I am very excited to welcome back Jack Caldwell, author of a newly released Pride and Prejudice variation titled The Companion of His Future Life, to Austenesque Reviews today! I’m very happy to have this opportunity to interview Jack again; our last interview took place in December 2010 following the release of his first Austenesque novel, Pemberley Ranch. We were fortunate enough to meet in person during the Decatur Book Festival in September of 2012! Jack has graciously agreed to answer my burning questions about Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, and his two recent releases—Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner and The Companion of His Future Life.
I always find it interesting to hear how an author comes up with the ideas for their novels. My first question for you, Jack, is what inspired the premise for your two most recent releases—Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner and The Companion of His Future Life? How did the ideas for these variations come to you?
One, I have a, shall we say, unique sense of humor, and I like to express it. Two, I’ve always enjoyed reading good variations of P&P. So, these were my attempts at the genre.
To write a Jane Austen variation, one needs a point of departure from the original book. Once that happens, the plot can change, but the characters must be true to Jane Austen’s.
The Companion of His Future Life was easy—“what would happen if Collins married Mary Bennet?”Readers will note that the basic plot doesn’t change, but I had fun putting a slightly different spin on Austen’s dialogue. The words are the same, but the meaning changes.
As for Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner, I thought there could be similarities between Fitzwilliam Darcy and Sheridan Whiteside from The Man Who Came to Dinner. Both are alpha dogs who are used to getting their way. Like Whiteside, Darcy would be a terrible patient. It wouldn’t be long before he would take over Longbourn, but in a good way. The story flowed from that.
You make it sound so easy, Jack! 🙂 What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of writing? What aspect of writing Austenesque novels comes easily for you? Of your Austenesque novels, which one was the most challenging to write?
Dialogue is very easy for me to write. I just let my characters talk and copy it down, like a stenographer. The challenging part is writing every day—not letting life distract me from it. Of my published works, the most challenging was The Three Colonels. Waterloo is so well known I had to get the history right.
I can imagine! I couldn’t help but notice some differences between your first novels and these later releases. Your first two novels Pemberley Ranch and The Three Colonels are full of adventure and history—we escape to new locations and encounter new characters. In your two recent releases we stay a little bit closer to home and to the canon of Pride and Prejudice. In addition, your first two novels were published through Sourcebooks, while your two recent releases are published through White Soup Press. How did these changes impact and influence your writing?
The books were published out of order. The Three Colonels was my first work, but the second published. I wrote The Companion of His Future Life before I wrote Pemberley Ranch. Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner was one of my latest works. I used the funny books as a breather between my heavier novels, which 
are closer to my heart.
White Soup Press is the self-publishing group for many of my fellow Austen Variation authors. Publishing has changed, and more authors are going the self-publishing route. The only alteration to my writing is that I need more sources for editing—I have no publisher doing that for me.
That’s very interesting! I had no idea about the order being different! I see that in many of your books you like to include characters from other Jane Austen novels. (In fact, The Three Colonels is a crossover sequel to both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility!) I greatly enjoy seeing various characters of the Austen “universe” co-mingling and interacting with each other! Such fun! Besides the relationships you have included in your novels, what Jane Austen characters from various novels do you feel would get on famously together? Who do you think Mr. Bennet would find as an agreeable social acquaintance? Who would be the perfect friend to Mrs. Dashwood?
I think Darcy would be cordial with George Knightley, but I don’t think they would be close friends. Rightly or wrongly, Darcy would not think much of Emma, or Knightley for marrying her. Once Captain Wentworth retires from the sea, I could see him entertaining Darcy with his adventures.
Mr. Bennet would enjoy making sport of Sir Walter Elliot. Mr. Musgrove is a jolly man, so Bennet might get along with him. Mrs. Dashwood might be friends with Mrs. Bennet, but I think she would like Mrs. Morland more. Lady Catherine and Mrs. Ferrars could be BFFs.
Jane and Bingley would get along with EVERYBODY.
Loved your answers! Very good pairing Mr. Musgrove with Mr. Bennet! I like that! What is next for you, Jack? You have gifted the Austenesque genre four wonderful and unique Pride and Prejudice inspired novels; do you have plans to write more?
I’ve got several books already in the can. Right now I’m writing the last of four novels that will be released next year. It’s my CRESCENT CITY series. It’s slightly Austenesque, as I’m using a distant branch of the Darcy family to tell the story of New Orleans.
The first book will be The Plains of Chalmette. It starts the series with the build up to the Battle of New Orleans. Baltimore native Major Matthew Darcy is sent to New Orleans in 1814 to help prepare for the coming battle. There, he falls under the spell of the lovely Cajun/Creole heiress, Anne-Marie Dansereau, but her father forbids the romance. (It has a touch of Persuasion going for it.) It’s due out in January of 2015, the 200th anniversary of the battle.
