Since I’ve published seven Jane Austen-related novels, people often ask me why there’s such a fascination with Jane Austen in general and Pride and Prejudice in particular. I’ve developed a number of stock answers having to do with the brilliance and universality of her characterizations, the appeal of escaping to a different era, and the assurance that love will always triumph in Jane Austen’s world. And how can you not love Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy? But the current appeal, with new Austen-related novels being published every month, may have to do with something that goes beyond Jane Austen herself. Most women readers I run into already know the story of Pride and Prejudice. Either they read it in high school, or they saw the 1995 miniseries with Colin Firth or the 2005 movie with Matthew MacFadyen, but they all know the basic story. I can walk into any bookstore and start a conversation with a woman I’ve never met about Mr. Darcy, and chances are good I’m going to hear how much she loves Pride & Prejudice. It’s as close to a universal that we have for women who read. In today’s fragmented world, we’re always grasping for sources…

My writing routine? What writing routine? If you want to know about my writing process, I’ll need to tell you a little about my life first. I work two days a week as a doctor. I have two kids at home, my 15 year old son with an autism spectrum disorder and a black belt in karate and my 18 year old daughter who always, umm, keeps my life interesting. Yes, interesting is a good word. Most 18 year old girls like to spend time at the mall and talk about boys. Not mine. Mine is an extremely dedicated Shakespearean actress. I’m not joking – she’s been in over 50 productions, mostly Shakespeare. I’d worry about her obsession with Shakespeare if I wasn’t just as obsessed with Jane Austen. I spend a lot of time dealing with my son’s school and coaching him with his homework, plus the usual mom taxi service. We have six cats and two dogs who are sweet but have no manners. My darling husband saves my life by making dinner every day and doing all the laundry (and no, you can’t have him!). Getting the picture? I don’t have a writing routine. I write whenever…