Interview: Colette Saucier

Colette-as-JosephineToday we are pleased to have the opportunity to pose our own questions to Colette Saucier who has graciously agreed to answer. 

What was the most challenging aspect of writing Pulse and Prejudice?

Although some of the hours upon hours of historical research could be dull and trying, the most challenging aspect was ensuring that I not use any anachronisms – particularly with language. Because I approached the project as if it were written in 1813, any words not in use at that time were off limits. For example, I had used different forms of “befuddle” several times. Then I found out it wasn’t in use until the 1830s! (I guess everyone had perfect clarity until then.)

I consider myself most fortunate that one of the editors my publisher assigned to me is British. Julie Reilly understood my commitment to Regency language and double-checked not just for anachronisms but also Americanisms. Turns out what we call “French doors” are called “French windows” in England even today. Who knew!

Since we have not ever had the chance to see Colin Firth in period dress and fangs, what vampire on film comes closest to your ideal vampire Darcy or who might you imagine?

I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, so I have Dan Stevens on the brain. Now I found out that he is in the running to play Mr. Darcy in a film version of Death Comes to Pemberley, so obviously I’m not the only one!

Are there any other Austen novels you might consider vamping up?

No, but I do plan to write a parody of Wuthering Heights with Heathcliff as a werewolf. I can just picture him howling on the moors.

If you could jump into any Austen novel and put the smack down one of the characters, which novel and which character?

Without a doubt, Lydia in Pride and Prejudice. I know “dramatic structure” requires a conflict at that point of the novel, but I would have been happy for Darcy to go to the inn in Lambton, sweep Elizabeth off her feet, and marry her there in Derbyshire.

Anything else you’d like to share? Any other projects in the works?

I am about a third of the way into the sequel to Pulse and Prejudice (entitled Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth), which covers the first two years of the Darcys marriage and follows them to Antebellum New Orleans. I also recently took a screenwriting class, so I would like to adapt my novel All My Tomorrows into a script for Lifetime, Hallmark, or similar. Eventually, I need to return to the untitled metaphysical romance I had been writing before I was inspired to write a vampire adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.  Then, of course, there’s that parody of Wuthering Heights!

 

Thank you so much, Mrs. Saucier! 

Please, be sure to read through Colette Saucier’s guest post on Darcy, Byron, and Vampires and enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of Pulse and Prejudice! 

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