When Darcy Whispers . . .
Let me begin by thanking Meredith for her very flattering invitation to join in her Austenesque Extravaganza. I have never posted on a blog before, let alone been asked, and I’m betting that most of you don’t know me, so I’ll give you a little background. I found Pride & Prejudice when I caught the last hour of the 2005 movie on HBO, and wanted to strangle my husband who, for some unfathomable reason, wanted to talk to me just as Elizabeth was walking into the misty sunrise and Darcy was striding towards her . . . From that moment on, I was stalking the movie until at last I saw the whole thing. Naturally, it only made sense to go buy a copy of the book and read, and read again, until unsatisfied not knowing what happened next, I had to search out fan fiction. After that . . . I don’t know. I had this thought of Elizabeth in a yellow dress, smiling at Darcy in a theater, and away it went. That is when Darcy first whispered to me.
The last thing I had written was my senior paper at Penn State, where I had to describe the development of State College by beginning a mile from campus and strolling through neighborhoods and business districts, onto campus and back out into the college town that lay just across the street from the university gates. I know, weird assignment, but then, I was a Geography major. Not so weird now? Not when I look back at those assignments to observe and figure out how things got to be the way they are. It’s fascinating to see how describing architecture, street design, building materials, neighborhoods, the essence and heartbeat of an evolving community, all lend themselves to writing a romance novel about a proud man and the love of his life.
I like to take my characters and change little things in the story that Jane Austen gifted us. What-if stories. What if Darcy did not go to Netherfield? What if Georgiana leaves with Wickham? What if Darcy meets Elizabeth when he is not quite so arrogant, and she is young? What if Georgiana runs away with Wickham and is returned to Darcy months later, pregnant and defiant? Change one little element, and a whole world of possibility opens up. New characters appear and demand to be heard. And in the middle of it all there is Darcy and Elizabeth.
I have the hardest time writing when I fight those two stubborn people. They are completely in charge of their universe; I have absolutely nothing to do with it. If they feel it is important to take a walk in the rain or to have a passionate interlude up against a tree, who am I to argue with them? The best thing that I can do is get out of their way and let them do the talking. And by talking, I mean letting them grow. They take the halting steps forward and back, developing their personalities, changing, hopefully for the better but not in essentials, just like that little, well, not so little anymore, college town that I had to describe twenty-three years ago.
So what does Darcy whisper to me? He tells me to let him develop and mature into a man who can understand pride and passion, who knows how to express and accept love, and who, no matter what obstacles cross his path, will always find his Elizabeth.
Now, you tell me. What do you want to hear from Darcy? What sort of a man do you want him to be? Arrogant? Insufferable? Vulnerable? Do you like to see him go through some great transformation or do you want to see him knocked down and dragged around a bit? What is that nagging thought that he whispers to you? I’d love to know!
If anyone would like to contact me, please do not hesitate to send an email to lindawellsbooknut@gmail.com I guarantee that I’ll write back!
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No not dragged down..well ok maybe. Lol, I just want every possible sceanario on the book. Maybe if he was realyl nerdy in one
I’ve always wanted to know how Darcy would have turned out “if his parents had not died when he was young,”
I am really looking forward to reading your stories, they all look great. As far as Darcy goes, the only kind I don’t like to see is (let’s see, how shall I put this?) one who enjoys the company of women before he falls in love with Lizzy. Especially in a Regency piece. I know it’s more realistic, and he is a grown man, but it gives me an unhappy feeling.
I love to see Darcy be vulnerable with Lizzy. He needs someone to fall back on when he’s taking care if everyone else.
I wonder how Wickham would have turned out if he wasn’t so jealous of Darcy.
Linda, I’m so happy to see you here! You are a writer who has had me in awe of your ability to write novel after novel after novel, seemingly without coming up for air; your attention to the details of the regency period is absolutely, wonderfully done. I had no idea you were a geography major, but it certainly explains so much about the world you describe so beautifully in each of your stories. Every time I see that you have another book released I have to smile. You are genuinely one of the nicest people I know, and you deserve every bit of success you’ve been enjoying.
