Hi readers! I am very excited to welcome Debra-Ann Kummoung, author of a recently re-released Pride and Prejudice variation titled – Falling for Elizabeth to Austenesque Reviews today. Falling for Elizabeth is Debra-Ann’s fourth release and I am very happy to have this chance to chat with her about writing, her new release, and Jane Austen!
Hi Debra-Ann, thank you so much for visiting Austenesque Reviews! Why don’t we start off with you telling us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been writing? When did you first encounter Jane Austen?
I first encountered Jane Austen my senior year in high school and it was love at first read. Jane Austen is what got me into my love of historical romances. I first started writing in the fall of 2016 and wrote my first book in 4 months, which first published in November 20017.
That’s around the same time I first encountered Jane Austen! And like you, I feel in love with stories of this era. Can you tell me a little more about your books? I see you have 4 Pride and Prejudice inspired books published so far? And I heard that the premises for your stories are outside of canon (which I love!)
Yes, I have 4 non-canon variations. 3 novels and 1 Christmas novella. My first book, which I just re-release as a 2nd edition, is based on Elizabeth having falling sickness/epilepsy during regency times. My other 2 full length books starts off with Darcy, Bingley, Elizabeth & Jane all finding love quickly and then shifting to focus on Mary with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Book one ends with a cliff hanger and Book two picks up just hours after book one ended. Mary proves to be as determined as her sisters and follows the Colonel to the continent. It’s a different take and very different. My Christmas novella is based on an Advent calendar. Darcy is mourning the loss of his sister and visits Meryton where he meets Elizabeth who is determined to cheer him up and finds love along the way.
Ooh! Those all sound like interesting premises, I love when authors bring Mary Bennet into the
spotlight. I understand that Falling for Elizabeth – the book you just celebrated a second edition release of – is a book that has a more personal connection to you. What was it like to share this part of yourself and write about it?
Yes. When this book was published, I didn’t know a lot about the publishing process and a vanity press published that book and it was loaded with errors, repetition and all kinds of errors. Many of my readers wanted to know what happened next, but before I would write a second book, I felt I needed to make the first book better. I totally rewrote it, added in new scenes and changed some of the characters around (some people didn’t like that). I wrote this story as someone who has lived with epilepsy since age 14. I wanted to share some of the struggles and get people to understand the difficulties and ridicule that sometimes follows us. The stigma is still alive and well even today. I’ve had people think that they could get it from me simply by standing next to me… We face challenges and while I have exaggerated what Elizabeth goes through in the book to an extent, it was a real possibility.
I’m sorry to hear about the struggles and stigmas you face as being a person living with epilepsy. I hope that, in a way, it was therapeutic for you to write about your experiences and feelings in this story. What are some challenges you faced while writing Falling for Elizabeth? What is something you learned?
One of the biggest struggles is not to use modern words. I’ve had a few folks complain that I used too modern words like “shut up” and that word actually has been around since regency times (early 1800s). I also work full-time and have been trying to get in shape and have been working out 4-5 days a week so often I was tired when I sat down to write. The first edition didn’t have much emotion so when I did the second edition, I made sure to give my characters a bit more emotion. The original book had about 82K words and the second edition had just over 125K words.
Sounds like you worked hard to make improvements for this new edition of Falling for Elizabeth. That’s wonderful! What is next for you, Debra-Ann? Do you have any other projects in the works?
During NaNo this year, I wrote just over 50K words on my next book – Falling for Elizabeth Darcy. It picks up where book one ends and gives the readers the answers to their questions. I also have a short story coming out August 2023 in the Jane Austen Tea Party Anthology and I’m doing my first Persuasion story – Listen to Your Heart (it is already written and just waiting to edit). I also have a Pride & Prejudice/Cinderella story to finish and playing around with my first fantasy Pride & Prejudice story (been on the back burner for about 3 years).
That all sounds fantastic! I’m most intrigued about the Persuasion story and Pride and Prejudice/Cinderella story! How about we switch it up with some Quick-Fire Questions?
- Which Jane Austen character do you best identify with? I think I’m a mix of Anne Elliott & Elinor Dashwood (oldest sister and middle child and tend to look after everyone).
- Which Janae Austen character do you intensely dislike? Female – Emma; Male – John Thorpe
- What do you admire most about Elizabeth Bennet? She’s spunky and spirited and not afraid to admit when she’s wrong
- What is your favorite Elizabeth Bennet quote/moment? Think of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure. (This is one of three quotes that are vinyl wall clings in my office).
- What is one of your favorite scenes from Pride and Prejudice? Where Darcy & Elizabeth meet up at Pemberley after Darcy’s first proposal. They’re both awkward and unsure and for the first time on equal footing with the other and you get to really see them come together – until Jane’s letter arrives then we learn the lengths that Darcy will go through to prove his love.
- What is one of your favorite scenes from Falling for Elizabeth? Oh. This one is hard. One is when Darcy is caring for Elizabeth after he returns from Scotland and has given her a puppy. The other favorite scene is between Darcy, Elizabeth, and Wickham. Wickham is sharing a story of how Darcy presented his housekeeper with a muddy frog when he was a boy of six or seven. (This story was inspired by my Nana who hated frogs and was of course, presented frogs by her grandchildren… 😊 ).
- What is your truth universally acknowledged? True love conquers all – my husband saw past all the problems and obstacles that came with loving someone different and he makes sure that I feel loved every day. He’s my biggest supporter and biggest critic. He actually suggested I add a scene in Falling for Elizabeth that wasn’t originally there – said to raise hope and dash it again. He was very insightful and really make the book better (He’s a captive audience to all my books – I read them to him aloud). Love is the key.
