From the old south :)

[Miss Cecily]

Hello!

I'm Candy, been a Jane Austen fan for a long time now. But I'm new to historical re-enactment. For Jane Austen Festival this year (this year will be my second year) I will be going as my regency persona, Cecily, who is still a work in progress.

I'm also an aspiring author, currently writing the first draft of a novel set in 1801-1802. I hope to get it done and published, but right now I'm needing to do more research.

My favorite book by Jane Austen is Northanger Abbey. The things I like most about the regency era are the clothing (of course!), the manners/etiquette people had back then, the way they spoke, and the English country dancing. There's probably more things I could mention, but I'll leave it at that for now.

I'm looking forward to upcoming events in my area. I love this time period so much.

[Miss Moppet]

Hi, Candy! I'm new to the site, too. Historical re-enactment sounds fun! I go to a renaissance festival every year, but I would LOVE to go to a Jane Austen Festival! It's great to meet you!

[Daveeda]

Hello, there!

I'm new to the site as well, and it's great to meet you both! Dressing in period attire is INCREDIBLY fun. To the point where I actually worked for the Ren Faire one year because just visiting wasn't enough anymore hahah.. my, could I tell you stories.. ;D

By the way, I'm new to a more structured form of reenacting same as you, Candy, if not even moreso. Since I have no particular character, would you ladies mind giving me some advice or help with creating a specific persona? And if I can help either of you in any way, I'd love to do so as well

[Miss Cecily]

It's great to meet you both too! I'm actually still putting together my regency persona, as well as a medieval (12th century, specifically) persona. It's unbelievably fun to dress up in period attire. I have never been to a renaissance festival before, but there's one nearby I'd LOVE to go to later this year.

The Jane Austen festival in KY is wonderful. I had so much fun, especially at the ball. I didn't know a thing about English country dance, but thankfully I ended up with some very experienced dance partners who helped me out.

Daveeda, I would be glad to help you out

[Daveeda]

Oh, that sounds lovely! I wish I could attend such a festival.. sadly, I don't believe there are such things going on in my location as much. Hehe I feel intimidated about attempting a country dance as well, and I'm glad it went well and was a joy for you.

Thank you for offering to assist me with building my Regency persona. I have a backstory that's a work in progress, but since there's a topic dedicated to that I shall post it there. (It'll be accessible by the 30 newest posts as well as a link I'll post here for convenience.) I am uncertain about the specific details of whether the grandfather completely cuts ties with my father, and hence I and my mother end up poor, or if the grandfather should instead provide funds through an inheritance.. or..?

[Miss Cecily]

No problem! My backstory is a work in progress too. Are you basing your persona's backstory on you real life and interests, or are you attempting something different? What time in the regency are you thinking of doing?

My persona is set in 1801-1802, like the novel I'm trying to write. I just love the slightly lower waistlines of that time, and how most women's dresses had trains on them, etc. And I like the hairstyles then. They weren't as big like the 1790's, but they aren't short and extremely stylized like the 1810's and 20's were. And I'm trying to make her as much like myself as possible, because it's easier for me that way. She has the same personality as me, and the same interests. Only problem is that some of my interests are too modern for her time, so I have to change them a bit. The same goes for my medieval persona. Since she's set in the 1100's, she obviously can't be into history from 1200-1920 (unless she's Doctor Who's long lost sister or something ), so I've made her interested in ancient Roman, Greek and Anglo-Saxon history instead.

[Daveeda]

I must say, that it appears I've been altogether too forward in my exuberance. In truth, though you were so kind as to greet me, I have inserted myself into the conversations (note: topics) of others without a thought. It was rather untoward of me. I would apologize to you and any other I might have offended here, and will be more diligent in the future.

As this applies to that discussion which I had made mention of earlier, I shall not have another such outburst and relay the untested idea of my persona until I am properly introduced/recognized by the others here. It's the proper thing to do, don't you think? In answer to your question, however, I do aim to build upon the story using a few of my interests and characteristics as a foundation. And that's a good point you make about the fashion of the day! I already have two dresses in my keeping, if I intend to make use of them I need to keep the two synchronized! However, there are also some historical events that hold sway, so some careful consideration is due.

May I ask for further description of your novel? It sounds like quite the endeavor!

[Miss Cecily]

Oh, it is not a problem at all. I am happy to help in any way that I can!

I am afraid this summary is somewhat rough, for I still have numerous things to sort out, and names to give my characters. It is a gothic romance, entitled "A Search for Redemption", about a middling class young lady who is eighteen, going on nineteen; no name has been decided on yet. She and her family have to move away from their home for the same reason as the Dashwoods had to. She meets a man at a public ball and falls in love with him. Eventually he proposes to her and she accepts very eagerly, with her mother's permission.

In time, however, while taking a walk in the country with her sisters, she wanders off into the woods for a moment, eventually coming to a seemingly abandoned castle that she has never seen before. She gets carried away by her wild imagination, walking around the grounds and inside. She happens to be there when the owner is away, and a couple of seemingly supernatural things occur when she is there. The owner sees her there, and she runs away immediately. She tells her family about everything she has seen, and hears from friends that the castle is reputed to be haunted. Although she does not believe this, her superstitious mother forbids her to get anywhere near there again. The owner has a dark and sinful past (which will, of course, be explained in the novel), but for a while pretends that he does not. When she sees the owner and his family again at a public ball, she ends up dancing with him. They meet a few more times afterwards, in town, at dinners, and so on, and eventually become good friends. When her fiance discovers them together, however, he becomes increasingly possessive of her.

She soon realizes what an unhappy relationship she is in, and wishes to break off the engagement. By mentioning to him that this is her wish, it only makes things worse for her, as he becomes very revengeful. Whether she and this mysterious stranger marry or not, I shall not say here. But, in short, it is a story of a young lady who tries to help the man seek redemption, thus the reason for the title.

[Daveeda]

Well that sounds like it is certainly dramatic! ...Although it's true that I could be wrong, after all, more important than your description just now is the way you write it and the details of the plot, but it seemed slightly reminiscent of Northanger Abbey..

I rather hope I don't offend you by saying so! As I said, it's quite possible I am incorrect.. and I'm certain you'll have it perfectly written and the story shall inspire others once it's completed.


Oh, and I've decided upon seeing a post encouraging new members to participate to post my character persona in the appropriate thread. It still needs some refinement, so I'd love for you to read it at your leisure and let me know what you think!

[Miss Cecily]

While Northanger Abbey is one of my favorite Austen novels, I never even thought of it or drew inspiration from it as I was thinking of the story! But, now that I do think of it, my heroine is somewhat like Miss Catherine Morland. She is young, naive, and easily distracted, tries to avoid reality to the best that she can; sometimes more so than she should. And she may associate reality with some of her fantasies. I would say it was all coincidental

Unfortunately, the first few chapters I wrote have been lost, so I must start completely over! But once I have written the initial draft, I will be rereading and rewriting it several times (it's never to my satisfaction; after all, it is said that an artist is never satisfied with their work), and the plot may even come to be very much changed once I decide to try and publish it.

I will gladly read your post, and I will certainly let you know what I think

[Daveeda]

You know I must ask, dear Cecily, aside from the Jane Austen Festival in Kentucky, have you been to any events in the old south? I'm from Florida myself, and have been to none at all, sadly. And there's no chapter in this state as well. It's rather tragic, I find, and it would be wonderful to remedy the situation.

[ushhfan]

Welcome!