Wednesday, June 18, 2014

What a Piece of Work is a Man...or Woman with Gail McEwen

Today I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Gail McEwen's new book Stronger Even Than Pride. Gail is here to tell us something about her book, about reading and writing JAFF and a little about the characters we love and those we love to hate! Thanks so much for being my guest, Gail. Best wishes with your new release, and readers...there is a giveaway! YAY!

Thank you so much Janet, for the opportunity to share a little bit about my new book.

What a Piece of Work is a Man… or Woman

I’m sure most of us are familiar with Jane Austen’s famous line: “Pictures of perfection, as you know, make me sick and wicked.” It is my favorite Austen quote and the moment I heard it, it made me love her even more. She said this in response to a reader’s opinion that the young ladies in her books ought to be better behaved. And to me, that brings up a surprising paradox in regards to the modern reader and JAFF fan.

Jane hated perfection. Her novels were peopled with decidedly flawed and imperfect beings. Yet, she wrote them so well, we sometimes forget that they are not, nor were they meant to be, without fault. Elizabeth Bennet is impulsive, quick to judge and a little too pleased with her own opinions. Fitzwilliam Darcy does not hesitate to look down upon, ridicule and think meanly of those he feels are beneath him. I think because we are so in love with Jane Austen’s world, her wit, the stories she weaves, and her very real and identifiable characters, we tend to idealize them. In the process, I’m afraid we simplify them and, in doing so, maybe do the author an injustice.

But He / She / They Would Never Do That…

I think that’s the statement I have heard most often from those who have taken exception to the premise of Stronger Even Than Pride and it has always taken me by surprise because when writing it, I was sure that Elizabeth/Darcy/Wickham/Mr Bennet/Jane and Bingley would do exactly that… whatever that was.

The JAFF world has built up its own lore: Colonel Fitzwilliam as the devilishly handsome rake; Carolyn Bingley as the orange wearing harpy; and Darcy, the painfully shy 28-year old who has consciously been saving himself for Elizabeth, the only woman he could ever love, though he has not met her yet. And I knew this… but it didn’t really hit home until I started posting (then subsequently published) Stronger Even Than Pride – a book that denies the main characters their “Hunsford Awakening” and therefore leaves them to continue in their folly and imperfection.

I wanted to explore what could happen if I removed the original impetus for change for both Elizabeth and Darcy. How would these two, who are destined to be together, find their way to each other through circumstances vastly more difficult than mistaken first impressions? What would that journey look like?

Some readers take delight in the angst, loving the trials I have taken these ‘un-Hunsfordised’ characters through. Other readers are appalled, viewing my unconventional ‘what if’ as something bordering on sacrilege.

And that’s okay because it’s all rooted in love for Jane Austen. It’s the reason we are here on these blogs, websites and Facebook pages. The reason why we read and write these books. I hope you love my book, but it’s okay if you don’t. I hope if you’re on the fence about trying it, you’ll give it a chance. But wherever you fall, I invite you to ask any question that might be on your mind about why I had one of the characters do “this” or “that.” Like you, I love to dig in, dig around, dissect and discuss everything to do with Miss Austen’s very real creations!

So true, Gail. It is all rooted in love for Jane Austen and why we are all here doing what we do, whether reading, writing, drawing, creating or reviewing. We cannot seem to get enough of Jane Austen and her characters. Dear Readers, please take Gail up on her invitation and feel free to ask any questions on your mind about her book and/or why she had her characters do what they did. What a wonderful opportunity for a great discussion! Thank you, Gail McEwen.

Michele Reed at Meryton Press is generously offering two books for the giveaway. One trade paperback and an eBook for your eReader. Both are international. Good luck to all. Be sure and leave a comment to be entered. We want to hear your say in the conversation. Be sure to include your email address in the comment. To prevent unwanted spam, put your email address with an (at) instead of @. Winners will be chosen in a random drawing. Giveaway ends at midnight of Midsummer's Day, June 24, 2014. 

Stronger Even Than Pride may be purchased at Amazon and B&N.

41 comments:

  1. Gail, you are a brave soul and I commend you for telling your tale and taking the risk of stirring up controversy. It reminds me of Keira Knightley's comments in the interviews contained in the 2005 movie version of P&P where she says that JA fans claim ownership of the characters as they see and understand them.

    It amazes me how much knowledge and comprehension JA had of dysfunctional family dynamics. Why should our characters not be or be affected by these dysfunctions?

    I hope I get a chance to read this soon. Jdawnking at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you! I haven't always felt so brave - there are still times I wonder what I was thinking! But sometimes you gotta write what you gotta write.

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  2. Again, I cannot thank you enough for this post, Gail. You have further convinced me now to read this book sooner than later. I was on the fence about this book, but am no longer. Can't wait to grab a copy. Thanks! :)

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    1. That's my goal... to convince all the fence-sitters one by one. I'm glad I can take you off my hit list :)

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  3. I read this story as Gail was posting it on AHA. I was new to the online JAFF world then, but was already writing, so it was a real revelation to read a story that took E & D to their darkest places. It was fascinating to see the writing adapt to a premise so full of angst. I have just ordered a hard copy online, so please do not enter me in the drawing. I am so looking forward to holding the book in my hot fists, and seeing the differences between the posted and the published versions. Gail is so right about JA. She was not a saintly person, and her more saintly characters were not her favorites.

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    1. Thank you Linda! I'm so glad you enjoyed the posted version and I can assure you the real book is much better. I had the best editor ever!

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  4. I don't mind if they is not a Hunsford moment, or a Pemberly one as long as at the end of the book they are going to be married and that it is well-written and believable

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. I think you'll be happy with the ending. And I did my best on the well-written and believable part.

