Tuesday 29 November 2011

SHARON LATHAN INTERVIEWS SHARON LATHAN - GUESTPOST & GREAT GIVEAWAY

My guest today is  Sharon Lathan. She's on her blog tour to launch the latest novel in her "The Darcy Saga": "Miss Darcy  Falls in Love". Enjoy her brilliant Q/A post and leave questions for her in your comments, she's ready to answer. Don't forget to add your e.-mail address if you want to be entered in the giveaway contest! 

Time for me to ask myself the questions I think folks want to hear. Or at least ones I think are fun! Totally, shamelessly stolen from other interviews on random blogs, I will confess, or based on questions I have been asked in emails, etc. But let’s see if we can have some fun. Take it away Sharon!

Is there a behind the book story to Miss Darcy Falls in Love?
Georgiana Darcy was created by Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. Her part is small and we learn very little about her other than her near-elopement with Mr. Wickham and that she is very shy. When I continued the story it was essential to have Mr. Darcy’s younger sister be around. I couldn’t very well ignore her existence! As the novels moved forward in time Georgiana’s character matured and she started speaking to me. I knew a long time ago that she had a unique story to tell and that I would have to write it. Miss Darcy Falls in Love is a stand alone book, easily enjoyed on it’s own merits, but Georgiana’s evolution from young girl to mature woman is within the pages of my Darcy Saga.



What is the official synopsis?
Noble young ladies were expected to play an instrument, but Georgiana Darcy is an accomplished musician who hungers to pursue her talents. She embarks upon a tour of Europe, ending in Paris where two very different men will ignite her heart in entirely different ways and begin a bitter rivalry to win her. But only one holds the key to her happiness.

Set in post-Napoleonic Empire France, Miss Darcy Falls in Love is a riveting love story that enters a world of passion where gentlemen know exactly how to please and a young woman learns to direct her destiny and understand her heart.

What about the books you have written before Georgiana’s novel?
My five book series - called “The Darcy Saga” - is a continuing series starting on the wedding night of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Roughly four years of their marriage is covered in the five novels titled, in order: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy, My Dearest Mr. Darcy, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, and The Trouble With Mr. Darcy. I also wrote a novella for a holiday themed anthology titled A Darcy Christmas with Amanda Grange and Carolyn Eberhart. My novella is “A Darcy Christmas” and is a companion to the Darcy Saga giving a glimpse of the family via short vignettes that cover Christmases over 20 years. It was released last Christmas but with the season now upon us, A Darcy Christmas would make a fabulous gift!

Have you changed how you write based on reader and/or critic responses?
I learned a long time ago not to read critical reviews. In general they are unkind and not helpful. My readers appreciate my novels, love them even, as evidenced by my continued sales! Yet even there my head could spin if I was not careful because opinions and desires vary. In the end it is about what my heart wants to write. My writing has evolved over time and each novel has a different focus, but each one is true to who I am and what I want to write.

What are you working on right now?
At the moment I am writing the saga of Dr. George Darcy which will be a 2013 release. He is a character of my creating, introduced in my second book - Loving Mr. Darcy - and he stole the show so thoroughly that he not only stuck around but has earned his own novel! George is eccentric, brilliant, flamboyant, larger than life, humorous, and in all ways amazing. He has traveling through the East for 30 years, perfecting his craft and living a rich life full of adventure and romance. His return to England will overlap with the portions I have already written for him in the Saga, but a surprising future awaits him. I am so enjoying this book!

How do you build the relationship between the two characters in Miss Darcy Falls in Love so that it feels real? 
With Georgiana and Sebastian it was about comprehending how each of them felt during certain situations, what they thought about particular occurrences in retrospection, and how their unique pasts played into what was happening between them. Although titled Miss Darcy Falls in Love, this story is about Sebastian Butler as well. His journey is as profound as Georgiana’s journey is. I change POV perhaps more often than some writers do, but for me it was essential that their relationship advanced in stages that made sense. “Hearing” their individual thoughts at a given time feels more real to me because there are so many misinterpretations and misunderstandings going on that the readers needs to know why they leap to the conclusions they do. 

