So I thought it might be high time I actually put something on here.

For those who have not already guessed, I am a massive fan of the late, very great Miss Austen, and in particular Persuasion. Words cannot express how much I love this book (and I write -a lot). Shamefully I must admit only first being introduced to its beautiful love story through the wonderful 1995 TV film version staring the very talented Ciaran Hinds (pause to fan myself at recall of image of Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth) and Amanda Root. I know I may anger some people now, but in my opinion, the 2007 version is no comparison. As easy as Rupert Penry-Jones is on the eye, he is not Sea Captain worthy, he is nothing like the strong character Miss Austen described and I could never imagine him in charge of the Asp or Laconia. And don't even get me started on the running through Bath sequence of Anne, or Mrs Smith - hello! The poor lady was crippled and almost fully dependant on the somewhat mysterious Nurse Rooke, how the hell did she rush through the streets to Anne?

Anyway, after watching the 1995 version, I was already a fan of the story and having only previously read Sense and Sensibilty, Emma and of course, Pride and Prejudice, I couldn't get a copy fast enough. Having read it now countless times over the years, it just gets better with each and every read. I am saddened by the fact she never got the chance to give it the ending it deserved.

I live in the UK with my husband and two children. I have written almost constantly since being about fourteen, but had never dared to ever let anyone read anything. Having stumbled across this site a few years ago, I spent a long time just enjoying reading other people's interpretations of Persuasion, and where they thought the Wentworth's may have ended up. However it became apparent to me almost immediately, there are far too few stories involving our wonderful couple. It was then -having read and re read everything I could on here- I decided to throw my hat in!

Although my first story, a modern version of Persuasion -Somebody and Everything- now only serves as an example to me of how I shouldn't do things, I refuse to remove it or redo it, as I like having it there to remind me how far I've come.

Having never even attempted to write in the regency style - but preferring it from a readers perspective- I took a chance and began writing what I thought would be a one shot or at best a short story. What followed was 'What Follows'! Basically a novel in length, it flowed out of me one summer while we were on holiday and I was instantly hooked. The vocabulary I could use, (my pet peeves in this style have to be people who use 'kid' or 'ok' -seriously if I see even one mention I will put that book down!) and the research into the period, which cumulated in a trip to Bath (a Mecca for all Austen fans).

I have said before, I tend to hand write each story first, chapter by chapter, until I am happy, then it is typed up in my little box room office at home -usually when the kids are at school and I'm not at work- tweaked, and finally submitted. Therefore, it may seem sometimes I'm taking my sweet time updating, but bear with me. I will always finish! I can't not write about Anne and Frederick.

Thank you

Rachael

aka Mrs Wentworth (if only I had lived two hundred years ago and he wasn't just a character in a book)