(at)care2(dot)com

Belinda M said...

My favorite would be Pride And Prejudice

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

Belinda M said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/Prairiebelle/status/5275225879

Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Chat - join us at http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/


bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

brizmus said...

My favorite Jane Austen is Pride and Prejudice, which is cliche, I am sure; but it is just SO amazing! I also love Mansfield Park.

zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

I also tweeted it(http://twitter.com/brizmus)
And it's in my sidebar (http://brizmusblogsbooks.blogspot.com)

MarionG said...

Hi My fav is Pride and Prejudice. I loved it. Please count me in. polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail *dot* com I'd love to read this. Cheers.

Nancye said...

My fav is Pride and Prejudice.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/5305268371

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net