Again, I’m so happy to see you here, Linda, and wish you much continued success.
Fondly,
Susan
PS: MonicaP, from the sound of it, you will love Linda’s books, so dig in! “Chance Encounters” is a beautiful love story and a great place to start.
That is a good thought Margay! I never thought ouf that before. I would like to see how that plays out!
I like to see Darcy knocked down a bit- just to help him see his arrogance and just how important Elizabeth is. After that, like Monica P, I love to see him being completely vulnerable with Elizabeth. I love to see his devotion, passion, kindness, and determination!
Linda, I have read Chance Encounters and I am anxious to read A Perfect Fit and Memory. I love your Darcy! He is wonderful!
Keep up the great writing! 🙂
I like your ideas, and look forward to reading your stories.
Oh, I know how it is–characters definitely have minds of their own! Although for me, I like my Darcy to be proud in public, but vulnerable and tender in private. 😉
The what-if of Georgina eloping with Wickham sounds interesting to explore 🙂
I actually love the way Darcy is originally portrayed by JA. Perhaps I am used to it. I am not comfortable with him as a vampire though. I think Colin Firth would look bizarre as one.
I love the idea of the transformation he already undergoes. He has always seemed the strong, silent type, which I love, and to make him vulnerable is to change his essence, I feel. I do like him as tender though, especially when he comforts Lizzy after Jane’s letter and looks at her when she is with Georgina at the piano, in the 1995 movie version.
Hi Blodeuedd!
A nerdy Darcy? Boy that would be interesting, I can certainly see him with the intelligence and being socially awkward, but I’d have to draw the line at giving him the Nerd laugh.
Hi Sam,
I’ve thought about trying a story with Darcy’s parents alive. It would radically change so many things about him. He wouldn’t have the burden of taking on the estate alone, or having Georgiana to care for, but you have to wonder how much more arrogant he would have been, or if he actually misinterpreted his parents’ teaching and followed them incorrectly when he was on his own.
Hi MonicaP!
I hope that you do enjoy the stories if you have a chance to read them sometime. I agree with you completely, I do not at all like to think of Darcy as a rake or terribly experienced. In one of my stories I have his father telling him not to risk fathering a child, and in my others, I generally have him not a virgin (the man is 27, after all), but he discovers quickly that he gets nothing out of it without feeling, so just puts that part of his life aside. Realistic? Maybe, disease was certainly and issue. I want my Darcys to love only one woman, and that is Elizabeth. He is just lost to her.
Hi Margay!
The closest I’ve come to a different sort of Wickham is in my current project, Imperative. I’ve thought about what would have become of him without the jealousy. I guess that he might have accepted the living at Pemberley. That means that Lydia would not have been ruined (well, neither would Georgiana), a lot of ideas suggest themselves to me . . . enough that I am writing them down now so that I don’t forget! LOL
Hi Susan!
Boy we haven’t talked in ages, but if anyone is successful, it is you. I still remember how absolutely thrilled you were to have your story picked up. Your joy was palpable. I remember when you designed my cover for Fate and how we were both still feeling our way around how to put books together. I’m so happy for how well you have done. I know that you have several new stories in the works, and I hope that they enjoy the success that I know they deserve.
I had a reader in Barcelona who was telling me how much she enjoyed your book, and I encouraged her to contact you. She wrote back to me so thrilled that you were as nice as I told her. I love the friendships I’ve made through JAFF.
Take care,
Linda
Hi Jakki L!
It sounds like we are on the same page for our Darcys! My guy has his moments of “Darcyish” tendencies, but once I have him in love with Elizabeth, I like to just let him display all of those feelings to her, and her alone. The people around them see their devotion, but only Elizabeth really sees who this man really is.
