Jennifer Joy has answered your questions!
I won’t bore you with a long introduction, so let’s get to it.
Is your personality more like Elizabeth Bennet, Elinor Dashwood, Anne Elliott, or Jo March?
(J Dawn King)
Jo March. She lived by her imagination even before she began writing and she wasn’t afraid to leave the comfort and security of her family to pursue her dream. I can identify with that.
Would you describe yourself as an accomplished woman?
(J Dawn King)
If we’re using Caroline Bingley’s definition of an accomplished woman… not so much.
Other than writing, what is the skill you possess that you are proudest of?
(J Dawn King)
I’ve turned into a pretty decent cook. Anyone who has known how much my dear husband has suffered over the years can appreciate what an accomplishment that is!
Would you describe yourself as romantic or pragmatic?
(J Dawn King)
A bit of both, really. I believe that romance is shown in the everyday, small details over the course of time. To me, true romance only burns stronger with the passing of the years. So, perhaps I should say that I’m more romantic now (after 13 years of marriage) than I used to be.
If you could be on a deserted island with one of Jane Austen’s characters for one year, who would you choose?
(J Dawn King)
Captain Wentworth. A man with his experience at sea could surely build a floating vessel and get us home before the year is up.
If you could travel back in time to visit Jane Austen’s house for a two-month stay, what three items would you take with you?
(J Dawn King)
Indoor plumbing, electricity, and deodorant (enough for EVERYONE!).
How would you describe the perfect hero?
(J Dawn King)
My perfect hero shows his true colors through his actions, much in the style of Mr. Darcy.
Which is your favorite Jane Austen novel and why?
(Debbie Fortin)
It’s no secret that I love Pride & Prejudice! The conflicting personalities and secondary characters make it one of the few stories I’ve read more than once (actually WAY more than once! I’ve lost count…) Sense & Sensibility is a very close second though. I love the contrast between Elinor and Marianne.
What draws you to Pride and Prejudice?
(J Dawn King)
When I was younger, it was reading about the family dynamics and how sisters acted with each other. As an only child, that fascinated me. Now, I love watching how Darcy and Elizabeth grew as characters to overcome their flaws so that they could have their Happily-Ever-After. It’s a great story on so many levels.
Which do you prefer – the book or the movies?
(J Dawn King)
The book. Always the book.
Who is your favorite Jane Austen villain and why?
(Debbie Fortin)
Lucy Steele. What she did to Elinor Dashwood was artfully contrived to inflict the most turmoil while manipulating the situation to her favor. And after all that work, she ran off with the richer brother!
What made you start writing variations? I Loved pride and prejudice and read it a few times a year and when I found my first variation i was in heaven!! I am so grateful for all the variation authors! And i am now curious what made them write them?
(Miriam)
I saw that I could. That’s what started it. Now, I have to continue because the more I write, the more ideas for stories come to me. Also, like you, I read Pride & Prejudice multiple times a year. I love the world Jane Austen created and writing variations is my way of spending more time in it.
How much did your mother’s success push you to write or do you think you would have done this sooner or later even if she didn’t?
(Sheila L.M.)
I don’t know that I would have published if Mom hadn’t done it first. I have always written, but I had no clue that publishing was something that could be done. I’m grateful every day that she started us on this journey!
What made you decide to follow in your mom’s footsteps and write P&P stories?
(Dung)
It happened so naturally, I can’t remember actually making the decision! For a time, Mom lived in the apartment above us and we would talk shop quite a lot. Since she wrote P&P stories, I soon had more storylines than I knew what to do with. So, I started writing them down.
How much influence has your mother’s being an author had on you? and how much has her encouragement helped you to persevere?
(Debbie Fortin)
It’s wonderful to have someone so important to me who understands the writing process. Because Mom and I know each other so well, trading tips and talking about where we are in our writing, as well as our goals, is invaluable.
Do you have a special time of day and place to write?
(Debbie Fortin)
I try to get the bulk of my writing done in the morning— before the kids wake up for school. It’s not my most productive time, but it’s the most peaceful. If I don’t hit my daily word count goal, I’ll make it up while they’re at school. My favorite place to write is at my desk because it’s set up how I like. Earphones… check. Scattered notes and chapter beats… check. My favorite pen and a place for my coffee… check.
I admire all you authors, but have no ideas at all for a story so have not desire to write. How so you come up with ideas?
(Sheila L.M.)
You hit the nail on the head with your comment, Sheila. It all starts with the desire to write. I feel restless and out of sorts when I don’t write, so I make it a point to write every day. The more I write (and it can be about anything… from journaling about my kids’ recent antics to daydreaming a long list of What-ifs to working on my current story) the more ideas I get.
How did you come up with the inspiration for this story? I love the pig scene!
