I’m thrilled to welcome Victoria Kincaid back to Diary of an Eccentric today to celebrate her latest release, Darcy in Hollywood. I’ve enjoyed editing all of Victoria’s books thus far, but her modern-day Pride and Prejudice variations are especially fun. I hope you enjoy our interview, as well as the excerpt from Darcy in Hollywood. Please give Victoria a warm welcome.
What inspired you to bring Darcy and Elizabeth to Hollywood?
That’s a good question which is always hard to answer since usually the idea for a book has been gestating in my brain for at least a year before I start writing it. There are a lot of contemporary romances with movie stars as protagonists as well as a number of movies (like Notting Hill). I really enjoy that subgenre; I think it’s particularly interesting to see the clash between the Hollywood lifestyle and the lives of ordinary people. I also wanted to write another modern after President Darcy since that one was so much fun, and I thought Hollywood would make a good setting for the P&P story.
How difficult was it to adapt P&P to this setting? Did you find it difficult to insert timely themes, of which there are many throughout the book?
Writing a modern P&P variation is definitely harder than writing one set in the Regency time period because I need to find modern equivalents for the events, places, occupations, etc. that happen in P&P. I didn’t set out to insert any modern themes in the story—any more than I did with President Darcy. But they do have a way of creeping in. The storyline about drug addiction was a natural fit with Hollywood, where so many people struggle with addiction issues, and it helped motivate a lot of character behavior.
Other themes came about in different ways. I wanted Elizabeth to be committed to a charitable cause so that she would see a contrast between her beliefs and Darcy’s. Originally I planned to have her become a worker in a nonprofit, but then decided it would be better if she was becoming a doctor. One of the reasons I had her pick LGBTQ issues as a cause was personal. My daughter has a friend whose parents disowned them when they came out as nonbinary. This person is just a sweet, loving human being and that kind of rejection just struck me as so wrong. That sense of injustice wouldn’t leave me alone, so it ended up as a subplot in the story.
You have a way with humor in your modern variations, from the Bennet family’s business in President Darcy to my favorite in Darcy in Hollywood: Bill Collins and Catherine de Bourgh. I don’t want to spoil it for readers, but oh how I laughed whenever Collins came into the picture…and Catherine’s advice to Darcy…priceless! That being said, what was your favorite scene to write? Do you have a favorite secondary character in your variation?
I always enjoy writing humor in my variations. I actually think it’s an important part of Pride and Prejudice since Austen herself made humor an integral part of her stories. With Collins and de Bourgh, in particular, it’s almost impossible to go too far with their characters—which makes them very fun to write. I can make Collins can be as sycophantic and as stupid as possible, and it still works with the character Austen wrote. Similarly, Catherine de Bourgh can never be too imperious or oblivious.
The joy of writing a modern novel is that I can think up new contexts for them to display those same character traits. For instance, in Darcy in Hollywood, Collins becomes Mrs. de Bourgh’s personal assistant who has literally given up his life so he can devote it to hers. He doesn’t even see his parents at Christmas (they just exchange cards) because de Bourgh needs him to sing carols to her on Christmas day.
This is your second modern P&P variation. Do you have plans to write another? (I sure hope so!) Do you find the moderns more difficult to write? To me, the moderns seem to give more freedom in the plot and characterization. But does that freedom make it harder since you lose the confines of Regency social rules?
Right now I don’t have an idea for another modern variation, but I’m sure another one will occur to me at some point. Before I wrote President Darcy, I would have said that moderns should be easier to write since the writer doesn’t have to do as much research or worry about period details and period language. But I would have been wrong. In fact, Darcy in Hollywood took me longer to write than any book since my first one—and I deleted sixty pages from my drafts of the novel.
Regency-set P&P variations are easier in part because I can start partway through the story and the reader will know what has happened before. For instance, I could open the book with the proposal at Hunsford, and readers wouldn’t bat an eye. But in a modern, I’d have to explain how Darcy and Elizabeth met and got to the point where he was making some kind of offer (probably not an offer of marriage so early in their acquaintance). So modern variations end up being longer because I need to include more of the original P&P narrative.
