Vella has Died

Kindle Vella has died. Bezo's answer to Wattpad is officially being ended in February 2025. I will not say I'm surprised, but it is what it is. One thing Wattpad offered to readers was reading stuff for free. Then if they liked what they were reading, then they could move onto paid content. But Vella was never like that and most of its target audience, tweens to teens, don't have the disposable income to pay for something they may not like. Or want to risk their hard earned pocket money for an author that may suck.

I tested the Vella waters with my book, Rose, part of the Fleurs du Jardin series. What I learned is my writing probably doesn't lend itself very well to serialized fiction. I didn't sell very many reads at all.

So I'm learning from my mistake and making Rose a full-fledged novel available on KDP coming soon. I'm still working out things like a new cover and formatting it for ebook and paperback. But once those are in place, I will let everyone know how and when they can get book one in this four book series!

In the meantime, make sure to use up any tokens you might have purchased for Vella between now and February!

In Defense of Fanny Price

 

Mansfield Park was my least favorite Jane Austen novel. Fanny Price was my least favorite heroine. She was so different from Elizabeth or Emma. She made me want to shake her with her passivity and primness. She got what she wanted in the end only because they happened to work out. Fanny could have done a hundred things differently, yet she didn't.

So naturally, I started my quest to re-write Jane Austen’s novels with the most challenging novel to me—Mansfield Park. The values of Regency England align with modern LDS culture, especially in Utah. But in writing Mansfield 2nd Ward, I discovered there was so much more to Fanny Price than I had originally understood. So instead of subverting what Jane had originally written, I ended up defending Fanny’s choices. Examining why people acted as they did in the novel posed an interesting challenge. I surprised myself and I hope Mansfield 2nd Ward ends up surprising you too.

More than Meets the Eye

I thought Mansfield Park (1999) portrayed a Fanny Price I liked better than in the book. She had more spunk, stood up for herself sooner, and communicated better with Edmund.

However, the movie Fanny had too much of everything above which ended up making the tribulations with her family somewhat confusing. But one thing was clear - no matter how much spunk she had, it had to hurt that her family discounted her since she’d come to live with them. She wasn’t "family enough.” There is going to be some collateral damage to your psyche living with this, even if you have a lot of spunk. So it was almost cognitively dissonant for her to think anyone in the family except Edmund would take her seriously. Elle had to differ from this version in my book. I wanted Elle’s motivations to make sense in the context of her personality and her place in the Norris household. And as Nate’s best friend.

You’ve Got a Friend

So I had to give the book Fanny’s motivations for how she handled the Mary/Edmund situation a lot more serious thought. I’d always scorned Fanny’s reasons for quietly suffering while her love pursued someone else. Writing Mansfield 2nd Ward made me realize there could be good reasons.

Elle doesn't take action against Sophia out of love for Nate. He chose Sophia, for good or bad. Elle’s choice to keep her opinions to herself, when that definitely wasn’t in her nature, wasn’t a passive thing. It was very much an active thing. Despite her love for Nate, she had to accept her friend's mistake. Nate gave Elle the chance to tell him what she thinks of Sophia, but it made little difference in the end. Nate was too enamored to notice Sophia's flaws. Elle realized this, as did Fanny when it came to Edmund. 

And that changed my perspective on how Fanny dealt with Edmund. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink. You can offer your opinion, yet the choice to listen is theirs. You can try to help someone you love see they’re making a terrible choice, but you can’t make them see it if they don’t want to. It made Fanny’s choices look less passive to me, and a lot more frustrating for her. 

More than a Woman

Writing Mansfield 2nd Ward also changed my opinion on the way Henry and Fanny interacted. When I was fleshing out Tucker’s personality, I had to think about what made Elle so attractive to him. Obviously, a player loves the chase. But that will only keep him interested for a while and Elle makes him work for her attention. Yet he never gives up. It’s very much like Henry with Fanny. Once Henry notices Fanny–like really notices her–there seems to be this obsessive fascination with her. I don’t entirely understand the reasons Henry became so enamored of Fanny Price in the book, but I had to justify it for Tucker and Elle.