(Dung)
I wanted to include a mystery element, so that’s what got the story going. It needed to be something that would keep Darcy in Hunsford as well as something that could potentially keep him and Elizabeth apart. When I sketch out a novel, I keep in mind the main turning points or changes that will affect the characters and write with that goal in mind. The pig was a happy surprise that fit what the characters needed at that point in their story. It was so ridiculous— and we know how much Elizabeth loves to laugh at the ridiculous 😀
Do you have any favourite mystery series / fictional detectives which might have inspired the course of action (as opposed to the plot itself).
(My Yellow Kitchen)
I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie. Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Tommy and Tuppence… I love them all.
When you hit a block, what do you do to get yourself back on track: sing, read, clean, bake, etc?
(Debbie Fortin)
My husband is an amazing soundboard. The only blocks I experience are completely self-imposed. Sometimes I complicate things unnecessarily. I’ll tell him where I’m at in the story and where I’m trying to go with it and he can pinpoint the issue in a sentence. Or just talking about it out loud works the kinks out. He’s amazing!
Which of Miss Austen’s characters is most difficult for you to write, and why, and which is the easiest?
(Natalie R)
Would it shock you to know that it’s Elizabeth Bennet? It is! At the beginning of her story, she’s snarky and judgmental. While I love her sass, it’s difficult for me to write her because I’m more of a Jane (peace-loving and allergic to conflict). The easiest for me thus far has been Anne de Bourgh. So little is said about her that the possibilities are endless.
How difficult is it to keep the Spanish influence out of your Regency dialogue?
(J Dawn King)
Oh my goodness, it’s difficult! The only English I get most days are from my 7-year-old twins (who cross between Spanish and English in a single sentence) and my husband (who speaks English as a second language). It’s one of the things that encouraged me to write and keeps me reading the classics— I don’t want to lose my English!
As the Chief Inspector of the Grammar Police, what is your biggest pet peeve when you read a story with errors in it?
(J Dawn King)
I understand how difficult the editing/proofreading process is. No matter how much I try and no matter how many mistakes my proofers catch, there will always be a few that slip by. What I dislike is when there are so many mistakes that I end up focusing on them instead of the story. At that point, I’m no longer enjoying the story as a reader, but I’m critiquing as an editor. I’d rather just read!
Why are you so hard on your mother when you proofread her stories?
(J Dawn King)
For the same reason I would never allow you run around town with broccoli stuck in your teeth.
What has been your most valuable lesson learned since publishing your first book?
(J Dawn King)
Just keep writing. One book’s success does not mean every book will do equally great. Nor does one book’s failure mean that the next can’t be wonderful. So long as I write stories in a way which entertains me (By re-write #5, believe me, this is VERY important!) then I can’t lose.
You seem to be leaning towards cozy mysteries with your latest stories. Do you plan to continue the mystery theme?
(J Dawn King)
I may not have a robbery or a murder in every story, but I am fascinated with hooks and intrigues. Saving some answers for the climax of the story is fun!
Jennifer, I loved your Cousins trilogy so I was wondering if you would consider writing a sequel for it? I loved how you developed Anne and would love to know how you envisage her in married life with Luc? Thank you for the chance to win your newest book!
(Carole in Canada)
Anne is very special to me too, Carole. So special that while I would love to move on to other stories, I can’t bring myself to say that I’m done with her story completely. I have some ideas that are percolating…
Any upcoming projects you’re working on?
(Dung)
I’m almost finished with the first draft of my next novel. Right now it’s titled Book 6 because I can never think of a title until my husband insists that he needs it for the cover. All I can say for now is that Mr. Bingley’s aunt is a hoot and Caroline Bingley cannot hold her liquor.
If you could have a cup of coffee with anyone who has died in the past 250 years, who would it be?
(J Dawn King)
I know that I should say, ‘Jane Austen’ and I would LOVE to chat with her. She would either tell me off for using her characters as I have or she would get a kick out of them! But in reality, I would love to share a cup of coffee with my great grandpa King. I wasn’t old enough to drink coffee when he passed away and he lived such an interesting life, I’d love to talk to him again.
Thank you, Jennifer, for such fun answers and
agreeing to be our guest this month!
Now, as a late Valentines day gift,
Jennifer has four e-books of
to give away!
Yes, you saw that correctly, we’ll have four winners, so comment so you can enter to win!
The giveaway is open internationally!
Rules for the giveaway –
If you asked a question, you already have 1 chance in the drawing.
If you comment on the final interview, you get 1 chance in the drawing.
If you left a question and comment, you get 2 chances in the drawing!
Please join in! Authors love answering your questions and hearing from you!
Last day for comments for the giveaway is
Wednesday 17 February.