Tell us a little about your favorite “hero” type guy.
I love strong alpha male type heros if written well. Yet, I honestly prefer the quieter hero who is not flashy or rough. I see my Mr. Darcy as the kind of man I admire as a hero. He is intelligent, commanding when in the right context, a manly man while also being urbane and cultured, romantic and soft, even a little shy, and severely loyal. I think of heros like Aragorn in Lord of the Rings or Maximus in Gladiator. Guys who can wield a sword with ease, but have a poet’s sensibility and deep commitment to love and honor. 


Would you please describe the heroines you love to write?
Again, I enjoy reading about a kick-ass heroine who can karate chop her way through a dozen big bad guys. Yet, I prefer a woman who understands that being a “heroine” does not have to involve physical toughness or going against the norm. I like writing women who comprehend the power and importance of love, being a wife and mom, running a household, supporting your man, etc. Georgiana, for instance, is a woman who has a yearning for music and composing, her heart seeking a way to express her gift, but also wanting love and family with the appreciation of how special that role is. I guess I am rather old-fashioned in that way!

How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
Hectic. Blessed. Spirit-filled. Exciting. Rural. Romantic. Domestic. Exhausting. 

How would you describe perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness will be when I am in heaven with my Savior. Until then I will settle for hanging out with my husband, kids, and other family members and friends. Toss on a great movie and some sort of decadent chocolate treat, and I am feeling pretty close.

What’s your greatest fear?
Spiders, with bugs a close second. Seriously. Just ask my husband, who has gotten so used to the shrieks he no longer responds by running to the gun safe under the assumption that I am being brutally attacked. He simply grabs the paper towel and casually strolls to wherever I am huddling and shivering in terror. He kills the beast that was out to kill me, and then wants to show it to me! Why do men do that? Will seeing my worst enemy squished make me feel better or scream less when it’s brother seeks out revenge?

What are your most overused words or phrases?
I think my editor finally broke me from using “literally.” I was literally using “literally” once or twice in each chapter! I was also busted on more than one occasion by the Adjective Police (that again being my editor) so have gotten better about that. All the fines have been paid, so that is good.

What do you regret most?
I honestly do not have any life decision regrets. Not that everything has been roses, but a person learns from the trials better than from the successes, so I would not change that. I do regret not appreciating my body more back in the days when I weighed 115 pounds dripping wet! I should have stuck with my Jane Fonda Workout Program and Jazzercise.

If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
Are we talking super-talents? If so, I want to be Mega Energy Woman whose superpower is that she never gets tired, never needs to sleep, and has a brain that is overcharged all the time. All that hyper activity would probably increase my metabolism so I would be skinny too. (see previous question) Then I could embrace my fantasy profession guilt-free! (see next question)

What’s your fantasy profession?
A food critic, but one of those top notch ones that only eats at 5-Star restaurants and gets flown all over the world just to eat from the best establishments while being fawned over.

Where can readers find you?

Austen Authors:  www.austenauthors.com
Twitter:  @SharonLathan
Facebook Page:  Sharon Lathan Novelist


GIVEAWAY

I think I shall stop asking Sharon questions now and give you a chance to quiz her. Anything else your curious mind is dying to know? Post your query and I, er, she, will respond. Thanks to Maria Grazia for hosting me today. And since you have been such a terrific audience, Sourcebooks has agreed to give away one copy of Miss Darcy Falls in Love to a lucky commenter (US or Canada only please). I will add on a signed bookplate and bookmark! Be sure to leave your email so I can reach you. Deadline for entry is midnight on 12/5. Good luck! 



 Sharon Lathan

21 comments:

Mrs. Higgins said...

I have all the books in the Darcy Saga. My daughter gave them to me for my birthday. hhigginsmom@gmail.com

Linda said...

Enjoyed this interview, esp. the description of a favorite hero-type. And I share Sharon's dislike of spiders. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

BeckyC said...

Sharon, Mega Energy Woman? Aren't you already? I have no idea how you do all you do??

Georgiana is one of my favorite characters to watch blossum. What a great addition to the Saga. Then there is Dr George....looking forward to more of his story!

I am right there with you in regards to spiders! Ugh!
Congratulations on your success!!
cherringtonmb(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Sharon Lathan said...

Good morning everyone! Although for me it is "good night" since I just ended my 12 hour shift and will be heading to bed soon. But I will be back in a few hours and promise to respond then.

Hi Mrs. Higgins! Pass on to your daughter that her gift to you was AWESOME! LOL!