What it all came down to was the benefit each received by being together. They saw reflections of themselves they wished to be. 

For Tucker, Elle was a catalyst, or an agent of change. He saw things about himself because of her he’d never considered before. Would I feel better about myself if I attended church every Sunday, committed to my priesthood, and was loyal to one woman? 

For Elle, he allowed her to discover her power as a woman. He admired her in a way she hadn't experienced before. Something Nate didn't provide. Nate tended to treat her like a dad. Tucker showed Elle she didn’t have to fear being desired by the opposite sex and feeling desired was a boost of confidence she’d never experienced before. It fundamentally changed the way she viewed Nate and made her understand how he totally overlooked her once he got home from his mission.

It’s another aspect of the Fanny and Edmund relationship I had failed to notice. Once noticed, though, it was definitely an important one. Fanny comprehended desire is part of marriage as love, respect and friendship.

Henry's pursuit of Fanny made Edmund face his emotions. They were emotions he’d likely under-estimated or tried to ignore.

Writing my book made me understand Fanny Price a little better than I had. She still drives me bonkers and I like Elle’s spunky, if somewhat bossy, personality more. Jane believed that the good girl deserves the good boy with enough strength to show her true self. And I achieved that with Elle and Nate in Mansfield 2nd Ward the way I had wanted.

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Who is your least favorite Jane Austen heroine and why?

Tag me in your social media to let me know your answer!

** This is an edited version of a previously released blog post on wsdeming.com (no longer active). **

Jane Austen, again?

I see it in your face at the bookstore. Or when you’re seeking something to read online. You’re looking at my book, Mansfield 2nd Ward, an LDS retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion. You make the same face I do when I see Hallmark's "Pride & __Fill_in_the_Blank__" title.

Jane Austen, again? Really?

Yes. Really.

But why?

The Regency era of England shares similarities with LDS culture. You line them up and they look pretty darn similar. Not saying us Mormons run around in frock coats and cravats and stuff. But we have cultural expectations regarding marriage and church attendance. It leads to small group cultures that arise from the organization of regional wards (a congregation) and stakes (a parish).

Is that a bad thing? I think it depends on what expectations we’re talking about. Some are pretty funny in how similar they are. Some of them, well, they’re pretty sad.

What We Do for Love

Mr. Crawford and Fanny. Captain Wentworth and Anne. Mr. Ferrars and Elinor and Colonel Brandon and Marianne. Classic couples from Jane Austen’s collection of amazing stories whose struggles to be together still speak to us even after 175 years. And the biggest common denominator among them are the concepts of love and marriage.

Back in Jane’s time, love and marriage were a pretty big deal no matter what your social status. And several of her stories touched on the pitfalls and the possibilities love and marriage in her time could bring. Whether they were marrying above or below your station or whether you got married at all was pretty important for most of Austen’s readers.

In a religion that values family and connection, marriage in the LDS church is a pretty big deal too. Single people know this best. Ask them. They’ll tell you. All about it. No matter if it’s because of a missed chance, the death of a loved one, or no one picked you out of the starting lineup, Jane Austen speaks to the single person in all of us. Let’s explore what that could mean for the girl who’d “been a very pretty girl, but her bloom had vanished early” as Anne Elliot’s did. Or the divorced, single or widowed sister in the ward feeling a little like Fanny Price, who, as the outsider, was constantly reminded “they cannot be equals. Their rank, fortune, rights, and expectations will always be different.“

I’m not suggesting that the other ward members think themselves above these blessed sisters. I’m suggesting that we see them in an environment where certain members in the ward are a little rounder than the square hole pegged for family units. Seeing the amusing side of being different, but also the realities, too.

Mr. Crawford, Edmund Bertram and Fanny Price

The love triangle is not my favorite romance trope (so, of course, my first book, Mansfield 2nd Ward, is one). But I’m not averse to using it as a tried-and-true mechanic of a delightful love story. Two men in love with you - who wouldn't love that? Choices, choices. Fanny's dilemma is far more complex. It’s one that LDS girls all over the world are dealing with themselves — bad boy or boy of the world vs. good boy or church-going boy.

