Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Sharon Lathan. Hello, Sharon, and welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews. Grab a chair, get cozy and let’s begin.

Why don’t we start by discussing Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, a story that I absolutely loved. I have to admit the one bedroom scene about the feet...I could practically see the expressions on their faces. I could tell you put yourself into the making of this book. Can you share some with the readers a little about the story?

I love that you mention that moment! It is the first scene that danced through my head as the buried seed of my writing gift was germinated. The innocent, playful, yet sensual conversation and tone of their first day as a couple was a continual recording that I just could not stop until I wrote it down. That portion of the wedding night is virtually unchanged from when I wrote it over three years ago. Those beginning chapters, taken so leisurely, are the precise picture of what I have strived to create, especially in this first novel: An inside, very intimate, peek into the early weeks and months of these two beloved characters. I wanted to continue to live with them, to see how they matured, to be the close friend who is privy to it all. I suppose my writing was almost selfish in that respect. I did not want to let go! I had fallen completely in love with the Darcys and ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and I wanted to grant them the blessed life I believe we all secretly hope is the future for all our favorite lovers in cinema or literature.

I like the phrase ‘you put yourself into the making of this book.’ This is true, of course, for all artists. But for me I approached the Saga with logic, common sense, and pragmatism – these being traits inherent within me. I was never going for high drama, angst, or sensationalism. Rather I looked at the realities of how life would probably be if these were real people living in the early nineteenth century. I am also an optimist. I believe in love and happiness and marital affinity, and wanted to convey that hope. In a nutshell this is what I am aiming to present: Life lived abundantly.

Were there moments that grabbed you when you were writing the story and you were in awe? I know there were times those sensations hit me reading it.

I anxiously await hearing of those moments, Linda! I am not sure if this will sound bizarre, but here goes: There are occasions when I will read something I wrote and for a period of time I get so caught up into it that I forget they are my words! For a second I will be struck, as I am when reading other novels, then I will remember that I wrote it! An Intimate Conversation is one of those places. I knew I wanted to make Mr. Darcy a virgin, and I had logical reasons why this could be an option. But as he began to tell Lizzy his story, an entire history emerged that was deeper than I had anticipated. Those revelations of William’s became a cornerstone for the man he is in my saga, to the Darcy ancestry, the unique relationship he has with Georgiana and now Lizzy, and so much more.

In truth there are many moments for me. Sometimes it is a single line or brief conversation that I adore for its humor or enlightenment. I love the sentimental natures that I have given Lizzy and Darcy. I am a romantic at heart, so I do inject that into my characters. A few critics describe it as too flowery or lovey-dovey. I see it as two people revealing their souls and not afraid to be honest. Thus, I am very proud of Darcy’s warmth and Lizzy’s softening. An example:

Once they emerged from their chambers, it was rarely with any particular destination in mind. They simply wanted to be together. Their keenest desire was to learn more about how the other thought and felt. The intimate nature of their communication evolved as they each had suspected it would once they were married.

Darcy no longer suffered the pain of his loneliness and grief. Wounded areas of his heart were unearthed and healed, some of which he was ignorant even existed. The past no longer haunted him, and he was able to remember and share the happy memories without the instantaneous ache of sadness overwhelming him.

As for Lizzy, she gave herself to him wholly. Her rigid independence, self-reliance, and need to prove herself all shattered before the force of his love. To be essential to another human being, to be vulnerable, to have another assign themselves generously and selflessly is the ultimate expression of true love, and they understood how lucky they were.

With your busy schedule with working as a RN caring for the neonatal intensive care, when do you find the time to compose your stories?

I sure wish I could give you the magic formula! The truth is that the further I dive into this whole ‘publishing thing,’ the harder it is to juggle it all. In the beginning it was easy since I was just writing and not worrying about maintaining a website, marketing, blah blah. Oh, the glory days! Now it is certainly a challenge. But, I am extremely fortunate that I have a fabulous husband who has supported me every step of the way, even when my lost hours at the computer were nothing more than a distracting hobby. I can’t say enough about how wonderful he is. Darcy isn’t like my husband in any way, except that his devotion and unwavering love lets me know that I am not writing some fantasy guy that could never exist. Plus, my kids are older now. They are very helpful, largely independent, and cause me little headaches.

The simple answer to your question is that I live with my laptop when not at work! 25 years as an ICU RN has taught me how to multitask, change course on a dime, focus no matter the distractions, and get the job done immediately – all skills that I employ in varying ways as a busy writer. Yet the sad reality is that pressing demands make writing my story much more difficult.

Do you have to do much research on your books?

An incredible amount. First off I had to learn about the Regency and Jane Austen, that an ongoing lesson! Everything from the clothing, furnishings, money, manners, etc. to clarifying the details and personalities as written by her had to be my foundation. I do move the characters forward, have them grow, add my own spin to them, and set them in a later Regency year (1816) than Jane wrote, but the base is in the facts.

