THE PREDISPOSITION OF MISS ELIZABETH BENNET - INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome to a new blog tour! Thanks to author Hunter Quinn for taking the time to answer my questions and to Meryton Press for granting the winner of the giveaway below a copy of the book 

The Predisposition of Miss Elizabeth Bennet 

An insulting proposal without an explanatory letter…how can they possibly reconcile?

When her sister Lydia elopes without a trace, Elizabeth Bennet must put aside her predisposition against Mr. Darcy—the man whose hand she refused months earlier—and plead for his assistance in locating the wayward couple. As a result, they face daunting hurdles with help from well-loved friends and interference from old rivals. Will their struggles result in permanent estrangement or a love match?

INTERVIEW

Hello Hunter and welcome to My Jane Austen Book Club! My first question for you is “When was your first encounter with Jane Austen”?

Hello Maria Grazia! Thank you for having me!  

My first encounter with Jane Austen was in the womb! My mother took great delight in reading me her works during her pregnancy. Officially, I would have to say my first cognizant encounter with Jane Austen was around the age of twelve. I initially fell in love with the BBC adaptation of ‘Pride and Prejudice’, namely, Colin Firth. I then became obsessed and couldn’t rest until I had ready everything!

Congratulations on the release of your The Predisposition of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.   Did you discover something curious or relevant about Elizabeth and the other beloved characters in Pride and Prejudice while writing your new book?

Thank you, I’m very excited for its release!

Yes, I did. I think what I found the most wonderful was to rediscover her strength in character and unwavering loyalty to those she loves. I think Elizabeth is bold, courageous and never afraid to follow her heart. But I also like that she is suitably flawed.

In my variation I wanted to focus on how the dynamics would play out, if Elizabeth had not received Mr. Darcy’s letter after his failed proposal and how that would influence her view of both him and Mr. Wickham. Focusing less on Darcy’s errors in judgment and his prejudices towards Elizabeth and her family, I chose to expand more on how Elizabeth willfully chooses to misunderstand Darcy.

Jane Austen started showing her writing talent very soon in her life. Were you also a young girl who loved writing? 

I have to admit that I was not. I have always lacked the confidence to write but have forever had my nose buried in a book, mainly Austen variations. I have always been tempted to write my own variation and have many ideas for possible storylines saved in my Notes. However, it wasn’t until the first national lockdown came into effect in England that I tried my hand at posting a couple chapters online. I was both surprised and touched after receiving a large number of positive reviews encouraging me to finish my work and get it published. I am so glad I took the chance!

Why did you choose to focus on Jane Austen’s work for your writing?

I have always been in love with her works. Spirited heroines and challenging heroes!

I chose more specifically to write a variation based on ‘Pride and Prejudice’, because it is a world I like to get lost in with a wholesome pot of tea, time and time again. I couldn’t put a number against the hours, days, months etc. I have spent absorbed in reading variations of Darcy and Elizabeth by outstanding authors!

I am unashamedly a hopeless romantic and the time-honored love story and happily ever after of Elizabeth and Darcy is a cherished favourite of mine!

Was there a scene you particularly liked writing in The Predisposition of Miss Elizabeth Bennet?

Yes, in particular it was the dialogues between Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy. I have always pictured numerous ‘what if’s’ of how these two men might confront each other when recovering Lydia Bennet or if either were forced to endure the other’s company.

Do you have a favourite Austen novel? And who are your favourite heroine and hero? 

Though I have named ‘Pride and Prejudice’ as my favourite and subsequently Darcy and Elizabeth to be favourite heroine and hero… I have to take a moment to praise my love for ‘Sense and Sensibility’ too. Colonel Brandon and Elinor Dashwood are also a firm favourite for me. Both are such inherently good and selfless characters; it is impossible not to fall in love with them.

 How has Jane Austen inspired you?

By sharing such beautiful narratives and creating such wonderful characters!

If you could travel back to the Regency Era, what would you miss the most and what would you like to see/do?

I would miss running water the most and a camera to record my experiences!

I think I would most like to get decked out in my finest, attend a ball (or several!) and dance the night away!

What was your research process for The Predisposition of Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Did you have to research on anything in particular?

I think for me it was finding the correct names for items of clothing and the customs/etiquette at dinner parties. I was very fortunate to have the support and guidance from the expert editors at Meryton Press!!

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

It is my deepest hope that you enjoy reading The Predisposition of Miss Elizabeth Bennet as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

Thank you!

Buy Links

Amazon US

Amazon UK

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hunter Quinn is a British writer, residing in the southwest of England. She is an avid reader, no doubt due to the influence of her mother, an English classics’ professor and lecturer. 

Having grown up a stone’s throw from Bath and always surrounded by the words of literary greats, Hunter first discovered Jane Austen at a young age. But it was the ubiquitous scene where Mr. Darcy—portrayed by Colin Firth (a moment of silence and applause)—first emerged from the lake in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that cemented her love for Jane Austen and the regency romance genre of spirited damsels, dashing gentleman, and glittering ballrooms. Afterwards, Hunter walked through life daydreaming and writing ‘what if’ scenarios between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy but never had the courage to share them. 

Once the lockdown went into effect, Hunter took the plunge and began sharing her first novel on well-known JAFF sites. The praise and interest of readers gave her the confidence to submit The Predisposition of Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Meryton Press Publishing…and the rest is history!

 

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 GIVEAWAY

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