Tuesday 11 September 2012

SEARCHING FOR CAPTAIN WENTWORTH BLOG TOUR - INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR JANE ODIWE + GIVEAWAY


After reading Searching for Captain Wentworth, her Persuasion based just released novel I had some questions for Jane Odiwe. She gladly accepted to answer and even granted you readers of My Jane Austen Book Club a signed paperback copy of the book. Leave your comment + your e-mail address, where we can contact you in order to be entered in the giveaway contest. It's open internationally and ends on 21st September.

Hello Jane and welcome back to My Jane Austen Book Club. I’ve just finished reading your new Searching For Captain Wentworth and I’ve got some questions for you.  First of all, congratulations on another delightful Austen-inspired novel.  I loved reading it. Then, to my first question: are you still searching for your Captain Wentworth?
No, I’m very lucky - I met my Captain Wentworth when I was 17 - there were a few obstacles in our way at first, but we overcame them and have been happily married for many years!

If you had to choose between Captain Wentworth and Mr Darcy?
Captain Wentworth every time! What’s not to love? He’s a man in uniform, a self-made man and writes an amazing love letter! Mr Darcy can be a bit of a stuffed shirt, though I love the way he realises his mistakes.


You hint at the fact that Persuasion was inspired to real experiences in Jane Austen’s life. Where does that idea come from?
Well, I actually went back in time and spoke to her! : ) I love weaving fact and fiction together - there’s so little written about Jane’s life that a novelist can really use her imagination!

After writing sequels for Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice, you aimed at something different for Persuasion. How different  is your new book from your previos ones?
It’s very different. This one involves time travel and has a modern heroine going back into the past. There are certainly characters that you will recognise from Jane Austen, but I drew on my imagination for my heroine Sophie and hero Josh.

Which was the scene you most liked to write in Searching for Captain Wentworth ? Which was/were instead the one/s  which gave you hard time?
Ooh, there were so many I loved writing - but perhaps the one I enjoyed most was when Sophie first travels back in time. I always love writing ball scenes too! Most troublesome were the scenes where I had to check that nothing had been left in the past when it was supposed to be in the present and vice versa. I can’t tell you how many edits this book went through!

I’ve recently been to Bath and Lyme Regis and it was a magic experience. You really feel Jane Austen alive    in those places.  You seem to know them very well as they are the settings of Persuasion but also of your Searching for Captain Wentworth.  Can you tell us about your experience  there?
I’m very lucky to live in Bath  a lot of the time - it’s been a favourite place of mine ever since I read Persuasion. Some of the ghostly encounters Sophie experiences have happened to me - if there is a ghost in my flat it’s a very friendly one! I can see Jane Austen’s house and garden from my window so I really had to write this book!
 I’ve been going to Lyme since I was a little girl with my family - I even have film of me that my father took of us walking down the High Street. Bath and Lyme are two of my favourite places in the whole world!

Without giving away major spoilers, can you briefly describe the two gorgeous heroes  in your book?  Are they inspired by anyone real?
Josh is a perfect hero- tall, with dark curly hair, the kind of man everyone wants to know. He’s sensitive and kind and loves reading Jane Austen! Josh is inspired by my husband - he loves Jane Austen’s books and is a true gentleman. I remember when we met at college the first thing that impressed me (apart from the fact that he was very handsome) was the way he always stood up for me and opened doors. He’s my soulmate and I love him more than words can say!  My other hero, Charles Austen is based on what I’d read about him. I have a little reproduction miniature of him and have always thought he’d make a wonderful hero with his wavy hair and aquiline nose. I’ve always thought Persuasion was a tribute to Jane’s sailor brothers - she clearly admired them and I hope that comes across in my book.

Jane Odiwe
What about the heroine, instead?  Which Austen heroine does she resemble most?  ( I can’t find her very Anne-like)
No, she wasn’t meant to be Anne-like. I’d like to think she’s a bit of a mixture of all of Jane’s heroines - all of the good parts and some elements of human frailty.

My next question is about the Jane Austen portrait  you mention in your book. You sound really  interested in it. How does that come about?
The portrait in my book was inspired by the Rice Portrait. I’ve been lucky enough to see this portrait for myself and hear all about its history from the owner, Mrs Henry Rice whose husband was an Austen descendant. I love this painting and I really wanted to include it in my novel.