Was it the description, Linda, or the picture of Viggo as Aragorn? Come on, be honest? :-)

Hi Becky! Thanks for stopping by. I am having fun delving into Dr. Darcy's life. That man is full of surprises.

Allyson said...

I am absolutely in love with the Darcy saga. Sharon Lathan, thank you so much for all of your wonderful books. I loved reading the interview and hearing more about you. I'm crossing my fingers for the giveaway!
aheisler@udel.edu

Kerry LeBlanc said...

"Who can wield a sword with ease, but have a poet’s sensibility and deep commitment to love and honor". Sharon it's like you can read minds! I have always been drawn to these attributes, probably why I married my husband! :)

Keep writing your way, and your fans will follow!!

Sharon Lathan said...

Allyson, I am crossing my fingers for you too! For everyone else as well. Thanks for coming by here too.

Hey Kerry! We are on the same wavelength, my friend! Now, if you are telling me your husband can wield a sword with ease then I gotta meet the man on our next Disneyland rendezvous! Can he bring the broadsword into the park, ya think? ;-)

Kerry LeBlanc said...

lol! OK, maybe not a sword but strength in many different areas for sure! And yes it probably would not make it through Dland :)

Debra Brown said...

It takes quite the writer to make such a story out of a bug phobia!

And isn't it true that writers wish that they could NOT SLEEP? Just when I find time to write each day, turns out it is time to sleep a few hours back.

kescah at comcast dot net

Stephanie L said...

"In the end it is about what my heart wants to write."
Yes, and that is why we follow you everywhere you go. LOL

I love everything you've written, and I'm (*tapping toe*) (im)patiently waiting for Dr. George. Thanks for all you do!

Stephanie L

Sharon Lathan said...

LOL Debra! Thanks for that!! Actually the very thought of scary spiders is so freaky that I had to make it funny. Although, the gun part is a semi-true story. Had to do with a particularly nasty creature hiding in the tomato vines and my husband seriously thinking I was being violated in the back yard. He didn't get the gun out of the safe, only because he was afraid it would be too late by the time he entered the combo to open the thing! Now it is funny and he loves to tell the tale. LOL!

Thanks Stephanie. I am writing as fast as I can. Once the tour is complete I will share more bits about George's story. Be on the lookout!

MonicaP said...

Great interview! I hate spiders, too. One bit me once and it took over a month to heal from the cellulitis. I relish the opportunity to squish them now!

I am dying to read this and really hope I win the giveaway (thanks for the opportunity, btw). Also looking forward to Dr George's story.

MonicaP said...

Oops, forgot my email... Its monicaperry00 @ gmail.com

Ruby Chun said...

I was so excited to know that Sharon Lathan had written a continual of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. I have enjoyed reading all the Darcy Saga. I can't wait for her next book.

Ruby Chun @ yahoo.com

Chelsea said...

I always enjoy reading different interpretations of Georgiana's character and seeing how her character evolves. I am sure this will be an interesting book to read and I plan on reading it when it becomes available.

crystal_dark@att.net

Lora Edmiston said...

I love that your expansion on chracters from Austen's books and how they can "live on" through your work.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sharon: I'm a sometimes guest reviewer on www.austenprose.com and am otherwise known by at least 2 handles out there in blog-o-land: "The Incurable Romantic" and "Chick-Lit-Man-Fan." I have not read any of your offerings yet but you're on the short-list. Best wishes <><

Sharon Lathan said...

Thanks Jeffrey! Yes, I have seen your name on Austenprose. I am happy to be on the short end of what must be a very long TBR list!

Thanks to all who commented. The giveaway is coming to an end soon so good luck to everyone. I will keep you posted!

Rebecca (RivkaBelle) said...

Love your answer for perfect happiness :o)

Agreed on the alpha heroes with a sensitive side: definitely need the softer to balance out the warrior. Makes 'em human and snuggly... :o)

quarterback.girl[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Ok, a question hmmm... so many good questions were asked it is hard to come up with a new one, so here goes my attempt:

When did you first discover Jane Austen? What were your first thoughts when you finished that first Austen book?

Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book, it sounds fabulous :)

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Danielle said...

I can't wait to read this one. I have always been curious to see what happens to Georgiana.

Danielle
drcopeland@hotmail.com