Monday 16 December 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANE AUSTEN! P.O. DIXON, WRITER

What would my life have been like without Jane Austen? 
My life is nothing at all as it was before I started immersing myself in Jane Austen’s novels. Because of Jane Austen’s legacy, I am an aspiring writer, and because I have effectively organized my life around my writing, I find myself asking the question every day of what would my life be if not for Jane Austen. I’d like to think my priorities have changed for the better. Even though I have long desired the freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it, I now work more hours than ever before. But, here's the thing: I love it.
I often say that I arrived late to the game, for my initial exposure to Jane Austen was in 2007. For the first time in my decidedly career-centric life, I saw the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film. Finding it too spellbinding for a single viewing, I watched it over and over again. I needed to know much more about the brooding hero. I then read the novel, along with several excellent 'what-if' books that told the story from Mr. Darcy's perspective. One day, I came across a link to the online Jane Austen fan fiction community. From that point on, my life has never been quite the same.
My love of Jane Austen and Jane Austen fan fiction rekindled my passion for writing and sharing stories, which was a favorite pastime when I was in high school. Then I went off to college and save an occasional poem, my writing passion faded. It would be several decades where writing and even reading held not the least bit of interest to me. Not that I didn’t read. Give me a technical manual or a financially themed book, and I would devour it cover to cover. I loved that sort of thing. I rarely allowed myself the time to read for pleasure. Even today, I have shelves of technical books (which I plan to
get rid of) and only a hand full of romance paperbacks. However, my Kindle is loaded with excellent e-books and audiobooks. Yes, it seems I have made a habit of acquiring audiobooks as well. Once I have written enough stories to achieve my backlist objectives, I plan to have my fill of reading and listening to my growing collection of romance stories, especially those featuring Mr. Darcy.


About P. O. Dixon


P. O. Dixon is a writer as well as an entertainer. Historical England and its days of yore fascinate her. She, in particular, loves the Regency period with its strict mores and oh so proper decorum. Her ardent appreciation of Jane Austen’s timeless works set her on the writer’s journey. Dixon delights in weaving diverting tales of gallant gentlemen on horseback and the women they love.

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6 comments:

podixon said...

Thanks so much, Maria, for providing the means for so many of us to express how Jane Austen has made a difference in our lives.

♥✿♥ Happy Birthday, Jane Austen! ♥✿♥

Maria said...

I'm so happy Jane inspired your writing! She enchanted many people and I'm glad I'm one of them.

Lúthien84 said...

I love reading about how Jane sets you up on another career path. This does show her great influence upon the world, long after she is gone, and has no idea about it when she's alive.

Sophia Rose said...

That's neat how the movie got you reading again and writing. I sure have enjoyed a few of your books. ;D

podixon said...

Thanks, Lúthien84. I am constantly amazed by Jane Austen's influence on so many, and I am eternally grateful.

podixon said...

Thanks so much for reading and enjoying my stories, Sophia Rose. I'm really glad to be writing. I much prefer it to long days spent sitting in meeting rooms and what not. ;-)