If you could time travel  like Sophia and live for once in Jane Austen’s time, what would you like to do?
I’d love to go to a ball - I’ve always loved dancing!

What is next for Jane Odiwe?
I’m working on another time travel book inspired by Pride and Prejudice! Hopefully, it will be out next year.

 Follow Jane Odiwe on Twitter and at her blog, Jane Austen Sequels




38 comments:

susied said...

Nice interview! This book has piqued my interest since I first heard about it and look forward to reading the story! I mean, how fun would it be to time travel back in the day?

And I agree, Capt. Wentworth really knows how to write a letter!

Whitby1734 (at) aol (dot) com

Linda said...

Captain Wentworth is a favorite hero. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

Jane Odiwe said...

Susie, thank you-I love the idea of travelling back in time to meet Captain Wentworth!
Linda-he's a favourite of mine too! Thank you both for stopping by.

Monica said...

I will visit Bath & Lyme Regis next weekend for the first time and I am very excited about it.
I would love to read your book.
Monica

moon.card(at)yahoo(dot)com

Audra said...

Loved this interview -- and Ms Odiwe has my undying gratitude for picking Wentworth over Darcy (Wentworth forever!! ;)). Love him -- helped by the fabu film version with Ciarin Hinds -- yum!

I cracked up at this "Most troublesome were the scenes where I had to check that nothing had been left in the past when it was supposed to be in the present and vice versa." -- I appreciate Ms Odiwe's commitment to consistency and am tickled at the idea of things, people, plot being left behind in the past! Really interested in reading this one -- thank you for the lovely giveaway!

unabridgedchick at gmail.com

Patricia said...

The book looks so interesting! I'd love to have a copy. Thanks for opening the giveaway internationally.
My email address is pato3_89(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lúthien84 said...

Since I heard Jane Odiwe is writing a Persuasion-inspired novel, I have wanted to read it since it is my favourite JA novel (with P&P). Thanks for the inspirational interview and I love Wentworth too because he is a romantic at heart and in his action (think the letter).

evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jane Odiwe said...

Monica-I'll be in Bath next week at the festival-hope I bump into you! I know you'll have a wonderful time!
Audra-thank you-yes, we love Mr Darcy, but doesn't Captain Wentworth make a lovely change?!
Patricia-thank you for your lovely comment!

Jane Odiwe said...

Luthien84 - our comments must have crossed! Thank you very much for your lovely comments and for stopping to say hello!

Pam Mingle said...

Love Austen and time travel, and I'm looking forward to this Austen-inspired blend of the contemporary and historical.

Kelli H. said...

Enjoyed the interview, ladies! Someday I will get to visit Bath and Lyme Regis, but for now I must experience them through your lovely books! And you just made my day when I read you are working on another time travel book! Yay!!=)
kellik115(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jane Odiwe said...

Pam and Kelli,
Thank you very much for your lovely comments!

Ophelinha said...

I am trying to comment only I cannot :(

Ophelinha said...

lets try again:
oh, to stroll back in the past, when time was slower and sweeter and gentlemen were brooding and austere, yet honourable and capable to spend spleepless nights writing long love letters filled with passion and agony...letters to be read under the duvet, with the sister who is also the best friend one can possibly have, giggling hysterically or crying helplessy under the nightcap, cuddled and soothed by the candlelight..only to answer with even longer, lavender scented messages, and to pray for the day to come soon, in order to dress up and go to the Pump Room, hoping to see, to breathe him...
Thanks for the wonderful reverie

paperdollmom said...

Lovely interview! The book sounds wonderful.
inflammationof@rocketmail.com

Valerie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Valerie said...

Love the interview!! I'm a total JA addict... just love that there are so many different variations out there to allow us our "fix"!! ;)

Thank you so much for the giveaway!

Valerie
txreyn5663 (at) earthlink (dot) net

Kirsten said...

Oh I love timetravel stories & combined with Austen, what a great idea! The balls do seem fantastic, love the one in P&P 2005. Where suddenly everyone but Elizabeth and Darcy dissapear and they have that intense converstaion, swoon...

lotsofgingers AT hellokitty DOT com

Jane Odiwe said...

