Welcome Sharon Lathan to Darcyholic Diversions!
Hi,
Darcyholics! I am thrilled to welcome Sharon Lathan to Darcyholic Diversions today! I was one of those that discovered her series when she was posting it on her own website and am very happy to have had the opportunity to get to know her. I am looking forward to learning about her slide into 'Darcyholism'. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!
June 8--Gayle Mills
June 10--Jan Ashe
June 12--Shannon Winslow
June 15--Karen Wasylowski
June 19--Krista Bagley
June 22--Stephanie Hamm
June 26--Laurel Ann Nattress
June 29--Pam Dixon
July 3--Jennifer Petkus
July 6--Karen Aminada
July 10--Marilyn Brant
July 13--Meredith Esparanza
July 17--Lori Smith
July 20--Bernadette
July 24--Barbara Tiller Cole: Christmas in July
July 27--Amy Cecil
July 31--Maria Grace
August 3--Wendi S.
And Many more to come!
&*&*&*&*&*&
Comments on Sharon's post will be entered into a contest to 1 of two books that she will be giving away here in the monthly drawings--Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Miss Darcy Falls in Love! Winners will be from US and Canada. Comments will also enter you into the other monthly drawings here at Darcyholic Diversions. Winners will be selected along with other June winners, at the beginning to July. Entries will be based on comments on blog posts; but additional chances will be given for joining this site, tweeting this post, Joining this site as a member via Google Friend Connect (GFC)!, sharing this on Facebook or your blog, Friend me on Facebook, clicking 'like’ on Barbara Tiller Cole, Author's Facebook page, Join Darcyholic Diversions Facebook Page or following BarbTCole on Twitter.
More Than a Diversion
by
Sharon Lathan
I am not
sure if calling myself a “Darcyholic” is adequate. It is a great term to aptly
identify one who loves Darcy-related stuff to an obsessive degree. Once upon a
time, like maybe four or five years ago, that was me. Now? Hmm.... I think I
have tipped over an edge into another realm. My love affair with Darcy has gone
WAY past being a diversion curable with a 12-Step Program!
Because
of that it would be impossible for me to attempt summing up my “story” of How
It All Began. If really interested you can read about it on my website. I have
to reread my story upon occasion to refresh my own memory! When reminded that
my introduction to Austen and Mr. Darcy was a mere 6 years ago I shake my head
and mutter, “Impossible!” But it was.
That was
when I saw the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. I fell in love. Fine and
Dandy. Many of us did. Weird thing is that I wasn’t content to keep it there. I
wanted MORE, and that is always a scary desire! Before a year had passed I was
repeating Mr. Darcy’s line by declaring that I was in the middle of something
huge before I knew it.
The huge
something I was into was writing a sequel to P&P. At this point I was a
Darcyholic who could not and would not let these characters go. Man, was I ever
having fun! I was part of an awesome JAFF community and sharing my chapters of
love everlasting between Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth. Daily I was falling deeper
in love with them and their extended families. I was envisioning futures for
all the bit players and creating new characters to enhance the fun.
I was
also daily falling deeper in love with writing and research and Austen. This is
when it began to subtly shift from a simple obsessive diversion. When my first
novel, Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy,
was published by Sourcebooks in March 2009 I suspected my life was on a pathway
of radical change. Before 2009 was over two more novels in The Darcy Saga
sequel had been published - Loving Mr.
Darcy and My Dearest Mr. Darcy -
and I was under contract for more.
This was
no longer a diversion or guilty pleasure. This was a career.
2010
welcomed the release of In The Arms of
Mr. Darcy and my novella in the anthology A Darcy Christmas. In 2011 the fifth full-length novel centering on
the Darcys arrived - The Trouble With Mr.
Darcy - and in November I turned to a secondary character in my first
departure novel Miss Darcy Falls in Love.
Writing
Georgiana Darcy’s love story was an amazing challenge for me. I was granted the
opportunity to travel to France (figuratively) in 1820 and write a complete
love story rather than an after-the-wedding tale. I missed Darcy and Lizzy, as
did many of my readers, but it was fabulous to stretch my wings. I needed the
chance to prove I could write a novel independent of them. For me it was
another sign that writing was my
passion, not only the Darcys and Austen. Best of all, veering off with
Georgiana convinced me I could write anything if I put my mind to it!
I
grabbed ahold of that conviction and followed my heart. I am now literally in
the final days of completing and polishing my eighth novel, this one about a
character of my own creation. The
Passions of Dr. Darcy is the story of Darcy’s Uncle George. Fans of The
Darcy Saga know George and universally love him. I do too! This novel,
scheduled tentatively for April 2013, goes back in time to 1789 India and
covers over 30 years of this incredible man’s life. All I will say here is that
it is amazing! More details are on my website.
My
passion for the Darcys and Austen birthed all of this and much more to come in
the future. It lead to the establishment of Austen Authors (www.austenauthors.net).
It introduced me to JASNA and the enormous network of Austen lovers worldwide.
All because I watched a movie! I think that is fantastic! Just goes to show
that you never know where a Darcyholic diversion will lead you.
