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I’m always happy to see new North and South stories published for the wider public to enjoy. Elizabeth Gaskell fan fiction has a long way to go to catch up to the Jane Austen fan fiction out there!
Second Chances: A North and South Story is a newly published book by Diana K. Cooper. I’ve asked Diana a few questions to introduce herself and her work.
When and how did you fall in love with North and South?
I originally read the book many years ago when I was at school and remember being captivated by it, although when I recently re-read it, I realised that I'd forgotten a lot of the detail from the original novel. I watched the 2004 mini-series and have re-watched it many times. In fact, it is a "go-to" for lazy days or when a little comfort is needed.
What inspired you to write your story?
I have always wanted to write a novel. It was the last remaining item on my bucket list (though granted it wasn't long). I've also read a lot of romances over the years, though I do like to read crime novels too. Believe it or not, I hadn't heard of fan fiction until just over a year ago. I had a few months off work due to surgery, and I stumbled upon fan fiction when browsing Twitter, which led me to Tumblr, which then led me to Archive of Our Own. I started reading Tolkien fan fiction and thought to myself, "I wonder if there is anything here on North and South?" and I fell spectacularly down the North and South fan fiction hole. I also read several published fan fictions on Amazon. I decided that having a go at short story writing might be a good place to start to get some experience, so I responded to a couple of writing events and got absolutely hooked.
Tell us about your story and what you hope readers will get from it.
My story is an adaptation, not a continuation, of the book. It starts after the riot, the doomed attempted proposal and Mrs Hale's death. It is January 1855 and John is in love with Margaret. A tragic event enables him to help her and allows Margaret the opportunity to see him differently, and for them to develop a mutual bond. I'm afraid I have made Henry Lennox to be quite evil, poor thing, but it was great fun making him so dastardly. From the cover, you will see that a dog features in my book. I chose the Border Collie breed as I thought it most resembled John Thornton – dressed in black and white, industrious and clever.
There are several "second chances" in my book. Obviously, that is primarily for John and Margaret, but it is also relevant for several other characters in the book, both old and new.
To make someone feel something from words you have written is quite wonderful, so I hope I can stir some emotions and that readers will finish the book and think it was a satisfying story. There is a lot of sweetness in there, and a little humour, as well as some sadness for John and Margaret to navigate through. But ... spoiler alert ... I only deal in happy endings.
Is this your first published work? Have you written other stories? Where can we find them?
Author Diana K. Cooper
It is! I only started writing last January, so I don't have a massive catalogue of other stories, but I do have thirteen "works" on Archive of Our Own . My name on there is dianakc (clearly, I lack any imagination when it comes to handles). I also post the same stories on Tumblr, where I have the same name. I've started posting a little on Instagram too, and you can find me there as d.k.cooper.
What are the positive aspects you have experienced in the realm of fan fiction, individually and globally?
Without a doubt, it is the warm and friendly North and South fan fiction community. I decided to join the Mill at Milton after receiving some lovely comments on my short stories from the Millers. This has introduced me to people from across the world who I now consider to be friends. They have been incredibly supportive and enthusiastic about my book. A friend from the Mill also helped massively with the editing process on Second Chances, though I did rope in my mum and son to help too! I have also met two of the Millers in person, and we have visited Elizabeth Gaskell House and Helmshore Mill together.
Will you be publishing more North and South stories?
I will definitely post more stories on Archive of Our Own. I am currently working on a longish story that I hope to start sharing in the spring. I do have a couple of ideas that might make a book, but I've not decided yet if I would publish again. At the moment I feel content with Second Chances – but perhaps that might change. However, in the future, I'd quite like to be involved in a published short story collaboration.
I hope you enjoyed this brief interview, and I hope you’ll support authors in the North and South community by purchasing their stories.
Thank you for stopping by at More Than Thornton. Happy reading!