Apart from all the stories, novels, and newspaper articles, I write poetry. This spring blossomed with readings:
March 19, NC Poetry Society Zoom reading of “In Deed,” selected as a Poetry in Plain Sight poster
April 3, Scuppernong Books in Greensboro, NC, reading of “The Doors” and “Scrap Pieces” from Kakalak journal
May 15, Quail Ridge Books reading of “The Doors” from Kakalak
May 21, NC Poetry Society reading of “Not Nice,” second prize winner for traditional form poem
5.0 out of 5 stars A brief comparison
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021
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Nancy Martin-Young has penned a delightful update to Jane Austen’s minor characters, fleshing them out for modern readers. While she sets her story in the Regency Period, she deftly informs her readers of details that engage them in the era, while teasing them through concerns in our modern time. I enjoyed Nancy’s witty references to other novels and writers tucked in the pages, sometimes in the prattle that seems to rattle Thomas, sometimes in the descriptions born of great research. She proves that some prattle can get a man elected to office, can feed the hungry, and can show kindness and good cheer during many challenges. You’ll enjoy the characters, the dialogue, and the wit. It’s a good story, well wrought. Please give it a read.
5.0 out of 5 stars Oddly relatable
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2021
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You wouldn’t think that someone living in the 21st century could relate to a character of Jane Austin’s era but who hasn’t prattled on in the presence of their crush fully aware and unable to stop. Or felt inadequate next to that more sophisticated rival. Or longed for that profession of love from someone not capable of verbalizing their feelings. At first impression, the character of Lottie is immature and shallow but just like the relationship in the story, her depth evolves and her determination to maintain her joyful spirit becomes endearing. You can’t help but root for her in the end. Very well written in the Austin style, expertly researched and fun to read. Highly recommend.
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging book-not just for Jane Austin fans
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2021
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This is a wonderful book based on two minor characters from Sense and Sensibility-the dour, unsociable Thomas Palmer and his silly wife Charlotte. I came to love both of these characters through the arc of the story and enjoyed the 21st century take on Austin’s time and characters. It is a satisfying and believable romance with fully formed complex characters. I highly recommend it!
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Engaging!
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021
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Funny, charming, clever, tender, witty, confident. In other words, a delight!
But like Jane Austen, there was an undercurrent of social comment — no fluff! I also found it wonderfully well-researched. There is a natural weaving of fabrics, foliage, furnishings, foods, transportation, etc. , of the period.
4.0 out of 5 stars A good holiday read
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2021
The novel Wit and Prattles is about the relationship of Thomas and Charlotte Palmer, the Palmers of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. While she is an innocent chatterbox, he is a matured and pragmatic man, a little bitter about the vicissitudes of life. This combination of personalities must inevitably lead to misunderstandings and complications which, for the couple, represent times of unhappiness and disillusionment. Fortunately, the author turns the situation around and manages to come to an ending that, without being the end of the rosy stories, allows us to see that the Palmers managed to reach their harmony and even happiness. For those who enjoy Jane Austen’s stories, this is an excellent novel that, by moving away from the main characters, so often used in variations of Austen’s books, manages to create an engaging plot. It’s a good holiday read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5.0 out of 5 stars Austen lovers will adore this book
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021
There’s a lot of historical romance out there claiming to be Austen like. Regency era reads that are entertaining, yes, but usually a modern love story set in the era. This is a lovely story about two overlooked characters from Jane’s Sense and Sensibility that gives us more to think about. It’s written in the style of Austen, with wit and charm and sometimes unlikeable characters who win us over in the end. The author took pains to make the settings as realistic as her characters and readers are immersed in her world. The trials and tribulations of relationship is a timeless topic and this book handles that well. Woven with modern sensibility and values yet the characters remain true to their Regency time, this work moves much faster than a 19th century novel, but has all the elements we love about that era and place. Highly recommend.
4.0 out of 5 stars Charlotte and Thomas’s story.
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2021
Charlotte and Thomas married but it was not anywhere closed to what either wanted. In fact the whole tale is a bit sad, and I must my heart went out to both characters. Thomas was so blinded by set beliefs and Charlotte was blinded and then hurt by her white knight. It did end much better than I thought it might and it is not a bad book at all. I do like my books a little less sad but that did not take away from the fact this was a well written book. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021
I love that Wit and Prattles tells the story of such lightly touched on Jane Austin characters, Charlotte and Thomas Palmer. This novel provides a refreshing trip into Austin’s beloved world. If you’re an Austin fan looking for a clever, well-written, and romance then this is the book for you!
