An Interview with Amy D'Orazio, Author of The Best Part of Love
By Barbara Tiller Cole
It is exciting to be a part of Amy D'Orazio's book tour and to get a chance to interview her. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.
As an author myself, I made a decision when I began this blog not to formally review other author's work. I love to read Austen inspired works myself, but I want to honor and celebrate it, not criticize. What is exciting is getting to know authors and giving readers a chance to know their backgrounds and inspiration for writing.
However, when I read a book I like I am VERY happy to share. I have always enjoyed Pride and Prejudice variations in which Elizabeth is something different from her 'canon' self. Amy shares an Elizabeth that I really liked from the beginning her new novel! She is very smart and very brave. I know that you will enjoy, as much as I did, reading Amy's newest release, The Best Part of Love.
Giveaway from Darcyholic Diversions:
When I was first contacted about hosting Amy, I knew her name sounded familiar. But it was Amy herself who had to remind me. She was featured here at Darcyholic Diversions when she was just a Darcyholic reader. As a part of this blog tour, I will be selecting at least one reader to share your story. So comment below for a chance to post here! Maybe you will be as inspired as Amy was and I will be hosting you later as an author as well. Instead of making you search, you can read Amy's prior post at this link.
Giveaway:
For a chance to win Amy's book, comment below and then click on the Rafflecopter link at the end of Amy's post:
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And now for the interview:
BTCole: How were you first introduced to Jane Austen's
works? Was it love at first read, or did your love come later?
AD: I believe I must have first read Austen in high
school or college — it didn’t have the impact it had on me in my later years. I
think Sense & Sensibility was the first that I read and truth be told, that
has never been one of my favorite stories.
I am a scientist, and most of my education was
therefore driven in that direction. I expended as little effort as possible in
the direction of literature, so I’ve always had the nagging feeling that I’ve
missed out on a lot of great reads. Somewhere in my mid-thirties, I decided I
would embark on a read of some of the classics, and I’ve been doing that ever
since. Happily, I started with Jane Austen, and she will always be, to me, the
greatest of all writers.
BTCole: What drew you to Jane Austen's works?
AD: When you read a Jane Austen book, you get a
little bit of everything: laughter, tears, sarcasm, wit. It’s all in there,
seamlessly blended.
However, that said, to me what makes Jane’s work
so unforgettable is her characters. It has always amazed me how she gives such
a bare sketch of many of her characters, and yet they come alive on the page.
Whether you love them or hate them or don’t know what to think of them, Jane’s
characters stick with you and you find yourself wanting to understand them
more.
As your book is a Pride and Prejudice variation
is it a safe assumption that Pride and Prejudice is your favorite Austen
book? And what is your favorite character?
Pride and Prejudice is absolutely my favorite,
hands down! As for my favorite character, I am probably not saying anything too
shocking when I say it's Elizabeth Bennet. It amazes me that Jane Austen could
conceive of a lady who, over two centuries later, is still so likable and
relevant to a modern audience.
BTCole: When did you first discover Jane Austen-inspired
literature?
AD: It was a very happy day, I can tell you that
haha! On a previous visit to your blog, I know I mentioned a story of how we
were searching for something on TV one day and stumbled across a showing of the
1995 P&P miniseries and shortly after that, I learned of the Pamela Aidan
trilogy — that was really my first dip into JAFF. From there I was led to the
published JAFF books which at the time was not a whole lot, not like there is
today.
It wasn’t until I read the acknowledgements in
one of Linda Wells’ books that I discovered the world of online forums and
unpublished JAFF. That was a pretty thrilling discovery, and to date, it is the
online forums that hold most of my favorite stories, although of course there
are many wonderful stories which have gone to publication too.
BTCole: Would you call yourself a ‘Darcyholic’?
Why or why not?
AD: I guess it would depend on the definition of
darcyholicism! I know there have certainly been times when it seemed like the
world of P&P filled my mind to the exclusion of all else, particularly in
the first weeks/months of my JAFF journey! I’ve been around the world of
Austenesque literature for about five years now, and now it's a little
different. Some days my mind is filled with new story ideas, and I’m reading a
great new story that I can’t seem to put down, but there are other times when
it’s less so. I think it's a good thing that it evolved that way because real
life wasn’t tolerating the first phase!
BTCole: What about it made you want to write an Austen
inspired book yourself?
AD: When I started writing, I firmly vowed it was
just for me, I was confident I’d never post it anywhere and certainly never
dreamed of publishing. I used writing as a way to pass the time as I’d sit at
my kid's sports practices and so forth but eventually I realized that posting
allows you to grow a lot as a writer. I am always indebted to those who
participate in those as writers and betas and readers and commenters because
they helped me learn and hone and improve.
For as great as reading a story is, writing is
(to me) even better — you get immersed in the world of D&E!
BTCole: Your Elizabeth is very different from
canon. What was your inspiration for her character?
