That which was dead

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graphic from worldstart.com

graphic from worldstart.com

My laptop died the other day but a download of AVG software brought it back to life, if temporarily. It took many tries to get the software to load. Supposedly, the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different result. When it comes to computers, you have to keep doing the same thing, just in case.

It’s a lot like writing. Sitting down day after day, putting words on pages and hoping for magic. Some days all you get is tired. Other days, MAGIC.

It’s the same with a lot of endeavors. Raising children is the same. Every day the little darlings fight you on a point and you counter. On and on it goes. Then, one day, they just do it. Learning is hard for all of us.

So, off I go with my rickety laptop to edit and later write.

What’s on your insanity list today?

Why Anne and Frederick?

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cropped-befunky_stenciler_1.jpgBy far the favorite book in the Austen canon is Pride and Prejudice. Less than half as many readers cite one of the other main novels as their favorite when polled. I am one of those less than half. I do like P&P, I just don’t LOVELOVELOVE it as so many do.

The boy-meets-girl-he-doesn’t-really-like-but-comes-to-love-eventually story is pretty standard fare. And while the repartee between Darcy and Elizabeth is great, I’m a big fan of getting a second chance. That’s what Austen’s last novel, Persuasion is all about.

The original title of P&P was First Impressions. Were Austen to write Persuasion in this day, it would be called A Do Over.

Frederick and Anne met in the summer of 1806, gradually became acquainted and quickly fell in love. He proposed, she accepted. He went to her father, her father turned up his nose at a sailor wanting to marry into the august Elliot family. The family got to her and she broke the engagement. He told her off and shook the dust of Kellynch Hall from his boots. Persuasion has with great stuff Jerry Springer is all about, except with less chair throwing.

If you agree about Persuasion, or just loving one of the other Austen works leave a comment. If you are die-hard P&P fan, own it and be proud! And leave a comment.