The other thing that makes moderns hard is trying to remain true to Austen’s characters while having their behavior make sense in a modern setting. A modern mother isn’t likely to want to marry her daughters off like the original Mrs. Bennet. So I made her into a stage mother instead—someone who’s convinced that Lydia will be a big movie star. Likewise, Mr. Bennet went from being a fairly well-to-do landowner, to a producer of B-movies.
But I ran into major problems with Darcy in this respect. I discovered he really didn’t want to be a movie star! With his personality, he didn’t fit with the Hollywood culture of self-promotion, screaming fans, and glitzy parties. I’d originally seen him as someone who was so proud of his work that he believed he deserved the adulation, but Darcy is too private for that. So I had rewrite the early parts to make him into a kind of Masterpiece Theatre, classical actor who starred in one movie that made him a heartthrob to teenage girls—much to his embarrassment. That worked much better for Darcy’s character.
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Here is an excerpt from the beginning of Darcy in Hollywood—right after Darcy nearly hits Elizabeth with his car. Enjoy!
Darcy stomped on the momentary flare of irritation. “Is the sarcasm really necessary?”
She regarded him through narrowed eyes. “Yeah, I think it is. What’s the alternative? That I should be honored to be knocked over by your car? Because I don’t think your identity would have been much comfort to my parents. ‘We don’t have a daughter anymore, but at least she was killed by a celebrity. Maybe he can autograph her coffin.’”
Why did she have to be so difficult? He was already putting up with so much doing an indie film. “That’s not what I meant. You don’t have to put it that way—”
“I almost got hit by a car. I can put it however the fuck I want to!”
Darcy was so over this woman. She wasn’t nearly as pretty as he had initially thought. If only he could leave. But he needed to make sure she wouldn’t talk to the media; another car-related incident would be a disaster for his career. From now on, I only travel by train or boat. Pity about her personality; she had fine eyes.
Darcy helped the woman limp to a nearby bench and gently lowered her to the seat. “Maybe I should call for an ambulance,” he suggested. He would have preferred to discuss having her sign a nondisclosure agreement, but it seemed a little insensitive.
“Let me sit for a minute.” Leaning forward, she cradled her head in her hands, providing a good view of the blood matting the hair on the back of her head. Huh, maybe she wasn’t wrong about the possible concussion.
Darcy settled on the bench beside her despite a desperate desire to cross the street and slip into Building 4, where they were holding the table read. They won’t start without me, he reminded himself. But being late wouldn’t impress them with his professionalism.
He took the opportunity to check her for other injuries. She had a scrape on her right arm and favored her left ankle. Of course, her clothes were disheveled—and a fashion disaster. The sleeve of her t-shirt was ripped where she had fallen.
“I can get you a new t-shirt.”
“Huh?”
He gestured to the rip.
Her mouth hung open. “I don’t give a shit about the t-shirt!”
“I don’t think that kind of language is called for.”
“That kind of language?” she echoed and then squinted at him. “Are you drunk?”
“It’s 7 a.m.”
“Yes, it is. Are you drunk? Or high?”
Damn, you have one scandal…
“No,” he said sharply.
“The car was moving rather erratically.”
“I was…trying to work the stereo. It’s complicated.”
“You almost killed me because you couldn’t work the radio?”
“To be fair, it’s satellite radio. And I didn’t almost kill you!”
“To-may-to, to-mah-to.”
His jaw clenched so tightly he could grind glass. “This isn’t a matter of opinion! You would have been fine if you hadn’t fallen.”
“I also would have been fine if your Ferrari hadn’t come hurtling toward me.”
Darcy didn’t respond; arguing was futile. After a moment she gave him a sidelong glance. “You don’t need to babysit me; I can call myself an ambulance if I need one.”
“I shouldn’t leave you alone.”
“Oh! You don’t want me talking to the press. Don’t worry.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” he lied. “My primary concern is your well-being.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls you almost run over.”
Darcy stifled a smile. Under other circumstances, he’d think she was funny. “I assure you that you’re the first.”
The woman examined the scrape on her arm. “I accept your apology, by the way.”
“I didn’t apologize.”
Now she turned her blue-green gaze on him. “I noticed that. Why didn’t you? Do you think this is my fault? That your car had the right of way on the sidewalk?”
Darcy would have apologized—if he had thought of it—but now he couldn’t without losing face. “I didn’t hit you. You agreed I didn’t hit you!” I sound like an idiot insisting on that point.
