Author Archives: Maria Grace

Wedding Cakes in Jane Austen’s World

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Though nearly all of Jane Austen’s works end with a wedding, she does not spend much time detailing the weddings or the festivities surrounding them. What did regency wedding cakes look like? Wedding Cakes Since weddings were held in the morning (except of course, those by special license which could be held any time at all) the meal eaten afterwards was considered breakfast. “The breakfast was such as best breakfasts then were: some variety of bread, … Continue reading →

Reason # 88 Why writing takes so long

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#88 Critique Group Feedback             So. Much. Judgment. One traditional way of improving your writing is through the use of critique groups. The idea is pretty simple. You give your writing to other writers and they tell you what you’ve done well. And what you’ve done wrong. Mostly that. Don’t get me wrong, some groups are great. Supportive, encouraging, the works. But others, well not so much. And this bunch? Well, … Continue reading →

Chocolate cups and trembleuse saucers

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What makes chocolate cups different from teacups or coffee cups? It’s been a rough month around here. My father’s had a major health crisis that resulted in three hospitalizations in as many weeks. He had surgery, then had complications and his complications had complications, literally.  How does one cope with such things? Chocolate. In frequent, therapeutic doses. It can’t possibly surprise you that somehow chocolate lead me on a trip down the research rabbit hole … Continue reading →

Wedding Dresses in Jane Austen’s World

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Though nearly all of Jane Austen’s works end with a wedding, she does not spend much time detailing the weddings themselves, much less the wedding dresses. Modern brides often spend a great deal of effort and money on the wedding dress and expect to wear it only once. Honestly, it is hard to imagine another event where wearing one’s wedding dress might be appropriate. Not exactly the sort of thing you’d wear to dinner, right? … Continue reading →

Longbourn: Dragon Entail Deleted Scene

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One of the fun and frustrating things about writing book is that sometimes you write scenes that don’t make it into the final version. Here’s one that didn’t. It originally fit it just before the Dragon Conclave scene, but after I wrote that scene, it seemed unnecessary. Still, it seems a shame to waste it! Hope you enjoy: An Audience with Lord Matlock Find previous chapters HERE Darcy stood on the cellar stairs watching as Miss … Continue reading →