So glad you could make it back to Duck Chat! Welcome

I’ve been reading Sharon Lathan’s Darcy Saga this past month, and when I found out she’s a new author, one who never really read romance and one who had never written before, I was amazed and thought it would be so interesting to talk to her. So today Sharon is with us and will talk about her experience since she started writing her books. I hope you will take a few minutes and read about this extraordinary lady.

Sharon’s dream growing up was to be a nurse. She achieved that dream and is in her 24th year as an R.N. specializing in Neonatal Intensive Care. She is married and lives with her family in the heart of California’s prime agricultural lands in the San Joaquin Valle in a small town named Hanford. Fruits and vegetables, cows, horses, even cowboys abound there, so why didn’t Sharon write a western when her new calling hit her? Well, read on. She talks about that and so much more.

Be sure to leave that meaningful comment or question for Sharon. She’s very graciously donated a copy of the latest book in her saga, Loving Mr. Darcy (U.S. readers only). Now let’s chat!

DUCK CHAT: Sharon, the story behind how you started writing your Darcy saga is fascinating and will be inspirational for all aspiring authors. Would you tell us about how it all began for you?

SHARON LATHAN: It began with a movie, a belief, and fan-fiction. After I saw the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, I quite simply was in love with this story. I began weaving the happily-ever-after scenes in my head as I often have after viewing a well-done love story. My belief has always been that, 1) the creator of the love story intends for the couple to find happiness forever, and 2) marital affinity isn’t a fantasy but a possibility. Naturally I believed the same for Darcy and Lizzy, and that was the vision dancing in my brain. In my relentless search for all things Austen, I discovered fan-fiction. I was thrilled because I was sure that somewhere in the wealth of stories there was one that gave them the happy life I imagined. I did not find it! So, I decided to write it myself. My logic was, and is, that if I wanted to read of their life together amid the Regency world, surely someone else would. Ends up that hundreds of people do, and the rest is history as they say.

DC: What’s it been like having your very first book you’ve written make it to publication so quickly?

SL: Wonderful! I am so incredibly blessed and downright lucky. I know that and am extremely thankful for what I know is divine guidance in this new adventure. However, I have also worked very hard at this and have never taken it lightly. It may have happened fast, but it has never been easy! At times it is overwhelming and the suddenness of it all means I frequently feel lost. But I am very serious about this story, my career as a writer, and the business of providing a quality product to readers.

DC: Any other fanfic in the wings to be dusted off and looked at again?

SL: No, this is it! Everything I wrote, even the first few short stories, has been incorporated into the whole saga somewhere.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Did your characters surprise you during the story’s creation?

SL: Oh my yes! This is so very true. Authors plot the story, create the scenarios, and direct along the desired outline. Yet so often, at least for me, the drama evolved organically from some place I still do not comprehend. Characters frequently took over! A case in point in my saga is Dr. George Darcy. He was supposed to breeze in, add some fun for a while, and breeze back to India. I should have known I couldn’t trust an eccentric man like him! Another example is the tour through Derbyshire. It was supposed to be about one chapter in length, but ended up being several as I fell deeply in love with the history and landscape. I embrace the spontaneity, though, and have learned to trust the instincts that carry the story as it naturally flows.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

SL: I pretty much let them have their way! Or maybe I am a domineering puppeteer who forces them to do my bidding. Hmm… Nah! I love all of my characters so much that the only hard part for me is working them all in as they deserve. That is partly why I adore writing a saga; I can eventually give every one of them a full arc and a complete future. But I love all of them, even the villains, and want them to have their moments to shine.

DC: Let’s talk about the books now. First in the trilogy is Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One. Would you give our readers an inside look into the first day of the rest of the Darcys’ life?

A – How about an excerpt?

Quite some time later, they lay blissfully depleted and satiated, limbs entangled. Elizabeth’s head lay partly on Darcy’s shoulder and partly on a pillow so she could admire his face. They were awake but drowsy, talking softly, enjoying simply being together in such sweet harmony. Darcy played with her hair where it cascaded over his arm, while Elizabeth traced lazy circles over his chest and stomach. They spoke of silly things, small talk, more to hear each other’s voices than for any purpose.

The final acts of love had been far superior to any imaginings either of them had entertained. Darcy, never a great admirer of romantic poetry, finally understood. Each day, each moment with Elizabeth had transcended the one before. Tonight they had reached dizzying heights, and it honestly seemed impossible to love her more.

