*    What inspired you to write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice?
  
I began a strictly imaginary trip immediately after viewing the A&E production of Pride &Prejudice (I understand I am not alone in that little flight of fancy.)  Rhapsodizing about Lizzy and Darcy impelled me to revisit the book. Thoroughly enthralled, I devoured all JA’s other novels, two biographies and a book of her letters to her sister, Cassandra. Her letters revealed far more of the real JA to me than her novels.

My interest then thoroughly piqued, I began to read about the era.  It was an age rich with scandal, intrigue and war.  JA’s characters begged a further telling. Unfortunately, Jane Austen was long past elaborating and even if she had, undoubtedly, she would not have been explicit.  I began to write to satisfy my own curiosity


*    How long did it take you to write this book?

Oh, ages. As I had never written fiction before, I kept re-writing until it was finally wrested from my grip. If Sourcebooks hadn’t had a deadline, I’d be re-writing it yet.  I like that line about writing a poem: It is never finished, only abandoned.

*    What kinds of research did you do into the time period?

Beyond Jane Austen’s novels and assorted biographies, I used a few dry, but fascinating, works to research the Georgian Era such as Sexual Life in England Past and Present, England in the 19th Century, and The Family, Sex and Marriage in England 1500-1800.  There are tons of resources for the Regency era dress and manners on the web and in bookstores, but a book that was a fascinating read on its own was An Elegant Madness, by Venetia Murray.  Other than the usual history books, I also used such disparate works as The Age of Napoleon, Ailments Through the Ages, The History of Underclothes, The Regency Clothes Book, History and Disease, A Dictionary of British Folk Customs and various biographies such as Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire, by Amanda Patten to fill in the blanks.


*    What did you hope to accomplish with this sequel?

To find out what really happened after the wedding vows. 

 *    Is this a book for Jane Austen purists?

Only if they can keep a firm grip on their smelling salts.  

 *    What sets Elizabeth apart from the other women in her society?

In a society that demanded deference and saw marriage as primarily a financial arrangement, Elizabeth Bennet spoke her mind, and followed her heart. 
   

*    Describe Mr. Darcy. Why have so many women fallen in love with him?

Let me see.  He’s a tall, handsome-featured man, incredibly rich, enormously arrogant with a magnificent heart – one that he gives but once, and when he does, it’s unconditionally. 

 *    How did you hope to portray them as a couple?

Desperately in love.

    *    If Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife was made into a movie, who would you like to see play the roles of Darcy and Elizabeth?

Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle are the definitive Darcy and Elizabeth.  It’s difficult to think of anyone else in the roles.