Then I had to study England – a country I have never been to – from every aspect imaginable, 200 years ago. It has always been vitally important to me to have the Era, history, landscape, economy, society, lifestyle, inventions, etc. be as important a character as the people running about. And absolutely precise in the dates and such.

Then there is the language. I have never tried to duplicate Austen in my writing as that is impossible, and anyone who thinks they do is lying to themselves, IMO. However, I take inordinate pains to carefully word each sentence in an elegant, intelligent manner that is also easy to read. I cannot research every single word, but I vigorously employ a dozen vocabulary sources to be as authentic as possible. Since I adore both history and vocabulary, these tasks are delightful if a bit daunting at times.

Do your characters ever wake you up in the middle of the night and insist you write?

Indeed they do! Quite rude of them to not appreciate that a 20-year veteran of 12-hour night shifts needs her beauty rest! Usually I tell them to go away so I can sleep, but sometimes the scene is so vivid that I do have to get up, stalk through the dark house, disturb the cat who thinks he rules the nighttime, and jot it down.

Are there any other works in progress at the moment you would like to share with us?

The Darcy Saga continues after Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley will be released on September 1, 2009. The Darcys at Year’s End debuts in January of 2010. These 3 novels travel leisurely along with the Darcys and their friends for the first year of marriage.

I am currently editing and reorganizing the vast amount of material already written that was intended to be two novels. With a bit of polish and additional writing it will become three books! I also have a nearly completed companion novel that recounts the adventures and romances of Georgiana Darcy set against the backdrop of the post-Napoleonic Empire in France. How these books will precisely fall I do not know, but contracts are in hand with the tentative plan for Volume 4 of the Saga to premiere in May or June 2010 with a fifth later in the year. Whew!

If you were to plan a wedding, tell us what it would consist of?

I am a traditionalist as well as a minimalist. White dress, flowers, dual rings, sacred vows, etc. in a classic, reverent style. As a devout Christian the blessing of God by a real minister is vital. Hopefully when my daughter is ready to get married she will desire the same approach.

For a person who doesn’t share in reading, I believe they are missing a great deal. What would you say to them?

I absolutely agree. I have been reading for so long that I literally do not remember learning to read! I harp on my kids constantly, but they are moderate readers who will go through periods of reading followed by long stretches of not. Primarily I attempt to relate the joy and entertainment found in escaping into a great book; telling them of the characters who have become friends to me, the worlds I have gone to, the education I have received, etc. I think a non-reader can be transmuted into a reader if they just find that one book or one genre that catapults their imagination.

Name three things you look for in the other person.

Honesty. A sense of fun and the ridiculous. Competence. Kindness and empathy. Oh, that’s more than 3 isn’t it! LOL!

Do you listen to music or watch TV when you write or do you need it to be completely quiet?

It truly depends upon my mood and the flowing inspiration of the moment. In general I prefer silence with some natural ambient noise nice. I can get distracted easily if I am not in the right frame of mind. However, if my handsome muse is at full throttle, I can get lost in a flurry of creativity while the TV is blaring, while in the car, on vacation with the family, you name it! I don’t seem to have any one formula that always works.

Do you have any favorite TV shows that you must see?

Oh my yes! My DVR is my best electronic friend after my laptop! I am already crying over Battlestar Galactica ending. We are hooked on American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Top Chef, Top Model, Project Runway, and Amazing Race. For comedies I can’t miss How I Met Your Mother, Rules of Engagement, The Office, or Scrubs. Serious drama favs are 24 (Go Jack!), CSI, Heroes, Lost, Life on Mars, Terminator, The Mentalist, Fringe, and House – even though I want to smack him most of the time.

If given the opportunity to go sky-diving or climbing the highest mountain, which would you choose?

I would sooner walk over hot coals with bamboo shoots under my nails and fire ants crawling over my skin than jump out of a plane! Does that answer the question?

You wake up one morning and learn you and your spouse have been given the chance to change places for the day. Do you think it would be harder on him to be you, or vice versa?

Harder on me, absolutely no doubt. Not only does my husband have a very physical job that would kill me within an hour or two, but he has the gift of being able to charm and bluff his way through anything. So I imagine I would get him fired if I tried to do his work while he would dazzle my fellow nurses into taking care of his assigned patients! Plus, and this is embarrassing, he is a WAY better housekeeper than me. I told you he was amazing.

Would you like to share your website or myspace, where readers can visit you?

My website is fabulous if I say so myself. The Darcy Saga at www.darcysaga.net

I also have a Facebook fan page as well as my personal page. Look it up! Additionally I am part of the Sourcebooks Casablanca novelists and we have a fun blog at: http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com

Sharon, thank you so much for spending time with us. It has been a joy. I wish you the best with your writing.

Thank you, Linda. The pleasure has been all mine. I appreciate the chance to talk about my novels and I really appreciate the best wishes!

Interviewed by: Linda L.