Sharon Lathan is the best-selling author of The Darcy Saga sequel
series to Jane Austen’s Pride &
Prejudice. Her previously published novels are: Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, Loving Mr. Darcy,
My Dearest Mr. Darcy, In the Arms of Mr. Darcy, A Darcy Christmas, The Trouble With Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy Falls in Love. In addition
to her writing, Sharon works as a Registered Nurse in a Neonatal ICU. She
resides with her family in Hanford, California in the sunny San Joaquin Valley.
Visit Sharon on her website: www.sharonlathan.net and on Austen Authors,
her group blog with 20 novelist of Austen literature: www.austenauthors.com
It is amazing that watching a movie directed your life on a whole new path! (Not that being an RN, NICU isn't worthwhile and time-consuming enough).I love the Darcy Saga (and AustenAuthors) and I keep hoping that soon I will read a blog post from you that says "Hi everyone - Dr. George's book will be out this summer, not next April! Surprise!" LOL I would love to win a copy of Miss Darcy Falls in Love, as it's the only SL book I don't yet have.
ReplyDeleteTweeted this: https://twitter.com/jaffobsession/status/210464345614843904
DeleteI also follow DD blog and follow Barb on Twitter.
Oh man Monica, I wish I could say that too! It feels weird not to have a book releasing this year after 7 in the past 3. LOL! Kind of a nice holiday though. :-)
DeleteI needed the time to research and write Dr. Darcy's story correctly. It is going to be a big book and hopefully all will think it was worth the wait!
Thanks for your continued support of me and Austen Authors.
The film was the tipping point for my Darcyholicism and I love that the film inspired such great books
ReplyDeleteHi Louise! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteFilms or TV shows from books always inspire people to read, so I think that is terrific. I know literally hundreds of people who came to know Austen via one of the cinematic adaptations. It is a marvelous development! Not all of them take it to my extreme, of course - which is a good thing I suppose. LOL!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I fell in love with your books after discovering P&P 2005 for myself, not so long ago. Watching Becoming Jane led me to P&P, Jane Austen and British Period Dramas in general. So I understand completely how watching one movie can change one's outlook. I'm not writing a book but it has greatly affected what books I read and what movies I watch now. I've read four of the Darcy Saga books; taking a break before I dive into "Trouble" and hope to purchase the rest soon (or win a copy!). Not all JAFF are created equal. I have read some I do not care for. But your books are just what (most) JA fans are looking for. So glad I found the Darcy Saga books and Austen Authors, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Bleu! Great to see you here. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I do hope you love Trouble With Mr. Darcy as much as the others. I like to think that JA fans would want a happily-ever-after for Lizzy and Darcy, but you are correct to say "most" since opinions vary. But that is why it is awesome that there are so many authors who write JAFF!
DeleteHi Sharon!
ReplyDeleteInside I feel like a screaming groupie for your novels. I LOVE THE DARCY SAGA! Although I cannot relate to falling for a movie before the book, I am SO glad you did. ;) I enjoy watching Jane Austen movies too, but like Mary... I would "infinitely prefer a book".
I cannot wait for The Passions of Dr. Darcy. I always try not read the little previews you post on Facebook... but I always give in and read anyways. :)
I do not need to be entered into the drawing. Your novels are much worn and a bit hot chocolate stained to be honest. If I ever have the privilege of meeting you in person, I think I'd be too ashamed to bring you my books to autograph. Maybe this is the reason you came up with the idea of the book plates. :)
Blushing here! Thanks Erlynn. You are awesome and have been such a wonderful supporter of me and Austen Authors. I can't thank you enough! The fans make it happen, especially when they have fabulous websites to share the love. So thanks for that too!
DeleteYou don't want the hints of what Dr. Darcy has in store? LOL! I try not to post anything that gives too much away. At least I hope not! The hope is to titillate and entice, not spoil. ;-)
And I have to tell you right now, you better not EVER be too embarrassed to meet me in person and bring your books! I would love to meet you! But, yes, the bookplates are a nice way to arrange something since, alas, I cannot travel the globe as I wish. *sigh....
:-) Sharon
Sharon,
ReplyDeleteMy story's much the same, except it was the OTHER movie and the OTHER Mr. Darcy that inspired me ('95, Colin Firth). Oh, and I haven't written as many books as you have...yet. Thanks for establishing Austen Authors and inviting me to be a part of it, because all addicts need a support group!
The OTHER Mr. Darcy is just fine, Shannon. No problem loving him at all!
DeleteI am thankful you are with us on Austen Authors. It is a pleasure! And I am sure in time you will have as many books published as I do, although hopefully by then I will have a bunch more too! LOL!
Colin Firth was my first too. I haven't written any books but I have read Sharon's and Shannon's and any author I can find on Pride sequels. I am so happy there are author's like you that have extended our world of Jane Austen. Can't wait for more. We need more Darcyizzy's. Thank you Sharon.....