AD: My Elizabeth starts off the story having gone
through some pretty traumatic circumstances. She was young, just a teenager,
when she was left a widowed mother with a world of responsibility on her
shoulders. In thinking about her character then, I just tried to imagine how
canon Elizabeth might have responded to those circumstances, and how that would
have shaped her. She is still intelligent, still charismatic but, certainly at
the beginning of the story, she is a quieter, more sober, and less opinionated
version of herself.
Of course, one of the things that draws her to
Darcy is that something in him resurrects her wish to tease and converse freely
and give opinions on things. She can’t understand it at first but eventually
she feels a sense of gratitude towards him for uncovering the part of her that
had been trampled down by life.
BTCole: Anything else you would like us to know?
AD: One thing I am often asked about is an original
recurring character who is in many of my stories, Viscount Saye. Many want to
know where he came from and who, if anyone, is the inspiration for him.
Viscount Saye is Colonel Fitzwilliam’s older
brother, heir to the earldom (which I always call Matlock although we know Jane
herself never specified it). He is something of comic relief; he is an
unrepentant bad boy who, deep down, has a good heart although it grieves him to
show it. He likes to say what everyone else is thinking (but too polite to
say), and he tweaks Darcy when Darcy most needs tweaked.
There is no true real-life inspiration for
Viscount Saye. He is a sort of amalgamation of different people, mostly men,
who I have known, and he was largely created as someone who is similar to Darcy
(first son and heir) but who does not take life very seriously. Darcy needs
that sometimes!
BTCole: Are you working on another book? Want to
give us any hints?
AD: I always have two or three new projects working!
One thing I have always wanted to do is write something in the style of books
that were popular in Austen’s day, the gothic romances like those written by
Anne Radcliffe. Of course its hard to imagine a situation in which Pemberley is
transformed into a gloomy castle!
BTCole: Do you have any personal pictures that assist in
telling us your 'Darcyholic' story?
AD: I don’t really have pictures of that sort of
thing although I have many pictures which inspire and help my writing on
Pinterest. There is a specific board for The Best Part of Love as well as many
other boards I use for research and just general interest!
Book Blurb:
Avoiding
the truth does not change the truth
When Fitzwilliam Darcy
meets Miss Elizabeth Bennet he has no idea that she — that indeed, the entire
town of Meryton — harbors a secret. Miss Elizabeth, a simply country girl from
a humble estate, manages to capture first his fascination and then his heart
without him ever knowing the truth of her past.
When she meets Darcy,
Elizabeth had spent the two years prior hiding from the men who killed her
beloved first husband. Feeling herself destroyed by love, Elizabeth has no
intention of loving again, certainly not with the haughty man who could do
nothing but offend her in Hertfordshire.
In London, Elizabeth
surprises herself by finding in Darcy a friend; even greater is her surprise to
find herself gradually coming to love him and even accepting an offer of
marriage from him. Newly married, they are just beginning to settle into their
happily ever after when a condemned man on his way to the gallows divulges a
shattering truth, a secret that contradicts everything Elizabeth thought she
knew about the tragic circumstances of her first marriage. Against the advice
of everyone who loves her, including Darcy, Elizabeth begins to ask questions.
But will what they learn destroy them both?
Author Bio:
Amy D’Orazio is a former
breast cancer researcher and current stay at home mom who is addicted to Austen
and Starbucks in about equal measures. While she adores Mr. Darcy, she is
married to Mr. Bingley and their Pemberley is in Pittsburgh PA.
She has two daughters who are
devoted to sports which require long practices and began writing her own
stories as a way to pass the time she spent sitting in the lobbies of various
gyms and studios. She is a firm believer that all stories should have long
looks, stolen kisses and happily ever afters. Like her favorite heroine, she
dearly loves a laugh and considers herself an excellent walker.
Contact Info:
(Each website,
where possible, is linked to the name.)
Facebook: Amy D’Orazio
Instagram:
amydorazio
Buy Links:
The eBook will be available on Amazon, January 6th.
I will try to get the link to you for the eBook as soon as I get it. The
Paperback should follow in two to three weeks.
Blog Tour Schedule with Links A. D’Orazio
15 Jan Delighted Reader; Review
I think I will like Viscount Saye
ReplyDeleteThank you Vesper! I am a bit in love with him myself! I like to include him in everything I write!
DeleteI certainly enjoyed meeting Viscount Saye as well!
DeleteGreat interview, ladies. I guess we aren't the only ones, who had been introduced to JAFF through Pamela Aidan's Darcy Trilogy. :) And viscount Saye is the best. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. Congratulations on the release of your book, Amy.
Thank you Kate! I consider Pamela Aidan as the sort of grand dame of JAFF -- I read her books at least once a year!
DeleteHow people find JAFF is always fascinating to me. There are many fun stories here on DD from a wide variety of readers and writers about how they discovered a fun obsession.
DeleteThanks for such a fascinating interview ladies. Like Amy, my first introduction to JAFF was Pamela Aiden's trilogy, which I found on Audible several years ago. I stumbled upon the wider online JAFF community more recently, three years ago. My original introduction to the books of Jane Austen herself was 50 (yes really!) years ago now via the 1940 film of P&P.
