CONTENTS

A Note from the Author

PLAN OF A NOVEL

Planning, plotting and getting started

‘INTRICATE CHARACTERS ARE THE MOST AMUSING’

Creating and developing your characters

BUILDING THE VILLAGE OF YOUR STORY

Creating and utilizing your setting

A FINE PAIR OF EYES

Point of view

LIGHT, BRIGHT AND SPARKLING

Writing dialogue

SECRETS AND SUSPENSE

Jane Austen’s recipe and method for a suspenseful novel

IN JANE AUSTEN’S POCKET

Techniques and devices of the great author

‘AND WHAT IS FIFTY MILES OF GOOD ROAD?’

Making use of journeys (and staying at home) in your work

‘YOU KNOW HOW INTERESTING THE PURCHASE OF A SPONGE-CAKE IS TO ME’

Using food and meals in your writing

JOINTS OF MUTTON AND DOSES OF RHUBARB

About the writing life, not food

Notes

Acknowledgements

Jane Austen’s Life: A Timeline

Bibliography and sources

Index

A Note on the Author

Also available by Rebecca Smith