I'm so happy in one week I get to share this book to the masses. I tweeted yesterday how I got my big box of books, the author copies of midnight in austenland (an event that always reminds of that one scene in Back to the Future). I sat down for my daily writing time and just opened the book to look it over. Sometime later I found myself on page 40. I got sucked in! By my own book! That I've read dozens of times already! Embarrassing, but still made me excited to share it.
I'm working on the midnight in austenland section of my website and will post here bits of it over the next week.
How it started:
This book started with a character sketch. Well, I suppose technically it started years before that with austenland, which was published in 2006. In November 2009, Jerusha Hess and I were working on the Austenland screenplay and I thought it would be helpful to her if I wrote up character sketches for all the major characters. With Colonel Andrews, I wrote that he is like the Julie McCoy of Pembrook Park. He enjoys making up little entertainments for the guests, such as performing theatricals, making up mini-mysteries for them to solve, etc.
I got to thinking about that last item, and the idea of it pleased me so much. What kind of mystery would Andrews invent? And what if there was a second, possibly real mystery as well? What if a guest wasn't sure which, if any, were make believe? Like Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey. Austenland was a perfect venue to further explore the ideas of reality and fantasy through mystery. The idea was positively alluring.
I had never considered writing a sequel to austenland. I liked Jane's story where it ended and nothing provoked me to bring her back. But now I was having ideas of another Austenland adventure. Pembrook Park went on without Jane, its inhabitants continued to live. Who else might visit and get entangled in Colonel Andrews's mystery? The idea of Charlotte's story came to me in such wonderful detail I knew immediately I was hooked.
It wouldn't be a sequel. I thought of it instead as a kind of Fantasy Island (note the Love Boat reference above as well--you know how I spent my Saturday nights in the early 1980s). Each week new guest stars came to Fantasy Island to live out their fantasy, got what they needed, then went home again. Pembrook Park was a sort of Fantasy Island, wasn't it? I could write another book where some of the characters from the first book are still present, but a new main character arrives on vacation. The idea that Miss Charming would still be there seemed an absolute (and made me laugh). Mrs. Wattlesbrook is still in charge. But there would be a new guest, new gentlemen, new adventures.
I started writing it almost immediately. As Jerusha and I continued to work on the screenplay through the first half of 2010, I kept getting more ideas for Austenland and was fully immersed myself. All in all, it was quite a quick book, taking me only a year from first to final draft. And it was a gift too. Most of my time writing, I was pregnant with twins (nausea leading into bed rest). Escaping to Austenland, like Charlotte, was exactly what I needed.
Back to the Future AND Fantasy Island? Oh Shannon, we must be kindred spirits (as a former owner of a DeLorean who helped organize a Fantasy Island-style DeLorean event...complete with Mr. Roarke, aka my husband in a white tux; an interactive mystery written by me; and a 17" Tattoo standup we made with cardboard and a tabloid-sized printout). Ahem. Needless to say, I'll be excited to read your latest work of brilliance!
Posted by: holly cupala | January 25, 2012 at 09:06 AM
I haven't read the first one yet...I guess I'll have to order it today, :)
Yay for the first comment!
Posted by: Josiphine | January 25, 2012 at 09:08 AM
Yahoo! One week! And I plan to see you in Indianapolis, friend. You bringing the babies?
Posted by: Alysa (Ruby Diamond) | January 25, 2012 at 09:27 AM
How exciting! I've been an Austen fan for a very, very, very long time. I can't wait to read it!
Posted by: Rebecca Belliston | January 25, 2012 at 09:46 AM
This sounds so great! Your excitement is contagious! : )
Posted by: Jennifer | January 25, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Ok, I was intrigued by the book before, but now I CAN"T WAIT to read it even more!
Posted by: Laree @ Ever Heard of Euless | January 25, 2012 at 10:25 AM
I am so excited to go to one (if not both) of the signings in Orem. I may be contemplating dressing up all Austen-y...or maybe just making shortbread instead.
Posted by: Lauren | January 25, 2012 at 01:13 PM
Yes, that scene in Back to the Future . . . "Oh, honey, your first novel!"
"It's like I've always told you, 'When you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.'"
You just made my inner geek come out. When my brother and I were bored during Stake Conference, we'd recite all the lines of Back to the Future in our minds, and compare with each other every few minutes how far we'd gotten, and which scene were were on.
Oh, yes, and so excited for your book!
