Interview With a Janeite, With Guest Katherine Schmitt

Welcome to the first edition of a new feature here at Austen Variations! Each month we will spotlight a follower of the blog, getting better acquainted and talking about our favourite topic: Jane Austen! We love so many different things about The Lady, and I always enjoy hearing what she means to someone else.

Today we are interviewing JAFF enthusiast Kathy Schmitt, and she has some fun insights into the world of Jane Austen to share with us. As a special treat, this month Abigail Reynolds has offered a generous hostess gift to our guest. I think you will enjoy reading her responses to Kathy. Sit back, grab a cup, and join us for a little chat!

 


Books, movies, or JAFF: How did you discover Jane Austen?

I’m pleased to see that I’m not the only one to say that my primary introduction to Jane Austen was the 1995 BBC/A&E production of Pride and Prejudice, followed shortly thereafter by the movie Sense and Sensibility. My introduction to JAFF per se  didn’t come until 2013 and I’ve been scrambling to make up time since then! My first exposure to a variation came as a freebie from a discount site. Since then I have added several hundred books to my library, both fan fiction, Regency period novels and history books and general English history. I also take advantage of the Kindle Unlimited benefit available on Amazon. I know that authors have some issues with KU, but it is a real cost savings for readers. I have a policy that if I read a book from KU I’ll buy the next one the author publishes.

Who is your favorite Austen character and why?

I wish I could say that I enjoy someone other than Elizabeth. But she is a highly principled and intelligent young woman, even if her ability to understand character is less than spot on sometimes. I usually love what the fan fiction authors create for Elizabeth. While a minor character in canon, I have to say that I usually love what fan fiction authors do with Colonel Fitzwilliam as well. I guess I’m just a fool for a red coat, in my heart of hearts! (Thank you Mrs. Bennet!)

What do you love about JAFF and what are your favorite types of variations?

I’m struck by the creativity, regardless of type.  Thanks to JAFF my love of literature, long dormant since college, has reawakened. I’ve also found that I’m quite attracted to Regency history. My favorite variations are those based during the Regency period; I particularly favor books that feature historic accuracy in addition to literary imagination. I think that the inconveniences and challenges that the characters have to surmount capture my imagination more than a world of fax machines, smartphones and easy transportation. I also love great dialogue and humor. But I love learning, whether history, vocabulary or creativity.

Have you connected with other readers via the internet or in person?

Happily, thanks primarily to Facebook, I’m busy making friends with both readers and authors. I also follow more than seven Austen related blogs. I wish I had more time for social media sometimes, but I prefer to invest my time in reading books. As I said, I am making up for lost time. That said, I don’t want to be unfriendly so please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help you! I plan to become more active in some of the groups like JASNA in a few years. However I presently can’t travel. That will change, then watch out world here I come!

Are there any plot lines you would like to see in a story someday, or have you ever thought of writing your own story?

Sometimes I feel isolated from the JAFF world because I am not a Christian. Thus I’ve been toying with the idea of introducing someone or something affirmatively Jewish into one of the Austen novels. I’m not sure which Austen novel would best accommodate this variation because I have yet to read all of them, so stay tuned!

What would you like to see more of here at Austen Variations?

Heavens! You provide so much as it is. I have lately been watching from the sidelines when self-publishing authors talk about some of the business challenges they face. Also, a big part of my curiosity wants to know how various authors go about writing variations. I would be very interested in teleconferences or some other way for those of us who are considering becoming JAFF authors ourselves to get some coaching from established authors. I learn a lot from serving as a first or a beta reader for several authors, but to have reciprocal reading from someone(s) experienced who can look at my text to advise me would be ‘enormously marvelous’.

As our guest reader, Kathy had the opportunity to ask Abigail Reynolds questions. Here are Kathy’s questions and Abigail’s answers:

Kathy: I’ve enjoyed all the books of yours that I’ve read, but I was captivated by Conceit & Concealment and literally could not put it down! You may not feel it as profoundly as I do, but Conceit & Concealment seems a major expansion from your previous books. How did you decide to turn history on its ear? Abigail: I originally brainstormed the idea of setting Pride & Prejudice after a Napoleonic invasion of Britain for another author who likes writing off-beat P&P variations, but after the idea kept me up all night thinking of possibilities, I wanted to write it myself.

Kathy: How did you develop the different character and plot threads? Abigail: Often the characters themselves determined the plot. I had no intention of including the character of Kit Darcy, but as I was writing, he was the one who answered the door when Darcy knocked. I was flabbergasted. The book was delayed for several months when last quarter of the book needed major revisions for an unusual reason – though I’d written it a year earlier, in January 2017 it suddenly looked close enough to the current US political that some readers would have seen it as political commentary. That’s when I created General Desmarais, deliberately making him as unlike current politicians as possible.

