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Heather Lynn Rigaud | Sex, Drugs and Mr. Darcy
September 21, 2011
It's nice to be here today to talk about my book and to meet your readers. I was given free rein in this blog, and so I thought I'd talk about music and
how it's a part of FITZWILLIAM DARCY ROCK STAR. FDRS is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's classic PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
It's about Fitzwilliam Darcy, virtuoso guitarist and the behind the scenes
leader of the world famous rock band Slurry. The other members are
Darcy's best friend, Charles Bingley, the frontman on vocals and bass, and his
cousin, Richard Fitzwilliam on drums. While Slurry is hugely successful, they've
had trouble completing concert tours and they're current one is about to hit the
skids. Right as they're about to begin the American leg, they've lost they
opening act, and they've gained a reputation for being impossible to work with. Forced to chose a 'B' group, and quickly, they hire Long Borne Suffering, a girl
group made up of Elizabeth and Jane Bennet and Charlotte Lucas. These ladies are
right on the edge of making it big, and they're hungry for a chance, hungry
enough to go on a tour with the band with the worst reputation in the business.
Sparks fly and passions heat up right from the get go. But enough of what you can read on the back cover, I said I wanted to talk
music. It was brought home to me during the 9/11 remembrances last week, how
music has a unique ability to help us deal with difficult emotions. It helps us
express our grief, reach out to others, and remember important times. As I
watched Paul Simon at the 9/11 ceremony, it took me back to the first Saturday
Night Live that aired following those attacks, and how he played 'The Boxer' in
the opening, and all those tangled emotions of grief, anger, and fear of that
time. That's the power of music. It's that power that my book is about. Too many times, in books or on TV, music
is 'dumbed down' to the point where it's really not music, but something vaguely
resembling it. That was something I took pains to avoid. Music is a real part of
my life and I wanted to bring that reality to my book. To do so, when I first
wrote and posted the story on a fan fiction board, I took the unusual step of
posting links to the music my characters were playing. For Darcy's band, I used
songs from Puddle of Mudd, Seven
Channels and Lifehouse. Not only did these songs fit the mood of the band
at each point in the story, but they also helped to develop a sound for the band
in the reader's mind in order make it more real for them. Similarly I used songs
from Michele Branch for Jane Bennet and Sheryl Crow for Elizabeth. And I got
really, really lucky in that while I was writing, Michele Branch released a song
she did with Santana, who conveniently plays the exact guitar I'd already given
Darcy. 'The
Game of Love' became a part of the story as an ensemble piece. Of course, when my work was published, I couldn't use the songs I had borrowed
for fan fiction. I was forced to push myself to develop songs and lyrics for the
two bands. While readers will only see the lyrics, I can say I actually do have
a song for each one. If you're lucky, I'll never sing them for you. The other side of music and my story is how it's a part of the make up of the
characters. In the book, Darcy is a survivor of a number of traumatic events:
his mother, and then his father die, leaving him alone to care for his much
younger sister. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but the man's
been through a lot. Darcy becomes a musician due to these losses. He's inspired
to write songs as a way of working out his feelings of grief. Any loss creates
complex emotions, but the loss of a mother is especially traumatic; in Darcy's
case, I used it as a catalyst for change. People ask me all the time "Why make Darcy a Rock Star?" The answer is
usually about things like musical inspirations and preserving Austen's class
structure. And while that's all true, it's also true that Darcy became a rock
musician to survive the loss of his parents. That's why Darcy's music is pretty
hard and edgy, not sweet or easy listening. Music is a universal experience, as is loss and love. I tried to use all three
of the elements in my story, as something the readers could relate to
personally, while at the same time being novel and fresh. I hope that it worked,
and that readers will enjoy FITZWILLIAM DARCY ROCK STAR.
Comments
36 comments posted.
Re: Heather Lynn Rigaud | Sex, Drugs and Mr. Darcy
This sounds like a really fun twist on a classic that I adore. My Darcy will
forever be in my heart. :). Thanks for taking time to let us into your world.
Mandy(at)fuse(dot)net
(Amanda Freeman 11:17am September 21, 2011)
I think this book sounds great. I love that they are putting twists on old classics and also giving characters a new twist. I love Mr Darcy. Loved him in pride and prejudiced. I have read a few other books with him in it and have one on my TBR shelf. Would love to win and read this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
(Chris Bails 11:57am September 21, 2011)
This sounds great. I would love to win and read!
(Summer Grinstead 12:33pm September 21, 2011)
this sounds intriguing!! totally a new concept, to me, at least!
(Anne Harris 12:47pm September 21, 2011)
This book sounds very interesting, I'm adding it to my must read list!
(Cheryl Lynne 1:11pm September 21, 2011)
Your book sounds fantastic! I'd love to win and read t!
(Edwina Cowgill 1:13pm September 21, 2011)
Wow - this is such a cool story and the book is definitely at the top of my Wish List - I love Pride and Prejudice to begin with, and another twist on that story is fascinating! I definitely agree about the power and influence of music in our lives, personally and collectively - your mention of Paul Simon on SNL shortly after September 11th reminds me, also, of The Concert for New York which was held after 9/11.
