Thank you, Nina, it's good to hear everyone's thoughts.
I suspect it boils down to how the situation is handled by the author. I have read stories where Jane is paired with the Colonel and they often work well. I do understand people's attachment to the original pairing though, hence my Poll. The last thing I want is to alienate readers!
The Poll closes on Wednesday, but I think the winner if pretty clear as it hasn't changed much since the outset! I have a few ideas on where to go with this...
Nina - 10 years ago
Today, at this hour, in this moment, I've gone with the second choice. I am frequently happy when Jane and Bingley end up together in these stories, but lately I've been restless with this typical ending. I was pleasantly pleased when I read a story where Jane married Colonel Fitzwilliam. And delightfully shocked when she turned down Bingley in another story and then marry a neighbor of Darcy's. Having read so many variations, I find myself more impressed with the plot shake ups than something that ends as a parallel to the original. But I likely no longer fit into the demographic of variation-addict** I did when I stumbled upon my first variation a year and a half ago.
Best of luck with NaNo. One of these years I'll get into gear to join NaNo myself, but in the mean time I'll live vicariously and enjoy your updates. *smile*
** (by "variation-addict" I mean this in kind spirit and hope people see that I'm poking fun at myself rather than making fun of anyone else)
Excellent points re the relationship between what happens with J&B and the impact on E&D!
I am delighted you loved the Colonel - I find him the most fun and definitely the easiest character to write. Agree though - dilemma! I know other authors have paired him with Jane very successfully though, so it's probably just a question of setting one's mind to it! lol
Susan - 10 years ago
This is a very difficult question for me. Jane and Bingley being together was so important to Elizabeth that it was key to her dislike of Mr. Darcy and then when he assisted the reunion it was a catalyst in helping her to forgive Darcy. With that said, after reading your last books, I fell in love with Colonel Fitzwilliam and I have thought it would be great to have him and Jane together. He is so funny and free spirited that I think it would make Jane a better person. And, in turn her kindness and calm would help him in. But, we know Colonel Fitzwilliam will need to marry for Money and Jane has none…dilemma.
Thank you, Maggie! Great to hear people's point of view. Good point re Bingley - it makes me think of Mr Bennet's comment too near the end of the story:
"Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income. "
Personally, that would drive me up the wall LOL!
Maggie Griscom - 10 years ago
I was ambivalent about all of these answers. I finally chose that Bingley was too good for Jane. While Bingley appears to be fickled, with a shallow character, I have often wandered if Jane was too good. Is her soft, retiring love going to be enough for the active, social man that is Bingley. I can see where Austen's ending of happily ever after is not real. Can these too "pleasant" characters live years with each other and not get bored. I think Bingley is going to have to continue to try to figure out Jane's love and hope that she finds her way to be a strong, passionate, supportive wife and not continue in the submissive role she has been assigned.
Thanks for voting and for commenting! I will be very interested to see how the Poll turns out.
No pressure on getting the book out then, ;) lol I cannot put a date on it yet other than the rather wide-ranging 2014, but we'll see how I get on this November which will hopefully give me a better idea of how much there is left to do!
Cassandra
Carol Settlage - 10 years ago
I will look forward to whatever you write, Cassandra, as I have loved your books and sense your gentle and kind heart! I chose the 3rd response because I was influenced, perhaps, by Jane's deep love for Bingley, and the severe depression she experienced when he left her as portrayed in P&P, as well as her father's comments upon their engagement. But there was also part of me that felt there was more to Jane than there was evidenced in Bingley, but in subsequent retellings of their lives together he is sometimes fleshed out to be more interesting. I certainly see him as a kind hearted and well meaning fellow, who would wish to make Jane happy. So... how soon do we get your novel?!! :-)
Thank you, Nina, it's good to hear everyone's thoughts.
I suspect it boils down to how the situation is handled by the author. I have read stories where Jane is paired with the Colonel and they often work well. I do understand people's attachment to the original pairing though, hence my Poll. The last thing I want is to alienate readers!
The Poll closes on Wednesday, but I think the winner if pretty clear as it hasn't changed much since the outset! I have a few ideas on where to go with this...
Today, at this hour, in this moment, I've gone with the second choice. I am frequently happy when Jane and Bingley end up together in these stories, but lately I've been restless with this typical ending. I was pleasantly pleased when I read a story where Jane married Colonel Fitzwilliam. And delightfully shocked when she turned down Bingley in another story and then marry a neighbor of Darcy's. Having read so many variations, I find myself more impressed with the plot shake ups than something that ends as a parallel to the original. But I likely no longer fit into the demographic of variation-addict** I did when I stumbled upon my first variation a year and a half ago.
Best of luck with NaNo. One of these years I'll get into gear to join NaNo myself, but in the mean time I'll live vicariously and enjoy your updates. *smile*
** (by "variation-addict" I mean this in kind spirit and hope people see that I'm poking fun at myself rather than making fun of anyone else)
Excellent points re the relationship between what happens with J&B and the impact on E&D!
I am delighted you loved the Colonel - I find him the most fun and definitely the easiest character to write. Agree though - dilemma! I know other authors have paired him with Jane very successfully though, so it's probably just a question of setting one's mind to it! lol
This is a very difficult question for me. Jane and Bingley being together was so important to Elizabeth that it was key to her dislike of Mr. Darcy and then when he assisted the reunion it was a catalyst in helping her to forgive Darcy. With that said, after reading your last books, I fell in love with Colonel Fitzwilliam and I have thought it would be great to have him and Jane together. He is so funny and free spirited that I think it would make Jane a better person. And, in turn her kindness and calm would help him in. But, we know Colonel Fitzwilliam will need to marry for Money and Jane has none…dilemma.
Thank you, Maggie! Great to hear people's point of view. Good point re Bingley - it makes me think of Mr Bennet's comment too near the end of the story:
"Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income. "
Personally, that would drive me up the wall LOL!
I was ambivalent about all of these answers. I finally chose that Bingley was too good for Jane. While Bingley appears to be fickled, with a shallow character, I have often wandered if Jane was too good. Is her soft, retiring love going to be enough for the active, social man that is Bingley. I can see where Austen's ending of happily ever after is not real. Can these too "pleasant" characters live years with each other and not get bored. I think Bingley is going to have to continue to try to figure out Jane's love and hope that she finds her way to be a strong, passionate, supportive wife and not continue in the submissive role she has been assigned.
Hi Carol!
Thanks for voting and for commenting! I will be very interested to see how the Poll turns out.
No pressure on getting the book out then, ;) lol I cannot put a date on it yet other than the rather wide-ranging 2014, but we'll see how I get on this November which will hopefully give me a better idea of how much there is left to do!
Cassandra
I will look forward to whatever you write, Cassandra, as I have loved your books and sense your gentle and kind heart! I chose the 3rd response because I was influenced, perhaps, by Jane's deep love for Bingley, and the severe depression she experienced when he left her as portrayed in P&P, as well as her father's comments upon their engagement. But there was also part of me that felt there was more to Jane than there was evidenced in Bingley, but in subsequent retellings of their lives together he is sometimes fleshed out to be more interesting. I certainly see him as a kind hearted and well meaning fellow, who would wish to make Jane happy. So... how soon do we get your novel?!! :-)