Kathy: I’m especially interested in Princess Charlotte. Why did you choose her to be part of your story? Abigail: When I started researching George III and his family so I could figure out what happened to them in this scenario, I became fascinated by Princess Charlotte’s bold and fearless character and wanted to include her somehow. It was pure luck that she would have been the same age as both Lydia Bennet and Georgiana Darcy, opening up great plot possibilities.

Kathy: I have a mental image of you sitting on the floor and playing with blocks to get everything put together so successfully! Is this a book you could have written earlier in your publishing career?  Abigail: I probably could have written it earlier, but not as well. I wouldn’t have had enough training in how to keep a plot tight. It would probably have been a trilogy if I’d written it back then, and while that may sound good to people, it would have been a much less compelling reading experience. In my recent books I’ve enjoyed bringing in more history and original characters to expand horizons while still keeping the focus on Elizabeth and Darcy.

Kathy: It wouldn’t hurt if you’d share a few tantalizing looks at your next creation as well! Abigail: Umm…I’m not ready to take the wraps off it yet, but it will again be an Elizabeth and Darcy story with a difference. Kind of like Maria Grace’s P&P with dragons story, except that it’s not dragons. 😉 The idea of going back to a straight Regency P&P variation after writing Napoleonic England for Conceit & Concealment felt almost stifling, so I decided to write something in between, an idea I’d started on years ago. My current problem is Frederica Fitzwilliam, Lord Matlock’s daughter. After appearing in Mr. Darcy’s Journey, she showed up again in Conceit & Concealment, and now she’s trying to muscle her way into this book, too. I think she may have decided she’s a canon character, and heaven knows that arguing with Lady Frederica is a fool’s errand!  

 

 

Kathy Schmitt is a voracious reader of everything from JAFF to international spy thrillers. She currently lives in Omaha, Nebraska but plans to move to Minnesota to help her daughter homeschool her four adorable grandkids. When she isn’t reading, she plays Word with Friends, Scrabble or duplicate bridge. She regularly laments, “So many books, so little time!” A former owner of Lhasa Apsos and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, she now wants to own a Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Mrs. Tilly. She loves to meet new JAFF friends, and can be reached at Facebook.com/Kathy Schmitt. 

 

 


Wasn’t that a treat? Thank you for joining us, Kathy, and a huge thank you to Abigail for hosting. We will be doing this again next month, and we hope you will be the next special guest!

~Nicole

25 comments

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  1. What a great addition to this site. Thank you, Austen Variations for doing this.

    Kathy, I enjoyed getting to know you better from your interview answers. However, I think I learned even more from the questions you chose to ask Abigail. Good for you for boldly asking about her next project. I was anticipating more details but…she knows how to keep a secret. Drat! I’m thrilled you are a grandma too and that you have stories of your own percolating in your head. Well done!

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 7:09 am
      • Reply

      Thank you so much, Joy! I feel like I’ve been allowed to eat dinner at the grownups’ table. I appreciate your warm thoughts. Have an air conditioned weekend!0

    • Mary on July 22, 2017 at 3:58 am
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    I really enjoyed this interview,Kathy.
    It was really great to read of your love of JAFF and Regemcy period books and your enthusiasm for all things Austen shines through your responses!
    Well done to all concerned for such a post,quite interesting and unique! 😌

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 7:15 am
      • Reply

      Thank you, Mary. I kind of had my heart in my throat with my answers, so I really appreciate your good words and support. I wish you the best and hope you have an air conditioned weekend!

    • George Wickham on July 22, 2017 at 8:47 am
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    A fool for a red coat, eh? Madam, if ever you find yourself in town, do join me for tea.

    • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 9:24 am
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    I’m sorry, George, I should have said ALMOST every red coat. I think I’ll be busy waxing my driveway for the foreseeable lifetime. But thanks for the invite!

      • George Wickham on July 22, 2017 at 9:44 am
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      Alas, the fragrant Mrs Wickham shall be sorely disappointed – she is always delighted to be able to show off her bonnets!

    • Carole in Canada on July 22, 2017 at 10:13 am
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    Katherine, it was a delight in meeting you! I have seen your name many times in the comments sections and they are always insightful ones! I love your sense of humor and enthusiasm. I do have one suggestion regarding your own heritage. You might want to try Marsha Altman’s P&P series (I have only read the first 4 so far and that was several years ago that I need to get back to) which eventually touches on some Jewish and Catholic history…among others. That is the only one I have read that I remember that does. Not being Jewish, I hadn’t really thought about that aspect, but there is enough in history out there that I don’t see why you couldn’t incorporate that into a story.

    Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your air conditioning as ours is on the fritz!

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 11:29 am
      • Reply

      Thank you for your suggestions, Carole! I’m sure I am not the only one to think of this. I can’t see the Meryton society of “four and twenty families” is not the likely situation for a Jewish family but some kind of potential in London might work. I’m just thinking about this, as you can tell. In any event, I appreciate your interest. I am trying to keep cool and hope you are as well.