Posted by: Jaime {sophistimom} | January 25, 2012 at 01:23 PM
This is so exciting! :) I can't wait to finally get my hands on Midnight In Austenland. It almost seems too good to be true...
Posted by: Christen | January 25, 2012 at 01:35 PM
I completely devoured the ARC you sent me a few weeks ago. It was a very clever and funny book, and I loved Charlotte's growth through it all. Northanger Abbey is my favorite Austen book so it was very fun to have a contemporary take on it. Maybe more people will be inspired to move on from Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility and try some of Austen's lesser read novels because of you! You never fail to impress me with your work! I hope you sell a boatload of copies!
Posted by: Amber | January 25, 2012 at 01:56 PM
Amazingly enough, we already have it on order at my library, so I already have it on hold. I'm really excited for this one.
Posted by: Meredith | January 25, 2012 at 02:02 PM
I think its fantastic that you got sucked in by your own book! :) I can't wait to read it!!!
Posted by: WriterChick | January 25, 2012 at 02:45 PM
haha your getting sucked into austenland is just like me... i go through phases where i put my own songs on repeat on my ipod... and then people are like "what are you listening to?" and im like "uh... myself...."
hehe :)
can't wait for this!!!!! super super stoked!!!!
Posted by: Libbi | January 25, 2012 at 03:17 PM
So excited!
Posted by: Abby | January 25, 2012 at 03:38 PM
Woohoo!! I just got a copy of your book to review from NetGalley... I'm going to CELEBRATE January 31st!! W/ a REVIEW... and I'd love to give a copy away, too!! Yay for your new book!!!! :-)
Posted by: Burgandy Ice | January 25, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Yes!! Can I just say it again?
YES!!!!!
I am counting down the days.
Posted by: Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen | January 25, 2012 at 06:56 PM
My mom won an ARC copy through the facebook giveaway. After she read it I swiped it and thoroughly enjoyed it. So excited for the movie!
Posted by: Rachel | January 25, 2012 at 06:57 PM
Reserved my copy today at B and N! Congrats-very exciting and can't wait!
Posted by: Whitney | January 25, 2012 at 08:07 PM
Already preordered my copy of MIA and I can't WAIT!!!
P.S. When is the Austenland movie coming out??
Posted by: Amy | January 26, 2012 at 04:23 AM
I love reading those little bits about your books on your website, thanks for posting! Your new book sounds really intriguing.
Also, since I'm commenting on the 26, unless I'm mistaken...Happy Birthday, Shannon! You and your books make me happy. xo
Posted by: Isobel | January 26, 2012 at 05:54 AM
Awesome! My copy is ordered already and will be on its way as soon as they are released. And Happy Birthday, Shannon, from one twin mom to another :)
Posted by: Cheri Chesley | January 26, 2012 at 09:06 AM
I got my ARC copy last week and immediately dropped everything to devour it myself! I loved it! Thanks so much for taking us back. I hope more ideas come to you, as I love Austenland and would jump at another chance to escape there. Can this please be real please? Loved the way it all wrapped up in the end as well (I won't spoil it) which makes me think this could actually be a reality! :)
Posted by: Carly | January 26, 2012 at 09:20 AM
I have to wait a few extra days because I pre-ordered the Kindle edition. But I'm still so excited. I can't wait to go back to Austenland!
Posted by: Kathryn | January 26, 2012 at 09:55 AM
I just wanted to say Happy Birthday! from another Jan 26th baby :) Happy Birthday!!
Glad I stopped by, because I forgot your new book was coming out next week! YAY!!!
Posted by: Jolyn | January 26, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Happy birthday! I'm so excited for my copy of Midnight in Austenland to arrive!!!
Posted by: katie s | January 26, 2012 at 05:12 PM
Dear Shannon,
I've always been inspired by your books. You have an amazing voice and intracate style that hooked me at the first page. I' ve always had a passion for writing, and aspire to continue my ambition in the future. As a seventh grade student, the idea of someday becomming as sucsessful as you often seems bleak. But your stories have helped me so much over the years. I only have to read a few words, and inspiration is reborn. You've always been a sort of idol for me, your writing has touched me in so many ways. So I thank you, and can't wait to read more of your work in the future.
Sincerely,
Ellyn
Posted by: Ellyn | February 09, 2012 at 10:34 AM
I just finished Austenland yesterday. I'll have to check this one out.
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Posted by: Buddi | February 16, 2012 at 01:38 PM