This is a simplistic view of the problem. There’s more nuance than leather jacket wearing street thug vs. oxford-and-tie-wearing, scripture-toting Peter Priesthood. Some boys outside the church are really great guys. But many of our divorced sisters know too well some brethren inside the church talk the talk pretty well, but don’t walk the walk behind closed doors.

What it shows us is we need to be mindful of our choice no matter who they are. Fanny struggles a little between her love for Edmund and her rampant denial of her attraction to Mr. Crawford. In the end, Fanny comprehends Edmund's worth. She had Mr. Crawford and his actions to compare Edmund to. To find the Prince, we must kiss a few frogs.

Captain Wentworth and Anne

Oh, boy, can soooo many of our dear sisters relate to this one. The age old church culture question of “Am I too old date?” Young women aged 21 or 22 are asking this. It's a question my character, Paige, from Always Faithful had already come to terms with. But seriously? I mean, getting married, sealed to our chosen companion and raising a family should be pretty high on the priority list for life. It’s a representation here on Earth of the order of things in Heaven.

There is a strong expectation for young church members to take care of it quickly. Young men get home from their missions and the elder folk are already elbowing them in the ribs to move to the next step in their life progression. And we sell girls on an idea created by certain aspects of church culture that marriage, even temple marriage, is the happily ever after they’re looking for. So these well-meaning young folks rush to the altar.

Church culture looks critically at those who are single, or the leftovers. Why haven’t they found anyone? If you were attractive, kind, and spiritual enough, you would have found someone! People of Anne’s acquaintance speculated that her face had lost its early bloom and now no one would want her, and she had agreed with them.

Austen’s moral of the story is clear in Persuasion—one should think for themselves who constitutes a suitable spouse and decide without external influence.

I’ve looked at it from a slightly different perspective and one that can apply to nowadays. I’ve always been of the opinion that Anne did pretty well for herself, despite her disappointment and circumstances. She carved a life out for herself. Anne had no guarantee she’d run into Captain Wentworth ever again. She could do nothing about her age or her looks. She put her efforts into tasks and excelled, which made her well-loved.

We should encourage our young people to value carving out a worthy and valuable life for themselves. I shouldn’t matter if they don’t find a spouse right away. They shouldn’t spend most of their time and energy looking for a spouse. Our worth within the church shouldn’t be determined by our marital status. Each of us has a different life path to take, personally overseen by a loving Heavenly Father, and He knows our value better than anyone. If He intends for a spouse to show up, then He’ll arrange it so they come. No sign of a white knight? We have other priorities.

Mr. Ferrars & Elinor, Colonel Brandon & Marianne

I saved the biggest for the last because it's massive. There’s so much sub-context that has implications for every aspect of church culture. Sense and Sensibility mainly comment on the perceived merit of a person because of their economic status or level in society. Some elements in our culture value people based on educational prospects, political affiliation, or activity status. Some people may not fit in at church because they don’t represent an understood norm, like body type, size, race, sexual orientation, disability, or even body art. Church culture has caused people to lose sight of the gospel's message of inclusivity. It was a major theme of my book, Date-Ability, especially in context to an LDS singles ward.

What relevance does this have to Sense and Sensibility? Think about it. Why were Marianne and Elinor deemed unsuitable brides? Money. Edward and Elinor cared deeply for each other. Edward’s mother couldn’t have cared less. Mr. Willoughby ditched Marianne for the rich girl faster than a hot potato because, though Marianne was beautiful, she was poor. Luckily for Edward, things worked out. Lucky for Marianne, things didn’t. (I guess that’s up for debate. Marrying a guy nearly double your age at sixteen/seventeen isn’t what I’d call a happy ending, but it was a different time period. Whatevs.) Both women had a value outside of what society saw.

Making choices based on expectations can cause unhappiness.. Edward endured the consequences for a while. Mr. Willoughby almost certainly suffered them until death. We all know we have agency given by God to everyone, but sometimes the pressure we feel from people we love makes it feel like we have no choice. There is a special light that shines when a couple is equally yoked and in love for the right reasons. But I’ve also been witness to the consequences of people so desperate to belong, they married anyone who happened along because they checked off certain criteria.