    • Caitlin Williams on July 22, 2017 at 10:40 am
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    Thanks for being part of Austen Variations for the day, Katherine.
    This was a lovely piece

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 11:35 am
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      Thank you, Caitlin! I had a good time thinking through my answers and I have to tell you my 90 year old mother was really happy to see it. Now she has bragging rights for her friends!

  2. Wonderful interview! You handled our dear George quite nicely, Kathy. He likes to stop by from time to time because we have so many enchanting ladies visiting us. Your thoughts about a Jewish bent are interesting! I would love to see someone take that on someday as well.

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 3:53 pm
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      Thank you for the entire experience, Nicole. I home many of my fellow Janeites are interested in signing up for future interviews now that the opening one has gone smoothly (my opinion!). If I may, I do suggest that you encourage the future interviewees to type out their answers in Word, please with the wording, etc. I felt much more confident because I could let my answers percolate before I turned them in. I’m glad I met you and had the opportunity to work with you!

  3. Thanks for participating, Katherine! I think it would be interesting to have a Jewish addition to a regency JAFF. In addition to Marsha Altman’s books, you can find Jewish characters in a couple of non-JAFF regencies – True Pretenses by Rose Lerner and Nita Abrams’s Courier series. Might give you an idea or two!

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 8:41 pm
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      I enjoyed it too, Abigail. Thank you for the coaching and, certainly, for the lovely awards. I expect you will have brought three (or more?) new followers of JAFF when all is said and done. This was a super experience for me.

  4. It’s great getting to know you, Katherine! Glad you could be part of the blog today. 🙂

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 22, 2017 at 8:47 pm
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      Thank you Leslie! This was a lot of fun for me, and I hope more Janeites will enjoy participating in future interviews. Now would you please have mercy on everyone who is following your series by moving up the pace of the installments? I mean really!!!

    • Glynis on July 23, 2017 at 7:35 am
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    I really enjoyed reading your thoughts and your reasons for getting into JAFF Katherine. Also your interview with Abigail was fascinating (I love the way her characters become real😁) Sorry you couldn’t squeeze more details of the next book!
    I also think you are on a loser trying to get Leslie to speed up the instalments, I think she enjoys tormenting us too much (as well as being busy!). Thanks again.

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 24, 2017 at 6:30 pm
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      I agree with you about Leslie! She has way too much fun drawing us into, and dragging us along, as she spins her tale. But such is the way of an author I suppose! Thanks for your good wishes.

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on July 23, 2017 at 10:36 pm
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    Great, interview! How fun to hear from one of the fans and Katherine, your questions and answers were awesome. I learned so much. Thanks everyone. Jen Red

      • Katherine Schmitt on July 24, 2017 at 6:34 pm
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      Thanks Jen Red. I appreciate your feedback! I do hope you have put your name into the selection hopper. I had a lot of fun (and my 90 year old mother is thrilled). I hope you’re keeping coal.

    • April on August 7, 2017 at 2:20 am
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    I’m late getting to this but well done Kathy! I do love your wit and knowledge and treasure your friendship. I am open to read any lovely words you have put together.

    • Vikki Silverman on August 7, 2017 at 8:57 pm
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    In addition per Marsha Altman,the first sentence in her “About the Author” states she is “an author and historian specializing in Rabbinic literature.” Although I read them years ago, I distinctly remember a rabbi in one of them. I myself am a cantor and Jewish educator and love her books. There is also “Pride & Prejudice: The Jewess and the Gentile” by J.A. and Lev Raphael. The entire Bennet family is Jewish in that one. Even though you stated you are not as much into the modern books, you may want to try Paula Marantz Cohen’s books “Jane Austen in Boca”, “Jane Austen in Scarsdale”, and “Much Ado About Jessie Kaplan.” The main characters in these books are Jewish. I also hope to write a variation or modern retelling with some Jewish characters and I am also a grandmother, so we have some commonality in addition to Jane’s works.(You really must read them all – especially “Persuasion” if you haven’t already done so.) However, my mom’s only 87 so you’re ahead on that one. Anything to give our mom’s “Nachas” at their age is definitely worthwhile! Thank you for a charming interview … I enjoyed the entire thing. And what a treat to include Abigail as she is my favorite author after Jane herself. Thank you, Nicole for the interview blogs … and for everything else!

    1. Thank you for stopping by, Vikki!

    • Kathy Schmitt on September 10, 2017 at 11:24 am
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    Vikki, I am so sorry I missed your comments until just now! I had assumed that my 15 minutes in the sun had passed, thus I hadn’t read your kind note until a friend told me about it. I really appreciate your references and will look them up directly. Interesting concept, the Bennet family as tribe members. I was having real problems visualizing Mrs. B including Jews in her “four and twenty families”; clearly I need to think more creatively! I appreciate your time and, if you’re on Facebook, I would like to ‘friend’ you. Otherwise, shana tova umetuka!

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