Just got my copy of Volume III a couple days ago, and I'm so excited to read it!

I would read any of those three options, for sure. Captain Wentworth would excite me most, because I'd love to read him through a man's eyes and because I've read a couple dozen books (fiction and non) on British naval history, focusing on that era. The Wentworth POV stories I've seen don't really touch on him as a fighter...

Hi Shannon!

So glad you’re going to read book III; I hope to hear your thoughts on it.

That period of naval history was pretty amazing: think of everything that changed about modern warfare on the seas. And we have some nice starting points in Wentworth’s having been at Santo Domingo; did you know that that was all a huge mistake on the admiral’s part? His name was Duckworth (!) and he abandoned his blockade post at Cadiz, off Andalusia, just to take a crack at the French fleet for real. He would have been hung by a court martial, except he won at Santo Domingo. So Capt Wentworth was part of a fleet whose admiral dragged them on a zig-zag path across the Atlantic for three months against orders, chasing what actually turned out to be three separate French fleets, before he caught up with one by accident in the Caribbean. All of the men in Duckworth’s fleet were rewarded for their valor and victory but him, and Lieutenant Wentworth would have been among those promoted. That’s a pretty good start for a story! And then he gets to hunt pirates after Anne turns him away; hard to get better than that.

But Colonel Fitzwilliam would have plenty of chances for action, too, as Bonaparte was stomping all over Europe, beating up every army he came across. He meets a quiet, gentle, beautiful lady maybe, perhaps at the Darcys’, but can’t pull himself away from his first mistress: the need to beat Bonaparte and secure his success in his career. He goes to the continent, but can’t get her off his mind, no matter how heated the battle becomes. When he is rotated back to London, he finds her ill, or engaged, or something, and again he is torn. Angst, danger, indecision, adventure: it practically writes itself.

Well, I have no idea how any of that would turn out, but I have no trouble thinking up basic plot lines for either of them. That’s why I started the blog: I need to pick a direction, and pretty soon. Not having anything to write is very uncomfortable.

I hope to hear from you soon, on this, or on Darcy: either or both would be appreciated.

Best,

Stan

You know I'd have to say something--LOL. My first read of Persuasion was fun. I was surprised by the ending in that I didn't see it coming. So it made Mr. Wentworth's accomplishments all that more mysterious and worthy of a new sequel. Any thoughts you might have about how he got from point A to point B would be fun to read. Regency genre is your forte after all.

I have also wondered about Col. Fitzwilliam. He's a very likeable fellow and I have always wished Austen had said more about him. Some details about his childhood/teenhood with Darcy would be fun to foretell the man he becomes and would nicely flesh out the adult relationship with your Darcy that we know and love. I have seen him paired off with Georgianna and Anne deBourgh in other sequels, but neither ever really rang true. I think a woman of your imagination would be more suitable. Staying within Regency years, I have often wondered what happened to Mary Bennett. If you want to try Victorian England, I would read anything you would work over Bronte. But in any case, have fun with whatever you do next. You are a great author.

I just finished the Wikipedia account of the Battle of Santo Domingo, and what an enjoyable read! In our age of rapid communication, it's hard to imagine the stress Duckworth felt as he chased around for months trying to even locate the enemy (or Nelson, prior to Aboukir Bay or Trafalgar). I wonder if he would have been rewarded after the battle had Nelson been his commander in chief instead of Collingwood.

So, hypothetically, would Wentworth be in Canopus, serving as lieutenant under Captain Francis Austen? And might Austen share some trifling stories written by his dear sister?

What you describe for Col. Fitzwilliam would be fascinating too. I know comparatively little about the land campaigns against Bonaparte but would be happy to learn. And I agree with Kara, I'd rather see him with a non-P&P character.

Pride & Prejudice is my favorite and although I haven't had a chance to read your novels yet, I would incline to say Col Fitzwilliam or any characters from the novel!

I just can't get enough of the adaptations, variations, sequels, etc...

I've heard so many great review for your books that I'm sure whichever direction you decide to go it would end up being wonderful.

Looking forward to reading your novels!

Hi Dung,
So you’re a real JAFF addict, are you? Honestly, the only thing from the genre I have ever read is Aidan’s trilogy, and it set me on the path to Darcy’s Tale, because when I had re-read it once or twice, it didn’t sit right with me. So I envy you a bit, in being able to spend so much time in Austen’s world; I hope you will enjoy my view of it, too.

