It’s always a pleasure to have Victoria Kincaid as a guest on my blog, but today I’m even more excited because we’re celebrating the release of President Darcy! I had a wonderful time editing this novel, and it’s become my favorite of hers (and I’ve loved them all!). This time I had a chance to pick her brain about the process of writing the book, her first modern Pride and Prejudice variation. Please give Victoria a warm welcome!
Until now, you’ve written only Regency-era P&P variations. What made you decide to write a modern P&P variation?
This idea has been knocking around in my head for years, but it finally came of age. I was able to envision all the major characters and figure out how the plot points fit together. At that point I couldn’t not write it. I was chomping at the bit to start writing.
Given the current political climate, did you find that a challenge in putting Mr. Darcy in the White House? What would you say to readers who might be a little nervous about putting Darcy in such an environment?
First of all, politics is not at all the focus of this story. It’s a love story about a man who happens to be president. In general, the presidency is more of an obstacle than anything.
I had the idea long before the 2016 election turned so contentious, but Darcy evolved—in some ways—into an antidote for the current political situation. President Darcy may be proud and difficult (just like his literary predecessor), but the presidential version is very honest and empathetic and concerned about people. His character embodies a lot of qualities people would like to see in a president.
What is your favorite scene or moment in the book? What did you have the most fun writing?
It’s hard to say much without giving too many spoilers. But I had a great deal of fun with the scene after the “proposal” scene—where Darcy’s friends/staff are giving him a hard time at how romantically inept he is. I could imagine the Regency-era Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam saying similar things to Mr. Darcy after Hunsford: “You told her she was inferior and it was a degradation to love her? What’s wrong with you?” I also love the scene outside Pemberley when they meet up again because the way they encounter each other is so unexpected.
I’m curious: Where did you get the inspiration for the Bennet family business, On-a-Stick, Inc.?
I wanted the Bennets to have money from doing something that Darcy would consider gauche but not prurient (so owning a strip club wouldn’t work). I thought about processed food and corn dogs (which my son loves). There’s something so American about the idea that the most convenient way to eat a hot dog is off a stick. You can’t imagine an old-money scion like George Bush eating something so processed and messy. I also had a good time thinking up improbable foods to put on a stick. I mean, would anyone want zucchini on a stick? Or could you imagine trying to put lasagna on a stick?
I laughed out loud so many times while editing this book. Seriously, gut-busting laughs. I realized that this feel-good laughter was mainly centered on Bill Collins. Did you laugh as much writing him? Could you describe your Mr. Collins to my readers?
I’m so glad you found him entertaining! At first I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to make his character function in a modern context. Having him as a clergyman and potential suitor would have been hard to work out. So I focused on the idea of his slavish devotion to Mrs. de Bourgh and his sense of self-importance. I decided that she owned an office supply company because it’s a boring industry that Collins could delude himself into thinking was really interesting. Everything else sprang from that.
He started thinking of himself as the “crown prince of staplers.” One of the fun things about writing Collins (in Regency or modern day) is that it’s almost impossible to go too far over the top with him. He can talk about how he always wanted to market number two pencils or how cutthroat the office supplies industry is—and it works for his character.
How easy or difficult did you find transforming Regency Mr. Darcy to modern-day President Darcy? What about translating Elizabeth to modern times?
It was harder in general to translate P&P into modern times than I expected. When I write a Regency era adaptation, one of the challenges is to stay true to Austen’s characters and world while writing something new. The modern setting gave me more freedom, but that also meant there were more choices to make.
For example, we see class quite differently in 21st century U.S.A. While Regency-era Darcy had to be more polite and circumspect in his speech generally, he could be more open about the socioeconomic differences between him and Elizabeth. Class divisions were accepted and seen as natural. We’re more egalitarian today, so noticing and discussing the differences between old money and new money makes Darcy even more of snob.
With Elizabeth and the other female characters, the biggest challenge is the degree of freedom women enjoy today. Although Regency-era Elizabeth turns down two eligible men, she doesn’t have a lot of other options other than matrimony. All the women are openly husband-hunting even if they’re genteel about it. But today such behavior is in bad taste, so Mrs. Bennet—and her talk of how her daughters’ eggs are aging—is the one who’s desperate for rich husbands for her daughters. In fact, my Bingley gets upset when he thinks Jane wants him for his money. In the Regency era that was just an accepted part of the marriage bargain.