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Story
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2021
While reading Sense and Sensibility, I never paid too much attention to Mr. And Mrs. Palmer. He is a grumpy young man, she is a charismatic and fun young lady. That’s it, that’s all Jane Austen tells us about them, but they too have a story and Ms. Young set out to tell their story. It is a story of love, hope, and eternal optimism. Extremely well written it held my attention from page one until the last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book from a great local author!
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2021
Engaging plot perfect for any Jane Austen fan
3 stars
An interesting story featuring some minor characters from Sense and sensibility.
Charlotte Jennings has loved Thomas Palmer since she was a child, when he unsuccessfully courted her elder sister
At the end of her second and last season, he reappears in Society, seeking a wife.
With some manoevring, Charlotte brings herself to his notice and secures a proposal. Although the proposal is in no way romantic, she is sure his taciturn manner hides his true feelings.
She is devastated to discover that Thomas has no hidden feelings and barely tolerates her.
So we follow a sad, lonely but determined Charlotte, as she carves out a place for herself in her new home, family and marriage.
Although sad in places, this is enjoyable and worth a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. (less)
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5 stars
If you love the world of Jane Austen with some steamy romance, then read this book. The language is spot on for the period and yet the pacing is modern, contemporary even. The secondary characters of Sense and Sensibility come alive in this fun and spicy novel. Charlotte (Lottie), is a young girl in search of a husband and sets her saucy cap on the enigmatic Mr. Palmer. And what Lottie wants, Lottie gets. Or does she? That’s the twist in this novel and so true to life. That’s all I’m gonna say about the story, so no spoilers, here. The settings are picturesque enough to make me book a ticket to Austen country, rich with description and detail and the characters are real enough to smack upside the head. You’ll find yourself rooting for both him and her in this lovely novel.
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4 stars
Charlotte and Thomas’s story.
Charlotte and Thomas married but it was not anywhere closed to what either wanted. In fact the whole tale is a bit sad, and I must my heart went out to both characters. Thomas was so blinded by set beliefs and Charlotte was blinded and then hurt by her white knight. It did end much better than I thought it might and it is not a bad book at all. I do like my books a little less sad but that did not take away from the fact this was a well written book. I did receive a …more
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5 stars
A story by a new Author that drew me in from the start and did not let go until I was finished reading. Charlotte Jennings marries Thomas Palmer but their marriage is a bumpy one. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I will be watching for more by her. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
5 stars
I loved wit and prattles! It was a fun read and an immersive experience into Jane Austen’s world. Highly recommend!
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4 stars
Wit and Prattles achieves the difficult balance between being accurate to the Regency era and Austen novels, while also appealing to contemporary tastes. The book is inspired by the Palmers in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility and takes a deep dive into the characters and lives of the couple. I enjoyed watching Charlotte, a typical young and naïve Regency woman, enter what Thomas Palmer views as a marriage of reason—which develops into a loving partnership. Reasons are shown for Charlotte’s somewhat hysterical flight from sickness in the house in the original Sense and Sensibility story. As in Austen’s novels, the author shows the limitations of typical female and male roles, and there is humor including send-ups of the helpless female beset by a rake, and of Regency books on proper female behavior. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
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5 stars
Great read! Full of humor and wit. Style is so like Austen’s. Period details and nods to Sense and Sensibility will charm Regency fans.
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For an Austen fan, a Sunday afternoon talking about Jane and about writing ranks high. Talking to Karin Wiberg, the regional coordinator for the Jane Austen Society of North America, NC, made the day even better. It was lovely to see so many Janeites, friends, and family there for the event.
Available now for preorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094HJ9R56
A neglected Austen character deserves the happiest ending of all.
Chatty Charlotte Jennings set her sights on introverted Thomas Palmer when she was a girl and he courted her sister, who chose a husband with a title instead. Now circumstances force Thomas back into society to find a wife—preferably a quiet one. Irrepressible Charlotte strives to tumble into his path at every opportunity. After a heady waltz, he can’t resist an embrace, much to Charlotte’s delight. Caught in an embarrassing display, Thomas agrees to marry her to save her reputation. The stage is set for a mismatch made in heaven.