Darcy would have had to confess that he believed his heart would burst if he experienced anything beyond what he felt at this moment. He had told her, when he proposed the second time, that she had bewitched him body and soul, and it was true. Now he knew that she owned him, lived inside of him, kept his heart beating, and gave him purpose. If it had not felt so very right, it might have terrified him.

The “first day” of their married life is taken leisurely. The reader is with them all through those beginning hours as they transform from two individuals into a spiritually and physically bonded couple. It is humorous, sensual, romantic, enlightening, and beautiful. The entire novel spans just over five months, the first half the initial month. It was my intent to allow the reader an intimate peek into their love and life, immersing completely into their relationship before the distraction of outside forces.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

SL: Facebook! I think I need a 12-step program. LOL! Generally, computer game addiction aside, I am fairly focused. If the ideas and desire are flowing, I can write while the TV is going and my husband is talking and the cat is begging for food and the Xbox is blaring and the phone rings and so on. And who cares if the house is clean? Yet, life and the demands of publishing business can inhibit, so I am working on being more disciplined.

DC: Being so new at writing, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned between finishing the books and actually seeing them on the shelves?

SL: Absolutely, hands down, it is awareness of who you are as a writer and as a person. All writers will get bombarded by doubts and criticism. It is sadly the nature of the process, both from internal and external sources. You must have confidence in the story you are trying to tell. Others can give feedback and that certainly can be helpful, but at the end of the day it is YOUR story to tell and YOUR name on the book. Secondly, and along with the first truism, is learning to filter out what you will be told. Not all advice is good for you, no matter who it comes from. Your voice and story is unique. Remember that.

DC: Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley is next up and will be released next month. Please tell us about this part of the saga.

SL: It follows right on the heels of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy and covers the middle months of the Darcys’ first year of marriage. They leave the honeymoon confines of Pemberley, traveling and interacting with dozens of people. It is a larger story in the sense of the history told, the characters involved, and the events related. I am very proud of the grander nature of this book. There is far more happening around and with Darcy and Lizzy, yet their love is always at the center.

Quick excerpt from Loving Mr. Darcy:

It was some minutes of incredible soul shattering joy before Darcy became aware that Elizabeth had woken and was staring into his face, smile brilliant and eyes watery. They simply stared for the longest time, no words necessary, not that Darcy would have been able to speak.

Finally, the baby tired and his movements ceased. The Darcys gazed with love and some other emotion too intense to name. Darcy left the swell of her belly, encircling her, hip to buttocks, as he inclined to her lips. “Elizabeth,” he whispered, kissing slowly with indescribable tenderness, wet cheeks brushing over hers with tears mingling. Wordlessly, he traveled over her face, tasting their salty tears as he lingered over each precious feature returning to her mouth only after adoring her face thoroughly. Still gently, he probingly penetrated her mouth, absorbing her essence as he gave of his own.

Eventually, no haste involved, he withdrew and met her eyes. Fingers feathered over her face as they studied each other, passion evident yet primarily veneration and happiness. “I love you, Elizabeth Darcy, with all my being,” he said, his voice a husky whisper. “I cannot express how precious you are to me. The mother of our children. The wonder of the miracle inside of you moves me so profoundly.” He kissed softly. “I never imagined…” his voice caught and he swallowed before resuming, “how blessed I am to have found you, my Elizabeth.”

He kissed deeply then, rolling her slowly to her back while lightly caressing over her warm skin. With a beaming smile he left her mouth, traveling leisurely down her neck with moist kisses and nibbles. Lizzy yawned and stretched deliciously under his strong body, twining her fingers through his thick hair as he attended to her bosom with gentle caresses and kisses. Weaving idly down her torso, he eventually nestled between her legs with mouth pressing delicate pecks over her belly.

Lying flat, the small mound of their child nearly disappeared with only a palm-sized hardness palpable below her navel. Darcy murmured nonsense over this evidence of their love, tickling Lizzy’s skin so that she giggled and squirmed.

“What are you saying to him, love?”

“I am informing him that he has been gifted to the very best mother in the entire world. Also, I am reintroducing myself and thanking him for finally allowing me to feel him. If need be, I shall squeeze him several times a day. He can kick me whenever the whim takes him!” He glanced up into her mirth filled face. “He is strong, beloved, as I knew he would be. No wonder you have been able to feel him for so long.” He kissed her belly then laid his cheek on top. “How strange to love someone so small and yet unseen. You carry him, my heart, thus your love is undoubtedly stronger yet. It is such an amazing experience!” He began to turn his head but a sharp stab halted him.

