Jane Austen Twitter Project

On December 16, 1775, Jane Austen was born…
On December 16, 2011, she will be resurrected…

The Austen Games — Coming December 16, 2011

Happy Birthday, Jane!

*Artwork by Farah Khan Sadozai

We are so excited to announce that A Ball at Pemberley is back on the site and completely finished! We encourage all of you to read the unique creativity assembled by these 40+ writers — all done through tweets. We think you’ll find it immensely clever, comical, well-versed, and at times tear-jerking, but more than anything — it’s a pretty enjoyable read!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY!

Follow Day 13 — our final day — LIVE on Twitter this Tuesday, 5/3, at hashtag #A4T. Find out how “A Ball at Pemberley” will conclude!

***REMINDER***
To sign up for a slot, go here! We hope that EVERYONE signs up to write these last two days. Let’s go out with a bang!

1. When you finish your time slot, e-mail your tweets to austenproject@gmail.com, putting your tweets in order of earliest to latest. In paragraph form would be best.

2. Write the word DONE at the end of your last tweet so the next person knows to start.
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Day 12 of the story is now up! Thank you to all of our contributors for another day of extraordinary writing!

A Ball at Pemberley!

Chapter XLV

“Miss Price,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied, suddenly captivated by the openness and sincerity filling Fanny’s eyes. He admired, for the first time since making her acquaintance the day prior, the elegance of her figure and the manner in which her dark hair, having come unpinned, pooled across her shoulders in gentle waves.

“How are you this evening?” the Colonel continued, staring intently at this unassuming, yet positively bewitching, young woman.

“I am well, thank you, sir,” Fanny replied, unable to prevent a broad smile from spreading across her face.

Georgiana, sensing that the pair might be better off without her presence, slipped from the drawing room and began to ascend a nearby staircase which led to the wing of Pemberley housing her own chamber. As she approached the final step, her mind heavy with thoughts of Mr. Armitage, Mr. Wickham, and her own uncertain future, she noticed, out of the corner of her eye, a shadowy object dangling from the banister. Upon closer inspection, Georgiana determined that it was a piece of fabric knotted around the wooden handrail. (read more here…)

Follow Day 12 — our SECOND TO LAST DAY — LIVE on Twitter this Tuesday, 4/26, at hashtag #A4T.

***REMINDER***
To sign up for a slot, go here! We hope that EVERYONE signs up to write these last two days. Let’s go out with a bang!

1. When you finish your time slot, e-mail your tweets to austenproject@gmail.com, putting your tweets in order of earliest to latest. In paragraph form would be best.

2. Write the word DONE at the end of your last tweet so the next person knows to start.
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THERE WILL BE NO DAY 12 POLL!
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Day 11 of the story is now up!

A Ball at Pemberley!

Chapter XLI

Mary had heard rumours that Mr Willoughby was not what he seemed to be, yet Mary did not care. She had looked into those eyes, and he was the one for her. With that epiphany taking over all of her thoughts (and having had no sleep, who could blame her?), she set out to go find him. (read more here…)

Follow Day 11 LIVE on Twitter at hashtag #A4T.

***REMINDER***
To sign up for a slot, go here!

1. When you finish your time slot, e-mail your tweets to austenproject@gmail.com, putting your tweets in order of earliest to latest. In paragraph form would be best.

2. Write the word DONE at the end of your last tweet so the next person knows to start.
__________________________________________________________
THERE WILL BE NO DAY 11 POLL!
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Day 10 of the story is now up, and we’ve reached a new milestone: 40 CHAPTERS! Can you believe it? Who knew we’d come this far!?

There were some particularly touching moments in this week’s portion. We hope you enjoy seeing it all pieced together!

A Ball at Pemberley!

Chapter XXXVII

Copious expressions of unsettlement were abundant from the onlookers to the quarrel. Grant carried on with his laughter. Firth could not hide his frustration.