In the summer of 2015, I will release the three volumes of my epic three-volume novel about Hurricane Katrina. Bourbon Street Nights (Vol. 1), set in 1998-99, starts everything off. The action jumps five years to 2004 and Elysian Dreams (Vol. 2), followed by Ruin and Renewal (Vol. 3). The series will feature elements of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma.
Back to the Regency. I have my Persuasion sequel, Persuaded to Sail, and The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel (a cross-over with Northanger Abbey), both set in my Three Colonels universe, as is the follow-up, Rosings Park.
My western,The Austen Trail,is a sequel to Pemberley Ranch.
There will be more novels set in the CRESCENT CITY universe, as well.
Of course, the muse can mess up everything and start another book. We’ll see.
WOW! Looks like you plan to keep very, very busy!!! They all sound intriguing! Can’t wait! How about we switch it up with some Quickfire Questions:
You are planning to host a dinner party and want to invite six Austen characters to attend. Who do you invite to dinner and why?
Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Captain and Mrs. Wentworth, and Mr. and Mrs. Tilney. Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion are my two favorite novels, because the main characters are so intelligent. I’d have the Tilneys attend for comic relief—I’m sure Henry would have no trouble needling both Darcy and Wentworth.
Who would you most definitely not want to invite to the dinner party?
Mr. Bennet. He can be a jerk, sometimes.
In your opinion, which character from Pride and Prejudice most deserves a better “companion of their future life” than the character Jane Austen decided for them to end up with?
Here’s a shocker—William Collins. He’s not a bad dude, just dim, and he doesn’t know how dim he is. He grew up verbally, emotionally, and maybe physically, abused. He can’t help being what he is. Charlotte has no respect or affection for him. I think Mary Bennet would have been a better choice. (Remember folks, I’m basing this on the character in the book, not the movies.)
What is one of your favorite scenes in Pride and Prejudice?
It’s after Elizabeth returns home from Hunsford and comes to admit who and what her parents are. Before, the reader is lead to believe Mrs. Bennet is a fool and Mr. Bennet is a font of witty wisdom. It is at this point both Elizabeth and reader realizes there isn’t a whole lot to respect in Mr. Bennet. In fact, the later near-disaster of Lydia’s folly is set into motion by a lazy and selfish Mr. Bennet. By the end of the book, it is unclear if he really learned his lesson—he did say “the feeling will pass soon enough.”
From your own novels what is one of your favorite scenes?
I really like Darcy’s talk with Lydia in Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner.
What do you love most about Pride and Prejudice?
Jane Austen wrote some of the best lines in literature in it. A masterpiece of one-liners.
What is your “truth universally acknowledged?”
Men and women are different. Ask any woman.
If you were to meet Jane Austen, what would you like to hear her say?
“Your writing, Mr. Caldwell, shows some promise. You are an acceptable custodian of my characters, and I should not be ashamed to have others know I read your work. Carry on.”
YES! Carry on, indeed! 🙂 Thank you, Jack, for answering my questions!!! I loved learning more about you and your novels!!!
~~~
Connect with Jack
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today, Jack brings with him ONE copy of his newly released novel, The Companion of His Future Life for me to giveaway to ONE lucky winner! In addition, I have ONE extra copy of The Three Colonels from Sourcebooks in my possession that has been longing for a new home…
To enter this giveaway, leave a question, a comment, or some love for Jack below!
- In your comment, state which book you are interested in winning. (You can say both!)
- This giveaway is open worldwide!! Thank you, Jack!
- This giveaway ends April 15th!
You sound so busy with your books! What a great interview. I’m interested in both because Jack is like Jane in that he has some great one liners.
Aww, you’re gonna turn my head! Thanks!
Great interview! Mr. Caldwell sounds like he’s going to be very busy. Since I already have ‘Companion’, I’d like to be on the list for the ‘Colonels’.
The interview was wonderful. To have written so many Austenesque books!
I enjoyed Three Colonels and would love
a copy. Thank you for the giveaway.
Mr. Caldwell is aware that I love his books. I stalk him a little bit on FB…LOL Asking nosy questions about release on Nook and such. I loved Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner. So much fun. I’m patiently waiting to buy the Companion one, so I would love to win it! I think Three Colonels is my favorite of his books. I’ve read it several times. Thanks for the interview, I enjoy the insight and humor! Thanks for the giveaway!
Stalk away, Stephanie! As for NOOK, Companion will be available in a few months.
I’ve just finished reading “Mr Darcy Came To Dinner” and it’s an absolute hoot!
I’ve also read some of Jack’s other work on Austen Variations so to win one of these two would be great. I’ve read the free samples of both from the Kindle store and they both look very good. If I HAVE to choose, it would be “Companion” but would’t say no to the Colonels either (always had a soft spot for Colonel Fitzwilliam and Colonel Brandon).