Shouldn’t the value of belonging just mean that we’re part of the church family and the community at a large? Do members have to have a marriage card, or mom card or active member card to enjoy the benefits of being part of Christ’s gospel?

One of my favorite bloggers is Al Carraway, who sometimes goes by the moniker The Tattooed Mormon. She is funny, sweet, and I dare you to read her testimony of the church and not tear up. She truly strives to live the gospel the best she can–and she has elbow length sleeve tattoos.

Al tells the story that is unfortunately not an exception within some wards. A member of her ward unashamedly said she was going to hell for her tattoos. Had they taken a few minutes to know Al, they would have known she was a new convert. Her tattoos were done in her younger years. Instead, judgement and vitriol were thrown in a new convert’s face.

Some new converts aren’t as strong as Al. Some lifelong members aren’t as strong as she is. She walked away from the experience, applying it as a learning moment rather than taking offense. What of the one whose faith is growing? Are we going to pour salt water all over it because they have gages in their ears? Or because they came to church in jeans? Or because they smell like cigarette smoke? Or because they’re Native American or Middle Eastern or Eastern Asian or Aboriginal? Or they have autism or Tourette’s that cause them to have outbursts they can’t control?

Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars ignored society's expectations and loved their brides. Not for what either sister could offer, but for who they were. Heavenly Father sees the person on the inside, no matter the disability, addiction, tattoos, piercings, race, or clothing. He roots for His child to make choices that enrich their lives and live with dignity. And as He has constantly directed us, He expects us to follow his example.

What We Should Do for Love

Jane Austen is as relevant today as much for her witty dialogue and timeless love stories as for her social commentary. Times have definitely changed since she was alive. The caste system has become less rigid. Most people marry the person of their choice rather than the person they’re expected or arranged to.

But some things never change. Just as Regency-era people did, we choose the people we love. We have doubts and fears we’re making the ideal choice for our life partner. Or we worry the right one might have passed us by. We search for acceptance in the church and the world. Church is supposed to be our protection from the world's lure. Not all members experience this. I think we should strive to make church a place that truly reflects the sign located outside nearly every chapel everywhere in the world. Cherish your fellow ward members without condition.

*~*~*~*

Do you have a ward member that has inspired you with their Christ-like love for others?

Tag me in your social media to answer the question!

*A republished version of a blog post from wsdeming.com (no longer active).

Sweet, Clean and Wholesome Romance

If you’ve read romance at all, then you know navigating heat levels within the genre can be a challenge. There’s nothing like picking up a book that looks like a sweet romantic comedy and then having your retinas seared off by an unexpected sexy scene. So how do you know which books to pick to prevent sore eyeballs? What is the difference between sweet, clean, or wholesome romance?

Sweet and Wholesome

People sometimes use the titles 'sweet' and 'wholesome' synonymously.. And most of the time, that’s ok. Sweet and wholesome romances have little physical interaction between the main character (MC) and their love interest (LI). Think Hallmark movie level heat - maybe holding hands, maybe a brief hug or a cuddle, and usually a kiss or two and that’s about it. The story concentrates strongly on the mental and emotional bonding between the couple.

The fundamental difference between sweet and wholesome, in my experience, is religious vs. secular. This is an unofficial designation, observed when reading the different romances available. 

Wholesome tends to be the more religious type romances. It could be overt, like being categorized as a Christian romance. Or it could be more subtle, like the people in the story don’t live together before marriage. They might pray or drink alcohol only at dinner or on special occasions.

Sweet, on the other hand, is more secular. They won’t concentrate on religious themes or standards. The story focuses on the common relationships found in everyday life. They keep swearing and violent themes to a minimum. Usually none.

Also, sweet romances can include LGBTQ+ themes, where wholesome probably won’t.

Clean Romance

Clean romance can include any and all of the above. Fade-To-Black or Closed-Door romance are other ways to identify a clean romance. Clean romance means that there will be kissing, hugging, cuddling, feelings, touching, and fading to the next scene when the clothes start to come off. Or mostly off. One or two might have come off. But there are no focused descriptions of body parts or the reactions said body parts are having, or what those body parts might be doing.

There are also different spice levels within the clean romance genre as well. My daughter and I came up with the following designations:

• Peppy - Pretty much on the same level as sweet, but maybe there was a bit more touching or kissing than grandma might be comfortable reading.

• Tangy - Deep kissing, some touchy-touching without getting too descriptive, a bit more descriptive of feelings and the character’s reactions to physical interactions with their LI. Maybe light making out. 

• Zesty - All the above with some clothing removal, heavy necking or making out, but right before things get ‘interesting’, they close the door and the scene cuts to the aftermath.

Sweetwater and Ophelia are Zesty, while Rose (on Kindle Vella) is Peppy. My rule of thumb is that once things head south of the collarbone, I cut to the next scene. I also don’t do moaning, screaming, or rubbing.

Clean tends to be more LGBTQ+ friendly than the other two. Most queer friendly novels are probably going to be in the Spicy and up categories, if it’s a book for adults. However, plenty of YA novels have been published in the last decade or so that can give you both a clean and queer book to read.

Clean can also mean more serious subject matter than sweet or wholesome. Men aren’t always nice and respectful. Bad things besides bakeries shutting down can happen. Harder decisions besides “Do I go back to the big city or stay in the small town?” have to be made. Swear words or violence are not showcased, but can still be there. In Sweetwater, one theme of the book is war-related PTSD. Not generally something you’d see on Hallmark.

Cozy

I thought I’d give an honorable mention to the term cozy, in case you didn’t know what that meant. Usually used regarding mysteries, but I’ve also seen cozy horror as well. The characters in the novel usually reference the violence instead of describing it in detail. In horror, the best example I can give is Goosebumps but for adults.

Cozy also doesn’t have a lot of sex or swearing as well.

How Can I Tell?

Unfortunately, there is no surefire way of being able to tell if a romance falls within your particular comfort level. Here are a few ways I recommend vetting the book before you buy it:

• No chesticles on the cover - if there’s a shirtless guy (or girl) on the cover, then you’re likely to have picked up a spicy or smutty novel. They don’t call ‘em bodice-rippers for nothing.
• Read the reviews - some covers, especially in the romantic comedy genre, can be deceiving. The trend right now is to have bubblegum-bright covers with cute, illustrative people. But then when you read it, there are romps in the hay all over the place. Look at the reviews for the book on Goodreads or Bookbub. People should give you a pretty good idea at spice level.

Where Do I Find Good Books?

Again, there is no definitive way to screen your books, but here are some additional ideas for finding good books:

• Search Filters on Book Retailers - not the most reliable way to filter books, but it is a way. You might use keywords like ‘sweet romance’ ‘wholesome romance’ ‘clean romance’ ‘Christian romance’ or ‘sweet and wholesome.’ Particularly for the latter keyword, since no other genre uses that keyword, except maybe women’s fiction.

• Social Media - again, keywords are important, particularly if you’re going to be searching Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. There are huge book communities on these platforms. Using the above referenced keywords can help you find like-minded readers and authors in the genre you want to read.

• Facebook Groups - there are a ton of Facebook groups that cater specifically to these kinds of books. Just search for clean romance and you should find a bunch.

• Newsletters - some authors like to take part in book recommendation swaps on their newsletter, or they like to do book reviews. In my newsletter, I try to have at least three or more book recs from other authors writing the same kinds of books I do. Search for book recs in your favorite author's newsletter.

I get it. It’s hard to find good reads nowadays. It seems the spicy and smutty kinds of romance have the loudest presence in retail stores and online communities. I’m not passing judgment on people who like to read the smut and the spice. I’m someone who prefers to read things I wouldn’t be ashamed to let my teenage daughter read. So I understand how hard it is to find a balance between swoony and smutty when the publishing industry has no classification system to alert us. I hope this helps you find a book that you can read without having to cover grandma’s eyes or straining your eyebrows.

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What is the best place to find sweet, clean and wholesome books that you've found?

Tag me with @passableprose on your social media to let me know your answer.

Happy Reading!