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  5. I don't mind reading your take on Elizabeth and Darcy plot as I can say I'm more adventurous. That is if it leads them to each other in the end. Moreover I know of an author who has started from the same point where it diverged from the author but have yet to read the book.

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I have to say, I am very grateful for adventurous readers! Thank you and I hope you enjoy the book.

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  6. I have the book on my TBR as the story line intrigued me. I have read a few other variations that do not have the Hinsfors awakening scene and am looking forward to your take on it. As I already have the eBook please enter me in the giveaway for the paperback. Thank you so much for your generosity. skamper25 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thank you Deborah Ann - I couldn't resist exploring what might happen to those two without their Hunsford.

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  8. I first read Gail McEwen's Lord and Lady Baugham trilogy over a year ago and enjoyed it immensely. I am truly puzzled by those who dislike JAFF authors who change up the original story. We love the characters, after all, and it is engrossing to see them engage in original exploits. Is that not the point behind the "what if" scenario? Very much looking forward to reading this book.

    Forgot to add my email address to the above comment: rcmsilvia[at]gmail.com

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    1. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the Lord and Lady Baugham stories!!! They are my first love after all. I hope you like Stronger Even Than Pride just as well.

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  9. Ooh! Thanks, Gail! I will read this with an open mind and allow enough time to get through the angst! I always have to get through that stuff quickly, and it kills me if I can't read it in one sitting! LOL!

    Don't enter me in the giveaway. I already have a copy, which Gail signed for me at the LA Festival of Books! =)

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    1. It was so good to see you in LA! I felt like such a celebrity, signing books and everything. (and though it's not always an easy story, it won't kill you I promise)

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  10. Enjoyed your post, Gail, and here's wishing you much success with your new book! I understand where you're coming from, as my work has also netted similar remarks. We all love the P&P characters and want them to be happy. "What-ifs" just give them a different path and sometimes more angst than JA provided. Without angst, you really don't have a story to tell.

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    1. Thank you Jan, it's nice to hear from someone who's been there done that. I understand that these stories are tough for some, but the heated responses can still be a little disconcerting, can't they?

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  11. If you love angst (as I do), then this is the book for you! Gail is a wonderful writer and I adore this story!

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  12. Great post, Gail. I love a good "what-if" story and I can't wait to read your new book! Thanks for the giveaway!!
    kellik115(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. The thanks go to Janet for hosting, to Jakki for arranging the tour stops, and to Meryton Press for providing the books for the giveaway. Good luck!

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  13. Looking forward to reading this book. Love when there are new twists!!

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    1. You should really love it then! It's very twisty!

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  14. Oh I forgot the email. Still looking forward to reading this book!! ElnBarr(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. I agree with you about how some have come to view these well known characters. But they are flawed and I am interested to see your take on the what if story. I am happy to read anything that is written with love for Jane Austen. saganchilds(a)gmail.com

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    1. I love Darcy and Elizabeth as well as the next JA fan, but I think I love them as much for their faults as their virtues.

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  16. I really want to read this book and after reading your excerpt yesterday I cannot wait! I too have been working on a 'what if' but like you its a story that what would come under scrutiny so I commend you for your bravery. I personally think that if I were Austen I would be flattered that so many people are inspired by my work and characters. I am all anticipation!! tamaraausten(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. P.S thank you for the giveaway :)

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    2. Oh, I hope she'd be flattered (and not appalled) :) I hope you do write your 'what if' story, steel yourself and you can bear the scrutiny. (We can always commiserate together)

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  17. I already have the book on my Goodreaders shelf becouse I read the except and it was amazing.
    I am italian and I understood that the giveaway is open international, but I do not know if I can partecipate for both copy (paperback and ebook) or only for the ebook copy.
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    My email: chiarapiccirilla(at)hotmail.it

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    1. Thank you! I'm so happy you enjoyed the excerpt. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  18. Ooh, I'm definitely intrigued now! I've said before that it kinda drives me crazy when people say he/she/they "would never do that" in an what-if scenario. I like when the characters' flaws are tweaked a bit. I'm ok with angst as long as E&D get a HEA.

    Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    monicaperry00 at gmail dot com

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    1. I know what you mean, though I mostly tried not to argue with people about it (not always successfully). We all have our own visions of how they ought to behave. Good luck!

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  19. I just want to thank Janet for graciously allowing me to guest post, and to all the kind and encouraging readers who left comments. I wish you all could win a copy!

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    1. It was my pleasure to have you as a guest, Gail. You have received some great support and that is fantastic! Thanks for being my guest and best wishes for your book.

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  20. I love giveaways!! Especially when the book offered sounds amazing! I think that when two people struggle for their love, the journey is more interesting and beautiful... only in books, though! Thanks for the chance!

    newyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Since I became part of the JAFF community earlier this year, I never cease to be amazed how generous the authors are with their giveaways. It's a fantastic way to discover new authors and I've been lucky on several occasions, which have then led me on to buying more of their works. Gail, you are a new author to me and I just put all your works (including the joint ones with Tina) on my TBR list.

    I love that there are so many different interpretations and "what if" moments that can take the story off in a totally new direction. The "Hunsford moment" (and the subsequent letter) is one of what could be called the iconic moments in the original (can't believe I just used that term, it drives me mad when it's used on the TV!) but it doesn't bother me (too much, that is) that it doesn't have to be set in stone, as long as we do, eventually, get our HEA.

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    1. Oops, forgot this: angmardee (at) hotmail (dot) com.

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  22. Even though I've missed the giveaway date, I want to comment. It seems to me that the reason JA's characters are so beloved and "real" to us 200 years later is because they are flawed as we are all!! I look forward to reading this brave new variation!!
    Catherine Commons
    catcommons(at)Comcast(dot)net

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