Hi Felicia,
Thank you, I hope that you will enjoy yourself with whichever one you decided to try.
Hi Araminta18,
Characters can be a real pain in the neck sometimes, so I’m glad that I don’t sound weird when I blame them for screwing up my plans.
I like Darcy proud in public, too. I think that I’ve done a better job with that in Imperative, but whenever my Darcys are at home and relaxed, I like to see that soft side come out. I’ve also thought that for a man to fall in love with a woman like Elizabeth, he must have a sense of humor, so all of my Darcys love a laugh.
Hi Pseudophilospher,
I guess that the vulnerability I see in Darcy comes from the burdens he carries, the estate, his sister, just mourning his parents and in particular his father. I see him as strong and silent outwardly but roiling with feeling within. Perhaps it is the fundamental difference in the men we see as our particular Darcy. Tenderness and vulneribility aren’t too far apart, both show a man who feels deeply.
I can’t imagine Colin Firth as a vampire either, but knowing his love of dressing up, I bet that he would get a great kick out of donning some fangs.
Linda, I couldn’t agree more about the friends I’ve made in the JAFF community. I haven’t been able to spend much time there this last year due to some very unexpected circumstances in my personal/family life, but I miss it and interacting with the wonderful people on the boards.
I have readers who also mention how much they enjoy your writing, too, and are equally excited when they discover you to be exactly as kind and warm as I told them you are. Thank you for so many things. You’ve always been a wonderful friend.
Again, best wishes, Linda!
Fondly,
Susan
I have often wondered about Darcy’s parents. I think it would be lovely to explore how he related to them. I also think it would be great to have a what-if scenario where Darcy doesn’t visit Georgiana in time to stop the elopement and he has to chase after them.
Lovely to meet you, Linda.
Susan, I think that I would be lost without my readers on the board. They get me through the rough times in writing and I love and need the feedback. I’m like you in being kind of overwhelmed by life lately. I wish that I had time to read like I used to. I am certain that you are looking forward to school starting soon! Thank you for being a lovely friend to me, too!
Hi Monica, I’m so glad to meet you, too. I’ve considered Darcy’s parents, since inevitably his childhood created the man he becomes, so even though they are not always in the story, they are part of it. It’s another story idea to explore someday. My story Fate and Consequences does have the scenario of Darcy chasing after Georgiana and Wickham. Imperative begins after Georgiana has been found.
Your books sound wonderful! I can’t wait to read one! I like my Darcy to be vulnerable and tender with Elizabeth. I love the idea that she sees a side of him that no one else gets to see.
Here’s a plot bunny: what if Darcy had no Bingley? Darcy would not make the “tolerable” remark at the Meryton Assembly, and Darcy would have no Bingley to separate Jane from. You could have fun inventing another premise for Darcy and Lizzy to meet, and another suitor for Jane.
Congratulations on your first blog post! I will be praying for your judge in Rick’s case. Have fun on your beach trip!
I like a tall, strong, silent, slightly intimidating Darcy in his public persona, but behind closed doors with Elizabeth he’s a romantic teddy bear 🙂
I love the idea of a Darcy and Elizabeth promised to each other from infancy… maybe Mr Darcy Snr and Mr Bennet (old university friends?) had arranged it… and at the same time Darcy’s mother had also made a pact with her sister, Lady Catherine for Darcy and Anne to be promised to each other. That could be quite a battle!!
Hi Kelli!
Thank you, I hope that if you give one a try you will let me know what you think. I love letting Darcy and Elizabeth be the center of a little universe. Nobody can quite understand how deeply they love each other.
Oh June . . . there you go. Okay, Darcy with no Bingley. Hmm. We’d definitely have to do some hard thinking, after all, what would Darcy be doing in Meryton if there was no Netherfield? Now . . . I actually do have an idea for a new story where this kind of happens . . .
Thanks for the prayers, dear. I had another fight pop up yesterday afternoon. The car is packed, all we need is the sun to come up and we’re out of here!
