I recently read and reviewed and loved Dreaming of Mr. Darcy by Victoria Connelly, which is the second book in her trilogy for Jane Austen addicts — just like me. If you’re looking for drama on and off the movie set in Lyme Regis as an adaptation of Persuasion is filmed, this book fits the bill and even offers more Austen fun. Characters resemble Emma, Darcy, and the other characters we know and love, but the story is modern and fast-paced as Connelly’s cast makes their way in the world and take ahold of their passions.
Connelly was kind enough to answer some interview questions about her writing and the book, so please give her a warm welcome and feel free to join in the conversation.
1. Tell us about your writing space. Do you have a specific place that you prefer to do your writing?
We have just moved to a little cottage in rural Suffolk and I now have my very own study which I love! From my window, I can see fields full of horses. It’s lovely and peaceful and I’m surrounded by books and photos for inspiration. My desk is a big old Victorian pine table, cluttered with pen pots, photo frames and mugs. I love my desk and I’m very happy working there but I’m equally happy working with my laptop when we go away. I can work in most places as long as it’s quiet and there aren’t too many distractions.
2. What does a normal writing day look like?
I like to get a bit of writing in first thing in the morning before walking our dog and taking care of our hens. Then I work until lunchtime, walk the dog again and then write until the middle of the evening. I try to write about 1,000 words a day and – if it’s not going well – I can still be writing late into the evening. The joy of working from home is that you can set your own timetable and make your own rules so, if it’s a lovely sunny day, you can down tools and have a day out or work right through the weekend if you want to.
3. What sorts of things inspire you?
Well, for the last few years, Jane Austen has been my big inspiration. I’ve been rereading her books, watching the glorious adaptations and visiting the Austen locations of Hampshire, Lyme Regis and Bath which all helped inspire my trilogy about Austen addicts. Other things that have inspired past novels have been junk mail (which inspired Molly’s Millions), Venetian masks (inspired Unmasking Elena Montella) and my husband being sent to a war zone inspired my novel Flights of Angels! Inspiration comes from all around me: people, places, other books and films – I’m never short of ideas which is really exciting.
4. Do you have any quirks when it comes to your writing process?
When I start a new novel, I like to get a new coloured A4 file and I put all sorts of things inside it like photographs, maps, leaflets etc. But the very first thing that goes inside it is a spider diagram with all my characters’ names on it. I can’t begin a new novel until that is in place!
5. Anything else you’d like to share!
Last year, I released some books on Kindle including three magical romantic comedies that were all published in Germany. One – Flights of Angels – was even made into a film but this is the first time the novels have been available in the English language and they’re all doing really well as ebooks. I also plan to write a novella sequel to my Austen addicts trilogy where the main characters from each of the books return to Purley Hall in Hampshire for a special Christmas Austen conference. It should be available in time for next Christmas so watch out for that! I think Kindle is a really exciting way forward for books.
Thanks, Victoria Connelly, for answering my questions.