Hannah: What prompted you to write a novel in the
French Revolution? You seem to be quite well-versed in the era, the language,
and the culture. How did you study for this?
Jill: I think my interest in France began with a few visits there, many years ago now, and through reading novels such as Scaramouche and A Tale of Two Cities. I learned a great deal about the Revolution while writing my novella ten years ago, then promptly forgot it. Thankfully, it all came back to me with some review! I do not speak French, but I know enough about languages to plug in words and phrases using on-line French sources . . . and then get them checked (and no doubt laughed at) by a French expert who kindly points out my errors and makes suggestions and corrections. J
I
have loved world history since my college years, so I suppose a lifetime
curiosity about the past plus the amazing opportunity to live in England for
seven years led to a working familiarity with basic European culture. I started
writing fiction while we lived there, and stocked up on reference books that
have come in very handy over the years. Writing several stories set in the 18th
and 19th centuries helped build general knowledge of cultural
timelines. And . . . as my daughter always says, nothing improves writing
ability like extensive reading of the classics.
Thank
you, Hannah, for the compliment and for the question!
And thanks so much for joining my first-ever blog tour.
About the Book
Colette and her brother Pascoe are
two sides of the same coin, dependent upon one another in the tumultuous world
of the new Republic. Together they labor with other leaders of the sans-culottes to
ensure freedom for all the downtrodden men and women of France.
But then the popular uprisings turn bloody and the rhetoric
proves false. Suddenly, Colette finds herself at odds with Pascoe and
struggling to unite her fractured family against the lure of violence.
Charged with protecting an innocent young woman and desperately afraid of
losing one of her beloved brothers, Colette doesn’t know where to turn or whom
to trust as the bloodshed creeps ever closer to home.
Until that distant day when peace returns to France, can she
find the strength to defend her loved ones . . . even from one another?
"Jill
Stengl is one of the rare authors with the ability to transport the reader to
another world--a delightfully rich world of scent and sight and sound.” – Kim
Vogel Sawyer, bestselling author of Echoes
of Mercy
“Award-winning
author Jill Stengl has created her greatest work yet in the inspiring and
moving Until That Distant Day.”
Jill Eileen Smith, bestselling author of the Wives of King David series.
About the Author
Jill Stengl is the author of numerous romance
novels including Inspirational Reader's Choice Award- and Carol
Award-winning Faithful Traitor, and the bestselling novella, Fresh
Highland Heir. She lives with her husband in the beautiful Northwoods
of Wisconsin, where she enjoys her three cats, teaching a high school English
Lit. class, playing keyboard for her church family, and sipping coffee on the
deck as she brainstorms for her next novel.
She blogs at Books,Cats, and Whimsy. Do stop by and follow her to keep up
with all her writing and reading-related activities!
~
Also, Jill Stengl is offering a special giveaway of an autographed copy and a tin of Paris tea! Be sure to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
As I said, this is a special ongoing Question and Answer tour, so be sure to check out the rest of the posts for the rest of the interview!
Until That Distant Day
Launch Tour Schedule
May 5
May 6
May 7
May 8
May 9
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13 – Giveaway Winner Announced
4 comments:
Thank you for your lovely post, Hannah! :) It was great having you join this tour.
How cool! I've always wanted to go to Europe. We're looking at Italy in a few years. I absolutely adored UTDD to the point that I type about it so much that I require an acronym! : D
Heheheh--My book is honored to have achieved acronym status, Allison.
Oh, I would LOVE to visit Italy! We never got the chance. I did see much of Great Britain, however, so I really can't complain (much). :-)
HOORAY for a great post! :)
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