Jane Eyre: From Book to Film

Last week, I managed to see the new film of Jane Eyre at the cinema, an event I'd been longing for as this is one of my all-time favourite books. As always, I was a little nervous about the portrayal of Mr Rochester since he's been my literary hero for a long time, through many different versions of the novel in film and TV. I also loved the recent TV production starring Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson, which had more time to develop the characters.

So what did I think? It was a beautifully made, atmospheric film, with stunning cinematography, excellent main characters and an intriguingly different beginning from most versions. I don't remember seeing Michael Fassbender before and I wasn't disappointed with his portrayal of Mr Rochester. Mia Wasikowska seemed the embodiment of the young, but strong Jane Eyre, and Judi Dench, excelled (as always) in her portrayal of Mrs Fairfax. And the Yorkshire accents sounded authentic.

But... one of the biggest disappointments for me was the love story itself. I love the passion in the book, and the relationship between Mr Rochester and Jane just didn't convince me in this version. I felt more emotion during the scenes with the young Jane and her fragile childhood friend at the terrible Lowood school. Perhaps the film was too short to develop the main romance with enough conviction, but even the ending left me, and my friends, a bit bemused. Although Thornfield Hall is a ruin at the end, this looked like a set piece and it was a bit incongruous for Jane to find Mrs Fairfax suddenly appearing in time for her arrival. And that rather diluted the final meeting between Jane and Mr Rochester.

Obviously a film is never going to be 100% accurate in bringing the pages of a novel to life, and something is bound to suffer. On the whole, it was an enjoyable, atmospheric film but I don't think it's the film version of Jane Eyre I'll most fondly remember.

Rosemary

Mills & Boon New Voices

In case anyone isn't aware of this (who might be interested), the latest Mills & Boon New Voices competition is now under way. Authors who haven't had a book contract may enter the first chapter of a romantic novel up until 10th October. Anyone registering on the site can comment on those chapters, and a short list of twenty will be announced on 20th October.

The next stage will be second chapters from the top ten, and so on until they find the winner on 4th November. Sounds like a great opportunity for anyone wanting to write for M&B.

Full details and registration are on the New Voices website, which is appropriately titled: Romance is not Dead. Good luck if you enter!

Rosemary

Introducing Elizabeth McKay

I'm so delighted to be featuring new Scottish children's writer, Elizabeth McKay, on my children's writing blog, Flights of Imagination.

Many short story writers will know Elizabeth's fabulous women's magazine fiction, as she is a regular author in Woman's Weekly among others. Now Elizabeth has added another success to her list with the publication of her first picture book, Wee Granny's Magic Bag, by Floris Books in Edinburgh. This a gorgeous story book for young children, and even the adults will enjoy reading it!

Please pop over to Flights of Imagination to read about Elizabeth's exciting new venture.

Rosemary

Free Online Writers Conference

Sorry for the last minute information, but I thought I should mention this brilliant, and free, Online Writers Conference, October 3rd to 9th, from one of my Canadian publishers, MuseItUp Publishing.

You just have to register here by Sunday, September 25th. There are so many great workshops and even an opportunity to pitch a book idea to one of the designated agents or publishers online - our MIU publisher, Lea, is very generous in sharing opportunities for writers.

I've just registered, so maybe see some of you there!

Rosemary

Monday Market: Tales of Old

Tales of Old Masthead

This is another interesting audio magazine I came across "for historical fiction and alternate history." Short stories from 3,000 to 6,000 words are required for podcasts, set in any historical period. They accept unpublished or previously published stories, if the author retains the copyright. Payment is $25 through Paypal, so it might be a better market for stories already in print somewhere else, if you're hoping to make a living from your work! However, audio is becoming more popular and this seems a very accessible market.

Full submission details are on the Tales of Old website.

Rosemary

Nostalgic Reads: Victoria Holt

A small selection of my Victoria Holt books!

After the previous nostalgic post about Mary Stewart, this next one had to be about Victoria Holt! I first discovered these gripping romantic suspense novels in my teens and was completely hooked. Between visits to the library, then buying every hardback I could afford after leaving school, I couldn't get enough of their escapism. Even the titles were enough to ignite the imagination.

The Victoria Holt novels tended to be historical, with unusual settings, dark and often dangerous heroes and a feisty heroine. Some were almost Gothic in their mystery and suspense, with titles like The Demon Lover and The Devil on Horseback. Exactly what this romantic, escapist teenager wanted to read. There were an incredible thirty two books under the Victoria Holt name, published between 1960 and 1993, and I probably read every one of them. I can't even pick out a favourite now, but the titles that come to mind first are The Shivering Sands and The Legend of the Seventh Virgin.

But Victoria Holt was only one of the pseudonyms of the remarkably prolific writer, Eleanor Hibbert. Born in 1906, this British author also wrote some of the best and most popular historical novels as Jean Plaidy, which taught me more about history than school ever did! But she didn't stop there - she also wrote as Philippa Carr and Eleanor Burford (her maiden name), as well as a few others. No wonder she sold a million books by the time she died in 1993.

I'm not the only modern writer who is still influenced by those Victoria Holt novels well into adulthood, for romantic suspense is high on the list of the type of novel many of us love to read - and hope to write! As with the Mary Stewart books, I'm still wondering whether to read all my Victoria Holt books again, or if perhaps they belong to a different time in my life and I'd be disappointed. Watch this space!

