Teaser Tuesday: Miss Gwen's Novel
I usually don’t share bits from Works in Progress until they’re no longer in progress– partly because I’m never entirely sure it’s really going to turn into a book until it’s done and partly because I never know what I’m going to change or cut during the editorial phases.
But this time, I just couldn’t resist.
Remember that horrid novel Miss Gwen was working on? Well, it’s called The Convent of Orsino. (Miss Gwen knew her market: she was going for those Castle of Otranto
We’re not going to get to read the whole book– because I’m not sure my nerves would survive the experience of writing it– but all the historical chapters begin with snippets from Miss Gwen’s grand oeuvre.
Here’s one for your amusement:
“I seek my daughter,” quoth bold Sir Magnifico.
“Seek her not here,” warned the Mother Superior, “For she is not within these walls.”
She spoke him fair, but Sir Magnifico’s misgivings misgave him. “Show me to her cell,” he commanded, “and then we shall see what is to be seen.”
The Mother Superior regarded him with a weary eye. “Bold sir,” she said, “It is not what is seen, but what is unseen that we needs must see.”
“Madam,” quoth the knight. “Your speech be passing strange.”
— From The Convent of Orsino by A Lady
(and if you were any kind of gentleman, you would stop trying to enquire into her identity!)
Believe it or not, this was the runaway bestseller of 1806. Hey, it has vampires in it.
I am cracking up just imagining Eloise’s thoughts while reading Miss Gwen’s horrid novel.
Reading this amusing anecdote leads me to believe you will be rolling up your sleeves and flexing your “humor” muscles on Pink X. It is going to be another tough wait!
How can anyone respond to that!?! It’s just so wonderfully weird, it can only be Miss Gwen. 🙂
For all of her disdain for Augustus Whittlesby, Miss Gwen seems to do an alarming job at channeling his muse and turn of phrase.
She seems to have crafted a prose version of the Pulchitrudiness…
It takes talent to be that bad.
What fun ! Thanks Lauren.
This is hilarious! I wasn’t sure what to think of Miss Gwen as the heroine of your next Pink book, but now I am waiting with bated breath. Thanks for sharing this.
I am so looking forward to this book, both for gwen’s story and the continuing development of eloise and colin’s relationship. Not sure which I like better but I so enjoy the two in one book format.
I love your books. Can’t wait for Gwen’s book and the continued development of Colin and Eloise’s relationship. Love the two for one book style.
Soooo can’t wait for Miss Gwen’s book!!! Though, I do have a feeling that just small snippets of her book is probably the best way to see her novel… 🙂
Lois