What inspired you to write this series Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts?
I fell in love with Pride and Prejudice and its characters ever since the first time I saw the BBC Television series starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I never get tired of watching it! Then, more recently when the first Zombies book came out, it acted as a sort of catalyst for me to create my own version. However, I didn’t want to do just another romance version. I wanted to do something totally off the wall. I mean, Jane Austen’s characters were pretty off the wall to begin with, so I merely took what she gave us and ran with it, adding in plenty of raunch as I went along.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
I didn’t find anything particularly hard about writing Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts (unless you count what caused all those straining flaps of breeches!). I felt very much in tune with Jane Austen’s writing style, sense of humor and the use of language in her day. You might even say that I became Jane Austen inside my head. That was really the only way to go about writing this book, especially when it came to giving it an authentic feel. That was the most important thing to me, to make the novel read as seamlessly as if Jane herself had penned every word.
How/when did you start writing?
I’ve written ever since childhood and actually wrote my first novel at the tender age of 10 – a very gory murder mystery. (I was a precocious lass!) I always got on well with words and all throughout school wrote poetry and stories; my teachers were very impressed with my writing and would probably not be surprised that I ended up writing professionally as an adult. Although I let the writing slip by the wayside in favor of art, my BA studies in journalism propelled me back to the written word. And that, as they say, was that.
Would you be interested in writing for other genres?
I already write in other genres. In fact, the majority of my work crosses genres and combines them, so it’s more accurate to say that I write (and edit) multi-genre fiction. For instance, Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts is a mashup of classic literature, historical parody, romance and erotica. Red Velvet and Absinthe: Paranormal Erotic Romance is paranormal fiction, romance, and erotic fiction. Getting Even: Revenge Stories is more toward the crime genre, with some overlap in other areas. In Sleeping Beauty’s Bed: Erotic Fairy Tales combines classic folk/fairy tales and fantasy fiction with erotica. Dying For It: Tales of Sex and Death is a conglomeration of literary fiction, crime, horror and romance, with lots of added spice. Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers is speculative fiction, romance and erotica. And the book I’m currently working on, Kingdoms of Desire: Erotic Tales of Fantasy, lies in the fantasy/dark fantasy realm with erotic themes. So you see my point when I say multi-genre!
If you weren’t an author, what do you think you would be doing instead?
I’d likely have been a musician or an artist. I trained in and studied both music and art, but the writing took off before anything else did. Opportunities in the creative arts are not easy to come by, so when they come along, you pretty much have to grab on and see where it goes. No matter what, I would have done something creative with my life; that’s a given.
Now time for some quickie fun questions
Writing or Reading?
I love to read, but in recent months have had virtually no time. Alas, the same is true for the writing. I find they go well together in equal measures, and I tend to be more productive in my writing when I’m more productive in my reading.
Favorite Actor?
Favorite Movie?
There isn’t just one, so I’ll name a handful: “Lolita” (the Adrian Lyne version starring Jeremy Irons); “Double Indemnity” (classic film noir); and “Bringing Up Baby” (classic screwball comedy).
If you had the chance have one date with ANYONE, who would it be and why?
If I could pick absolutely anyone I’d want to have a date with, I’d want it to be for more than just one date! But for the sake of your question, I’ll say Ian Somerhalder. As for why, I find him very appealing from a physical standpoint, but I also get the impression that he’s a genuinely good guy, and very kind and caring. These are not qualities that are easy to come by in the male species (or sustained for very long); not in my experience anyway. I should tell you that he inspired the male protagonist in my short story “The Blood Moon Kiss,” which is in my new anthology Red Velvet and Absinthe. Anyway, Ian’s most welcome to get in touch with me. I plan to be spending a lot more time in America, so it need not be a long-distance romance!
One of my friends first read your book Pride and Prejudice: Hidden Lusts when it came out and she loved it. She is the reason I just had to read the book. When I told her I contacted you and you agreed to do an interview on my blog she passed on a question that I MUST ask you or request you. Please would you make this a series? I want to read more about Mr. Darcy’s manhood. *blushes*
Oh, dear! Yes, our Mr. Darcy is quite proud of his manhood, as can be evidenced in the marriage proposal scene with him and Elizabeth. I suppose anything is possible, including a series. So what should I call the next book – The (Mis)Adventures of Mr. Darcy’s Manhood?
I would definitely read that ;)
Thank you Mitzi for being here today!
About the author
 Mitzi Szerto is an author, blogger, and Mitzi TV creator/presenter. She writes for multi-genre, which includes paranormal fiction, romance, erotic fiction etc. She has written several books for those genres above. Her work has been translated into several languages. Find more about Mitzi Szereto on her website / blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Mitzi TV / My Space |
