"Ode to Jane"

Author Julie Klassen is with us today. In her Christy award winning novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, set during the English Regency, Julie opens a world foreign to the twenty-first century. It’s a world where a girl can be ruined and abandoned by her family for an “indiscretion” while the boy experiences little more than momentary embarrassment. It’s a world where novel authors are held in low repute. (Even the beloved books of Jane Austen were published anonymously in her time.) In this story, several characters are “outed” in this notorious profession. In places the author mimics the style and melodrama of the period, all in good fun.

LeAnne Hardy: Thank you for being with us, Julie. Won't you tell us a little more about the book.

Julie Klassen:  The Girl in the Gatehouse is about a young woman who has been sent away from her home after a scandal. She lives in an abandoned gatehouse on a distant relative’s estate, where she supports herself and her loyal servant by writing novels in secret. Her plan to live quietly goes astray when a wealthy and ambitious naval captain leases the estate. Captain Bryant is intrigued by the beautiful girl in the gatehouse. But he fights the attraction, not wanting to risk his own plans for a woman shadowed by scandal

LH: This book is so much fun. Where did the idea come from?

JK: The spark of the idea came from one of Jane Austen’s minor characters—Maria Bertram, who is caught in immorality and banished by her family to “an establishment being formed for them in another country—remote and private.” Of course in Mansfield Park, we do not admire vain and adulterous Maria Bertram and most readers likely feel she earned her just deserts. But I found myself wondering, What if Maria (pronounced “Mariah” in England) were a character we actually cared about? Would we be content to leave her in her lonely exile? As someone who has made her share of mistakes in life, I am thankful for forgiveness and second chances. And I enjoyed giving Mariah Aubrey hers as well.

LH: I think we are all grateful for second chances. The Girl in the Gatehouse has a delightful Jane Austen feel to it. What do you like best about Austen’s novels?

JK: Thank you. I call this book my “Ode to Jane” and Austen fans will recognize her influence in several aspects of the book. I like Austen’s strong, noble heroes, like Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, Colonel Brandon, and Mr. Knightley. I also enjoy her sense of humor, and the chivalry and manners of the era—where a look across the ballroom or the mere touch of gloved hands sparked romance.

LH: You have even been to a conference of the Jane Austen Society, haven't you? What did you enjoy most about that experience?

JK: Yes, I attended the annual conference for the first time in September 2013. I enjoyed meeting fellow Austen fans from around the world, and learning more about the time period in which Jane Austen lived. I especially loved taking English Country Dance lessons and dancing at the formal ball in my Regency-era gown. 

Julie (center) with friends at the Jane Austen Society ball

LH: Have you visited places like the manor house, gatehouse and poorhouse you describe? What was that like?

JK: I loosely based the fictional manor in the book on one in Lower Slaughter—probably our favorite Cotswold village. I have also been inside a gatehouse, but not the one shown on the cover. And no, I have not been to a poorhouse, but I did manage to find a fair amount of information and old photographs online, which helped me imagine what an institution of this kind might have been like. I have been to England three times now—but at the time I wrote this novel I believe I had only been once. In general, my research is primarily done online and through books—though I find research on location very helpful and try to do so as often as I can. I love visiting England!

Julie outside the gatehouse at Lanhydrock House in Cornwall

LH: Me too. My husband and I spent a wedding anniversary at Lords of the Manor, a short walk up the river from Lower Slaughter, while we were living in England. Gorgeous area! What else do you find valuable for research?

JK: I like old books, maps, diaries, newspapers, advertisements, village web sites, classes through the Jane Austen Society, friendships with fellow Regency authors, etc. There’s always more to learn!

LH: More to learn. That’s what makes writing so much fun, I think. You were already in publishing before you became an author. Tell us a little about your journey.

JK: Like my main character, I was a “secret” or “closet” author for years while I worked as a fiction editor for Bethany House Publishers. I learned so much working with other editors and authors. When I finally completed my first historical, my boss wisely sent it around to my co-workers under a pseudonym so it would be reviewed objectively. Thankfully, they wanted to publish it. After that, everyone knew it was me and I was edited just as hard as I ever edited anyone else!

LH: I loved that not only was the main character a secret author, but several other characters turn out to be hiding similar secrets. How differently was writing viewed as a career in the early 19^th c?

JK: Novel-writing in particular was not considered proper or respectable, especially for ladies. Many authors (female and male alike) published anonymously or under pseudonyms in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As you mentioned, Jane Austen’s name never appeared in her novels during her lifetime. The title pages were printed with “by a lady” or “by the author of” one of her previous novels. Thankfully, times have changed.

LH: What should we be looking forward to from the pen of Jane, I mean, Julie Klassen?

JK: My 8th Regency era novel, The Secret of Pembrooke Park, is due out from Bethany House in November of this year. It centers around a long-abandoned manor house and is filled with mystery, family drama, and romance. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

LH: I’m sure we will. I love mystery around long-abandoned places! Readers, as Julie mentioned, this will be her eighth Regency novel. So if you go to your favourite on-line book site, you will find lots to interest you between now and November. Julie, thank you for being with us today.


___

LeAnne Hardy, author of the Glastonbury Grail series, has lived in six countries on four continents. She first met Julie Klassen at a book signing and has been a fan ever since. LeAnne's fiction reflects her faith, her passion for storytelling that stretches the mind and soul, and the cultures she has lived in. Learn more on her website.  

Suspense in Cornwall

 I went to my local Christian bookstore to support a group author book signing, but most of what I saw was prairie romance—not my favorite genre. And then, up a few steps into the card section, I discovered Julie Klassen. The slender woman with long blond hair was promoting her first novel—The Maid of Milkweed Manor, about the consequences of an unwanted pregnancy in Jane Austin’s England. Yes, there was a bit of romance, but it was much more about the characters caught in that time and place—my kind of fiction. I bought it, loved it, and I’ve been a fan ever since.

Julie joins us today to talk about her latest novel, The Tutor’s Daughter, releasing this month. It appears to be more of a romance than her first, but I have no doubt that it will continue her usual high quality of writing and depth of character development. The setting is a manor that may be haunted on the windswept coast of Cornwall.

Here’s the blurb:
Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet's older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems—and secrets—of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father's academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her....

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame, and which to trust with her heart?

Julie, I would have described your previous books as dramas and character studies. This sounds more like romantic suspense, even gothic with the suggestion of the supernatural. What led you in this direction?

Julie Klassen: This book does have more of a gothic feel to it--a little more suspense a la Victoria Holt. My editor is a big fan of hers, so she had a hand in leading me in this direction. However, the book still has all the elements readers expect from me: drama, history, character development, faith and romance.

LH: I believe all your books have been set in England. What do you especially like about that setting?

JK: I have been drawn to England ever since reading The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre as a young girl. I have also greatly enjoyed the books of Jane Austen (and movies based on them). My husband and I have been able to visit England twice now in person, and we are both taken with the rich history, beautiful landscapes, and friendly, interesting people with delicious accents.

LH: So what do you like best about Jane Austen's writing?

JL: I admire her dry wit. She was a keen observer of people and her varied and compelling characters reflect this. And of course her heroes are unforgetable: Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, and Mr. Knightley, just to name a few.

LH: Who or what (besides Jane Austen) has had the biggest impact on your writing?

JK: I have always wanted to be a writer--I believe God wired me for this from a young age. But certainly working at Bethany House Publishers (sixteen years altogether, first in advertising then editorial) taught me a great deal not only about writing but also how to go about crafting an entire novel, which is a lot more work than I ever imagined! It was a great privilege to work with talented authors and editors over the years and I doubt I would be where I am today without that experience.

LH: You are a committed Christian and a sensitive writer. How do you find the balance between message and story?

JK: I believe that a novel must first of all be a good story. I strive to entertain readers and keep them guessing (and hopefully turning pages). Yes, I want my novels to have depth and lasting value. Yes, my deepest hope is to glorify God. But I don't believe issue-driven, "message" fiction is the way to accomplish this--at least not for me. I do hope to incorporate Christian content and inspirational themes, but hopefully in a way that is interwoven and natural--not tacked on or preachy. Granted, this is diffucult to do well. Many authors I know struggle to find the right balance for them. There are readers who want more, and readers who want less message. So the challenge is to find the right balance for your audience. I find myself asking God what He wants me to communicate through my stories. No doubt I still have a lot to learn.

LH: Many of our readers live outside the US and want to write about their own cultural heritage. Do you have any advice for them about selling to a US audience, the biggest buyers of Christian fiction?

JK: I recently had the privilege of traveling on a mini-book tour in the Netherlands and Germany. As you probably know, Christian publishers in those countries publish both translations as well as original fiction. One editor told me something along the lines of, "America has a strong tradition of storytelling. American authors know how to tell stories. But not everything "translates" well to our country. So, we are publishing more of our own authors as well." So the only advice I can offer is to read well-crafted American Christian fiction and learn what you can from it, but then write the story of your heart, bringing to life your own culture.

LH: Some of our readers participated in NaNoWriMo last month. Did you? How useful is something like that to you as a professional?

JK: I have participated in an unofficial writing challenge during the month of November for the last few years. I find the accountability and encouragement of fellow writers to be helpful in keeping me on track. I would recommend such accountability (whether official NaNoWriMo or not) for any writer who'd like to increase her output.

LH: What's next for you?

JK: I am working away on my next novel, also set in Regency England. It's premature to give a title, as those sometimes change, but Lord willing, it will come out a year after The Tutor's Daughter. Thanks for asking!

LH: I thought the model in the trailer her publisher put together looked a lot like Julie, but she assures me it's not. Sigh. Wouldn't it be fun to dress up like this and pretend to be your character? 

 

Thank you for joining us today, Julie. I know I'm not the only one looking forward to The Tutor's Daughter.

___

LeAnne Hardy loves the wind-swept cliffs of Cornwall, which she visited one Christmas while living in Berkshire and nearly got blown off into the sea. LeAnne's novels for children and young adults reflect the various places she has lived. Learn more at www.leannehardy.net .