“You. Are. Unbelievable.”
Darcy had heard that before but usually in a more complimentary tone.
****
About Darcy in Hollywood
A modern Pride and Prejudice variation.
Rich and arrogant movie star, William Darcy, was a Hollywood heartthrob until a scandalous incident derailed his career. Now he can only hope that Tom Bennet’s prestigious but low budget indie film will restore his reputation. However, on the first day of filming, he nearly hits Bennet’s daughter, Elizabeth, with his Ferrari, and life will never be the same. Okay, she’s a little sarcastic, but he’s certain she’s concealing a massive crush on him—and it’s growing harder to fight his own attraction….
Elizabeth Bennet has a lot on her plate. She’s applying to medical school and running the studio’s charity project—while hoping her family won’t embarrass her too much. Being Darcy’s on-set personal assistant is infuriating; he’s rude, proud, and difficult. If there’s one thing she dislikes, it’s people who only think about themselves. But then Elizabeth discovers Darcy has been doing a lot of thinking about her.
She might be willing to concede a mutual attraction, but events are conspiring against them and Darcy subject to constant public scrutiny. Can Darcy and Elizabeth have any hope for a happy ending to their Hollywood romance?
Buy on Amazon
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Giveaway
Victoria is generously offering an ebook copy of Darcy in Hollywood to one lucky reader. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address. This giveaway will be open through Wednesday, July 17, 2019. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thank you, Victoria, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new book!
Did he leave his empathy at home? He’s extremely self-centered! He’s caviling so much, I’m surprised he didn’t just say “Mistakes were made.”
Ginna Say What at gmail dot com
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Hi Ginna, Yes, the Darcy at the beginning of the book isn’t very sympathetic! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Wow I just love the idea of this version of E&D! President Darcy is one of my all time faves! Thanks for the chance! Tasha.barefield@btinternet.com
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Hi Tasha, I’m so happy you enjoyed President Darcy and that this book intrigues you. Good luck with the giveaway!
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I loved President Darcy (and the audio). This sounds just as much fun. Thank you for the giveaway. Will there be an audiobook? evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
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Hi Eva, Yes, there will be an audiobook. I haven’t started the process yet. Good luck with the giveaway!
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Great!
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I can’t wait to read this one. I loved President Darcy. No need to enter me.
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Hi Serena, I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed President Darcy and I hope you like this one!
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Darcy does need to step back and just say, “I’m sorry”!
I have had my eye on this one. Thanks for a chance to win it. I do like modern variations and enjoyed the President Darcy one. odara7rox(at)rcn(dot)com
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Hi Sheila, Apologizing is not his strong suit (at least not at the beginning). Good luck with the giveaway!
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I love your books but have been shy about trying modern ones. Apparently I should reconsider limiting my reading to those set in older times. Thank you for the chance to win this one. beatriceyn (at) yahoo (dot) com
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Hi Beatrice, Many readers aren’t sure about modern versions but I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from my mine. Good luck with the giveaway!
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Enjoyed the interview and excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway. jadseah4(at)yahoo
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I’m glad you found it intriguing! Good luck with the giveaway.
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This looks like a fun read. Thanks for featuring.
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Hi Jennifer, I’m so glad you’re intrigued! Good luck with the giveaway.
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I definitely love the humour already! I have a feeling that Darcy may need to up his game a little to keep up with Elizabeth 😉.
I’m so looking forward to reading this and hope Elizabeth doesn’t take too long to realise that between Darcy and Wickham she should always choose Darcy 🥰.
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Hi Glynis, Yes, Elizabeth should always choose Darcy! Good luck with the giveaway.
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Great interview and excerpt! Can’t wait to read this book! Good luck with your new release Victoria. Please count me in to the giveaway. My email address is: elaine (dot) jeremiah (at) gmail (dot) com
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Enjoyed the excerpt. Tha k you for sharing. Congratulation son your new book. I like it when the their tempers flare.. it will be another funny modern variation.
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Lo0ve the excerpt, thank you for sharing. i love it when their tempers flare. This will be another funny modern variation. Thank you for the give-away
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Congratulations on your new book
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Thanks to everyone who stopped by to read the excerpt. The winner is Elaine Jeremiah! Congrats and happy reading!
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