Yours Faithfully, Amanda

June 21, 2019 Dear Jane, Once again it has been much too long since last I wrote. In truth, I did not have the inspiration or drive to write these past couple of months so I allowed myself the freedom to take a step back from letter writing. Now however, I have journeyed there and back again ("there" being South America) with my sister, Rachael, and so the time has come once again to pick up the pen. And by "pick up the pen," I do mean, "type on the keyboard." Writing of one's adventures is vitally important so I must continue my mission of chronicling them. I often think of a line you once wrote in a letter to your sister, Cassandra, when I have trouble getting started with letters: "I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am." Inspirational as always, Jane. Watching the sunrise! Now then, our journey to Cartagena, Colombia began on Sunday, the nineteenth of May in the Year-of-Our-Lord two-thousand and ...

March 8, 2018 Dear Jane, First of all, Happy International Women's Day! Oh, how you would have loved to celebrate such a momentous day whilst you were living. I must say that you are a very important figure in Women's History , Jane,  and will always be remembered as such. I must now acknowledge that I forgot to wear purple today and humbly ask the women of the world to forgive me. The Gentlemen! Secondly, it has once again been too long since last I wrote, but I wish you to take solace in the fact that I often have the intention and wish to write even if I do not often follow through. I must say that I am all astonishment that we are already in the midst of March! Why, my father has already celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday, or as he likes to call it, his "Beatles birthday," and my sweet nephew, Octavian, celebrated his eight month birthday (both on the fifth day of this month). Laugh.Out.Loud. 28+1...equals 29. Now, this is difficult for me to conf...

March 23, 2017 Dear Jane, I thought I might share with you a poem I wrote about a year ago and it just so happens that it was inspired by the beloved heroines of your treasured novels. Since it is Women's History Month and the world celebrated World Poetry Day this past Tuesday, it seemed fitting to share a poem about my favorite authoress and her divine leading ladies.  Now before I share my poem, I find myself remembering a humorous and lively conversation between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice :  These two love birds can't fool us.     "And so ended his affection," said Elizabeth impatiently. "There has been many a one, I fancy, overcome in the same way. I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"    "I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy.    "Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Ev...

July 18, 2016 Dear Jane, Although it saddens me to pen a letter to you on this day, the 199th anniversary of your untimely passing, it also gives me great joy as so many admirers are paying tribute to your extraordinary life and talent. As a faithful Janeite, I would be remiss if I did not do so as well. Now, as I often find myself writing short poems to express my feelings, it should come as no surprise to you that I was inspired to write one this morning to commemorate this bittersweet occasion. It is as follows: Remembering Jane A watercolor of you painted by your beloved sister, Cassandra. By: Amanda Forker How we wish we could have met you, Our dearest Jane Austen, For in all of your stories, We find ourselves lost in. We thank you for the heroines, And the fine heroes you wrote, For on them your loyal Janeites, Will surely always dote. Miss Austen, you have bewitched us, Both body and soul, And because of your novels, We Janeites are whole. So we remem...

March 19, 2016 Dear Jane, I do hate to complain, but I must confess to being quite ill as of late. I believe in my heart that I have a sinus infection (but I often believe myself to be suffering from sinus infections, you know). I dare say, I am rather like your character Mary Musgrove (née Elliot) of Persuasion  who famously said the above-listed quotation. As you well know, Mary always fancies herself indisposed but this particular time, however, I really am!  I had no intention of specifically using this quote, but I should not be surprised as I just finished re-reading Persuasion (a great favorite of mine!).  Since last I wrote to you, I celebrated my twenty-seventh birthday...goodness me, I am getting old! However, I have decided that I quite like this age as it is exactly the age of Anne Elliot in Persuasion and as she is one of my favorite literary heroines, why should not I be happy with twenty-seven? Much can happen to a woman at the age of twenty-seven a...