Ophelinha - the imagination is a wonderful place!
Mom-thank you- I hope you get a chance to read the book!
Valerie- thank you-I'm glad you can't get enough of these books!
Kirsten - Ball scenes are wonderful to write-great chances for plot twists!

Ophelinha said...

forgot my email, as always :)
ophelinha.pequena@gmail.com

Kirk said...

Looking forward to reading this book. Love the Rice painting on the cover. Loved Willoughby's Return(Team Marianne!!). Any plans to visit the US?(lol, pls come to Boston and visit Austen in Boston :) )
rearadmiral00 AT gmail dot com

Danielle said...

Jane I have read another of your books (Mt. Darcy's Secret) and lvoed it. I knew you wrote well but since learning that you also prefer Wentworth over Darcy that tells me you are wise woman as well. :-)

Unknown said...

Love this idea in a book. Time travel and Jane Austen, my two favorite worlds collide. Great interview. I would love to read this book. juliemartinwallace at gmail dot com

cyn209 said...

sounds like a book i would definitely enjoy!!
thank you for the giveaway & good luck to Jane!!!!

cyn209 at juno dot com

Jo's Daughter said...

Oh I wish I could travel back and time to attend a ball. Better yet a ball which Jane austen attended. What would she really look like. What would she wear I wonder....

devapajo at gmail dot com

BeckyC said...

Jane, Wentworth tops my list too! Always looking for a good persuasion story and looking forward to Searching for Captain Wentworth. Congrats!!
cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net

Literary Chanteuse said...

I would love to see a recital or opera in that time. Thank you for the giveaway.

Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

maria said...

This giveaway is awesome! I love Jane Austen, Captain Wentworth and time travel... what can I ask more? Well, I'd love to win!
newyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com

MonicaP said...

I love the idea of time travel mixed with Jane Austen - wonderful! I'm more of a wallflower than a dancer so if I went back to a ball, I'd probably be giggling at everyone behind my fan.

Thank you for the giveaway!

monicaperry00 at gmail dot com

Sophia Rose said...

Fun interview! I'm jealous that you have been to Lyme and Bath. I look forward to reading your book because Persuasion was my favorite of the Jane Austen novels. The time travel bit sounds intriguing.

Thanks for the post!
Sophia
sophiarose1816@gmail.com

mariam said...

I'm totally fond of the time travelling book and series and I have seen some Time travelling on P&P BUT NEVER on PERSUASION , it would be awesome to read this book ><
living in Bath must be very helpful , because you are familiar with the town mood(atmosphere) and so it must have been something delightful !



jandia4junpyo@yahoo.fr

Margay Leah Justice said...

I love Wentworth, too! Glad to see he's getting some more attention these days!

Margay1122ATaolDOTcom

Julienne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jane Odiwe said...

Thank you all so much for the lovely comments-I'm at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath at the moment so can't get to my computer all the time but I just wanted to say thank you to julienne, Margay, Mariam, Sophia, MonicaP, Margaret, Maria, BeckyC, Jo's Daughter, Cyn209, Julie, Danielle and Kirk for stopping by!!!

Janet Kerr said...

Jane, it looks like you are having a lot of fun. I would very much enjoy reading your book!
Jan

janet_kerr(at)msn.com

Michelle Fidler said...

I have two of your books and would love to win this one. The time travel aspect sounds great. Not too many books are about Captain Wentworth, so I'd like to read this one.

catbooks(at)rocketmail(dot)com

kaewink said...

I have read a few reviews of Searching for Capt. Wentworth already and they were all great. The story intrigues me very much. I love Wentworth and it´s always great to find stories enspiered my Persuasion.
And I listened to the excet Jane Odiwe read of her book and tha sounded wonderful!

I´m definitly going to read this!

And Maria, by the way, I love your new cover- picture up there. Lovely!!
kewinkler at gmail dot com

Lena said...

Thanks for the interview and the giveaway! I'm really excited about this new book, I read the excerpt and was hooked, I can't wait to read it! I've read a lot of JAFF and I find myself more and more interested in modern stories, like Jane Odiwe's. So I hope I'm not too late for the giveaway. And Jane, your new project for a Pride and Prejudice time travel book is a great idea! I will be waiting for that one too.
nehlee at hotmail com