Ask the Author: Lara S. Ormiston
Answered Questions (8)
Lara S. Ormiston
Hello, Laura. Thanks for the question!
I thinking writing Jane Austen fan fiction requires a lot of "getting in character," each time you write a different one. All of her characters are distinct in their personalities and it was one of my ambitions to make them sound as much as possible like themselves when I wrote them. Really, the best way to do it was to usually go back and reread speeches by that particular character in the book to try to catch the right "tone." I did this for more minor characters like Lydia, and it was important to remember with the main two what some of their conversations were like in the original. Darcy, for instance, uses a lot of long, complex sentences. When I wrote him, I focused on trying to make him appear very intelligent and very sure of himself, as this how he comes across to me in the book. Lizzy is always a challenge, because everything she says is so clever, and I was always looking for ways to make her sound more interesting, more witty, and with that kind of playfulness that Austen gives her. It was rather tiring at times, I admit! I'm so glad that my efforts have met with approval. While I could never attempt to actually write like Jane Austen did, I did want her characters to sound like the same people.
I thinking writing Jane Austen fan fiction requires a lot of "getting in character," each time you write a different one. All of her characters are distinct in their personalities and it was one of my ambitions to make them sound as much as possible like themselves when I wrote them. Really, the best way to do it was to usually go back and reread speeches by that particular character in the book to try to catch the right "tone." I did this for more minor characters like Lydia, and it was important to remember with the main two what some of their conversations were like in the original. Darcy, for instance, uses a lot of long, complex sentences. When I wrote him, I focused on trying to make him appear very intelligent and very sure of himself, as this how he comes across to me in the book. Lizzy is always a challenge, because everything she says is so clever, and I was always looking for ways to make her sound more interesting, more witty, and with that kind of playfulness that Austen gives her. It was rather tiring at times, I admit! I'm so glad that my efforts have met with approval. While I could never attempt to actually write like Jane Austen did, I did want her characters to sound like the same people.
Lara S. Ormiston
Hi, thanks for the question! I'm afraid I can't tell you when my next book will be out. I have several things I'm working on, but my personal life is very busy and I can't claim I'm making a great deal of progress. If you would care to read other stories I have written (shorter than a novel), you can find them at my blog, or here is my profile at DWG (www.dwiggie.com), where I have many stories posted. When I have something new completed, this is also the place you are likely to see it first.
http://www.dwiggie.com/baronetage/vie...
Having come to fan fiction through the online world, I do most of my reading there still. Many writers never choose to publish whose work would still be extremely worthy of it. It's hard to pick favorites, but some I would recommend include
Of Time Gone By, by Bekah
http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/old_2008...
A Little More Practice, by Sandy W
http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/old_2008...
Comfort and Consequence by Lizzy C.
http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/lizzyc1.htm
Thank you so much!
http://www.dwiggie.com/baronetage/vie...
Having come to fan fiction through the online world, I do most of my reading there still. Many writers never choose to publish whose work would still be extremely worthy of it. It's hard to pick favorites, but some I would recommend include
Of Time Gone By, by Bekah
http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/old_2008...
A Little More Practice, by Sandy W
http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/old_2008...
Comfort and Consequence by Lizzy C.
http://www.dwiggie.com/derby/lizzyc1.htm
Thank you so much!
Lara S. Ormiston
Hah! That's a pretty obvious one. I got my ideas for Unequal Affections not only from reading Pride and Prejudice, but by reading many, many of the wonderful JAFF stories that are available online. In a way, UA is a response to all of those stories, and represents my personal interpretation of these characters.
Lara S. Ormiston
Usually by reading.
Lara S. Ormiston
More Jane Austen fan fiction. I would like to write something else, something that's not based on someone else's work, but I'm just slowly figuring out what that may be.
Lara S. Ormiston
I'm still an aspiring writer myself, but one thing sees clear: the only way to become a writer is to actually write. I don't mean that tritely, as writing is hard work, and it's easy to think about stories and dream about what you want to write, but not actually get much writing done. All the plans and ideas and inspirations in the world aren't good for anything until you actually sit down and write them out, both the parts that inspire you and the parts that don't.
Lara S. Ormiston
Writing. What else?
Lara S. Ormiston
My answer is not a very admirable one--I go write something else. I tend to work on lots of stories at once, which is entertaining for me, but doesn't lead to a whole lot of finished stories.
One thing I have found helpful when I'm trying to figure out what needs to happen next to ask myself what this particular character's objective is, what they are going to do next in order to accomplish it, and what obstacle I can put in the way.
One thing I have found helpful when I'm trying to figure out what needs to happen next to ask myself what this particular character's objective is, what they are going to do next in order to accomplish it, and what obstacle I can put in the way.
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Feb 24, 2015 12:48PM · flag