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Suddenly
Mrs Darcy, which was published in April by Meryton Press is your first novel,
can you tell me what inspired you to write it and what memories you have of the
writing process?
I don’t really know what possessed me to
write Suddenly Mrs Darcy but I am glad that something did. I had been reading a
lot of JAFF, having discovered it during my second pregnancy and one morning
the idea for the prologue just jumped into my head. I wrote that part, which is
a little under 1000 words very quickly and then had to build the story up
around it. It is quite a short novel – not short enough to be a novella, but it
is definitely not a “door stop”. Some parts came quickly and some were harder,
but I enjoyed writing it all. At the time, my 2 children napped at
approximately the same time each morning so I would take them out in their
buggy with my laptop in the shopping basket and as soon as they were both
asleep I would rush to our local coffee shop and get typing. The staff found me
a very funny daily visitor with my two (mostly) sleeping kids and my ever
expanding book. Sometimes my younger baby would wake up and I’d have to nurse,
holding him with one hand and typing with the other. People talk about children
limiting work but I almost feel that mine helped me. I don’t think I would have
written Suddenly Mrs Darcy without them.
The
whole book is written in the first person – it is Elizabeth telling her
“alternative story”. How do you feel about that now?
I loved writing exclusively from
Elizabeth’s point of view and felt that it was right for Suddenly Mrs Darcy,
but it was very intense. One of the main conceits of the book is that because
she is effectively forced into matrimony very early on and at great speed, it
fundamentally changes how Elizabeth is able to approach things. What I hope the
reader sees is a battle between Elizabeth’s character and her circumstances, so
it feels right to present that through her eyes. It felt very much as though I
was in Elizabeth’s head and it is quite different from writing more neutrally
in the third person. I guess that it is a bit like method acting, you really
begin to feel that you are the character. It was a great experience and I’d
like to do it again but I would also like to write stories told in a more
conventional way.
Are
you writing anything at the moment?
I am currently working on a second novel
which is one part Pride and Prejudice sequel, one part contemporary romance. It
is pretty early days and it doesn’t even have a title at the moment. Half of
the action takes place in the 1820s and half in 2014 so my imagination has to
do a lot of leaping around. There is a big challenge in pulling off two
different periods and I hope that I’m up to it! I also have a lot of ideas
floating around in my head for other stories, some historical, some
contemporary. The big challenge is writing down the outline before it gets
forgotten or morphs into another idea.
What
got you interested in Jane Austen?
When I was about 12, my aunt gave me the
complete works of Jane Austen but warned me not to read it until I was a bit
older. She thought that although I might understand the romance, the social
satire would likely wash over my head. She was right of course and I have
enjoyed all of them as I have grown up. Persuasion is the most adult story and
I don’t think I properly appreciated it until I was about 30 although I had
read it several times before. I am showing my age here, but I was 13 when the
BBC’s Pride & Prejudice was aired in the UK. It was very much what would
now be called “water cooler” conversation – even amongst school children.
Everyone was watching it and talking about it. A friend and I decided to try to
read the book just ahead of the TV programmes. So, we would read a few chapters
and then watch the episode. Inevitably we misjudged it a few times. Memorably
we were completely shocked by the proposal at Hunsford because we had not quite
reached that bit in the book. Maybe that
was a good thing though, I think we appreciated the splendid acting in that
scene all the more for being surprised by it.
What
makes you love Mr Darcy?
Well, who doesn’t love Mr Darcy? He is the
ultimate romantic hero and every woman’s Mr Darcy reflects her own idea of the
perfect man. It is like the character that Jane Austen created has been so
influential in people’s minds, he has been spun into all kinds of permutations.
But when I try to whittle it down and get back to the original, there are a few
features that I focus in on. Firstly, I think Mr Darcy is much funnier than he
is usually given credit for. He has a dry wit that makes him very attractive.
Secondly – he has just the right balance of silence and meaning - he never says
too much but when he does speak he says everything that needs to be said.
Thirdly and maybe most obviously, he’s bold, passionate and gorgeous. Now who
could ask for more than that?
Exactly! Who. Doesn't. Love. Mr. Darcy! Your thoughts on the last question are 'spot on'. His wit and his balance of silence and meaning are impressive things to bring to mind. I like that. The bold, passionate and gorgeous are just the icing on the cake!
Author Bio:
Jenetta James is a
lawyer, writer, mother and taker-on of too much. She grew up in Cambridge and
read history at Oxford University where she was a scholar and president of the
Oxford University History Society. After graduating, she took to the law and
now practises full time as a barrister. Over the years she has lived in France,
Hungary and Trinidad as well as her native England. Jenetta currently lives in
London with her husband and children where she enjoys reading, laughing and playing
with Lego. Suddenly Mrs Darcy is her first novel.
