Last week we shared Part I of our interview with Pamela Aidan, author of the “Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman” series. She will be speaking on “Creating The Regency World” at our upcoming tea on 28 April. Tickets are on sale through today, 22 April, so buy yours while you can on our Event Page.
We gathered questions from people on our social media channels and added them to a list of our own. Our questions are in italics and Pamela’s responses are in bold for easy reading. Thank you, Pamela!
-How much research do you do before you write compared to during the writing? What kind of outline do you do?
Most of the research is done before so that I am immersed in the time and place. During the writing, the research pertains to fact checking or to getting more information on an idea that pops in unexpectedly.
-Were any of the characters you created based on people in your life?
I used names from my family at various times, but the only character was one that was mentioned in passing, a Belgian boxer named Eugene Bleret who was modeled after a great-uncle.
-How do you make sure you stay true to the characters created by Jane Austen?
Decades of reading and re-reading Pride & Prejudice and keeping the novel open on my desk as I wrote. I felt I knew Darcy inside out.
-From Michele: How did you learn so much about how a servant like a valet would function in the Regency world? (For example, in particular, Mr. Fletcher, Darcy’s valet, who Michele loves.)
Lots of Masterpiece Theater viewing, probably. But Mr Fletcher is outside of the common way when it comes to valets. I reasoned that a person in that position would know most of the intimate details of his master’s life and thoughts just to be able to serve him well. Then, you have the kind of person Darcy is—what kind of valet would he require? Fletcher was a lot of fun to write and he almost ran away with the show!
-From Jane: Do you have any “rituals” when you are preparing to write? Such as, do you use paper/notebooks and pencils/pens? Computer? Do you write in a certain place? At a certain time of day?
I start on the computer and while writing the Trilogy worked first in a cold basement, then a warm little office at home, usually in the early morning.
–Favorite tea or beverage to drink while writing? Snacks?
Tea, of course! Earl Grey with milk and sugar.
-Do you have any unique or quirky writing habits?
I love listening to Enya while writing.
-Have you made any “literary pilgrimages” to see Jane Austen sites? Or other authors?
Unfortunately, no.
–If you could ask Jane Austen one question, what would it be?
I’d want to talk over Mansfield Park.
-What is one of your favorite experiences as a writer?
I’ve gotten many letters over the years thanking me for the Trilogy. Several testified that they read the books during a particularly difficult time in their lives and that the books helped them get through them. To be of assistance in that way is highly gratifying.
-The Spokane Public Library contributed a few questions:
What are your best resources for research and getting into the mindset of the time/place?
The best preparation for getting into the mindset was decades of enjoyment of Austen and Georgette Heyer novels. Heavily used resources were:
1.Our Tempestuous Day: a History of Regency England by Carolly Erickson
2.An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England by Venetia Murray
3.The Friendly Jane Austen by Natalie Tyler
4.Ruling Britannia : A Political History of Britain, 1688 – 1955 by Glyn Williams & John Ramsden
5.English History in the Making by William L. Sachs
6.Prince of Pleasure: The Prince of Wales and the Making of the Regency by Saul David.
7.Life in the English Country House: A Social and Architectural History by Mark Girouard
8.A practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce
9.Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen by Peter J. Leithart
-Why did you choose to write in this voice? (Mr. Darcy, obviously) 😀 (Paraphrasing this one from SPL) Why does he do the things he does?
My initial impetus was a desire to understand why and how Darcy changed. I don’t think Austen ever went into Darcy’s interior life beyond the considered statements he makes at Netherfield during Jane’s illness and his short analysis of his growing years during the walk to Oakham Mount. He is absent for at least half of the book, during the time when his sea-change in beliefs about himself and his situation via Elizabeth would have occurred
-If someone can only buy 1 book on the time period, which book would you recommend?
An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England. Venetia Muray. Viking, 1998. (Ed. Note: Oh, yes, I adore this one!!! -Jane)
-How much research do you do before you write compared to during the writing? What kind of outline do you do?
Most of the research is done before so that I am immersed in the time and place. During the writing, the research pertains to fact checking or to getting more information on an idea that pops in unexpectedly.
And the question everyone wants to know the answer to! -From Charles: Do you have plans to pen a post Pride & Prejudice as you contemplated for an interview at the end of the third installment of your Darcy Trilogy?
I always hope. Now that I’ve retired, there’s more possibility for it to happen. I have some ideas but not enough to get started yet.
We hope you enjoyed this interview! Thank you, Pamela!!
JASNA Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho 