Scribblings Blog for Readers

A Snapshot of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice

8/10/2022

Were you aware that the working title of Pride and Prejudice was First Impressions? It is assumed that this title reflected the immediate dislike of each other by Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Unfortunately, another press had just published another book with that same title. As it turns out, the final title has worked out very well!

Pride and Prejudice was published on January 28, 1813. Thomas Egerton, bookseller and publisher, purchased the copyright for £110. Prior to this, her brother, Henry Austen, who was a banker had been circulating the book among circles of friends and acquaintances who could afford to buy books for pleasure-reading. Due to his efforts, the book had developed quite a reputation prior to Egerton’s offer to Miss Austen.

In five months after publication, the book sold over 1,000 copies! A 2nd edition was published that same year and a 3rd in 1817. Considering there was no internet and no social media at the time, that's amazing.

Today, her novel has sold more than 20 million copies! As is often the case, Miss Austen was never recognized with literary awards in her lifetime. Fortunately, her words live on.

For those not familiar with Pride and Prejudice, below is a quick catch-up.

Elizabeth Bennet’s household is all aflutter with the news that a wealthy gentleman named Charles Bingley has rented a nearby manor. There are five unmarried daughters in the Bennet household, and their parents are anxious to see than all married. The Bennets attend a ball where Bingley is not only in attendance, but is quite taken with Jane Bennet. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is not nearly as exuberant over the evening’s festivities and refuses to dance with Elizabeth.

However, subsequent social events finds Mr. Darcy becoming attracted to Elizabeth. When her sister Jane is caught in a downpour on her way to the Bingley mansion, she becomes ill. Elizabeth is forced to travel through inclement weather to tend to her sister. Bingley’s sister is a bit of a shrew, especially when she realizes Darcy is attracted to Elizabeth.

... Continued

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Pamela Craze

8/3/2022

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Illus. from 1741 pirated edition of "Pamela."

In 1740 English writer Samuel Richardson wrote a novel titled Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded. It evolved out of a request for a series of letter templates he was working on for two book sellers. His only condition to the sellers for the project was that the letters must have a moral purpose. Inspired, he turned them into a story. He saw it as an opportunity to instruct and entertain through highlighting the social and domestic behaviors of men, women, and servants.

In today’s world this work would be characterized as a novel about sexual harassment of a fifteen-year-old girl, a maid servant, who as the story unfolds, is being continuously threatened with sexual assault by her boss. In Richardson’s world, her persistent fending off of his advances results in her virtue being rewarded. Hence, the subtitle Virtue Rewarded.

Her employer was relentless in his attempts at seduction, even going so far as kidnapping her. In the end, however, he reforms (or perhaps gives in) and offers her a legitimate proposal of marriage; hence, virtue is rewarded.

Pamela author Samuel Richardson

Pamela; or Virtue Rewarded is considered one of the first true English novels. Today, his writings would be considered content literature, a genre of books which attempt to educate the reader on social norms and ideals. At the time of its publication, Pamela was a bestseller, but it was not without its critics, who focused on what they perceived to be licentiousness as well as disregard for class barriers.

The work was considered poignant because the story unfolds through letters and journal entries by Pamela addressed to her parents. A great emphasis was placed on Pamela’s innocence and naiveté, which served to make Mr. B’s actions even more heinous.

Pamela was the first novel printed in America, courtesy of Benjamin Franklin. However, it was not as well-received across the pond in America as it was in England, Also, in 1742, the sequel, Pamela in her Exalted Condition, was published by Samuel Richardson.

Plate 1742 Deluxe Edition of "Pamela"

Impact

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the novels is the multimedia impact it had on the literary world. Copyright laws were not as strict then as they are today, so you can imagine how many unofficial sequels were written and published. Even Henry Fielding, a writer of humor and satire and considered a co-founder of the English novel along with Richardson, jumped into the fray. There were many satires during this era, which were considered conservative reactions to Richardson calling into question the accepted barriers set by socio-economic status.

James G. Turner, Berkeley professor, titles this phenomenon the “Pamela craze” and asserts that it was emulated “inn virtually every medium.” It smacks of modern-day merchandise marketing with its murals, paintings, and the like fashioned after the zeal for Pamela. The craze did not stop there. Plays, operas, and books galore, both supporting and parodying the original, emerged. One in particular was Henry Fielding’s An Apology for the Life of Mrs. Shamela Andrews. Obviously, Fielding was not a fan of the character Pamela. He saw her instead as a gold-digger, who pretended innocence to manipulate Mr. B (whom he titles in his book Booby) into marriage.

Most interesting is the effect Pamela had on the attitude toward novels. There were those opposed to Pamela and its unexpected offspring as capable of igniting unacceptable passions and desires. Some even suggested that it went beyond that and nudged readers to ignore their wills and become automatons.

This perhaps sounds silly, but when one considers the continuous efforts to ban books by those fearful that readers do not know their own minds and are incapable of making their own choices, it is perhaps a continuing reaction to anything that threatens their belief systems. Just as in the eighteenth century and for all time, people have free will to choose what they want to read and to choose how it affects them.

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Sadness Is Everywhere

7/29/2022

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Why Read?

7/28/2022

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Life Untwisted

7/27/2022

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LIFE UNTWISTED
Targeting Your Potential with a Fearless Attitude

In trying to live our lives, we inadvertently get things twisted around. We lose sight of what's important for our spiritual growth and what's inconsequential. Of course, nothing is really inconsequential because lessons are there to be learned regardless. However, it is still important for us to prioritize the people, the actions, the feelings, the thoughts in our lives because most of us tend to turn our worlds upside down. We make the least important the most important and vice versa. We carry the residue of experiences around with us that we should have released long ago and let them rule our lives.

In order to live a happier life, we must learn how to develop a fearless attitude and how to target our potential. Each of these undertakings involves certain areas of work.

•  To develop a fearless attitude, we must work on building a foundation, healing, and strategies, each of which also include many areas of focus.
•  To target our potential, we must understand the creative process, develop visions for our life and business as well as learn how to create better relationships.

http://www.amazon.com/Life-Untwisted-Targeting-Potential-Fearless/dp/0972605851/

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Untwisted-Targeting-Potential-Fearless-ebook/dp/B00PJ2XH3Q

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Writing My Purple Patch

7/26/2022

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Guest author Anthony P. Heard shares with us his journey that led to his book "My Purple Patch: Living with ITP."

I have often wondered why I would have wanted to torture myself by writing a book about my experiences with the rare auto immune condition Immune Thromboctyopenia (ITP). After all, since I was diagnosed in July 2006, ITP has given me some of the most painful moments of my life. It has tested my mettle, my patience, my sanity, and my physical well-being. It has hardly been a walk in the park for my wife and family either.

Well, the answer is actually in three parts.

Firstly, I found that writing about my ITP was therapeutic. This sounds a bit like advice from Dr. Frasier Crane, the not so eminent psychologist in my favourite TV comedy, Frasier. But I am convinced it has helped. Revisiting some of the events of my ITP journey reminded me of exactly what did occur. Much of what was happening around me at the time went by in a complete blur or in a scribbled diary entry.

Secondly, I am sure writing about my ITP may raise understanding of this mystery condition. Like most ITP sufferers, I had never heard of it before I was diagnosed. I certainly had no idea what the symptoms were. Anything that I can do to raise awareness, I am more than willing to try.

I have always believed that if you have a story to tell that you think will help other people then you should tell it. The only way we can learn from each other and advance our knowledge is to share our experiences, good and bad.

Finally, I am hopeful that my story may have helped other ITP sufferers and their families better navigate the journey that we have all been sent on.

There is no Sat Nav, standard map or guidebook to get us through our individual ITP expedition. However, by telling my story I am sure that others have found it informative, occasionally amusing, often painful but certainly honest and definitely positive.

The main issues that I found with writing the book were concerned with what to leave out rather than what to include. There was much agonising over the editing of the many drafts that I made.

A key problem was making sure that I didn’t want to alarm people too much about the realities of living with ITP, but at the same time I wanted to be as open and honest as possible. So it was a question of balancing that equation and it did prove tricky.

There were a number of my more harrowing experiences that I left out of the book, mainly because I did not think that it would be comfortable or in any way helpful for other ITP patients to read about them. I did not want to create panic, but I did hope to inspire, reassure, and encourage.

So whilst I found that writing the book was not too demanding, I did find the editing process laborious, agonising, and time consuming.

I was fortunate that I had kept reasonably good records of everything that happened to me on my ITP journey. I noted most things down in a diary as I went along and my wife also kept a journal for me to refer back to. We also had some gruesome pictures of my many ITP war wounds to remind us about the times and places of my worst experiences.

In terms of writing a book, I had never thought that I would tackle anything quite as big as a project. I had written numerous articles about my ITP for the ITP Support Association’s magazine The Platelet, and I had a number of items published in local newspapers and other sources like The Open University.

However, having completed my book I have subsequently continued writing about my ITP journey via a regular blog, and I have a couple of ideas for books in the future if I can get my act together and discipline myself to start typing them up. Writing is my second most important hobby; reading is my first.

My Purple Patch: Living with ITP is available at the links below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WZG3XZZ

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/My-Purple-Patch/Anthony-P-Heard/9781728761800

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Turn the Page!

7/22/2022

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My Child Hates to Read!

7/21/2022

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Face the facts: not everyone enjoys reading.

I’ve talked with adults who have never enjoyed reading and only look at a book, magazine, or newspaper when they have to. When asked why, the answer usually revolves around not being a “good” reader and having a hard time at school because of their poor reading and comprehension skills. It’s sad. Think of all the beautiful adventures they missed simply because no one took the time to guide them in overcoming their aversion to the written word.

Hearing the words, “I hate to read,” makes me cringe. However, I know it’s inevitable; I’ll hear it again and again from young and old alike. For grown-ups, it’s hard to change the mindset, but for the current generation, there’s still hope.

Usually, when a young person says he or she hates to read, there’s a logical reason behind it. However, if he or she initially enjoyed reading, we know the cause behind the change of attitude is due to a recent bad experience or something similar. That means we can fix it.

What Causes the Sudden Change?
Looking at and enjoying books are the first steps in learning to read. Some preschoolers develop an interest in words at a very early age, but it’s pretty rare. If the child is interested, let him take the lead, only taking it as far as the kid’s attention span allows. In other words, don’t try to force the issue. It ain’t going to work! All you’ll succeed in doing is turning your toddler off of books.

For six to seven-year-olds, reading is a new and exciting experience, or at least it should be. The excitement wanes, though, if the child has a hard time picking up the new skill and is forced to keep up with his peers. Instead, allow the child to learn at his own pace. Not being able to absorb all the new knowledge doesn’t always mean he has reading disabilities. He may just need more time.

Some folks attribute the differences in reading proficiency to age. Yes, all first-grade students are six-years-old, but some are born at the beginning of the year while others are born in the fall. Those few months of brain growth and development are believed to play a significant role in how quickly children learn to read. Interesting theory, but I don’t think it’s been scientifically proven yet.

A lot of times, as an early reader advances in proficiency, reading becomes more of a chore than a pleasure. Educators and parents sometimes forget that the child isn’t that far removed from the days when all reading was for fun. Completing reading assignments designed solely to go along with worksheets, memory work, and boring lessons zap out the pleasure and dampen the joy in reading.

Asking a child to read books that are too hard can spark a dislike for reading and will only worsen as the kid runs into more and more roadblocks. Also, a lack of understanding, skill, or self-confidence can lead students to avoid complex subjects. Parents and teachers want them to succeed and pressure them to work harder, which, in turn, creates tension and stress, making everybody miserable.

Not having anything interesting available to read is another reason for a child to take a disinterest in books.

Another issue is the time it takes to complete projects, assignments, and homework. In middle school and high school, (pre)teens want to have a little “me” time to spend with friends, play computer games, and generally goof off. After doing lessons, their priority is to do something other than schoolwork, so reading takes a back burner.

How Can We Turn Our Kid Back into a Book Lover?

One approach to reversing the downward spiral is to make books fun again. Give your kid books he used to enjoy with no strings attached.

Zero in on the child’s interests. Take a step back and examine what excites or intrigues your child. Knowing what interests him can help you pinpoint what types of texts he may enjoy reading.

Start small. Read an article together that’s related to a favorite TV show, movie, activity, or sport he enjoys. Then, move up to a magazine or online publication about the same topic. Then go from there.

Read together. Take turns reading pages, sections, or chapters, or silently read the same book together. Most kids really want to spend time with their parents, even teens, but once children reach seven or eight years old, many parents don’t view reading together as an option. It is!

Audiobooks – let the kid listen to a story. Then, after a while of just listening, he can start following along in a book to get a better understanding of the words and sentence structures.

Be a role model. Kids learn from the examples their parents set for them. It doesn’t matter what you read, but make sure you make time to do it in front of your kids. And remember, it’s never too late to start.

Reluctant readers are often struggling readers, so create a safe, comfortable, relaxed environment where reading is encouraged in a positive, friendly manner. Though there is definitely not an easy way to inspire our unenthusiastic children to love books, you can help give your child the reading boost he needs with a little focus and direction. It’s not magic, but every little step helps.

Be sure to subscribe to the Sweet & Sassy blog, so you never miss out on any of our posts!

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Heartaches & Miracles

7/20/2022

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Living with ITP has its own special obstacles to overcome. It can be a hard road filled with relapses and disappointments, but with a positive attitude and support from friends and family, there is hope. The biggest hurdles come from the roller coaster ride of steroids and other types of medications and treatments. Heartaches and Miracles is a combination of autobiography, research information, and pep talk for anyone suffering from ITP or for family members and friends who want to understand this often-unfamiliar disease.

Heartaches & Miracles is "chicken soup" for the ITP soul, giving encouragement & strength to those affected by this blood disorder. Reading how others have coped and learning about the promising future of new and better treatments will hopefully give those newly diagnosed a glimpse of what to expect and provide everyone with ITP a new hope for tomorrow.

Heartaches and Miracles
Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FYG7E4
Universal link - viewbook.at/heartachesandmiracles

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Writing as an Extension of Life

7/19/2022

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Hello dear readers! I am Kim Mutch Emerson and I’m excited to be here. I hope you have time to sit with me for a few minutes, cuz I’d love to ask you a couple questions. Feel free to answer them in the comments below.

Did you have a burning desire to do something in your life? And were you ever able to do it? From my earliest memories I wanted to work with words. I wanted to be a writer, and that’s exactly what I became. I'm an author of several genres under the nom de plume of K.D. Emerson and a ghostwriter of non-fiction memoirs and business books. You can find most of them on Amazon.

One of the roles I’ve loved the most in my life is that of a teacher and mentor to writers looking to perfect their craft and publish their work, so I stepped out and created a small publishing house (Master Koda Select Publishing, LLC) to help support that.

I don’t know about you, but for me the last few years have been a time of introspection and growth. Yeah, I know, I hear y’all wondering how I can possibly have enough depth to introspect that long? All I can say is, I blame covid. Just when I think I understand life and the human condition, I forget what I thought I knew, and I have to start all over. This is probably why I write in genres like sci-fi and dystopian. My writing is just an extension of life as I witness it with a little twist thrown in.

Another reason I am drawn to dystopian fiction is the realization that life is far too short and precious to waste one second on things that bring you down. I don’t care what they are or how they ended up in your life, if they don’t bring you joy, leave them at the repair shop and don’t return. Someone else might get a kick out of them, but for you, they are no good.

Success as a writer isn't measured by how many books one sells or how famous s/he is. A successful writer is one who can create a deeper feeling or thought process in the reader, no matter what the genre is. I personally have a passion to create books for the upcoming generation and those who are the future leaders of the world. I feel those who write for teens and young adults carry a heavy responsibility to help these young people become deep thinkers so they can impact the future in a positive way. This is what I hope I have done in my Digitus series. Two authors that come to my mind who have been successful in doing this are Chris Crutcher and Robert Cormier.

One of the questions I get asked most is where does inspiration come from? Inspiration comes from rainy days, from thunder and lightning. It come from the rolling ocean and silence of the night.

I had the opportunity to live with a pack of wolves at the turn of this century in the high mountains of Colorado. They inspired me daily and taught me many lessons about what’s important in life. Lessons of loyalty, healing, and mindfulness. They taught me patience and to listen to the wind. They inspired me to be the best human I could possibly be, to seek the kind and gentle self within.

They showed me there is no need for greed or anger. You protect the young, old, and weak. You stand for the right. And if you do that, success will follow.

I’m a better person because of them.

What about you, dear reader? What inspires you? Did you have a wolf pack or rainstorm? Was life turned upside down? What have you learned this year?

Feel free to contact me through my website, www.masterkoda.com, or join my newsletter at that same address. I would love to hear your story.

Thank you, Greta and Dannye for inviting me to your blog today. It’s been a pleasure.

http://www.MasterKoda.com
https://www.facebook.com/kimmutch.emerson

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The Scribblers

No need to tell you our names since they are obvious on our other pages.

The two of us are great believers in the power of the written word. We write novels and nonfiction, not to mention our articles on conservation and spiritual psychology.

We are both entering what we term Act 3 of our lives with the deaths of our husbands, and writing will be an even larger part of our final acts in life.

A Snapshot of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice

Pamela Craze

Sadness Is Everywhere

Why Read?

Life Untwisted

Writing My Purple Patch

Turn the Page!

My Child Hates to Read!

Heartaches & Miracles

Writing as an Extension of Life

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