Today the 'Yours Forevermore, Darcy' stops by with a guest post from KaraLynne Mackrory. She has a guest post for us, and there's an opportunity for one of you to win an ebook copy of the book. I'll pass over to KaraLynne for some insight into how this book came into being
* * * * *
Transforming a short story into a novel or
in other words - falling in love all over again with a story.
Firstly
I would like to thank Ceri for having me on her blog and for participating in
this, the next stop on the blog tour for Yours
Forevermore, Darcy.
If
you have been following along with the blog tour to this point you will have
learned that this story was first conceived and written as a short story. I actually wrote it smack dab in the middle
of writing Bluebells in the Mourning. At the time I had this idea come to my mind,
I wanted so badly to write it but could not abandon Darcy and Elizabeth in the
fix they were already in in Bluebells and so I stepped aside and wrote it as a
short story.
As
the years passed, I always thought I should go back and transform the short
story into what it was always meant to be – a full length novel. And so “The Letters” became Yours Forevermore, Darcy. At times the process was easy, and at other
times it was difficult. What’s fun about
a short story is you can make the path to HEA come together quickly. What can be done in 10K words or less is not
as easily done when set about in a longer format.
Jane
Austen created Darcy to be a man of loyalty and strong emotions. However, much to his misfortune, his
characteristic reserve keeps all his passion bottled in. Elizabeth is taken by surprise by his ardent
declaration at Hunsford because he was too darn good at holding in his
feelings. “My feelings will not be repressed…”
It seemed perfectly reasonable that such a man would need an outlet for
those feelings at some point. In my
book, Darcy finds that outlet by means of letters to Elizabeth. What he doesn’t expect is that she will ever
end up reading them.
In
transforming this story to a full length novel, I fell in love again with the
plot, the characters and the process of watching Darcy speak his love via the
written word. I hope you will too!
Enter to win a copy of the book for
yourself here!
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy has a secret.
The letter he presents to Miss Elizabeth Bennet after his ghastly proposal is not the only epistle he has written her. In this tale of longing, misadventure, and love—readapted from Jane Austen’s dearly loved Pride & Prejudice—our hero finds a powerful way of coping with his attraction to Miss Bennet. He writes her unsent letters.
The misguided suitor has declared himself, and Elizabeth Bennet has refused him, most painfully. Without intending for these letters to become known to another soul, Mr. Darcy relies on
his secret for coping once again. However, these letters, should they fall into the wrong hands, could create untold scandal, embarrassment, and possibly heartbreak. But what happens if they fall into the right hands?
* * * * *
Thank you KaraLynne, for giving us a peek into the creative process. I think my favourite thing about the novel was his letters. They were romantic, but also funny and unflattering at times, as they were clearly not written with the intention of them being read.
Giveaway time!
Meryton Press are kindly offering to give away an ebook of 'Yours Forevermore, Darcy' to a commenter here. This giveaway is open to international entrants who comment by the end of the day on Friday 18 September. To get a bonus entry to the giveaway you can also comment on my review of the book. Please leave some way for me to contact you just in case you're the lucky winner. Note that since this is a blog tour there are lots of other stops where you can find out more about the book and other opportunities to win. There are links to the other stops on the blog tour at the bottom of this post.
However, if you just can't wait and need to have a copy in your hands straight away, then it's available to buy right now!
ISBN: 978-1-68131-000-8
Author Bio:
KaraLynne is an amazing mother who never makes mistakes, never gets upset with her children and never ever has a dirty house. Ever. She always has her dishes done and the floors spotless and dinner is always prepared and ready on time. Her kids are always clean, polite, respectful and loving, especially to each other. She never gets irritated with her husband when he doesn’t turn his socks right side out for the laundry and they always agree on everything. She delights in nothing else but to serve her family and never wants or needs time for herself. She takes great care to shower every day and put make up on so that she is always beautiful and presentable. She never wears her pajamas all day or for days in a row and she is the epitome of womanhood. Most of all, she has a great sense of humor and loves to write.
Okay, in all honesty – KaraLynne Mackrory is no newbie to the writing world. She made her debut as an author at the tender age of 13 when she wrote her first set of bad poetry. Angsty and emotional – teenage-drama filled – they were unbelievable disasters. Such contributions to the literary world were deemed so terrible that today they are kept behind lock and key to protect others from their awfulness. As a young adult she steered clear of soap opera drama inspired works and achieved a degree in Social Work. It was not until her late twenties that she returned to her roots in writing. Since then she has published three Austen inspired novels so full of romantic sensibilities as to give you a toothache and a grin and hopefully a few contented sighs. She is thrilled to report that Falling For Mr. Darcy, Bluebells in the Mourning and Haunting Mr. Darcy: A Spirited Courtship are a mite better than the bad poetry.
Blog Tour Schedule:
7 Sep: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club
8 Sep: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm
9 Sep: Excerpt & Giveaway at Laughing with Lizzie
10 Sep: Review at Half Agony, Half Hope
11 Sep: Guest Post & Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm
12 Sep: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice
13 Sep: Excerpt & Giveaway at My Love for Jane Austen
14 Sep: Guest Post & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged
15 Sep: Review at Wings of Paper
16 Sep: Review at Margie’s Must Reads
17 Sep: Guest Post & Giveaway at Songs and Stories
18 Sep: Guest Post & Giveaway at So Little Time…
19 Sep: Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
21 Sep: Review at Austenprose
I'm so glad you decided to transform the short story into a full length book, KaraLynne! It sounds wonderful! I can't wait to read Darcy's letters!
ReplyDeletenewyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com
I think you'll love Darcy's letters, Maria! Good luck in the giveaway :)
DeleteOk. So I have to say I adore the emotion in this book. You really feel the pain Darcy is experiencing. And just when you think you, as a reader, cannot take much more, it happens. I won't tell you what but it makes all that angst worth it! Some say the ending came quickly but I was racing to the finish line because it wasn't coming fast enough. Don't enter me in the giveaway, I have both versions. But I would love a bookmark!!! Since I bought four paperbacks that KaraLynne will have to sign someday, I want four bookmarks too! 😉 Good thing I know the author!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it awesome when you have the inside scoop? I hope you get your bookmarks. Maybe in KaraLynne's spare time she can sign your books - when she can find some spare time.
DeleteI thought the ending could perhaps have been drawn out more, but I also liked that it wasn't drawn out unnecessarily, as when you're reading a book which has obstacle after obstacle you find yourself rolling your eyes when yet another thing crops up!
DeleteGood luck with getting your bookmarks. And good luck to KaraLynne in finding some spare time, I'm sure that must be in pretty short supply at the moment with a new baby to snuggle with :)
What is this "spare time" you all speak of?
DeleteTee-Hee!
DeleteGlad that you decided to lengthen this story - have liked all your other books so I am sure that i will enjoy this. If I don't with a copy my husband has it on my Christmas present buy list
ReplyDeletemeikleblog at gmail dot com
Hi Vesper, I think if you liked KaraLynne's other books you'll probably like this one too, I think it has a really good balance of emotion and humour. Good luck in the giveaway :)
DeleteMore is always better isn't it? Especially when it comes to D&E
DeleteI love the cover, the title, the premise and KaraLynne's writting, so I'm really looking forward to read this book! I'm not sure I'll wait until the giveaway ends, but... ritaluzdeodato at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHi Rita, if you can wait there are other opportunities to win besides this one, but if you can't wait it's very understandable! Hope you enjoy the book when you read it.
DeleteThank you! I hope that even if you do not win you will get a chance to read it soon!
DeleteI am sure I will read it soon KaraLynne. I am really, really looking forward to read this book :) I loved this premise!
DeleteThank you for hosting the giveaway and sharing your review Ceri :)
I love that Darcy has written letters to Elizabeth that he never intense for her to read! It makes perfect sense that he would use this way to release some of his emotions! I'm really looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! @CandyM037
ReplyDeleteHi Candy. I agree with you, it's very plausible that he would find an outlet for his emotions, and since he was able to express himself so fully in the letter he gave Elizabeth in canon it makes sense that letter writing could be an outlet for him. Good luck in the giveaway!
DeleteIt was that very plausibility that made the idea so delicious to me. Darcy's innermost thoughts...yes please!
DeleteI'm really looking forward to reading this book. I enjoyed the short story, so I know that I'll enjoy the book even more!!
ReplyDeleteGinnaSaisQuoi at verizon dot net
Hi Ginna, I didn't know until I read KaraLynne's article that it had been a short story, I will have to look it up sometime.
DeletePlease don't enter me as I waited about half a second to buy a copy for my Kindle. I do love the way you tell a tale, Karalynne. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThe magic of kindle is something else isn't it Joy! I agree with you, I really enjoy reading KaraLynne's writing style.
DeleteWow! A half second when there are so many great choices to pick from. Thanks so much J Dawn King!
DeleteDo love your books and from what I have read, this one has me hooked! I have read 2 of your others and just recently purchased a third (Haunting Mr. Darcy) to start reading. This is surely on my to get/read list as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Cecie, I hope you enjoy both books when you get to read them :)
DeleteSounds like you have a good bit of all nighters coming to you! Happy reading!
DeleteAnother person who love that you expanded the original story. I can't wait to read what are in those letters as he pour out his heart and intimate thoughts on paper. I predict the book is a swoon-worthy read,
ReplyDeleteevangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
I thought it was swoonworthy, I hope you do too when you read it!
DeleteJA made a very romantic D and so writing his letters was so very fun!
DeleteCongratulations on your new book. I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteHi Gayle, I hope you enjoy it when you read it.
DeleteThank you Gayle!
DeleteI enjoy learning how a book is born. I'm so glad that the short story was expanded. Can't wait to read Darcy's letters in the story.
ReplyDeletePlease do not enter me in giveaway!
Hi Sophia. I always enjoy learning more about how a book came about too. Darcy's letters were my favourite part of the book, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
DeleteHey Sophie! Thank you and I hope you get to enjoy them soon!
DeleteI love the concept of Darcy releasing his emotions via letters.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a good idea too. He seems like such a private person in canon that it seemed very plausible that he might seek an outlet that way.
DeleteSo swoon worthy to write too! Happy reading!
DeleteHow did I not know this was a short story first? Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea either!
DeleteI am so glad that it was made into a full length book. I love all of KaraLynne's books so far so I have no doubt I will love this one too! Thanks for the giveaway! Lumee23 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon. If you liked KaraLynne's previous books I think you'll like this book too! Good luck in the giveaway :)
DeleteThank you for being so faithful a reader! I hope you do enjoy this one. :)
DeleteI am so glad you decided to take a short story and turn it into a full length novel. I am so looking forward to reading it. I know I will love it as I ave loved all your previous stories. skamper25 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThank you! Cross your fingers for the win!
DeleteYou are one of the authors from whom I await new releases. And I definitely prefer novels, generally the longer the better, to short stories. There is so much more room for development of characters, plots, and even settings. Thank you for taking the time to finish this story and extending it to a novel. Now to wait for your next eagerly anticipated volume.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Betty. Though I like short stories sometimes, in general I prefer novels because of the scope for extra development.
DeleteAlways a pleasure to read one of your novels. Thanks for the chance to enter!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, MaryAnn! I hope you enjoy the book when you read it.
Delete