Thank you, Anji. If you like Fitzwilliam and Brandon, wait til you meet Colonel Sir John Buford!
Such a fun interview! I love hearing about all the stories and ideas he has floating around and I am so glad that he plans to write more. I already own Companion (and finished reading it in less than 24 hours – practically perfect) so I would love to win a copy of The Three Colonels.
Thank you for these interviews and giveaways!
Great interview, I am sure Miss Austen would feel her characters are in good hands as are her lines, even if they don’t always come out of the same mouths. I loved both ‘Companion’ and ‘Mr Darcy came to dinner’. Mary is magnificent in handling Mr Collins and an invalid Mr Darcy was hilarious. I have both on Kindle but would be proud to own any of Jack’s books to put in my collection. Thank you!
Thanks, Hazel. BTW, everybody, if you want a bookplate for your copies, just go to my website for information how to get one. It’s free, so you have no excuse!
What a great interview! I am excited to hear of all the books Jack has coming in the future! I would have to say that I absolutely love ‘The Three Colonels’…looking forward to the sequels! As I have ‘Mr. Darcy Came To Dinner’ and ‘The Companion of his Future Life’ on my wishlist, I would love to win ‘Companion’! Thank you!
The Companion of His Future Life
I really enjoyed hearing Jack’s thoughts on P & P and the characters. I completely agree on Mr. Collin with Mary Bennet.
I love mr. Caldwell’s books as well. I don’t know that I have a favorite of the ones I’ve read. I like the differences in each especially the setting of Pemberley ranch. I always enjoy the sense of humor. I like that his favorites are pride and prejudice and persuasion. Persuasion is mine so I’m really looking forward to “persuaded to sail”. I am one of few who like Northanger as well so that will be a treat. I really enjoyed the characters that mr. Caldwell feels will get along together and his reasoning. It was a great interview meredith and jack.
If you like different settings, wait till you read CRESCENT CITY.
I can hardly wait. Thx
P.s. I love the scarlet pimpernel too. I actually would love to win “the companion of his future life”. I thought I had read it but I only have the sample on my kindle.
I also think Mary would have been a better wife for Mr. Collins, she might have instructed him to be a better man.
I would like to be entered to win The Companion of His Future Life
meikleblog at gmail dot com
Fun interview! I especially liked this line, which cuts straight to the chase – “Mr. Bennet. He can be a jerk, sometimes.” 😀
Such a lot of books in the pipeline! I’m especially pleased to hear about a Persuasion sequel, I don’t think I’ve ever read one.
Thank you for the giveaway. I’d like to enter for The Companion of his Future Life please, I want to read this one soon.
I’m in the middle of “The Companion of his Future Life”. It’s wonderful! I had hoped to read it all in one sitting, but life seems to intervene. Looking at Austen’s characters through a man’s perspective is fascinating, and I’m happy to go along for the ride.
“The Three Colonels” has been on my “to read” list – I would be delighted to have a copy! Right now I’m off to Mr. Caldwell’s website to learn about making a bookplate – the laundry can wait.
Thanks so much!
What a terrific interview, I hadnt realised that Mr. Caldwell had written so many novels, he is clearly very knowledgeable about Jane Austen and all of her books. I an thrilled to see a fellow fan doing so well, congratulations Jack! I would dearly love to win either of the novels, I have a very big birthday coming up and a little good luck might take some if the sting out if it.
Really great questions Meredith and wonderful answers Jack! I do like Mr Bennet but when he wouldn’t listen to Elizabeth’s warning, now that did annoy me. I am new to Jack’s work but have recently heard so much about it that I purchased Mr Darcy came to dinner, I look forward to reading it along with Jack’s other works. Thank you for the interview and Giveaway.
I hope you enjoy it.
Loved the informative interview. It’s interesting how the chronological writing of his stories differed from the release of them. And I loved learning what he thought of Austen’s characters and what’s coming up with his own stories. Can’t wait for the Persuasion sequel since that’s my favorite story.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. Since I’ve read- and loved- Three Colonels, I would be more interested in winning The Companion of His Future Life.
Then you’re gonna LOVE the P200 project us Austen Variation authors are putting together this summer.
I’d like to read The three colonels, ’cause I’ve never read a book in witch I can find both P&P and S&S characters. Can I ask Mr Caldwell what he thinks about Marianne and her “two” love stories?
I answer that question in T3C, but for a Marianne Dashwood what-if, go to my website and read my series of Austen short stories, VARIATIONS (http://www.cajuncheesehead.com/v_home.html). It will blow your mind in a good way.
Hi! Thanks for this great interview!
I loved Mr Caldwell’s answer about relationships among Jane Austen’s characters.
I love Emma, but I’m afraid you’re right: Darcy would not think much of her!
