Rare Regency Novels: "The Authoress. A Tale."

In order to research for wriitng yet another historical fiction novel, I’ve been reading the authors that published novels around the same time as Jane Austen did. Lately, I’ve discovered the little-known author Jane Taylor, who also wrote the lyrics to “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” In addition to that, she wrote several other novels. Today I will talk about “The Authoress. A Tale.” From the first pages, it impressed me with the humor, much of which rings true for those who attempt to write today. Keep reading to see for yourself.

“So, my young friend, I hear you have turned authoress,” said Mr. Newman.

“It is, notwithstanding, the most unfortunate thing I ever did in my life.”

“How so? How so?” demanded the old gentleman, with some impatience.

“My first work,” replied she, “went off very well. This flattered my vanity, and I wrote a second in high spirits; but,” and a deep blush here overspread her face, “but my unfortunate second met not with the same fate; it was refused, rejected. This, though it mortified my pride, did not subdue my inclination for writing; but my ideas no longer flowed in an easy and natural manner. I wrote and blotted, began and never finished, till now my desk is filled with unconnected scrawls, which I am unwilling to destroy, but which I foresee will never be completed.”

I had to laugh when reading the above because it sounds very much like 85% of the comments that I see on Twitter from those who write. Ah, the pains of writing! (Leans back dramatically to put a hand to forehead and sigh.) According to this 1819 novel, such thoughts are not at all new!

Mr. Newman then offers to read the young lady’s unfinished scribbles in order to help the writing process. He reads each piece aloud, stopping periodically to make several dry and almost sarcastic comments. As many of us do, the young authoress makes the mistake of too much narration at the beginning of one work that has little to do with the actual story.

“Pray, my dear,” said the old gentleman, raising his eyes, “have you written particularly and expressly for the descendants of Job?”

“Sir!” uttered the authoress.

“I say, my dear, you have stretched this part of your story considerably too much; but few I should imagine would have patience to peruse such an enumeration of events, merely to be told at the conclusion—’Twas none of these.”

“I perceive, sir,” replied the young lady, “that you know nothing of one of the principal beauties of this style of writing. To wind up the imagination to the untmost height, before you develop the real fact, causes the reader to enjoy all the delight of a strong contrast.”

“As soon might you persuade me,” returned Mr. Newman, “that after traveling up a steep hill, in hopes of contemplating the scenery below, I should enjoy the contrast of being suddenly and violently pushed to the bottom.”

In short, Jane Taylor’s novella pokes fun at the writing process and echoes many of the sentiments expressed by both writers and beta readers throughout the years. It’s too bad that most of these are out of print. Here’s where I found my copy.

https://www.amazon.com/Authoress-Tale-Author-Rachel-Taylor/dp/0371357942/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+authoress+jane+taylor&qid=1638890695&s=books&sr=1-1