As if in response to Darcy’s voice and expressed devotion, the baby commenced a series of lazy pushes into his father’s cheek. Darcy gasped, reaching quickly for Lizzy’s hand to lie next to his cheek. Together they waited in silence as the tiny life exerted his individuality and vitality. In all the years and pregnancies that would follow—each of which were a miracle and cause for intense celebration with Darcy and Lizzy never tiring of the simple wonder to be found in these internal movements—this first experience would eternally hold a special place in their hearts. Darcy wept silently without shame, so overcome that it was several minutes before he could think clearly. Lizzy rose slightly, grasping him in her arms and pulling upward until nestled snuggly in her embrace.

Tenderly and slowly they made love, passion cresting at a leisurely pace, yet intense and fulfilling as always. Afterwards, tingling and satiated, Darcy’s body draped partially over Lizzy’s while they dreamily caressed each other, they kissed softly and drowsily. “I love you, William,” Lizzy whispered as sleep claimed her, Darcy mumbling the same as he too drifted into a blissful slumber.

DC: Is there another genre you would eventually like to try?

SL: I love writing historicals, so am honestly not hankering to tackle another genre. Certainly I do not see myself leaving romance historical fiction for sci-fi! But I do have a couple contemporary romance stories that have niggled my brain. I would like to give them a chance to sprout and grow. But I honestly do not dwell on it. My heart is with the Darcys and I trust that inspiration will lead me.

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

SL: Aside from not wasting time dating certain men? LOL! It will probably sound ridiculous, but I believe we learn from our missteps in life, so I am not sure messing with my younger self would be a good idea. I suppose I would tell my skinny 20-year-old self to stick with an exercise plan and watch what she ate!

DC: You just got back from your first RWA conference. What was that like for you? Tell us about “the” highlight of the conference for you.

SL: It was utterly amazing in every way. There were so many incredible moments that it is hard to pinpoint one. Topping the list was the book signings. The ProLiteracy one was on the first day and I had several “fans” beeline for me, including Rachel who brought her book from home just for me to sign.

DC: If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

SL: Small town mountain girl fulfills her dream of becoming a nurse. But can she find love? Numerous heartbreaks dampen her hope until one day, freezing on the seaside Boardwalk, she meets her destined mate, a man with a tragic past. Can their hearts be healed and their souls become one? Will they live the fairytale happily-ever-after?

DC: What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

SL: Happily ever after picturesquely comes alive with sensuality, romance, and history interwoven in epic form.

DC: Bringing the arc of the trilogy to a close is The Darcys at Year’s End, which will be out in January 2010. Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?

SL: The Darcy Saga isn’t a trilogy, but more on that in the next question! The Darcys at Year’s End finishes the first year of their marriage and sees the birth of their first child. In that sense it is an arc, I suppose. Much of the focus is on preparing for their child, but they do take a second honeymoon holiday to the seaside with assorted dramas ensuing. Then it is home to Pemberley. Life is never dull for the Darcys!

Excerpt from The Darcys at Year’s End:

Lizzy gingerly placed her naked foot onto the sand, but Darcy was correct that it was cooler near the water, although warm. She wiggled her toes, smiling at the strange sensation. “It feels so different than dirt or river sand. So fine and soft.” Her other foot was now bare, Darcy holding her boots and stockings, and she began to stroll, slowly digging her toes with each step while hiking her dress up to mid-calf. She headed toward the water line, the sand gradually cooling further with moistness apparent, as Darcy watched her with rising delight.

He experienced a sudden flash of memory.

Georgiana at four years of age, chubby legs striding with exaggerated steps over the sand at Sidmouth with her tiny face screwed up in perplexity, seriously debating whether she liked this odd sensation or not. Anne Darcy held her daughter’s hand with a sunny smile, laughing her throaty laugh, while Darcy and his father stood several feet away observing the scene with pleasure.

“She is going to cry,” a solemn sixteen-year-old Fitzwilliam said. “You wait. One of her infamous bellows that will frighten the seagulls clear to France.”

His father laughed, clapping a hand onto his son’s shoulder, already on the same level as his own. “Bet you a shilling she laughs.”

Darcy looked at his father with a grin. “Deal!” They shook on it and not two minutes later Darcy was digging into his pockets for a shiny shilling to hand over to his father while Georgie chortled her babyish delight, tugging on her mother’s hand in an insistent urge to become one with the cresting waves.

