My Road To Publication: The Idea for Betrothed To Mr. Darcy

It's hard to know what to write about on a blog, particularly if you don't think anyone is reading anyway (Hi Pat!). But, why would anyone read if I don't write? It's one of those chicken/egg situations.

So, I am going to write a bit about My Road To Publication.

Part of my motivation to write Betrothed To Mr. Darcy was because I wanted to see if I could. I think the fantasy that I, and many others, have about writers is that they happily sit at keyboards typing away as words magically spring from their fingertips. And of course, those words are always perfect the first time around so there's no need for editing or even spell check.

Fantasy for sure.

Writing is hard work. Parts of it are fun and even the hard work part can be invigorating, but for me, it also involves a fair amount of gnashing of teeth and self-loathing. I find that invigorating because aging and hormones have not provided me with enough opportunities to gnash my teeth and despise myself.

Before I could finish a book, I had to figure out an idea for the book to begin with. I came up with the idea for Betrothed to Mr. Darcy because there is that gap of about a month between the time Lizzy and Darcy become engaged and when they actually get married. I know that weddings were much smaller and less elaborate affairs at that time, but I still liked the idea of wondering how things would go for the two of them during that time. Remember, they never actually courted and their engagement was a surprise to nearly everyone, so the time for people to see them as a couple and for them to see themselves that way too, was that brief period of preparation for their wedding.

So, what happened during that time? It's fun to think about. I imagined Caroline Bingley forced to wear some hideous bridesmaid dress or trying to thwart the wedding, but the more I thought about it, the more interested I became in the idea of Mr. Darcy trying to get used to his new family, The Bennets.

How much could he tolerate in his lovesick state?

How did Lizzy really feel about her mother?

And, seriously, could Darcy actually marry into a family which now included George Wickham?

Thinking about these questions was fun and gave rise to lots of ideas. Try it. You'll see. How much of Mrs. Bennet's chatter could Darcy stand? What about Mary's piano playing? Can love really conquer all?

So, from those ideas came the nuggets of a story. Come back next week to find out more about that.