My Aspiration
Until recently I wasn't an avid reader of romance. Yet, despite not preferring to read romance, I adored watching it on TV and in theaters. I fancy all types of cinematic storytelling, but nothing warms the cockles of my sentimental heart more than a gushy romance. No matter what transpires in the two hours before, the pay-off is the final kiss as we are left to believe that the lovers will live happily-ever-after. Nothing disappoints me more than to reach the end without the conviction that the couple could truly live together forever. Those movies that ‘get it right’ are the ones that have always sent my mind racing.
The 2005 Pride & Prejudice was such a one for me. I believed that Mr. Darcy and Lizzy loved each other with a love that was special, honest, immutable, and everlasting. I further grew to believe that Miss Austen meant it to be assumed so. Two Shall Become One - as I originally entitled the entire Saga - was birthed from my soul with those facts as premiere to the tale. The title was not chosen randomly, but with considerable forethought. I profoundly, wholly, and incontrovertibly believe in the Scripture quoted on my home page. My aspiration has forever been, and yet remains, to show a marriage that is how it can and should be.
All the elements of reality are in my tale. There is passion, as a fulfilled marriage should contain. There is communication, as partners should develop. There is humor and fun, as bonded soul mates should share. There is honesty, acceptance, trust, joy, and peace, as committed lovers should possess. There is life with its peaks and valleys, as naturally experienced together.
My story is about two people who trod through the fire, who suffered greatly on the road to acceptance, and who are now anxious to embark on the journey in concert.
But how do two individuals, even two who have learned hard lessons and submitted their stubborn wills to the other, truly cross the barrier and become one flesh? That is what my story is essentially all about. That is the plot, the theme, the storyline, and the essence of The Darcy Saga. The miscommunication is over. The angst and traumatic heartache is past. The wondering if they will resolve their conflicts is no longer the question. Do not expect that in my story! You will be disappointed if what you seek is a Darcy and Lizzy who argue incessantly, who draw away, who suffer needlessly, or who continue to misunderstand.
The initial several chapters of the first book are a nearly moment by moment exploration of their early days together. Interspersed amid the unfolding hours as they consummate their union, enjoy their honeymoon, and settle at Pemberley, are flashbacks to pivotal conversations and events during their engagement. Every scene, every interlude, and every exchange is for the express purpose of conveying the deepening of their relationship. I do not rush through these early days and weeks as I want the reader to share in the joy of new love as it blooms. I want you to see how their love has bonded them, how it has altered them, how it has strengthened them.
Vitally important to me is relaying a magnifying relationship. As individuals and as a couple, Lizzy and Darcy are not the same people they were in the book. Life is about maturing. If they did not evolve and grow it would not be a realistic tale. I have taken the characters as written by Miss Austen and as portrayed by the brilliant actors in the movie, and enhanced them. Their future is my interpretation of how I imagine them to be now that they have found happiness and freedom from prior strictures.
In my estimation, sensual romance is a crucial aspect of a successful marriage. That two young, healthy people who love as Lizzy and Darcy would experience a sexually fulfilling union is a given. It has always been so no matter what century a couple lives in! Furthermore, not only should one anticipate this to be true from a purely physical viewpoint, but because it is through intimacy that a husband and wife wholly bond. I cannot think of any way to write a sequel without allusions and references to this facet of their life, nor do I wish to as part of the pleasure for me is illuminating how marvelous lovemaking can be when approached as God intended. Therefore, expect a fair amount of good loving!
Nevertheless, what you will not read is pure erotica. You will not be subjected to the intricate, fine details of their assignations in a pornographic way. Trust me! Darcy makes love to his wife, and Lizzy makes love to her husband. They do not have X-rated, carnal sex. Perhaps that is mere semantics, but I believe there is a fundamental difference between the two. Marital relations is a beautiful celebration of love and commitment, and if written carefully this can be communicated. I believe I have accomplished this.
Whether the very young, impressionable youth should read the story is difficult for me to answer definitively. We live in a society where all things sexual are forced upon us, but generally it is of a nature not healthy and moral. How this translates to me is that our adolescents are no longer innocent in the birds and the bees, thus unlikely to be shocked by anything I write, but they are ignorant of the beauty that is designed and intended for the marital relationship. I have received numerous notes from girls aged 15 to 18 thanking me for presenting marriage and lovemaking as it is supposed to be.
Therefore I believe it becomes a matter of personal taste and comfort. Clearly opinions vary as to the levels of sensuality one wishes to read. Some are firmly in the G or PG realm, in which case my tale would be judged as far too risqué. Others embrace full NC-17 material with nary a squirm or blush. They would decide my story quite tame. I guess the logical conclusion, at least as far as I interpret the MPAA rating system, is that The Darcy Saga falls into the PG-13 to PG-17 vicinity.
As important as I obviously deem passion in a healthy relationship, trust me when I say that The Darcy Saga involves far more than romantic episodes. The newlywed Darcys do not even consummate their marriage until the third chapter of the first novel, well over forty pages into the book! Bedroom interludes are spaced with a multitude of happenings, and the story in no way focuses exclusively on Lizzy and Darcy. They are the center, absolutely, but a plethora of other characters play their part and interact, especially as the story unfolds in the second and third novels.
All the loved favorites from the Austen novel are here: Col. Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine, Georgiana, the Bennets, and so on. A number of briefly mentioned characters are elaborated upon and given personality: the Gardiners, Mrs. Reynolds, Anne de Bourgh, and Mr. Darcy’s titled uncle and aunt, among others. In addition, a horde of new characters are introduced and brought to life: friends and relatives of Darcy, servants, antagonists, and Derbyshire residents.
My vision relates the adventures of the Darcys and their friends over the course of years. Lizzy embraces her role as Mistress of Pemberley. A first Christmas is enjoyed, as well as the second. Birthdays are celebrated. New loves are introduced for several persons. Balls are attended. Travels to London, the ocean, and Derbyshire are experienced. Drama rages from time to time. Memories are relived. Arguments occur. English history is revealed with factual clarity. A baby is born. Lady Catherine is dealt with and Mr. Wickham eventually returns. And so much more!
It is life. A serial. A saga. Like a dearly loved television show or a classic family series, the gratification is in knowing that the players will prevail over all adversity to return in the subsequent chapter or installment. My story is happily-ever-after. Life has no end, not really. Whether I will be writing of the Darcys when they are in their grandparent years I have no idea. I see no limit at this point as to where I can go as long as there are enthusiasts who want to continue the journey.