What did you find to be the most difficult part of modernizing P&P?
For one thing, it required a whole different kind of research! Instead of looking up Regency carriages and Christmas customs, I was googling the layout of the White House or pictures of Air Force One and the presidential limo. I know a lot more about the presidential lifestyle now.
Another challenge was remaining true to Austen’s characters and world while also finding modern day equivalents to Regency customs and institutions. For example, today we’d go home or to the hospital if we got sick at someone else’s house. But Jane needed a reason to stay overnight in the White House—and to require Elizabeth’s company. The Gardiners and Elizabeth aren’t going to get a tour of Pemberley, so how does she meet up with Darcy again?
The limitations on the president’s life were another added dimension. He can’t run into Elizabeth at the coffee shop or drop by her apartment. But these are fun problems to have. Usually when I solve them I find that the solution enriches the story and takes it in a new and better direction.
Did you find it harder or easier to write Will and Elizabeth’s relationship without the strict rules of Regency courtship and propriety?
I’m going to cheat and say both. 😊 In general it’s easier to write Regency romance because the social expectations set up a lot of inherent obstacles between the romantic protagonists. And, without obstacles, you could have a boring story. Boy meets girl. Boy marries girl. The end.
It can be hard to write contemporary romances because there are just fewer things that believably stand in the way. That’s why so many contemporary romances rely on misunderstandings as a plot device. Fortunately the presidency itself created a lot of obstacles. Because the president is always in the public eye, there are a lot of things he can’t do or say—or he needs to keep hidden (like his potential girlfriend’s embarrassing family).
Do you think you’ll write another modern (or even just non-Regency) P&P? Or a variation of a different Austen novel?
I have another idea for a modern P&P variation which I hope to write eventually. I haven’t been able to come up with good ideas for other non-P&P Austen variations, although I’ve considered doing a mashup of P&P and Persuasion or Sense and Sensibility.
Could you tell us a little bit about your next project?
I’m now writing a Regency-era Christmas novella about Elizabeth and Darcy which I hope to have out by Christmas.
Thanks, Victoria! I really hope the readers love this one as much as I did. Congrats on the new release!
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About President Darcy
A contemporary adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
President William Darcy has it all: wealth, intelligence, and the most powerful job in the country. Despite what his friends say, he is not lonely in the White House. He’s not. And he has vowed not to date while he’s in office. Nor is he interested in Elizabeth Bennet. She might be pretty and funny and smart, but her family is nouveau riche and unbearable. Unfortunately, he encounters her everywhere in Washington, D.C.—making her harder and harder to ignore. Why can’t he get her out of his mind?
Elizabeth Bennet enjoys her job with the Red Cross and loves her family, despite their tendency to embarrass her. At a White House state dinner, they cause her to make an unfavorable impression on the president, who labels her unattractive and uninteresting. Those words are immediately broadcast on Twitter, so the whole world now knows the president insulted her. Elizabeth just wants to avoid the man—who, let’s admit it, is proud and difficult. For some reason he acts all friendly when they keep running into each other, but she knows he’s judging her.
Eventually, circumstances force Darcy and Elizabeth to confront their true feelings for each other, with explosive results. But even if they can find common ground, Mr. Darcy is still the president—with limited privacy and unlimited responsibilities—and his enemies won’t hesitate to use his feelings for Elizabeth against him.
Can President Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet find their way to happily ever after?
Check out President Darcy on Goodreads | Amazon
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Giveaway
Victoria is generously offering a copy of President Darcy to one lucky reader. They will have their choice of an ebook or paperback. This giveaway is open internationally and will close on Sunday, October 29, 2017. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
I enjoyed reading this interview. Thank you for hosting this giveaway, Anna. I’ll add it to my blog’s sidebar. How terrific that you helped edit this modern P & P variation, Anna!
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Thanks, Suko!
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Thank you!
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What a fantastic concept. A great post thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary!
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Hi Mary, I’m glad you like the idea!