Connect With Jenetta James:
Thanks so much for stopping by More Agreeably Engaged again, Ms. James. It had been a delight to chat with you and hear your ideas for future novels and your feelings on Jane Austen, Mr. Darcy and your writing style. Thank you for sharing with us a little bit of 'you'!
If any of you have not yet read Suddenly Mr. Darcy, may I encourage you to do so. It is not a book to be missed and I was much impressed with it and Jenetta James as an author. I will be posting a review in the not so distant future. In the meantime, Ms. James is giving away one paperback internationally to a randomly selected reader. Just leave your comment below along with your contact information so I may find you should you be the winner. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM, 27 July, 2015. Good luck to all and thanks for visiting.
Great interview. Looking forward to the next book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, me too, now I just have to finish it:-)
DeleteI am too, Christina. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGreat interview, both of you! Jenetta, I know exactly what you mean about getting fleeting outlines, conversations, "plot bunnies" down on paper or into a word file on the laptop. I think "I'll remember that in the morning because it is so good!" But I don't! Now there is a notepad by the bed. I am delighted to hear another story is coming from you. Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda a "plot bunny" is a good way of putting it, mine certainly hop about quite a bit!
DeleteOh, Linda. I have to have a note pad by my bed, in my kitchen, wherever for any idea that comes along. Of course, mine are not plot bunnies but I can count on 'not remembering' if I do not write my thoughts down immediately. It is refreshing to know it is not just me! lol
DeleteThanks for coming by!
Sounds like an interesting approach to convey the story; adding this to my "wish list."
ReplyDeletercmsilvia@gmail.com
Thank you Regina - good luck in the giveaway, Jenetta
DeleteHi Regina. Glad you popped in. You definitely need this one on your TBR list! :)
DeleteYour book sounds delightful. I like seeing things from Elizabeth's side. I am a fan of dry wit myself and have often thought that Darcy is not given enough credit for his humor. Hope to read this soon.
ReplyDeletesaganchilds(a) gmail.com
Thank you - Mr Darcy, the neglected comedian - maybe there is a story in there somewhere?! Good luck in the giveaway, Jenetta
DeleteI hope you get a chance to read it soon, Sagan. It is an excellent read.
DeleteI enjoyed the interview, but your picture really caught my eye. Has anyone ever told you that you look like the actress who played Caroline Bingley in the 2005 movie? I mean that as a compliment, because the actress is quite lovely. Please enter me in the give away jcn at CenturyTel dot net.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it a lovely picture, Jennie! Thanks for visiting and good luck.
DeleteThat is very kind Jennie, thank you & good luck in the giveaway
DeleteLovely interview, great picture! I already have your book in my wish list but it would be wonderful to win a paperback! Please enter me in the giveaway tgruy at netscape dot net.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and good luck. You will enjoy this one very much.
DeleteGood luck in the giveaway & thank you for entering
DeleteI have read Suddenly Mrs Darcy and really enjoyed it. I would love a paper copy of it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it too, Lynn. A paper copy is always nice, too. Good luck.
DeleteSo glad to hear that you liked it and very good luck in the giveaway
DeleteI really loved the book - am I being greedy wanting to win a paperback copy?
ReplyDeletemeikleblog at gmail dot com
Not greedy at all, Vesper. I have many books in both paperback and eBook format. I still love to hold and read a paperback. The eBook has many advantages but nothing takes the place of the feel and smell of a paperback! :)
DeleteI agree, sometimes a physical book is the only thing that will do! good luck in the giveaway & thank you for entering
DeleteLovely interview, ladies!! And thank you so much for the chance to win a paperback of this book! Sounds like a beautiful story!
ReplyDeletenewyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you Maria & good luck in the giveaway
ReplyDeleteLovely interview! Would love a chance to win an ebook. Sonya(dot)holt(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you & good luck
DeleteLooking forward to reading!
ReplyDeleteI really hope that you enjoy it Luanne, thank you for your comment
DeleteI love all things Darcy and would love a copy of the book!
ReplyDeleteElaine - good luck & thank you for stopping by
DeleteA very entertaining interview! I am definitely intrigued by the new book you are writing! I would love a chance to win nicole _a_baur(at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThank you - now I just have to get on & finish it! Good luck in the giveaway:-)
DeleteInteresting interview. I look forward to reAdding the book! Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletethanks & I hope very much that you enjoy it. Best of luck in the giveaway, Jenetta
DeleteThanks for making it open to all. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome & thanks for your interest - good luck!
Delete