DeleteHi Sharon. Happy to hear an approximate date for George's novel. I cannot wait for another of your books to grace my bookshelf! I am certainly a Darcyholic ( or a step above) but i am a Lathanholic big time. I read everything Darcy, but i have read and reread your novels so many times that I am afraid they are dog-eared. I just keep coming back to them. Keep writing please!!
ReplyDeleteKathy Elder
Thanks Kathy! I like the idea of my novels being dog-eared :-) I promise to keep writing, don't worry about that!
DeleteYou are my favorite also. I didn't catch the date though....
DeleteKC, the date for the release of The Passions of Dr. Darcy is tentative, as is the title I should add. These things can change! However, the plan is for April of 2013.
DeleteDear Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy to know the date of Mister George Darcy's arrival!
I fell in love with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's story last year and I can't help but rereading it! I am enthralled by your stories of how their life continued. I've read other authors take on how their life together turned out and I felt that none of those authors captured the essense of their love as well as you did. And I thank you for that.
Sincerely,
Longstory(Morgan McMinn)
Hi Morgan! Thanks for coming up Darcyholic Diversions and thanks for your support of my work. I really appreciate it. I am always happy to hear that my vision for the Darcys is enjoyed. :-)
Deletewell, YOU are the reason I got started into fanfic. Jane and I go way back but you turned me into a Darcyholic. LOL I, like so many others, have those dogeared many read copies of the Darcy Saga that are like old friends and I am anxiously awaiting George. I can never be too thankful that you fell in love with a movie! LOL You have done amazing things and broadened my horizons! =D
ReplyDeletePS I forgot to say that I don't need to be in the drawing either...
DeleteStephanie L
It is funny how many people I chat with who have no idea there is such a thing as fan fiction, online or published. Seems incredible but then again I didn't know it existed until a few years ago either!
DeleteThanks for your kind words, Stephanie. :-)
Loved this post, Sharon. We can never have enough of Darcy, can we? That's what we do as Austen writers -- we try to reimagine Darcy in different circumstances and bring out various aspects of him.
ReplyDeleteShows the power of film, doesn't it?
Hi Monica!! Thank goodness we never tire of Darcy and Austen, right? All of us at Austen Authors are happy about that fact! LOL!
DeleteMore and more we are becoming a visually stimulated people. It is sad in one respect because not as many young people are picking up books and becoming serious readers as they once were. But it is what it is, so I am always thrilled when I hear of a movie or TV adaptation of a piece of literature. In every case it sends people back to the original source and hopefully they then pick up other books and keep reading!
Amazing site!! FOLLOWING!!!
ReplyDeleteFeel free to visit mine:
hodgepodgegallery.blogspot.bom
--Jamie :)
It IS an amazing site, isn't it? Barb has done a fabulous job with Darcyholic Diversions. At Austen Authors our tagline is, "...because there's never enough Jane Austen." We believe that wholeheartedly so of course we think there can never be enough websites on the subject either!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Jamie, and thanks for following.
I feel like I fell in love with Mr. Darcy much the same as Sharon Lathan. Well, for me, it was after reading the book for the first time as one I had picked to do a book report on during a class in high school. His letter to Elizabeth is what stood out in my mind, and I knew I had met a truly remarkable character. The 2005 movie adaptation brought my vision of Darcy to life and it sparked my complete obsession.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe I only discovered Sharon Lathan's books last year as I was casually browsing through Barnes and Noble. Sharon, I absolutely love your writing. It's captivating. And, to anyone I've ever mentioned your books to, I've always said that your books are what I would envision follow P&P only far more detailed than I thought possible!
I'm also enthralled with your character of George Darcy. I am anxiously looking forward to your new novel. So long as you continue to write, I will continue to follow your work.
Also, congratulations on your recognition and integration into this website!
DeleteThanks Alicia! I love hearing the various ways readers discover my books. Large bookstores can be overwhelming - as one who frequently browses the aisles myself - so it is terrific to know my books are discovered that way. I do think those shiny covers and spines help! LOL! I owe that debt of thanks to Sourcebooks. :-)
DeleteI do love your books! In fact, we now have 2 sets! I am currently reading Georgiana's story and loving it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will consider coming to Atlanta for the Decatur Book Festival - it would be so great to meet you in person! I know JASNA wants to bring in the very best for its first time at DBF and that would certainly be an author of your caliber.
You don't have to enter me in drawing - I hope someone who hasn't got your books wins.
I wish I could travel to Atlanta, Jan. I know several of the Austen Authors are going to be there, such as Jack Caldwell. Too far for me I'm afraid. :-(
DeleteThanks for the support!
I LOVE your books, Sharon!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how a movie or a book can change your life forever! That is powerful thing when you think about it. Wonder what Jane Austen would think if she knew how many people she had affected and will continue to. All of you that write your books add to that change.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and for sharing your post. It was great!
HI Sharon. I enjoyed reading your post! Isn't it amazing how a book or a movie can change your life forever! The 1995 miniseries did that for me. That is a very powerful thing and Jane Austen had a profound effect on many. I wonder what she would think if she knew how her books had changed so many lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for sharing your post and for the giveaway opportunity.