Barbara Tiller Cole: Ever Go to the Movies to See The Previews?

Ever Go to The Movies To See 
The Previews of Coming Attractions?

Maria Grace tagged me in ‘The Next Big Thing’ .  So I decided to give it a try!  Here are my answers:

What is the working title of your book?

Adventures of a Darcyholic is the book that I am currently preparing for publication.  It is a modern romantic comedy.  I will answer the remainder of these questions about THAT particular project. 

Of course, as many authors I have a couple more projects that are churning away in my mind.  One is a project that has been on a back burner for awhile and I might be able to bring it out of hiding before too long.  That project’s working title is My Name is Will D.  The project combines my day job (this is my 25^th year working in the field of addiction) and my love for Jane Austen’s characters.  The story is NOT a canon story and will be about an alcoholic Will Darcy trying to find recovery from his addiction.  I have been considering changing the names of the characters to give it a wider appeal, but have not yet decided. 

I also have a Regency project that is out there as well.  Working title is A Diva for Darcy.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

On my way to working on My Name is Will D my uncle committed suicide in his 22^nd year of sobriety.  With that went my muse for the project for a period of time. 

While contemplating how to get myself back to writing again, I thought about writing the comedic flip side of the story.  There is an addictive quality to Jane Austen’s characters, Darcy in particular. When you consider how many websites, blogs, sequels, prequels, movies, art projects, museums, pinterest items, etc. that are related to him you can see how the idea might have sprouted in my mind. Like my romantic heroine lead for the piece, I am a ‘bit addicted’ to Darcy.  So began my comedic adventure.

What genre does your book fall under?

It is a Modern Romantic Comedy with a Jane Austen twist.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Hmmm.  I actually went in search for a ‘young Colin Firth’ to play my lead and I thought I had found one in Matt Boomer from the USA series ‘White Collar’.  He has the right look.  But he is gay.  And if you know my romantic history (I went to church sponsored music school before guys decided to come out of the closet—enough said) I just CAN’T let him stay in that place.  

So my Darcy is a younger Colin Firth.  In fact as I write this I am watching a PRE-P&P Colin Firth in the Ruth Rendell Mysteries just to get his younger self back into my head.  For Elizabeth Bennet, I always cast some version of myself.  She might not LOOK like me, but I find putting ME into her characterization is what works the best.  The character of Richard Fitzwilliam in my story is portrayed by Michael Weatherly from the TV show NCIS in my head.  Past that I am not sure. 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when a hobby becomes a habit, family and friends often find it necessary to intervene.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My current plans are for publication through a small press, Darcy’s Kiss Publications.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I am not finished yet, but I have been working on the story for approximately a year.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That is very difficult.  This story is very unique.  Perhaps I could call it a cross between One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and Pride and Prejudice.  But that is a pretty tall stretch. 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

My job and my need to escape from it along with some lovely ladies that called Georgia Girls Rock, A Jane Austen Inspired Literature support group.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

For those who spend time in the Jane Austen inspired literature community they may see themselves in the story.  This will be true for those in other fan fiction communities.  And for those who just need a good laugh, it will be a fun ride. 

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Tags are here for Maria Grace who tagged me.

And also:

Linnea Eileen Smith

Linda Wells

Becky Cooper Thumann

Beth Semmer Massey

Colette Saucier

Linda Davison Gonschior
Robin Helms 

Tag you’re IT now!

Rules of The Next Big Thing

***Use this format for your post

***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress)

***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

What is the working title of your book?

Where did the idea come from for the book?

What genre does your book fall under?

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.