Oooh Jane, I so agree with your vision of Darcy (can’t possibly imagine why).
Now this idea of a tug of war over baby Darcy and baby Elizabeth by the different factions. Wow! That would be a battle royale. Why don’t you try writing it? A Regency!
you’re a deliteful discovery, Linda , in this JA world ~ i’ll look fwd to checking my library’s shelves for evidence of you “)
Hi Linda! When you wrote “I’m betting that most of you don’t know me” I thought so not true! I love your books! I have all of your books except “Imperative” (I didn’t know about that one). I’m glad to see you on here and to get to know you a little better.
I like my Darcy proud in public but more relaxed and a bit humorous in private.
Candy
Hi Linda! When you wrote “I’m betting that most of you don’t know me” I thought so not true! I love your books! I have all of your books except “Imperative” (I didn’t know about that one). I’m glad to see you on here and to get to know you a little better.
I like my Darcy proud in public but more relaxed and a bit humorous in private.
Candy
Darcy needs to be knocked around a bit, but he is also a bit misunderstood. I love to see a more relaxed, fun-loving guy while in the company of those he loves.
Linda, I own a few of your books, and others are on my TBR list. Does that count as knowing you? (Loved them, by the way!!)
Darcy needs to be knocked around a bit, but he is also a bit misunderstood. I love to see a more relaxed, fun-loving guy while in the company of those he loves.
Linda, I own a few of your books, and others are on my TBR list. Does that count as knowing you? (Loved them, by the way!!)
Hi Faith Hope!
Thank you, you are so nice to say that. Being self-published, I wonder if I’ll show up on a library shelf, but you can always look in the Meryton Reading Room.
Hi Candy,
Oh, I’m betting that most people don’t know me because I keep a pretty low profile. I wouldn’t know what to put on a blog if I had one! Thank you for wanting to have my books, that’s so nice to know! Impertative isn’t quite finished yet, I’m trying very hard. Summer vacation is not conducive to great production!
Anyway, it sounds like your thoughts on Darcy are similar to mine, no wonder you like my guy!
Hi Becky,
Yes, I think that you qualify as knowing me. I’m very pleased that you enjoyed what you have read.
I agree that Darcy needs to be knocked around a little, after all, if he is arrogant (for whatever reason the plot calls for) he has to have the big revelation and realize that he is blowing it. Of course in those cases, Elizabeth has to do the same thing, she is hardly perfect either. My favorite thing to do is to let the two of them talk, they love to tease each other.
I always like the ‘what if’ if Elizabeth said yes at his first proposal, or if they hadn’t met up in Kent at all. How would they have found there way back to one another?
I always like the ‘what if’ if Elizabeth said yes at his first proposal, or if they hadn’t met up in Kent at all. How would they have found there way back to one another?
I’d love Darcy to whisper to me…I want him to let me see into his brain, to grant me the access needed to figure him out :o)
Hi Linda!
All family is gone and kids are in bed so I have finally made it here to the blog! After all our discussions I don’t think we have ever covered what I want to see from my Darcy! And I have to say that the more JAFF I read, the more that changes…especially since you and JaneV have converted me to an MM lover!
So here it goes! I want my Darcy to be very tall, strong, and quiet in public with an intensity to him that people mistake as arrogance. I want him to have searing blue eyes, a huge heart, and a weakness for Elizabeth that completely unnerves him initially, but delights him in the long run. I want his family, and eventually Elizabeth, to realize his behavior in public is really his defense against a world that never sees him for who he is but what he represents, and that he is actually quite shy. But most importantly, I want him to be able to completely let go with Elizabeth and through his love for her grow into the strong man he is meant to be!