“Your actions have been entirely shameful. I have never been acquainted with anyone quite as loathsome as yourself,” Firth continued irately. Grant did not appear surprised in the slightest, and to the revulsion of the observers, he proceeded with his display of personal amusement.

Firth persisted: “I demand a confession, Grant. In writing.”

(read more here…)

Follow Day 10 LIVE on Twitter at hashtag #A4T.

***REMINDER***
To sign up for a slot, go here!

1. When you finish your time slot, e-mail your tweets to austenproject@gmail.com, putting your tweets in order of earliest to latest. In paragraph form would be best.

2. Write the word DONE at the end of your last tweet so the next person knows to start.
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Day 9 of the story is now up! Thanks for being so patient!

A Ball at Pemberley!

Chapter XXXIII

Moved by his friend’s words, Bingley paused and slowly spun around, feigning ignorance of the murmuring crowd that had gathered near him and his sister. Fortunately for both, the majority of the ball guests knew nothing of the devastating events that had transpired and had been drawn to the scene not by lust for scandal, but by Caroline’s haunting wails.

“How am I to stay?” Bingley asked Darcy, his normally carefree brow furrowed in frustration. (read more here…)

Let’s hope Lynn doesn’t get mad at me for posting this without her permission, but I’m doing it anyway (laughs devilishly):

Our very own co-founder, Lynn Shepherd, has just won a major award! Her first published novel, Murder at Mansfield Park, just won Best First Mystery at the RT Reviewers’ Awards. How awesome is that??

If you want to know more about the book and Lynn’s inspiration, you might enjoy this fantastic Question & Answer about the book, and watch the clip below if you’re craving a Helen Mirren sound-alike;)

Congratulations, to a great writer, but an even better person!!

Follow Day 9 LIVE on Twitter at hashtag #A4T.

***REMINDER***
To sign up for a slot, go here!

1. When you finish your time slot, e-mail your tweets to austenproject@gmail.com, putting your tweets in order of earliest to latest. In paragraph form would be best.

2. Write the word DONE at the end of your last tweet so the next person knows to start.
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Day 8 of the story is now up! Thanks for being so patient!

A Ball at Pemberley!

Chapter XXIX

“I’ll assume the task of invitations, and shall look over the ornamentation and finer details. I promise it shall be wonderful,” Mr. Darcy said with a twinkle in his eye.

Elizabeth smiled. “We’d best retreat inside,” she said. The thunder and lightning had begun to strike relentlessly, unnerving the couple. “I cannot imagine that THIS ball will be full of anywhere as near the amount of surprise as the past couple of days have been full of,” said Mrs. Darcy. Approaching the door step, she looked back at Mr. Darcy. “I will be perfectly pleased with the frivolity of settling on a dress, I can assure you of that.” (read more here…)

Follow Day 8 LIVE on Twitter at hashtag #A4T.

***REMINDER***
To sign up for a slot, go here!

1. When you finish your time slot, e-mail your tweets to austenproject@gmail.com, putting your tweets in order of earliest to latest. In paragraph form would be best.

2. Write the word DONE at the end of your last tweet so the next person knows to start.

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Without further ado, here’s the poll for Day 8!

After her vicious attack on Jane Bingley, Caroline Bingley disappeared from Pemberley. Will she be found? What will happen if she is found?

An early treat for you all…

The story is completely up-to-date, and we are proud to present @Farah_Khan1’s magnificent work of art!

Chapter XXV

“You, Mr. Elton, by your very existence, have slandered and defamed my wife, my wife’s family and friends, and in particular, our dearest Mrs. Collins. For that, sir, you must pay.”

Darcy stood and reached into his damask vest pocket, pulling out a pair of kid gloves that had been white but had suffered with the vicissitudes of the evening. Slapping them against his palm, he walked toward Mr. Elton, conscious that the tension of the evening had built to a crescendo and that Mr. Elton was merely the straw which broke an unfortunate camel’s back.

“I’ll say, Darcy…” Firth tried to intervene —

(read more here…)