Shannon,
I know, right? Chasing all over creation without any idea if or when you were going to find what you were looking for. And for Duckworth to have abandoned his post in order to take up that chase—he must have known that if he didn’t come back victorious, he’d better just not come back; maybe Nelson would have been more empathetic than Collingwood, but still… But one to you: I totally missed that Canopus was there. I know what you mean about a conversation between Lieutenant Wentworth and Captain Austen, but the few times I did a kind of a wink like that to Austenites, I was afraid it might seem heavy-handed. And Colonel Fitzwilliam should not, I agree, be with either Miss De Bourgh or Georgiana, as he is often portrayed; Anne’s just not a good fit for a soldier, in my mind, and for him to take up with Georgiana, a girl who was almost his ward, towards whom I would imagine he had a rather fraternal feeling, has a certain ick-factor. But either way I guess I’d have to be careful about putting too much real detail on the war into the story; one of my reviewers on Amazon said: “This author is maybe a bit too intelligent and knows way too much about a lot of things. So some of the writing didn't set right with me.” So there you go—it doesn’t do to have the characters really know anything, or make the settings too realistic.

And Kara,
Always happy to have your two cents. Persuasion was my favourite novel the first time I read it; his letter, I thought, was an amazing piece of emotional vulnerability. I think Pride and Prejudice has better staying power, though: I probably read it two or three times for every time I read Persuasion. And as I said to Shannon, I agree that Colonel Fitzwilliam needs someone from outside the P&P world. Not sure just what she should be like, but it would take a special lady to be with a soldier in a time of war, who is also the son of an earl. But I think Lord and Lady Andover would make good in-laws. Bronte, huh? I’m not sure I really want to get inside Rochester’s head—must have been a pretty dark place.

*******

As of right now, I’m starting to write on both Wentworth and Colonel Fitzwilliam, just experimentally. If neither one wants to cooperate, then I’ll have to work on plan B. Or would it be plan C?

*******

Thanks very much, guys, for your input. One more thing: I’m thinking of opening a blog on Darcy’s Tale that you could share your thoughts on. I would stay out of it pretty much, if you don’t mind, so you would have more chance to get YOUR thoughts out there. Does that seem of interest to anyone?

Stanley, Col. Fitzwilliam is perhaps my favorite secondary character in any of JA's novels and in all the JAFF books I have read. I don't remember any author turning him into a bad guy, although several have him also in love with Elizabeth. Captain Wentworth's letter is so swoon-worthy. Every time i think of it there is a catch near my heart! So I would look forward to reading about either. Just let me know about anything you do so I can make sure I am on board and good luck.

Aside: "you're too intelligent?" I remember calling you a renaissance man!

Sheila

Hey Sheila!

I like both characters, and I’m about 2k words into each of them, waiting to see if either, both, or neither will make the grade. When I first read Wentworth’s letter, I thought “You poor son of a gun! Really letting it all out, there, aren’t you? – what if she says no?” Of course, we knew she wouldn’t, but it was easy to put yourself in his shoes. Have you noticed how JA always seemed to write a kind of romance mystery? The characters are never sure, and sometimes the readers are never sure, whether the right two people will get together.

I see your aside and raise you a side-bar: isn’t “Renaissance man” a euphemism for dabbler?

Oh, and what about a reader’s blog for Darcy’s Tale? Is it worth doing, or would it die of malnutrition? There are apparently a goodly number of folks lurking about; maybe this would appeal to them, instead of the stuff I write here.

Thanks, again.

Best,

Stan

LOL: I definitely did not mean "dabbler" but look at DaVinci - he did dabble in so many fields, and if you want to take it that way then you must consider it a compliment.

I would participate in a blog concerning Darcy. He is one who kept so much close to his chest that I am sure you will find a variety of opinion concerning that dear man.

Take care and continue to please keep me abreast of any developments.

Sheila

Hello. Love the discussion around Wentworth versus Colonel Fitzwilliam. I lean to Wentworth as there are far fewer Persuasion varieties. And then consider:what do we really know about Mr. Knightly? What indeed happened to Frank Churchill? So you see, for a great author as yourself there are many options. I look forward to reading any of them...only spare us the agony of waiting for three volumes. We need our fix! Susan.