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Anna, I am so excited to see that you were part of the editing process. It will be even more special. Thanks for hosting, and thanks to Victoria for the generous give-a-way. I am looking forward to reading this. Best wishes on its success. jwgarrett13 [at] hotmail [dot] com. Cheers!!!
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Thanks, Jeanne! It makes me a happy editor to see so many readers excited about this book!
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Hi JW, Thanks for your interest and good luck with the giveaway!
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Wonderful interview! Love contemporary P&P adaptations and can’t wait to read this.
priscillateh @ live.hk
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Thanks, Priscilla! I’m quite fond of the contemporary variations myself 🙂
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Hi Priscilla, I’m happy to hear that. I think a lot of readers don’t care for contemporary versions.
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I really enjoy Victoria’s books and loved the humour in Chaos comes to Longbourn. So this has me hooked. I really look forward to seeing how the president manages to mess up his proposal.
Thank you for hosting this interview Anna and thanks to Victoria for the giveaway.
glyniswhitelegg(at)gmail(dot)com
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My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by, Glynis!
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Hi Glynis, He really messes it up, I promise you. 🙂
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Great interview. I have enjoyed Victoria’s regency books and look forward to reading a modern one. jadseah4 (at) yahoo (dot) com
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Thanks, darcybennett!
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Thanks for being a faithful reader!
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This novel sounds captivating and very interesting. What a wonderful giveaway.
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Thanks for stopping by, Anne!
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Hi Anne, Good luck with the giveaway!
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I’m really looking forward to reading this. Love all of your books, Victoria.
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Thanks for checking out the interview, Ginna!
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Hi Ginna, Thank you! You’re so sweet!
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What a fantastic premise!!! A modern variatuon with Darcy as President and Lizzy,a Red Cross worker!
Must say I’m really looking forward to reading this book,I’ve heard about the tweet that went viral,hence the works and it’s mother’s knowledge of Darcy’s insulting comments about Lizzy.
I really enjoyed this interview! Best of luck with your book,Victoria. Cheers Anna for such a lovely post!
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Thanks for checking out the interview, Mary!
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Hi Mary, I’m glad it piqued your interest! Good luck with the giveaway!
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Great interview. I always love seeing an author adapt P&P in modern times. I’m looking forward to to reading this one too!
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Thanks, Dung! Hope you love the book as much as I did!
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Hi Dung, Thanks for your interest and good luck!
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I really loved reading her answers about how she found writing a modern P&P compared to her other work on Regency ones. I can’t wait to read her books…all of them.
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I hope you get a chance to read them soon!
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Hi Serena, I’m glad you found it interesting and thanks for letting me know!
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Hi Victoria……I love all your books about Darcy & Elizabeth……President Darcy sounds terrific…..I would love to win a copy……💓💜💓
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Thanks for stopping by, Sheryl!
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Hi Sheryl, Thanks for being a faithful reader. Good luck with the giveaway!
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Great interview! It sounds like a very interesting book! Regency or modern, when the book is good, it interests me. I have read most of your books, Victoria, and I am really curious to read your modern Darcy and Elizabeth. And thanks for the giveaway!
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Thanks for stopping by, Daniela!
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Hi Daniela, Thanks for being a faithful reader, and good luck!
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Congrats on your first modern, Victoria! I’m really looking forward to reading this!
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Thanks for stopping by, Arjanne!
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I have been following the Blog tour and so appreciated this interview as it brings a new dimension to the writing and, thus, reading the book. I think the premise is great, but I liked seeing the obstacles that Victoria had to figure out. Thank you for the insight and the book sounds fabulous! Thank you for the giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thanks for stopping by!
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I read and enjoyed this story. I have to now write my review. Thanks for sharing.
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Yay! Thrilled you enjoyed it!
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Wonderful interview. I am excited to see where you take the Darcy as president story!
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Thanks for stopping by, Becky!
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Patkf2007 (at ) Hotmail (dot) come
All your books are wonderful Victoria!
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Thanks for stopping by, Patricia!
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Thanks to all who stopped by the check out the interview. The giveaway winner is sagustocox. Congrats and happy reading!
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Congratulations. Enjoy.
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