Jack has been one of my all-time favorite authors since the moment I discovered his writing back in 2010. It’s hard to believe its only been 4 years. I feel like I’ve known him forever. I purchased his latest release on kindle, unfortunately that was when I found out that my kindle can no longer access the internet. So no downloads for me. I’m dying to finally read it and am ready to re purchase the novel in paperback but maybe I’ll win it instead!
Thanks for checking in, Evie. Sorry about your Kindle.
Great interview questions and answers. Jane Austen would have to be proud of you both. Have both books so will skip the giveaway. Best of wishes for all that is coming. Get busy and stay focused, please. I am awaiting the next Jack Caldwell offering.
Circle January of 2015.
thank you for this giveaway!!!
continued success to Jack & good luck with your new release!!!
I would love to be entered for it…..
thank you!!!
I’m so excited to see all the upcoming works Jack has in store for us!
Mr Bennet probably wouldn’t come to the dinner party, anyway, even if he was invited – he doesn’t seem particularly sociable.
I’d like to win ‘Companion’, since I have T3C. I admit that Mary is someone I often have difficulty connecting with, and I always felt more sorry for Charlotte than Mr C. I’d love to see Jack’s take on them and maybe see them in a different light.
I think you’ll like what I did with both Mary and Charlotte in Companion.
Since Col Fitzwilliam is close to my heart, The Three Colonels is on my to read list. Thanks for the interview!
Your books sound enchanting! P & P and Persuasion are my favorites too and I would love to explore a relationship between the Darcys & the Wentworths!
Hmmm… a P&P/Persuasion cross-over. Now there’s a plot bunny…
I have not read any of Jack’s works yet, except for the chapters he wrote for The Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote. I made a little joke in one of my blogs regarding this book, which I’m sure no one got because we are unable to format completely. I wrote that I was able to put down The Scenes book. I’m sure it looked like a typo as opposed to books that I could not put down. I have a bit of a weird sense of humor and look forward to reading Mr Darcy Came to Dinner. Actually, I look forward to reading all of Jack’s books!!! I just ordered T3C.
I would like to win both books!!
If you have a weird sense of humor, you’ll like MDCTD. Trust me.
I’ve ordered Mr Darcy Came to Dinner as well as well as The 3 Colonels. I’ve been re-I reading all your chapters in The Chapters JA Never Wrote. Don’t want to swell your head, but like your writing!! I’m picky about JA characters in fan fiction books.
Hope I win The Companion book in the drawing.
Cat Commons
oh please oh please oh please I would dearly love “The Companion of His Future Life!” I admire Jack’s storytelling so much – it’s definitely witty! Great author interview Meredith!
Praise will only get you so far, Grace. Very far, in fact. LOL! Thanks!
I always thought Mary would do nicely for Collins. I would love to win ‘Companion’!
Pemberley Ranch was wonderful, so I have no doubt that this will be a nice read too!
Thank you, arjanne.
I am interested in both books. I don’t have any of Jack’s books. You sound really busy with all your forthcoming releases. Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner sounds like it’ll be a good book, but then I’m also influenced by the cat on the cover.
I enjoyed this informative interview. What a talented author whose books sound captivating and special. The Three Colonels would be unforgettable. Best wishes and much continued success.
What a wonderful interview. Learning about Jack’s writing was fascinating. Both books are treasures to be cherished. Thanks for this lovely feature.
Very informative interview, Meredith! Not only do we get some terrific insight into Jack Caldwell’s thoughts on Austen’s characters, but a heads up regarding what he’s writing/releasing soon. Kudos!
I’d be interested in reading either book. They both sound excellent.
That was an excellent and informative interview. Having read two of your works, jack, I appreciate the way you handle Miss Austen’s characters with reverence and respect. I believe she would indeed approve.
May I come to the dinner party you are hosting with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Captain and Mrs. Wentworth, and Mr. and Mrs. Tilney? I do warn you though, I will appear awestruck and will spend the dinner not knowing who I want to stare at with fascination the most. I will not be a stimulating dinner companion! 😀
I have both of these books on my Austen-To-Read so would be delighted to win either. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I still remember coming upon the first chapter of Mr Darcy Came to Dinner in fanfiction.net. As soon as I read it I was hooked and had to get the book. I love your work and would be excited to win either book.
Great interview! Both books sound amazing and Mr. Caldwell is a new author for me so thank you for introducing them to me. Added both to my tbr. I would love to win any of the two. Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
What a wonderful interview!! I love those little snarky one-liners too… always entertaining! 😉 LOL Thank you so much for the giveaway – please put my name in for either book
Thankyou for the extensive and fascinating interview. I have read Pemberly Ranch and look forward to the sequel. I have not read either of the giveaways and would enjoy reading either of them. Keep writing Mr. Caldwell!