ReplyDeleteAmy's debut published novel sounds so different to any other variation I've come across during my time as part of this community and it's one I'm really looking forward to reading. Sadly, I haven't read any of her works published on the forums as I simply don't have the time to fit that sort of thing in around life, reading and following blog tours like this. However, a lot of people I've got to know during the past few years, and whose opinions I respect a lot, speak very highly of Amy's writing.
Viscount Saye sounds like such a fun character from what Amy says here and from a vignette posted earlier in the tour. He seems to be the perfect foil for the somewhat stoic Darcy. Regarding Elizabeth, am I right in thinking that she's about the same age here as she was in canon, but has had a somewhat different past?
Congratulations on your publication Amy and good luck with the launch.
P.S. I've just been to read Amy's original post. I love her kids' comments!
DeleteThank you Anji! And yes you are correct, the Best Part of Love begins within the same time as canon, and Elizabeth is 20. There is a backstory/prologue though that takes place when she is younger but the real starts in August 1811 :) Thank you!
DeleteThanks as always Anji for commenting here! Sounds like your story of how you found JAFF might be fun to hear as well!
DeleteCongratulations, Amy on your first publication. And thanks gals for the interview. Amy's stories are awesome and its fun to see them come to life outside of the forums. Jen Red
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen!
DeleteJen! First time I put you and this name together. Thanks for you support and comments for Darcyholic Diversions!
DeleteLovey interview ladies! I enjoyed your questions, Barbara, and your answers, Amy. I feel I know you a bit better!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thank you for being a part of the blog tour. It is so good to see Darcyholic Diversions active again. I've missed you and your blog!
Amy, I'm enjoying reading your different posts for the tour.
I must add that the comments made by your daughters in your first appearance on this blog are priceless! I laughed more than once. They were spot on! :) Cute!
DeleteLOL! Thank you! They really beat down the whole "tolerable but not handsome enough" thing for awhile... "those boots are tolerable but not sparkly enough to tempt me" ... "this pasta is tolerable but not cheesy enough to tempt me" ... you catch my drift I am sure! Drove me nuts!!!
DeleteThanks Janet for your part in Amy being here for this post. And Amy thanks so much for taking the time to visit with us!
DeleteI am actually SO excited about this book - I think it will be a great read to see how it goes down with Darcy when he finds out Elizabeth's secret! Thanks for the awesome post :) Erika Messer hopefuldelights (at) yahoo (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThank you Erika!
DeleteErika: Thanks SO much for taking the time to post. So happy to have you comment here. Lots of great posts with a wide variety of readers and writers here at Darcyholic Diversions.
DeleteGreat interview, Amy! I am enjoying this tour and your book is already a success! Congratulations! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you dear Daniela!
DeleteIt was a great tour. Just not getting a chance to thank all the commenters here! Please come back for more.
DeleteWhat a fabulous interview, ladies. Well done, indeed! I loved getting this behind-the-scenes look into Amy's work. She's so humble, IMO, as I simply find all of her writing so engaging and well-written. I have read almost every story by her, and I still want more. It's a pleasure to know she has so many great stories inside of her to share with us! Saye is a wonderful character too and Amy knows I have him cast already in my mind... just in case Amy ever has a story made based on any of her stories. 😉
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet! And I am still dying to hear who you've cast him as! :)
DeleteThanks so much Claudine! And yes, I really enjoyed Amy's book and look forward to finding the time to read more!
DeleteLoved this interview!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to read when and how am author fell in love with Austen and the particular characters in her favourite book.
Best of luck with this book,Amy.
Thank you Mary!
DeleteThanks so much for taking the time to read and comment Mary!
DeleteGreat interview. It's so interesting to learn more about the authors and their inspirations.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
DeleteThanks again for commenting! I really appreciate your loyalty!
DeleteThank you for the interview. Keep writing and thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eva!
DeleteIt's always cool to hear the similar stories of authors and readers regarding their history with JAFF. The word fanfiction was new to me, and when I discovered I could use Jane Austen Fan Fiction as search terms to get hundreds of stories, I never looked back. Thanks for sharing your story, Amy, and thanks for the interview, Barb.
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzan!
DeleteYou are welcome Suzan! So happy your took the time to comment.
DeleteSaye is quite amusing. In some ways, he makes me think of Forrest Gump, in his guilelessness.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite lines in your story is, "Lord Courtenay is presently out of doors, chasing a bunny!" I love the imagery possible there, when the reader isn't exactly sure who Lord Courtenay is.
Thank you Ginna! It is always so nice to hear particular lines or places that readers liked or found funny -- especially for a writer like me who agonized over every word! Thanks so much!
DeleteAw shucks, you know, thanks for writing this story (and all of the other ones you've written and that I've enjoyed!)
DeleteYes, I agree Ginna. I always like any comic relief characters...
Delete