I was fortunate enough to meet author, Sharon Lathan, last week. She reopened a door into the world of Jane Austen, a door I had closed long ago, after dismissing Jane Austen’s works as nothing more than high school reads. I discussed the subject with my daughter, a big Jane Austen fan. She said the beauty of Jane Austen’s writing is in the details she provides, the beautiful descriptions of daily life and the colorful dialogue. She says Jane Austen moves a story along via dialogue and real life characters and situations. I had never looked at Austen that way. I realize I’ve been missing the essence of Jane Austen all along!
Please feel free to chat and ask Sharon any questions you like. She’ll be around for the next couple days to respond to comments.
Sharon - here’s what I’d like to know, and what I’d like my readers to know -
I’ve heard a little of your story, but in your own words, what jumpstarted your interest in Jane Austen? Did you read her as a teen? A young adult?
Sometimes it makes me sad that I did not discover Jane Austen way back when, but then if I had my stories would not exist so I can’t lament my pathway. Until 5 years ago my only experience with Austen was seeing some of the movies and Bridget Jones references to Mr. Darcy! I knew nearly zip about Pride and Prejudice when I went to see the 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. To say that I fell head over heels in love with everything about it would be an apt statement! That is where it began for me and I still adore the movie in every possible way.
What is it about her stories that you found so intriguing, that made you want to know more about her characters, even though she’d written the books over a hundred years ago?
Initially it was the love story. I am a romantic at heart. The story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, as so masterfully directed and portrayed on screen, totally captivated me. When I read the novel my devotion, and then obsession, was cemented. I adore how these two people - feisty, witty, independent Lizzy and shy, misunderstood, devoted Mr. Darcy - both flawed by pride and prejudices, manage to overcome their problems and attitudes. It is a story of self-discovery, of recognizing the person that is underneath the facade, of selfless sacrifice, and of eventually accepting that your heart and life are enhanced by love.
What do you think makes her stories timeless?
Her characters are timeless. We all know a person like Mr. Darcy who is not what he/she seems to be on the outside. Maybe we are that person! We have all made mistakes so can relate to Lizzy. Every character, whether good or bad, is someone we know. Austen is a brilliant writer in that she gives us enough information about her characters to round them out while also holding back so we can fill in the blanks as we wish. Their lives, situations, dramas, families, etc. are familiar to us because they are the normal trials of living. Nothing particularly spectacular occurs in any of her books! Yet this is why we can personally connect with whatever is happening.
From what I understand, you began writing fan fiction and eventually self-published your first book. How courageous. Did you worry about how your book would be received? Did you care about an audience or did you decide to publish your book simply for yourself?
I began posting my chapters online at various JAFF sites and then on my own website. The feedback was positive so I decided to give publishing a try. My only goal was to give my fans a bound format to read rather than a computer screen and to hopefully reach other readers who want a happily-ever-after life for the Darcys. I turned to self-publishing when attracting an agent did not work. Not sure how courageous it was! But it was a viable option. Being published was never about getting rich or making this a lifelong career, although I am not adverse to either! I simply wanted to share my vision and hopefully please readers with something positive and entertaining. I am still sad that some cannot embrace an uplifting story that pays homage to Austen, but I no longer worry about it.
After your first book, Sourcebooks picked up your series. Congrats! Do you see an endpoint, or do you feel there are so many open ends and interesting characters that you and other authors who love Jane Austen can continue to write stories for her characters indefinitely?
Thank you! I am very happy with Sourcebooks and my fabulous editor Deb Werksman. Together they have helped me to attain my goal of reaching readers. In a general sense I am not seeing a necessary “endpoint” in Austen literature. The demand is strong and more and more authors are branching out to secondary P&P characters and other Austen novels. For myself, I am still having a terrific time writing the Saga! I remain open to whatever my muse plants within my heart, but so far he seems stuck in Pride and Prejudice-land!
IN THE ARMS OF MR. DARCY BY SHARON LATHAN—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010
If only everyone could be as happy as they are…
Darcy and Elizabeth are as much in love as ever—even more so as their relationship matures. Their passion inspires everyone around them, and as winter turns to spring, romance blossoms around them.
Confirmed bachelor Richard Fitzwilliam sets his sights on a seemingly unattainable, beautiful widow; Georgiana Darcy learns to flirt outrageously; the very flighty Kitty Bennet develops her first crush, and Caroline Bingley meets her match.
But the path of true love never does run smooth, and Elizabeth and Darcy are kept busy navigating their friends and loved ones through the inevitable separations, misunderstandings, misgivings, and lovers’ quarrels to reach their own happily ever afters…
About the Author ?Sharon Lathan is the author of the bestselling Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley, and My Dearest Mr. Darcy. In addition to her writing, she works as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal ICU. She resides with her family in Hanford, California in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. For more information, please visit www.sharonlathan.net. Come to Austen Authors – www.austenauthors.com - and Casablanca Authors – www.casablancaauthors.blogspot.com - where Sharon shares the spotlight with other writers.
