About Me

The nineteenth century was a time of much to critique. It was the time of oppression. Only look at the attitudes towards women, the empire, slavery in the Americas profiting it and Europe. It was a time of classism: the horrific mistreatment of the poor; the aristocratic paupers withering away, unable to work. But it was also a time of change. Change for the better.The industrial revolution- allowing people access to what we know take for granted as basic necessities.

Economic prosperity- with Great Britain rising as one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

Emerging philosophies- Victorian thinking shaped that of the modern era.

A growing middle-class- something beginning to eat away at the major social divide.

And, yes, this was the era of fancy hats.

But there's one thing from that century gone by which has shaped me. What inspired me to start this website, and inspired my life:

Literature

The first ever classic I read was Oliver Twist. It isn't my favourite Dickens, far from it, and Dickens isn't even amongst my top ten authors. But, immediately, at the tender age of seven, after consuming volume after volume of Jacqueline Wilson and Holly Webb, I was enthralled.

Since then I rapidly underwent a journey of self-discovery. I was a Janeite. I was one of the few to favour Anne Bronte above even her more illustrious sisters. I couldn't get enough of Gaskell. The Romantic poets were wonderful. That, yes, it is actually possible to cry in the tube because a character disposes of her rapist ( I refuse to use the word murder) out of love, is hanged, and then has her lover courting her sister even as the blade falls upon her throat. (It's not a spoiler if I don't specify the book).

I also discovered that I would like to be a writer very much indeed.

I've found that there's more to becoming a 'lady of letters' than ambition. But (as of the date this book was published) I've actually found the willpower to go half-way through my second draft my first ever book. This blog is like an online diary- with comments. So follow me, Anne Hall, on my journey towards literary success. Its a frustratingly slow journey, but one I can share. And that's a luxury even the wealthiest Victorian duchesses couldn't afford.