Dear Susan,

Actually, I am setting off on both of them at once, as I think I will have quite a time getting Wentworth right. The research is daunting, because JA anchored the story in reality with her few references to actual events, and an amazingly high bar has already been set by such authors as Patrick O’Brian and his Jack Aubrey series. Plus, it’s just a really long story: the run-up to their meeting each other in ‘06, then nearly eight years of war before they find each other again. Where was his heart? Was he never tempted again, or did he simply allow the war to carry him along with thinking? So many ways a man in his situation might react.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, on the other hand, gives me more room for maneuvering, and I already have at least enough plotline for one novel. And you know, the whole three volume thing, which has been so often commented on with disapproval, was actually done with the best of intentions; the original P&P, of course, was released in three separate volumes, but I mostly wanted to let people decide if it was worth reading before committing a lot of cash. It was my first time publishing, and, although I was pretty sure Darcy’s Tale was decently edited, I couldn’t be sure it was worth reading. I’m not saying I was so naïve as to ignore the commercial realities, only that I wasn’t really focused on them when I started publishing; after all, I read once on the KDP community blog that of the three million authors on Amazon, their average annual sales are 0.4 books per author – not something to count on for retirement.

As for other characters, what kind of back-story would you see for Knightly? I have always seen him as one of the most solid citizens in all of JA – almost stolid, in fact. Is he really a more spirited man? Churchill has something of the rake in him, surely, but Knightly? How do you see him?

Stan

Stan, thanks for your great note back. I can only imagine the research behind a Wentworth story. I appreciate the 'peek' into the process.
So, Mr. Knightly, indeed seems stolid, even boring perhaps. I become curious about how he managed to stAy unmarried for so long, how did he manage to fight his attraction to Emma for so long. Hmm. You're right, not much there! Stick with Wentworh and the colonel --
Truly enjoyed Darcy's tale and will be patient for your next stories. So appreciate your letting us join the conversation. Susan.

Dear Stan,

thank you so much for the male perspective toward P and P. Not only was Mr. Darcy's view refreshing but I found that your plot filled in some holes that left the original wanting.

I have for some time been cheating on Mr. Darcy with Captain Wentworth and I feel a need to learn his point of view.

Hmmm. I wonder if Wentworth and Col. Fitzwilliam could cross paths giving a segway to another novel. the Napoleonic wars could be a rich study.

I do hope this gets picked up as a miniseries! what fun!

Regards,
Carole

Dear Carole,

Thanks so much for your comments and kind words. Wentworth is an attractive character to me on a lot of levels, but mostly he’d just be a great guy to be around. There is, however, a bit of a drawback: I want to do his side of things as I did for Darcy, but Darcy and Elizabeth were apart a maximum of a handful of months – Wentworth and Anne were separated eight years, and he was up to his neck in the Napoleonic wars. That’s a lot of back story. Plus, Patrick O’Brian has set an incredibly high bar for that sort of thing with his Jack Aubrey series (they made the movie Master and Commander from it). O’Brian was an academic economist specializing in, I believe, the 18th and 19th centuries, and brought all that scholarship to his series; not only did he know the history perfectly, but you’d swear he was brought up on board one of His Majesty’s ships of the line. How many people know, or care, really, why a third-rate ship of the line made a better flagship for an admiral than a second-rate? Because of O’Brian, I at least have to know, even if I never mention it. Anyway, all that to say that my Wentworth won’t be out this year.

In the meanwhile I am extending the character of Colonel Fitzwilliam, as I portrayed him, as there is less research necessary; and he, too, is a good guy, and in need of a solid woman of parts to keep him from turning into one of those caricatures of the old British colonel, all bluster and mustaches. I have gotten a good start on him, and he has fallen for the sweetest girl ever, but I fear he is in for some heavy weather: the War Department has sent him off immediately to France, as it is 1802 during the Peace of Amiens, and he has to leave her after only just knowing her a week.

So, all things considered, I hope the call about making a miniseries (lol) doesn’t come too soon, as I am pretty well occupied at the moment.

Best,

Stan

I do like Col. Fitzwilliam, but I would say it's more in the role of a side character. I'm afraid, despite liking him in the general way, he's not someone I'd be particularly interested in reading more about.

Wentworth, on the other hand, is definitely someone whose story I would like to read. There such a lack of good fics told from his point of view, and yet he's probably one of the most interesting Austen heroes. If you ever do decide to write about him, I'll definitely be reading!