Interview with Julie Klassen and Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing award-winning author, Julie Klassen.

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Her books, The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) and The Silent Governess (2010), have each won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com 


Welcome, Julie.  Congratulations on your latest novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, winning The Christy Award for Historical Romance—you must be thrilled. Please tell us about your book and what inspired you to write it.

Thank you. I was very excited to win, especially because I had just quit my day job to focus on writing. Winning seemed like a very welcome and timely confirmation of that decision!

 Inspiration for this book came from several places. For example, my main character, Mariah Aubrey, was somewhat inspired by a secondary character in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. In that book, Maria Bertram makes a serious mistake and because of it, is sent away from her family forever. Of course in Mansfield Park, we do not admire vain and adulterous Maria Bertram and most readers likely feel she earned her just deserts. But I found myself thinking, Wow, that’s harsh. One strike, you’re out. If Maria were a character we actually cared about, would we be content to leave her in her lonely exile? As someone who has made her share of mistakes in life, I am thankful for forgiveness and second chances. And I enjoyed giving my character hers as well.

Where can our readers buy The Girl in the Gatehouse?

It’s available in print or e-book through bookstores as well as online retailers like amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, christianbook.com, etc. or as an audio book from recordedbooks.com.

How did you go about doing the research for your book?  Do you have any anecdotes or interesting experiences related to your research to tell us?

My main character is a secret novelist. So, to write this book, I enjoyed researching the lives of early women authors, like Maria Edgeworth, Fanny Burney, and of course, Jane Austen. I also enjoyed learning a bit about publishing in the early nineteenth century.  As someone who worked in publishing for sixteen years, I found this fascinating. (So much has changed technologically speaking, yet so much remains the same: deadlines, pressure to sell more copies, critical reviews....)       In fact, I sprinkled into the novel a few actual reviews of Jane Austen’s novels from the time of their release. It ought to make writers everywhere feel better to know that even Miss Austen received the occasional snide review.

How did you weave in a spiritual thread without being preachy?

Many writers I know struggle with this (including me), and there aren’t any easy answers. Of course, we don’t want spiritual content to feel tacked on, as in, “and now a pause for station identification,” (i.e. a sermon).  We want the Christian content to be germane to the story and interwoven within it. In Lady of Milkweed Manor, for example, my character finds herself in desperate straits, so calling out to God in prayer seemed a natural response. In The Silent Governess, I took the expected route and had the vicar deliver the spiritual wisdom, but in other books, the clergyman is not the good guy. Sometimes the spiritual thread comes from the main characters’ own searching. Other times, truths can be delivered by older characters who have experienced God’s forgiveness and grace in their own lives. In my case, writing in the Regency era (early 1800s England) including Christian content is somewhat easier, than in say, contemporary novels, because in this time period, many people went to church, had daily prayers, invited the vicar to dine, gave alms to the poor, etc. So it would be less natural, in my mind, if I didn’t mention some of these things. Don’t forget, Jane Austen herself was a clergyman’s daughter!

Did you have any particular Bible verses running through your mind as you wrote?

The Girl in the Gatehouse has a theme of forgiveness. But I also enjoyed using the unique setting and title word “gate” as a subtle message in the book through the words of Jesus: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9) And, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?

My goal is to write compelling, romantic stories that glorify God. I believe a novel must first of all be a good story. But I also hope to reflect the reality that while people are imperfect and make mistakes, God offers us forgiveness and second chances though His son.

Do you enjoy reading books with foreign settings? Any favorites?

I am quite an anglophile these days and primarily read books set in the England. I recently enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.

If you were given an all expenses paid holiday anywhere in the world to research a novel, where would you choose to go? Why would you choose this location?

I imagine you can guess at my answer by now! My husband and I had the privilege of taking a research trip to England in May (only our second time there). Now we’re beginning to dream about visiting Ireland or Scotland next, so I would choose one of those places.

Please tell us about your current book/project.

My next book will release in December 2011. It’s called The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and tells the story of an upper-class lady who finds herself thrust into the below-stairs world of a housemaid in the home of a former suitor. It’s available for preorder online (ISBN 978-0-7642-0709-9). I hope you will enjoy it! Thanks for having me here.

Thank you for the interesting interview, I look for forward to reading The Girl in the Gatehouse.


Julie has kindly offered to give away a copy of The Girl in the Gatehouse to one lucky reader. Please note the draw for the book is only open to readers living in America. If you wish to  enter, please leave a comment or question for Julie before Friday 23rd September, ALSO state that you'd like to be in the draw AND LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. 

The giveaway is void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international law.

Ruth Ann Dell writes children's stories and international Christian fiction from her home in a sunny South African suburb. She is a member of several writing groups including the American Christian Fiction Writers and Writer's Ink. Her desire is to craft gripping stories which draw her readers into a closer relationship with God.

Ruth Ann and her husband have lived in several countries and are renovating a cottage in the heart of Ireland.