It’s A Wonderful Life Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins
It has become a tradition that, with the publication of each new book, author Shannon Winslow sits down for an interview with Mr. Collins, now Sir William Collins. (Did you know that, after his run as a legendary literary figure, he turned his talents to a new career as a talk-show host?) Unfortunately, the two have not always gotten on well, the friction stemming from the fact that Winslow killed off Collins’s character in the very first chapter of her very first novel (The Darcys of Pemberley). Consequently, these interviews seldom run smoothly. Let us see what happens today:
[House lights dim. Applause sign flashes. Stage lights come up to reveal a platform with twin retro club chairs occupied by host Sir William Collins and today’s guest Shannon Winslow, popular author of Jane Austen fiction. Collins lifts a hand in the style of a royal wave to acknowledge the audience before turning his attention to his guest.]
Collins: [simpering] Welcome, Ms. Winslow, to Meet the Author. I hope you have been well since the last time you graced us with your presence.
Winslow: I have. Thank you for asking and for having me here today.
Collins: It has been quite some time, I believe, and yet you only have a short story completed since then? Tsk. Tsk. You must be more diligent if you ever hope to be a really successful author.
Winslow: At about seventy pages, I think we might call It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Darcy a novella. But let’s not quibble over semantics. More importantly, Sir William, I think my idea of “success” is different from some people’s. I consider myself successful in that I have the luxury of writing what I want, when I want, without imposing the stress of artificial deadlines and word counts on myself. A story takes as long as it takes, in my experience.
Collins: I see. Well, tell us something about this new one, then. What was your inspiration for it?
Winslow: My sister first suggested that I should write a Christmas story, which got me thinking about the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life – one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies. I watch it every December. Do you know the premise?
Collins: No, I cannot say that I do.
Winslow: It’s about George Bailey, an average guy who always does the right thing. And then, at a desperate low point in his life, he wishes he’d never been born, thinking that would have spared himself and everybody else a lot of pain. Only it’s not true, of course, which this angel named Clarence helps him to see. George comes to realizes that his life was too valuable to even think about throwing away. So I got to the idea to take Mr. Darcy on the same kind of journey, showing him how worthwhile his life had actually been and the difference his presence made in the lives of all the people he knows.
Collins: And it is a Christmas story? From the cover, it would appear so.
Winslow: Well, yes and no. I wanted it to be, but then I realized that the main events really had to take place in April, because that’s when Elizabeth rejected Darcy’s first proposal – his low point. So I wrapped the story up in a Christmas fame instead. You’ll see what I mean when… I mean, if… you read it. Perhaps on a snowy afternoon, before the fire? That would be just the thing!
Collins: I might manage to do so, I suppose. It is quite short, after all.
Winslow: Yes, as we’ve already established: short.
Collins: Since this is a Pride and Prejudice story, I must at least ask, do I appear in it? In a pivotal role, speaking with distinction?
Winslow: Oh, of course you would wish to know that. I should have anticipated. The truth is that although your character does not technically appear… or speak… he does make his presence felt. In quite a surprising way, too. I am sure that I would not be exaggerating to say that Mr. Collins’s actions have a significant impact on Mr. Darcy and the outcome of the drama.
Collins: Well, that is something, I suppose. Now, Ms. Winslow, you mentioned an angel before, in your source material. May I presume, then, that this book has elements of the fantastical? A bit of a departure for you, wouldn’t you say?
Winslow: Yes, it’s a little different from my other books in that respect – glimpses across time, a ghostly visitation, a parallel reality. Or perhaps it was all a dream. I’ll never tell! [laughs]
Collins: I was just thinking, though, that if you now include such elements in your writing, there can be nothing to prevent you from revisiting one of your earlier works – in fact, your earliest – with these new tools in hand. Perhaps writing an alternative outcome or a parallel reality for one of your other famous characters…?
Winslow: Ah, yes, I see what you mean. You are thinking that I might like to resurrect Mr. Collins in some way, to extend his life and give him a more heroic part to play. Is that it?
Collins: More heroic and much longer, yes, properly developing all that untapped potential. I think the public would flock to read such a thrilling story as that would make!
Winslow: [looking dubious] I… I don’t know. I have to tell you that I’ve never had one complaint about how I wrapped up your character’s story line so quickly before, in The Darcys of Pemberley.
Collins: Not even one complaint?
Winslow: Sorry. Other than from you yourself, no. [Collins looks severely dejected and Winslow hurries on] …But! I have sometimes myself regretted killing him off so soon. Such a… a unique and… and, uh, interesting character is tremendous fun to write for.
Collins: [brightens] There, you see! You have finally come around to my way of thinking!
Winslow: [pensive] I did enjoy writing that alternative ending for Murder at Northanger Abbey too. Hmm. But what would I call it, if I did carry on Mr. Collins’s story?
Collins: I believe I suggested The Clergyman of Hunsford to you in the past as an excellent title. Mr. Collins in His Own Words sounds very well, too, or perhaps simply… [gazes off into the distance and gestures with his hand, as if tracing words written in the air]…Sir William Collins, Gentleman.
Winslow: All good. Or, since it would be revisiting the scene of the crime, so to speak, perhaps Return to Hunsford would be appropriate?
Collins: Indeed. Then you’ll do it?
Winslow: I’ll give the idea serious consideration, Sir William. That is all I can promise at the moment. First, though, I must finish the book I already have in progress: Captain Wentworth in His Own Words. After that, who knows?
Collins: Well, Ms. Winslow, our time is running short, and I hardly know what to say. I did not expect to end with such a good understanding between us.
Winslow: I know what you mean! We usually come to blows, at least verbally. I do hope you’re viewers are not disappointed.
Collins: Perhaps we can do better next time, eh? [winks]
Winslow: I’ll look forward to it!
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It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Darcy is available in Kindle and audio. AND PAPERBACK COMING SOON!!
https://www.amazon.com/Its-Wonderful-Life-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B0DK65BPKS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Learn more about Shannon Winslow and her books at www.shannonwinslow.com
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And, in case you have never read it, pick up a copy of Barbara Tiller Cole's Fitzwilliam Ebenezer Darcy just in time for the holidays! And Darcy's ghosts will be visiting Lady Catherine just in time for an Easter Visit...