- If you were to meet Jane Austen, what would you like to hear her say? Thank you for the courage to write your stories and share them with the word. Over 200 years in the future and they are still loved around the world.
What lovely answers, Debra-Ann! Especially your truth universally acknowledged! That is so beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing! I have enjoyed getting to know you, and I wish you all the best with your re-release of Falling for Elizabeth and all your future projects!
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Debra-Ann Kummoung generously brings ONE copy of Falling for Elizabeth (in either ebook or paperback format) and ONE copy of Mr. Darcy’s Christmas Surprise (in either ebook, audiobook, or paperback format) for me to give away to TWO lucky readers from this blog!
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, a question, or some love for Debra-Ann!!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Debra-Ann!
- This giveaway ends December 14th!
That sounds wonderful! Question: What are your top three favorite JAFF and why?
Do you mean my favorite JAFF books or authors? I love so many of my fellow JAFF authors and their works. Linda Wells is one of the top – she was one of the first that I ever read and I love how she takes you deep into her world with her books. Abigail Reynolds is another of my favorites. I just love her style of writing. Another top favorite in Brenda Webb. These ladies were my inspiration and I know I’m nowhere near as good as they are, I’ve learned and grown as an author reading their books. If you meant which were my favorite books, I’d have to disappoint you – I could never pick just 3 to be a favorite. Sorry.
Lovely interview. So nice to see Debra here on the blog. Best wishes with all of your books and thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Jennifer. Happy to be here. Been a busy few years and haven’t had a chance to visit. Thank you for the best wishes. Same to you for you and your books.
I enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks!
Wonderful that you put out a second edition. Great interview!
Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the interview.
Thanks for sharing something of yourself – great interview. I really take my hat off to you for having the courage to issue a second version to make the changes you wanted to see in your book. I don’t think all authors would show that much care. Well done!
Thank you for your kind words. My writing had changed/improved with time and I felt I owed it to my readers to go back and fix the first book, which gave me the chance to make changes to several of the characters that will make a difference in the next book.
thank you for giving your readers an insight into yourself and your writing. You were brave to want a second edition and it truly a new book. Congratulations on your courage.
Thank you. Your words mean a lot to me.
These books look really interesting. Thank you for the giveaway. Best wishes on the re-release and the upcoming books!
Thank you. Good luck!
Debra-Ann, the three authors you mentioned as favorites are also among my favorites. I have read both of these stories and enjoyed them and posted reviews. Thanks for your generosity, nevertheless. Good luck with your re-release.
So glad you enjoyed these stories. That means a lot to me. In the event that you are one of my winners, I will offer you True Love Never Fails… – Book one, so that you don’t miss out on a book.
I have enjoyed all of Debra’s books and know I will love this one. Lovely interview.
Thank you so much, Brenda. You were one of my inspirations and love your books as well.
I love it when authors write their fiction using their own experiences, good or bad. It ups the level authenticity.
Thank you. I’ve always heard that your first book is always the most personal, so I decided to do just that.
Enjoyed the interview. Thanks for the giveaway!
So glad you enjoyed the interview. Good luck!
I read your first edition and found it so interesting how epilepsy was treated during regency times. I look forward to reading the second edition and even more a follow up book. Take care
Hope you enjoy. Good luck
Hard to name my top 3.
Adding to my reading list.
I totally understand. Thank you.
I really liked this book especially the challenges of being different. I also understand Lizzy’s pain and loneliness from my own history. and would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has struggled with self,worth just because they are not “normal.” Good story, strong realistic characters, very few (if any) errors.
I’m so glad you liked the story and appreciate your kind words. I’m so you suffered. Hugs!
That should be I’m so sorry you have suffered. My autocorrect got the better of me.
Looks like an interesting story, added it to my to read list.
Hope you enjoy it!
Sounds like a fun story — can’t wait to read it!
Thank you. Hope you like it.
Great interview. Thank you for sharing your own personal struggles and how you made it part of your novels. I too love Linda Wells and Abigail Reynolds and I’m always interested in discovering new authors and stories. I would love to read your books. –Leslie
I’m so glad you enjoyed my interview. I thought putting myself in the book would help my readers connect with me.
Sounds interesting. I enjoyed the story very much the first time round soI am curious to see what changes you made. Please keep writing
Hope you like the changes. I definitely plan to keep writing. Working on my next book as we speak.
I would really love to read this book. Epilepsy is a challenging illness. My eldest daughter got it when she was around 16, and it gives her lots of troubles. I many times wish I could have it instead of her… And I know it must have been even more difficult during regency times. It will be really special to read about an Elisabeth with epilepsy for me.
Congratulation on your special book!
I’m so sorry to hear that your daughter suffers with epilepsy. It’s not easy – if she ever needs to talk to someone, I’m always available. Hope you like what I’ve done with my different take on a condition that is often not written about in romance books.
❤ Thank you!
The book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win a copy. I’d love to read it.
Thank you. Good luck!
It is very courageous of you to write about something that most of us know about but have no clue on a personal perspective how it impacts one’s life. And congratulations for being brave enough to tackle a rewrite to make your book even better. It is on my wishlist.
Thank you for your words. I hope you like what I’ve done with my story – more to come.
Debra, how amazing that you could share your struggle and difficult times in your book. The extra emotion and details must make it a very personal story, that is really something to admire. I would love to win a paperback copy of your Christmas surprise story, as it is that time of the year & I do love a holiday read! Thanks for a chance to win.
Thank you for your kind words. That means a lot to me. Good luck on winning.
I enjoy your books and would appreciate an ebook copy of either.
Thank you.
Thank you so much! Good luck!
Oh, I want to read Debra-Ann’s book now so much! ASAP. Thanks so much for the interview, ladies.
Thank you for being a part of my interview. I hope you enjoyed it. Good luck!