I think it could be interesting to see your Darcy with his parents still alive, but I also like Jane’s idea of Mr Darcy Sr and Mr Bennet having been very good friends in school. D’s father may have even told D stories about Mr B, but never using his full name so that D has no idea that Mr B is the friend his father so lovingly referred to. It might be fun to see Mr B withhold that little piece of information, D’s father having passed away as in cannon, and only reveal it after D&E’s first impressions of each other have been established at the assembly. After all Mr B does like to have his fun!
Oh, and I really, really want a Perfect Fit sequel!!!! 🙂
Have a great time at the beach! I loved having my iPad with me this year so I am sure you’ll enjoy using Rick’s!
Melissa
I really enjoy your books and can’t wait for the next one to come out. I love how you take different what if twists to the story. It is hard to pick a favorite but thanks for providing an unique spin of our favorite characters!
Jennifer W. (google account)
Lovely post. 🙂 I would like to see Darcy vulnerable and a little battered, which I think would happen if Georgiana and Wickham did elope. I also think it would be fun to see him meet Elizabeth as a young man.
Just a drive-by hello! Congratulations on your first blog post. If I come up with any plot ideas, I’ll be sure to let you know. I’d love to see you write another modern. See you tomorrow!
Hi Emmaangel!
Well all of my stories involve different meetings for our couple, with the exception of Imperative, where the story takes off from the meeting in the library when Jane is at Netherfield and ill. I just hate that insult and try to think of waysvto avoid going there at all.
Rebecca, you are reading my mind!
Hi Melissa!
Well, we have talked about Darcy enough times that you know mine resembles yours. Arrogance can be a cover for insecurity, and that is where I get my theory of shyness and vulnerability. Of course he is a man who loves very deeply as well. A strong man who shows little to outsiders and everything to Elizabeth.
I’m pretty sure that a story like you describe has been done, and publishe. I will have to think of the name and get back to you.
Meanwhile, I’m on Rick’s iPad now, cruising down the PA turnpike, as he would say, “wheeeeee!”
Hi Jennifer!
Thank you so much for telling me how you enjoy the stories, and why. Imperative is almost finished, I know that nobody believes me, but I am determined!
Hi Lieder!
Thank you, I was so clueless about what to post here. The scenario I describe of Darcy meeting Elizabeth at a younger age is the premise behind the Memory series. She is almost16, and he is 22, so meeting her influences how he changes after his father’s death.
Hi Jenni!
Oh, you are always full of ideas, and I really appreciate hearing them. Comments are so important, especially when I am writing on the fly!
I’m not sure I would change Darcy from what Jane Austen made him. Though it is fun to explore possibilities, and no matter how many other ways we can invent to make Mr. Darcy great, we all love him as originally created. I’m happy with that.
I have to say, I have liked Darcy in a variety of forms: shy and quiet, arrogant and aloof, charming and witty. So, as long as he is a good guy in essentials, and a passionate man when it comes to his Lizzy, I am a happy girl. 🙂
It’s a pleasure to see you here Linda.
Vulnerable, knocked down and dragged around a bit– yes, please! Haha 😉 I love his love for Elizabeth 🙂
Finally, someone who understands! I have what I refer to as the DIMH, or Darcy in my Head. Just like you, he sat down with me one afternoon while I was listening to Pride and Prejudice and whispered the idea that formed the basis for my entire story. As I’ve written, he’s kept fairly quiet–unless I get off base. Most recently, he accused me of being a prude. Yes, DIMH called me a prude.
Vulnerable? -> Yes
Transformation? -> Yes
I have an idea. What if Darcy and Elizabeth were to switch roles? Darcy as the poor countryman and Elizabeth as a rich heiress. How would he win her over?
I’ve always like the Darcys you write Linda. Sometimes I read (other) fanfiction and in my head I’m shouting things like, “Darcy would never say that” or “That word wasn’t used until modern times” (a pet peeve when someone uses the word “hello” in a Regency fic since “hello” wasn’t even invented until after the phone came about). Writers such as yourself take the time and effort to make the story seem real and alive to us readers, all while making it as accurate as possible.
