Click here to browse our fantastic gallery of FREE or hugely discounted novels

Interview with Scott D. Southard, author of A Jane Austen Daydream

image

image image

This is a romantic adventure, not just about the love between two individuals but also around the love of writing and books. This is Jane Austen’s life in fiction, as she is the playful and witty heroine just like the characters in her novels (many who play supporting roles in the story), falling in and out of love and discovering herself along the way.

Also, A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM has some very experimental writing in it, including a twist I am not certain has been attempted in a book like this before. It has been a lot of fun to read people’s reaction to it (especially since everyone wants to keep it a secret).

Jane Austen? Why fictionalise her life?
A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM attempts to fix a great error.

When you research into Miss Austen’s life it is obvious, based on what little info we actually have, that she did not live the kind of adventures she dreamed up for her own characters. There were no Mr. Darcys waiting for her at the end of the day, ready to sweep her off her feet. She died a spinster at only 41. A tragic end to a writer who has given millions so much.

What genre is this book?
I would say it fits into many genres. Regency, historical fiction, alternative history, historical romance, and literary fiction are the ones that jump immediately to my mind.

What kind of readers will it appeal to?
Well, there is definitely something there for the Jane Austen readers. In many ways the book could be a treasure hunt for the Austen reader (that is how someone described it to me on Twitter) since it is filled with references, quotes, and characters from her books.

However, if this book was only for the Jane Austen fans, honestly, then it wouldn’t be MY book. And while, Jane is the main character, I like to think it is also a book for those that love reading and writing; since in many ways it is a love letter to our artform (and isn’t it the best, really?).

Complete this sentence for us: if you like _________________, you’ll love A Jane Austen Daydream.
Jane Austen books, literary classics, experimental novels (for there are some definitely new literary twists in this which I do not want to ruin).

The more you say that, the curiouser we get! If you can’t tell us that, then tell us a bit more about your Jane Austen character.
My Jane Austen is kind of what we all imagine she would be like. Not perfect, certainly, but a little of all of her characters, good and bad. Witty to the point of biting, far too clever, passionate about writing and love, and large in whatever circles she appears in.  This is the Jane that would have the power to create worlds we are all talking about 200 years later.

How would you like the reader to feel as they read the last word of your book?
A sense of closure would be nice. My hope as I said was to give something to Jane, and if I did my job right, some of that peace should be there.

Some readers have told me already that it has inspired them to go back and read her books again. That would be a wonderful reaction as well.

Have you written any other books that we should read next?
I have two books also out that I am very proud of.

MY PROBLEM WITH DOORS is a time travel adventure, about a character named Jacob who has been lost in time since the age of two.

MEGAN is a fantasy tragedy about Megan an office worker with a big imagination. And in her imagination she is a superhero princess with a world to save.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Honestly, I am not obsessed with Jane Austen, but I do admire her books greatly!  I received my Master’s in writing from the University of Southern California. Other than A JANE AUSTEN DAYDREAM, I have written MEGAN, MY PROBLEM WITH DOORS, and MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE.

Do you have a website where we can keep up with your work?
http://sdsouthard.com

If people would like to learn more about me and my writing they should definitely visit my blog, “The Musings & Artful Blunders of Scott D. Southard.” I write on a series of different topics including writing, parenting, TV, art, writing, books, movies, life, writing, music and writing.

How can we follow you on Twitter and/or Facebook?
Twitter: @SDSouthard
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ScottDSouthard.

What’s next?
I’m preparing a book for publication in June 2013 called MAXIMILIAN STANDFORTH AND THE CASE OF THE DANGEROUS DARE. That is also a pretty experimental piece of writing. I like to think  of it being a bit mad.  It is inspired by Sherlock Holmes stories and the like but after that it goes in a completely different direction.

image image

Leave a Facebook, Google+ or Wordpress Comment

Loading Facebook Comments ...