Behind the Story: Retelling

When in a time pinch for a story idea, sometimes it's best to just stick with a classic. See how Sarah A. Crouch came up with her idea for her novella in our new collection which releases TOMORROW.

​I remember reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I’d wandered over into the adult section of our tiny public library in Prairie Grove, Arkansas because I’d just about exhausted all of the options in the children’s section. Jane Austen was a name I’d heard before, so I knew her books were supposed to be some of the classics, but I didn’t know if she’d read more like Moby Dick or Tom Sawyer.
 
After loving Pride and Prejudice, I quickly consumed Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Emma. My parents let me watch the 1996 Gwenyth Paltrow Emma at some point, but Clueless was the first time I remember watching a modern adaptation of a classic story (unless you count the PBS show, Wishbone). I’ve since loved all things Jane Austen and Emma stuck with me as the quintessential matchmaking story.

Fast forward to 2023 when Amy and Heather reached out about collaborating on a Christmas novella collection. The theme: matchmaking. The catch: we had to submit a proposal ASAP. As I quickly brainstormed ideas, I kept coming back to Emma. What about a modern adaptation of Emma, with a contemporary Christian romance spin—at Christmas?
 
Writing “A Match of Her Own” felt like taking a shortcut to the fun parts of writing. I got to come in with a plot I knew I loved and characters that were already three-dimensional. Combining elements of the story to fit into a novella was a bit of a puzzle, but still enjoyable.
 
Emma Woodhouse became Victoria Wood, George Knightley became Jared Knight, and Harriet Smith became Miranda Smith. I also included a few fun nods to the Regency period and even Clueless.
 
There are many types of retellings, fairy tale, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, etc. Are you a fan of retellings? Or do you prefer to stick to the original?

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​Victoria Wood is torn between elation and devastation now that her sister is married and gone. When she realizes her sister’s best friend is alone and best-friend-less on Christmas, she knows just what to do. Set her up with a boyfriend! But pesky Jared Knight keeps getting in the way. Jared can’t date Victoria—she’s too immature—but he can’t convince his heart to move on. How will he keep Victoria from ruining everyone’s love lives? When will she realize her perfect match is closer than she thinks?

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Sarah Anne Crouch lives in Arkansas with her husband, three children, and thousands of books. She always wanted to be an author, but spent some time as a teacher, earned a degree in library science, and makes feeble attempts to corral her small children as a stay-at-home mom. Sarah loves reading books, recipes, piano music, and emails from readers.
 
Keep up with her here.

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