Hi, Karalynne!
Thank you so much for stopping by Austenesque Reviews for a little
tête-à-tête! I greatly enjoyed your first novel, Falling
for Mr. Darcy and I am so happy you
are here celebrating your second, Bluebells
in the Mourning! How about we begin
by talking about what was the inspiration behind your new release,
Bluebells in the Mourning?
Writing for me is
quite a liberating process, creatively. I loved experiencing it with
my first novel,
Falling For Mr.
Darcy. It was my first attempt to
write anything even close to a novel length. In fact, it was really
my first attempt with fiction of any kind. So I guess I would say my
inspiration for
Bluebells in the
Mourning would have to be my first
book. It taught me to free my perceptions of what it took to write a
novel. I had a lot of fun writing it and experiencing that freedom
again.
SPOILER ALERT: I would also have to say I thought it would be
a little humorous to make the Lambton letters arrive at Hunsford and
instead of announcing Lydia’s indiscretion – her death. Not that
the death is funny but the recycling of Jane Austen’s words to
another place is one of my favorite things to do in my books and I
always have a chuckle when I can find a perfect place to reuse them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the parallels and recycled quotes you implemented in your novel! Very clever! I've noticed that
you write very sympathetically towards Mr. Bennet. In both Falling
for Mr. Darcy and Bluebells
in the Mourning, we see a bit more
development and gain some more understanding of Mr. Bennet's
character. What draws you to Mr. Bennet as a character and moves you
to portray him in a more favorable light?
I don’t think I
thought much about it before. That is to say that it was not
intentional, except that I created situations where he could be that
way and still be a plausible extrapolation from Jane’s original
character. I never liked it when JAFF books I read made him into
some meany-face. I never pictured him as such when I read Pride
and Prejudice. I just pictured him
as somewhat indolent – not uncaring. But then again - if I wanted
to get all Freud on myself – I could say it is because I have a
wonderful dad and I cant imagine a father who loves his children as
anyone less favorable than my own Pop.
Aww! That's so lovely! I feel the same away about my dad, so stories that feature special relationships between fathers and daughters always warm my heart! In your novel you
struck such a great balance of solemnity, grief, and emerging
happiness. It was moving to witness the Bennet family overcome their
tragic loss and begin to heal. I would imagine that writing about
death and tragedy might be a difficult challenge. What were some of
the challenges you faced while writing this variation?
The
biggest challenge I faced was not having actually experienced the
death of anyone very close to me before. I tried very hard to try to
put myself in the shoes of someone who might have and I hope that I
was able to. It is a hard series of emotions to portray. SPOILER
ALERT: It was also challenging to create
a balance of healing and growing happiness without making Lydia’s
death seem trivial and easily gotten over. I didn’t want to write
a morose book. The book was not meant to be a sad one despite the
solemn beginnings. I am a happy person and I like happy stories. It
is hard to write sadness when I want everyone to be smiling and in
love.
Sounds like you have something in common with Jane Bennet! Speaking of characters in love...I just adore your
portrayals of Mr. Darcy, he seems to be a little more perceptive and
observant than Jane Austen's Darcy. In addition, I love observing
the different ways Mr. Darcy shows his true feelings for Elizabeth –
his kindness, compassion, and tenderness just steals my heart. What
is your favorite quality in Mr. Darcy? What aspect of his
personality makes you fall in love with him?
My favorite
quality in Mr. Darcy is his integrity. In Jane Austen’s book (and
I hope in mine) I believe he exemplifies someone who has true
integrity. He doesn’t hesitate to better himself when presented
with the need and it doesn’t always have to be because he thinks he
might get something out of it. Maybe I am a boring fuddy-duddy but I
think integrity in a man is sexy as hell. That being said I think a
flirty, humorous Darcy goes a long way in making me fall in love too
– that and some well-fitted breeches.
Who wouldn't love a flirty Darcy?!? What is next for
you KaraLynne? You have gifted the Austenesque genre two wonderful
and unique Pride and Prejudice
variations, do you have plans to
write any more?
I do have an idea
for another book and it is also Jane Austen inspired but it differs
from my first two in a few ways. I like to think I write romantic
comedies and my next book will share that in common with Falling
For Mr. Darcy and Bluebells
in the Mourning, at least. But for
the immediate future I am enjoying snuggles with my new baby.
Oh, yes! Baby snuggles are the best! How about we
switch it up with some Quickfire Questions:
- Who is your
favorite Pride and Prejudice
character (besides Darcy and Elizabeth)?
No surprise, Mr. Bennet -
he has some great one liners in Pride
and Prejudice.
- Who is your
least favorite Pride and
Prejudice character?
Mrs.
Bennet or Lydia – when I read either one of them I cringe wishing
they would just be quiet. They never do.
- What is one
of your favorite scenes in Pride
and Prejudice?
I love it when
Elizabeth encounters Darcy at Pemberley. He's so charming and kind
and wet (oh wait, that’s only in the movie). Its too bad that scene
is followed up by Lydia’s scandal.
- From your
own novels what is one of your favorite scenes?
I love, love, love
the study/library scene in the beginning of Bluebells
in the Mourning. I love the
comedic side of it mixed with the lovey dovey feelings. Mmmm…Darcy
sans cravat…
- What is one
of your favorite quotes from Pride
and Prejudice?
Mr. Bennet
after giving Elizabeth the go ahead to marry Darcy: “If any young
men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite at my
leisure.”
- What is one
of your favorite quotes from your own novels?
My favorite quotes are
often ones from Jane Austen’s book that I re-appropriate to use my
own way by someone else or somewhere else.
- What do you
love most about Pride and
Prejudice?
I love that it is
a truly brilliant romantic comedy. I think non-believers often
discount Pride and Prejudice
because they think it is all
mushy. It’s really a very funny book with the right amounts of
romance in it. Jane Austen was a genius.
- What is your
“truth universally acknowledged?”
That a man in possession of
British accent must have romantic things to say.
- If you were
to meet Jane Austen, what would you like to hear her say?
That she liked my books and that I
did NOT embarrass her.
Thank you for answer my questions, KaraLynne! It has been such a pleasure to learn more about you and your novels! Best of luck to you on your new release!
~~~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Michele and the lovely people at Meryton Press have kindly donated 1 paperback and 1 digital copy (kindle or nook) of Bluebells in the Mourning for me to giveaway to 2 lucky winners!
To be entered to win one of these lovely prizes, please leave a comment below!
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- This giveaway is open to residents Worldwide. Thank you, Meryton Press!
- This giveaway ends May 28th.