Rosemary

Change and Reflection

The Cobbler at Loch Long

I missed my swans, so I've brought them back and changed my photo again, partly because I can't find a decent one. The dear husband of a good friend passed away suddenly the other day and we were fond of him, so I'm in a more reflective mood today. When I suddenly lost different members of my family some years ago, I always turned to writing, preferring to work out grief in creativity.

It certainly makes my husband and me more aware of our own passing years, and the things we still want to achieve. I'm not overly ambitious, never have been, but once again I'm looking at all the stories, poems and novels that lie in various levels of completion on the computer and in files. And I think it's long past the time that I finish what I started, send out those seeking publication, and rewrite the alarmingly long list of those to be worked on and improved.

Autumn and winter always seem ideal for writing, when we can stay indoors more (if we're lucky) and enjoy darker, cosy evenings which lend themselves to any type of creativity. The writing group also begins this week, with a full programme to inspire me. All I need now is to limit my television viewing - I love all the dramas at this time of year. Maybe I should start setting goals down on paper, instead of keeping them vaguely in my mind. But the main thing is to finish what I've started, before time runs out too quickly.

Mark Twain summed it up nicely:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Rosemary

Book Review - Clara by Janice Galloway

One of the most absorbing books I’ve read in recent years, was Clara by Janice Galloway. Right from the start, I was intrigued by the unusual way in which it uses a variety of narrative devices, from prose to letters and musical scores. The prologue is almost poetic in its introduction to the main character; very descriptive yet without naming her. Instead we have the vignette of a young girl preparing for a piano recital, mentally and physically. As she lays out her clothes, we see them as a detailed yet concise list. When dressed, she sits and waits: “The fist on her lap clenches, releases, spreads its fingers into a starfish. Hands have a memory of their own; they will know what to do.”

Clara Wieck was a world-acclaimed pianist and composer long before she became Clara Schumann, wife of composer, Robert, and mother to their eight children. This is a feast of a novel, taking the reader into the world of nineteenth century music, peopled by such maestros as Mendelssohn and Brahms, two of their great friends. Although the novel is a little slow at times, with intricate detail, it offers a deep psychological insight into Clara’s childhood with her exacting taskmaster and music teacher: her driven, unbending father, Friedrich.

But it’s the love story between Clara and Robert that makes compelling reading. As lyrical as a musical score, no details of their single and married lives are spared, with the author drawing on the contents of the diaries in which they often communicated with each other. The addition of sections of musical notes and words enhances this passion. It’s also a deeply intimate portrayal of a marriage between two outstanding talents and the compromises expected of Clara in particular. When Robert begins their joint diary, the reader becomes an eavesdropper on their marriage. He calls it: “This little book…a diary that affects us both in our household and our marriage; our wishes and hopes shall be written here.”

Clara is a highly stylized novel, but the story is told by an accomplished author who draws the reader into another world where music is the reason for living. As might be expected from two such passionate musical talents, the marriage is not without problems, including Robert’s increasing mental illness, but it’s a love story right until its poignant end, even after a forced separation. Clara’s great friend, Johannes Brahms, tells her: “The world holds more pain than is fair. It holds more beauty. This is what music is for. You might play, Clara. Play.” And through this painful period of her life, Clara Schumann played her piano to full audiences.

Janice Galloway’s writing moved me as much as any exquisite music. Clara is an unforgettable novel, with an incredible heroine who deserves more of a place in music history.

Rosemary

Monday Market: Traveler's Tales

The Algarve

Since this blog covers all types of reading and writing, I thought it might be good to profile a different type of market today - and it's probably one that most of us could try.

Traveler's Tales accepts non-fiction travel essays for their numerous anthologies and they seem to like humour! Two of the open submissions at the moment are for Women's Travel Humor and More Travel Humor. They do, however, accept all kinds of travel-related pieces, including the frightening, adventurous and grim. They also seem to be running a '30 Days in...' variety of destinations.

Something to note: I read under their 'submissions' that they might use a submitted piece for their online Editor's Choice section - at no payment, although they would offer 50% off their travel books. Stories published in any of their print books earn $100. Submissions are only through the online intake site which is given on the Traveler's Tales website, along with all other details. Might be worth a closer look for anyone who likes to write about their travels!

Rosemary

Introducing New Children's Blog

Well, I've finally finished creating my new blog celebrating children's writing of all ages, 'Flights of Imagination'. I could go on for ever tweaking it and changing colours and so on, but it's the first day of a new month and time to get it live! I've started it partly because my tween novel will be under Ros Gemmell, and since I already have a separate history blog for the Romy name, it seemed like a good idea - at the time. That remains to be seen, but I still like the idea of a blog dedicated to children's writing, from picture books to Young Adult.

So, to get us all in touch with our inner child, I thought this reminder of the wonderful Christmas Annuals from the early 1990s might help. My favourite weekly comic was Bunty, but I loved all the other annuals like Mandy and Judy. The photo shows a selection of those I still have on my shelves, which I think must have belonged to my daughter (!) The Dandy must have sneaked into my pile from my son, as he'd probably be reading them in the 90s. Obviously I was a bit old by then to be reading these. Who am I kidding, I still love looking through them.

So if you like children's books and want to follow my new blog, I'll be delighted to see you there at Flights of Imagination.

Rosemary