The scene on this deserted stretch of Norfolk shore was different in a myriad of ways, but the sight of his wife laughing as the cold, foamy water lapped at her ankles was strangely reminiscent. He did not fear her bodily launching into the sea, but her amusement and childlike zeal were not too dissimilar from Georgiana’s. She glanced over her shoulder to her husband, who remained standing and holding her shoes.

“Are you afraid, Mr. Darcy? Fear the cold water may freeze your toes? Or that the tide may suck you in, a big fellow like yourself?”

Darcy shook his head, deigning not to answer. He looked about, spotting a rock five feet away. He sat and removed his boots and stockings, after another thorough search about to ensure they were alone. He joined his wife, already splashing her way toward the rocks, taking her hand as they strolled. He sighed deeply. “This is precisely as I imagined it. You and I strolling along the beach with the waves crashing and birds flying. Not a soul in sight.”

DC: Will you continue writing about the Darcys or is there something else you’re working on now?

SL: The fourth book in the series, The Family Darcy: Seasons of Romance, is written and scheduled for release Sept. 1, 2010. It covers a whole year at a quickened pace, following along after The Darcys at Year’s End. The fifth novel is more than two-thirds written, remains untitled, but is scheduled for a spring of 2011 release. I also have a companion novel centering on Georgiana Darcy nearly complete. Beyond that I have ideas, all of which are appealing to my editor and revolve around the Darcys, but nothing concrete as yet.

DC: I know you did extensive research for your series, but the Darcy family history and relatives, which is interspersed throughout each book, is that information gleaned perhaps from Ms. Austen’s works or is every last bit of it from your imagination?

SL: Mostly the family tree is from my imagination, but with a historic foundation. The D’Arcy and Darcy names are old ones with a number of historic figures easy to find. d’Arcy is a French Norman name from the 11th century meaning “one from Arcy.” There are numerous records of individuals with the surname, or a derivative of, dating back to the 10th century. Most notably is Robert Darcy who was an Earl in the early 1700s. With that basis in mind and the reality that noble families frequently splintered away from the aristocratic lines, I forged a family tree. Austen says nothing about Mr. Darcy’s family tree, so all of the immediate relatives were completely fabricated by me. Carefully, of course, to make sure I got dates correct!

DC: What’s on the horizon for Sharon Lathan?

SL: At the moment it is hard to think beyond the launch of Loving Mr. Darcy and then The Darcys at Year’s End in January! But the wee brain cells are always firing and the fingers itching to type new material.

Lightning Round:

– dark or milk chocolate?     – Dark, not that I EVER pass up chocolate in any form.
– smooth or chunky peanut butter?     – Smooth because the family prefers it. I actually like chunky.
– heels or flats?     – Flats, always. A “heel” to me is maybe half an inch.
– coffee or tea?    – Espresso!
– summer or winter?     – Summer, hotter the better.
– mountains or beach?     – Mountains, in summer!
– mustard or mayonnaise?    – Both, and lots of it.
– flowers or candy?    – Flowers. Unless the candy is chocolate, then we got a quandary on our hands.
– pockets or purse?     – Purse.
– Pepsi or Coke?    – Pepsi, diet.
– ebook or print?     – Print.

Because Sandy still thinks they’re fun:

1. What is your favorite word?    – Love
2. What is your least favorite word?     – Eggplant
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?    – The 2005 Pride & Prejudice! Next is the positive feedback from satisfied readers.
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?   – Hatefulness. I just do not understand angry, nasty people.
5. What sound or noise do you love?    – Bubbling water, laughter, purring cat, my family’s voices.
6. What sound or noise do you hate?    – Fingernails on chalkboard, arguing.
7. What is your favorite curse word?     – Well, I TRY not to curse, but when I do it is “crap” or “damn.”
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?    – I honestly can’t think of a one. I love nursing and I love writing. Maybe something dealing with mathematics.
9. What profession would you not like to do?   – I can think of about a hundred! Skyscraper window cleaner tops the list.
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?    – It does exist and just seeing God will be enough for me! But I know what He will say: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Thank you, Sandy, for allowing me to share my thoughts with your readers. This was so fun! I hope I have answered sufficiently and enticed your readers to give my sweet stories a chance. For more information about me or my saga come to my website.

DC: Sharon, thank you for spending time with us. It was a delight!