(Felicia Ciaudelli 1:17pm September 21, 2011)
I've heard awesome things about this book! It's on the top of my wishlist! Thanks for the great post!
(Erin Fender 1:18pm September 21, 2011)
Thanks for having me here today and for all the great comments from your
readers. I want people to know that if they're on the fence about this story, you
can read the first 100 pages on Googlebooks, and make up your mind for
yourself. Thanks again!
(Heather Rigaud 1:19pm September 21, 2011)
I love music and the weight of the lyrics that
hold the grasp of emotion behind the
songwriter/ musician. Sounds like an original
take on Darcy, can't wait to read it.
(Carla Carlson 1:49pm September 21, 2011)
I really like the sound of the book. I also love how you told about the music behind the story. :-) I think it would be fun to read the lyrics for your bands.
(Larena Hubble 2:15pm September 21, 2011)
Oh my this book sounds soo good...would luv to win a [email protected]
(Lnda McFarland 2:23pm September 21, 2011)
I just love things based on P&P
(Diane Sallans 2:31pm September 21, 2011)
So true that music helps us express our grief, reach out to others, and remember important times. Your book sounds wonderful and thanks for telling us that we can go to Googlebooks and read the first 100 pages
(Shirley Younger 2:36pm September 21, 2011)
I love when music is incorporated into writing or a TV series. I like learning about the roots of the music that influenced that period in time or your selections.
(Alyson Widen 3:23pm September 21, 2011)
What a wonderfully different approach. Good for you!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 3:25pm September 21, 2011)
Sounds great...a twist to what is "normally" written!
(Leanna Morris 3:38pm September 21, 2011)
Well, I have read it and had a blast! really enjoyed it!:) It is a really good modern P&P. :).
(Carolina Cordeiro 3:41pm September 21, 2011)
I think it's an interesting spin on the classic story.
(Maureen Emmons 3:48pm September 21, 2011)
I love a good rock band. And, I actually saw the ultimate "bad boy" rock legend in concert...Jim Morrison.
(Sandy Fielder 4:06pm September 21, 2011)
Would love to read this book...who doesn't love music in some way. Sounds like a
book I would enjoy reading.
(Jackie Wisherd 4:42pm September 21, 2011)
What can I say, this book is singing at me to read it!!!
Anyone with a beat in their soul will be mesmorized page by
page. Good job Heather.
(Rosemary Simm 6:00pm September 21, 2011)
sounds like a great book and i cant wait to read
(Jennifer Beck 6:20pm September 21, 2011)
Music helps us express our emotions whether it be present day or oldies that bring back memories of what we were doing during those times in our lives. Songs can uplift us or sadden us. Your book cover is fantastic and it sounds very good and something a bit different. I would love to win and read it!
(Linda Luinstra 7:16pm September 21, 2011)
This book goes on my must read list.
(Roseann Moss 8:14pm September 21, 2011)
I can see you put a lot of thought into your book, as well as your heart and soul. The story line sounds very interesting, and I can't wait to read it. I wholeheartedly agree with you about what you said about music, and I also agree that it does bring about different emotions, depending on the type of music you happen to be listening to, as well as the lyrics. They play upon each other, and evoke feelings in your heart sometimes that you can't describe, or reminded you of experiences in your life. Best of luck with your book. You deserve it with all of the hard work you put into it.
(Peggy Roberson 9:24pm September 21, 2011)
Really enjoyed the initial insight regarding this title in your recent responses to Becky on "One Literature Nut".....even though I did not comment there. So I was pleased doubly to read this blog! Your take is thoughtful and clever! Have you been approached for film rights?
(Carla Schuller 9:44pm September 21, 2011)
Sounds like a fun read! I love the music.
(Molly Wilsbacher 9:46pm September 21, 2011)
This book is going on my to-read list... Love Pride and Prejudice and I think that this will be a terrific book... :) Read another version of Mr. Rochester as a rock star and that was pretty good too...
(May Pau 9:49pm September 21, 2011)
Wow very interesting take.
(Lisa Kendall 10:20pm September 21, 2011)
Quite an original premise - I like variety and this sounds like a unique read!
(Jeanne Sheats 10:32pm September 21, 2011)
LOVE myself some Darcy. Thank you!!
(Mary Preston 10:49pm September 21, 2011)
I enjyoed reading this post. I agree with you about how important music is to a lot of people and how a song from eons ago brings emotions right back. Or hearing lyrics to a new song can send you right to a moment in time.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
The book sound very different and I will be picking it up for sure.
(Patti Paonessa 11:05pm September 21, 2011)
I haven't read many of the new Austen-based books. This one certainly sounds quite different from those I have read.
(Sigrun Schulz 3:48am September 22, 2011)
Your book sounds SO COOL! I love Pride and Prejudice and I love music. My husband is a musician and our first conversation was about music and it was love right away! I hope your book is very successful.
(Renee Pajda 12:42pm September 22, 2011)
Any book that references Rock N Roll AND Mr. Darcy is tops on the wish list! Music is universal- and rock n roll?? It will always be there for us! Thank you for the opportunity to win this awesome book! I hope you write more in this genre as there isn't many. Children of the late 70's NEED these types of books!
(Patti DelValle 1:23am September 29, 2011)
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