A tumultuous wedding night dashes Charlotte’s rosy expectations. Her husband is still besotted with the image of her perfect sister, Lady Middleton, and Charlotte falls far short of that paragon of sophistication. Isolated in the Palmer estate, she sinks into despair. Only by launching a campaign to capture her husband’s esteem can she snag her own happiness.
But can she shift his heart to her own charms and secure her happily ever after?
From alpha through beta, gamma, and all the way to omega, the current trend in creating romance heroes may be all Greek to you. But whether you crave a guy who’s brooding and dominant, affable but capable, or downright dangerous, there’s a trope for that. To fashion a hero who can carry an entire novel, though, you need to venture beyond the trope.
On February 13th, 2021, I’ll be discussing how to move beyond the parameters of alpha-plus characters as a panelist at the Carolina Book and Writer Conference during the Ink of Love session. Zoom in, or check out the recording later!
I know what scares me. And because I was born to research, I know why. Fear theories abound—at least seven in various psychological journals I read recently. For my purpose as a writer, though, I prefer the prism of evolutionary theory, as discussed in The Psychologist (from the British Psychological Society).
Our primitive brains harbor instinctive, very understandable fears:
You get that, right? For years, I watched Jaws on the last day of school, each time experiencing thrill and dread during the 4th of July scene on the beach. As a kid glued to Shock Theater on TV, I lapped up Lugosi in Browning’s Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr. in The Wolf Man, then slept with my blanket tucked over my neck. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead probably scarred me for life. So did Tolkien’s Shelob.
Given the current health crisis, we all get this one. The horror genre oozes with examples. Will you ever forget the xenomorph chest-burster in Alien? Vampirism and zombie death/life are catching too. Remember the rapid spread of the virus in Brooks’ World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War?In the movie Slither, the parasite works as a conscious disease that utterly transforms its hosts.
The third is my favorite fear category. It’s a vague term, I know. A better one might be Freud’s term unheimlichkeit, meaning uncanniness. These are the situations (or beings) that set off your Spidey-sense. I have a recurring dream that perfectly illustrates the fear. It’s late at night. I wander into the bathroom and pause in front of the mirror over the sink. As I look at my reflection, I sense that something is off. Then she grins at me.
Just writing the description creeps me out.
And creepy is another good word to describe this category. It’s an uneasiness, a tingle that’s like a flashing yellow light warning you to watch out. It’s Shirley Jackson telling you from the beginning that Hill House is not sane. From the outside, the bricks meet neatly, but all the corners are askew.
This category covers things that might seem right at first glance, but not on the second one. Ever wonder why monsters in masks so terrify? They fall under the third category too. From the primitive brain perspective, masked entities are dangerous because their true facial expressions are hidden, so it’s impossible to assess any threat they might represent. Modern nightmares are full of these masked monsters. You might have bought Halloween masks of Leatherface, Jason Voorhees, and Michael Myers.
Clowns are practically a case study. I know a sweet lady who dresses up as one and makes balloon animals for sick kids. But Gacy also dressed up as a clown. Clowns are problematic. Their makeup exaggerates features and hides expression. Because you can’t be sure about them, clowns are creepy. David Livingstone Smith in “A Theory of Creepiness” discusses the threat ambiguity theory. When something is off, uncanny, you can’t categorize it. The uncertainty paralyzes.
A related fear factor term is the uncanny valley. If you’re disturbed by dolls that are too lifelike or the animation in The Polar Express, you know what I’m referring to. Horror movies frequently descend into this valley when they show a critter with halting, jerky movements that hint the thing isn’t quite human. Go ahead and cringe as you recall Samara creeping out of the TV in The Ring, and Regan spider-walking downstairs in The Exorcist.
As a writer, I love dwelling in that uncanny valley and creating settings that signal to my readers that something is off. The Something in the Dark series features haunted places that are scary because of their ambiguity—the possible unseen threat.
Think about it. Everything about an abandoned old mansion calls for hypervigilance: creaking floorboards, fluttering curtains, low-frequency moans from dusty ducts, cold spots, and limited exits. No wonder the Winchester House and Pennhurst are haunted. (By the way, as a teen in the seventies, I used to volunteer at Pennhurst. Even occupied, it was horrific.)
I’ve used my valley experiences countless times in my work. In Seeing Things, I recreated a terrifying graveyard hide-and-seek game. As I hid, I knew with a cold certainty that something was hiding with me.
Stephen King in Danse Macabre explains that “we make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.” Look around. Is it any wonder horror lit is popular?