Student romance novelist takes life one page at a time

Bruce Brakehardt '05 may one day be added to the list of famous graduates produced by Princeton University. On campus you may find him hanging out in Rocky College, attending MOL 214 and creative writing classes, and working occasionally for PUDS and Tiger Patrol.

So why can't you find Bruce's picture in your Freshman Facebook? The answer is simple: "Bruce" is merely the pen name for aspiring romance novelist Patrick Cunningham.

Cunningham '05, explains the typical progression of novel production. Most writers begin with a vision and subsequently search for a publisher to help make their idea marketable.

But Cunningham reversed the standard process by researching the wants and interests of publishers in order to see how he could market his writing skills. His answer: a genre of literature known as the "regency period" romance novel.

Regency novels, apparently in demand by many publishing companies—such as Signet Regency, for example—are like "a Danielle Steele novel dressed up in Jane Austen's clothes," Cunningham explains. "Social etiquette motivates the whole novel." Other key elements of regency novels include extravagant costumes and plots shrouded in mystery.

"Second semester I decided I'm going to do something different to augment my studies," recalls Cunningham, who, impressively, reads at least one non-course-related book per week.

Interestingly, he has chosen to present his work under another name: "I'm not Pat Cunningham anymore when I write," he explains, "I'm . . . [dramatic pause] . . . 'Bruce Brakehardt!' "

Cunningham describes how the idea to write a novel began to take shape. In a recent meeting with his academic advisor, Dr. Peter Balaam, the idea "just came up", and Pat formulated his plan to write the regency novel.

Cunningham's ambitions are impressive enough when coupled with the rigorous academic demands of the undergraduate courseload, but his aspirations distinguish him in another aspect as well. Regency novels—which generally have heroines rather than heroes—are usually the products of female authors.

"I'll be like George Elliott in verse," he reasons, "I'll break a glass ceiling, so to speak."

Cunningham's novelistic tendencies were evident as early as the sixth grade, when he set off to write a 30-page story, with the goal of writing a page a day for a month.

"I had just got my computer and I didn't know how to change the font or the spacing," he recalls. The final product was a 30-page, 10-point font, single-spaced saga set during the Civil War.

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"I thought I would be creative and tell it from the perspective of the South," recalls Cunningham, who hails from Ohio. "I wasn't aware of "Gone With the Wind" at the time." This childhood attempt did not yet include any signs of regency or neo-regency influence, nor had Pat yet assumed the persona of Bruce Brakehardt.

Cunningham plans to finish a working draft of his current novel by June. The work-in-progress tells the story of Elisabeth Hayward, a young woman living in New York at the turn of the century, who inherits her father's England estate when he dies unexpectedly.

Upon arriving in England, Hayward is "thrust into a world of social etiquette" and must accustom herself to new cultural standards. At the same time, she struggles to understand her father's reasons for leaving behind his money and reputation in England to work as a humble craftsman in New York. Inevitably, she encounters a dark, dashing hero who adds the requisite touch of romance to the brewing plot.

The aspiring author tries to work at least three hours a day on Mondays and Fridays—the days during which he has minimal class time. "It's real cool to go around saying, 'I'm writing a romance novel," he boasts in a mock-British accent.

Cunningham plans to pursue a career with a creative emphasis. But when asked if he has any career goals outside of being a romance novelist, he answers, "I can safely assure you they're all outside of being a romance novelist."

While most undergraduates struggle with term papers, JP's and senior theses in order to meet spring deadlines, Cun-ningham will continue to develop his drama.

Although he's already written the ending, there are still holes to be filled. Cunningham has set the deadline of September 2002 for his publishing draft, which will correct for spelling and grammar.

When asked if he has any curious friends who try to get him to share with them the ending to this mystery. "Well . . . most of my friends are just asking me to shut up about it," he admits.