Hi Amanda,
I don’t know that I really change Darcy from what JA made him, well I do by changing certain circumstances, but since there is no real look into his POV, she has essentially given us a blank slate to imagine anything with him. I guess that’s why I enjoy writing about him so much.
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Hi Lisa,
It depends on my mood which Darcy I want to read about at any given time, but in essentials, yes, he must be a good guy. Thank you for the welcome!
Hi Chelsea,
Aha! You want this guy to earn Lizzy’s love, or earn it?
Hi Nancy,
I am so glad to know that I am not alone with the voices…well a certain tenor’s anyway… A prude? My goodness! Well since my stories all have mature scenes, I guess that my guy can’t complain!
Hi luthien84,
Hmm, I’ve thought about a role reversal story, but in general I don’t like to stray too far from the basics in their places in the world. Although I have had a reader recently try to convince me to do somethingvwhere Elizabeth is adopted by Lady C.
Hi Kelli,
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that you don’t mind me trying to be accurate with things. I have a wonderful beta who takes me task whenever I do anything that might be inauthentic, and we’ve worked together so long that I anticipate her yelling at me as I write. Now hello…well I just went into my file for Imperative and replaced the four “hellos” with “hullos” which was used as a greeting in England, at least in written form, as early as 1803. So thanks for the beta help!
Linda, I have all of your books because I find that I adore the way Darcy whispers to you. Congratulations on all of your well-told tales.
Hi LucyParker!
Thank you so much! And thank you for all of the support that you give me as I try to finish each story!
Heya Linda!
Its your seed speaking lol!
I loved the blog you written because again, you get people thinking!
As you know I read the book, *fnared* over Colin as Darcy and did the same as you and looked for fan fiction because I just found that it wasn’t quite finished. Then I read your chance and I have been totally hooked since, and read all your fics and gushed to you every week.
But your blog has put a seed in my head lol!
I have always wondered in a modern fic if Darcy’s mother was still alive, his father wasn’t and how she would react to Elizabeth. Because from all different type of fics, Darcy is extremely loving of his mother and I believe vice versa. I wondered whether Elizabeth would either clash with Anne or accept her into the Darcy family?
My other one which is a bit more on my I love Fitzwilliam as anything side was to see him as a soldier in WWII and Elizabeth was a nurse and they fall in love.
I always see my Darcy as arrogant, I think it was because Colin just did it so well! But then he did infatuated and in love very well too. I can see him vulnerable and I can see him with a bit of a rake in him (I guess its the smile) but only with Elizabeth. Can’t see him as a virgin, experienced yes but not a rake.
If Darcy could whisper to me as EB it would be something that would take my breath away and go all crimson. But when he whispers to you, I expect it is slightly the same 🙂
Hope you liked my blog reply Linda
All the best Cat xxxxx
Hi Cat!
Oh, there you go again, planting seeds. Let’s see, this is just your backdoor way of pushing me to do a modern (set in the UK, I know, I know). I’ve wondered lately how close Darcy really was to his mother, obviously she died when he was a boy so it’s hard to work with those impressions, but I get the distinct feeling that he thought that his father was the better person. His mom might have resembled Lady C a bit. In that vein, if I did a modern with his mother still alive, I do think that she would certainly clash with Elizabeth, and it would necessarily change the man that Darcy came out to be, perhaps even more arrogant than we see him in canon. The other story idea is one that has flitted through my head, although the last time it happened, someone else had started posting something like that so I let it go. We’ll see! As always you get me thinking. It occurs to me that I still haven’t done that bathtub scene you were asking for, have I? Darcy is only a rake in privacy of his home with his Elizabeth.
Good questions! I think I would like to see a bit more of his soft side with his sister and Elizabeth.
Hi Margaret!
His soft side, I think that I do that with my Darcys. Certainly with Elizabeth and their children, should they happen to show up, but I don’t know that I’ve concentrated too much on the Georgiana relationship. I’ll have to work on that.