With the pre-order of Charlottesville coming out soon, my buddy reader, Hannah Warren has questions for me and my characters, Savannah and Jed.
First a question to you, the writer? How did you research your subject (the war)? It's so accurate!
I wrote this book nearly seven years ago. I had a computer which had an encyclopaedia program built in. It was like researching at the library. I have never had the package again. I don't even remember what it was called now. Between that, Google and Wikipedia I was able to research deeply. Everything I wrote in the book was thoroughly researched, right down to Abby joining the war.
Questions for Savannah:
1. You believe in the rights of coloured and black people. What is your opinion on the rights of women?
I believe in equal rights for all. Women, for the most part, are not privy to information deemed important. We are sheltered by men believing that affairs of the state or the country are of no interest to us. It is quite the opposite. While living with my family at Hartford House we were given more information than most women due to my families' liberal views. It was difficult when I first married Stuart as he believed that women shouldn't know of such things. Eavesdropping became my way of finding out what I wanted.
2. Can you tell us what you like most about the South?
Growing up we had a large plantation to play in and as we got older it became a nice place to take walks. Although I go against what is considered decorum for southern belles, I still like the concept of being a good southern lady with manners and deportment. I love the south because I like being a southern lady.
3. What is your favourite season and why?
Summer. The gardens are alive and fragrant. The orchards are full of life and the sun warms your skin as you walk the grounds. Summer is about being alive and enjoying colour, splendour and sweet aromas.
Questions for Jed:
1. What is/are the lesson(s) you've learnt from the war?
Before war I thought what we fought for was important. I believed in equal rights and despised slavery. My father didn't see it my way and after spending months on the walk and seeing the things I saw I understand his conviction against war. Seeing men fall around you from bullet wounds, dehydration, starvation and exhaustion along with shooting down more men than you can count, weighs heavily on my conscience. Then spending weeks, months on end, camping or marching took its toll on us all. In the beginning it sounded glorifying but by the end I was lost, disheartened and confused. I learned that love and family are the most important things in life, not politics or power.
2. Have you taken your family for a voyage on the "Ambassador"?
Every year we take her out for a holiday.
3. Do you still write letters to your father?
I try to visit more than write. Writing reminds me of war and separation. I would much rather see him face to face than put how I feel into writing again. Train travel makes it easy to visit home often.
Thanks Hannah!
First a question to you, the writer? How did you research your subject (the war)? It's so accurate!
I wrote this book nearly seven years ago. I had a computer which had an encyclopaedia program built in. It was like researching at the library. I have never had the package again. I don't even remember what it was called now. Between that, Google and Wikipedia I was able to research deeply. Everything I wrote in the book was thoroughly researched, right down to Abby joining the war.
Questions for Savannah:
1. You believe in the rights of coloured and black people. What is your opinion on the rights of women?
I believe in equal rights for all. Women, for the most part, are not privy to information deemed important. We are sheltered by men believing that affairs of the state or the country are of no interest to us. It is quite the opposite. While living with my family at Hartford House we were given more information than most women due to my families' liberal views. It was difficult when I first married Stuart as he believed that women shouldn't know of such things. Eavesdropping became my way of finding out what I wanted.
2. Can you tell us what you like most about the South?
Growing up we had a large plantation to play in and as we got older it became a nice place to take walks. Although I go against what is considered decorum for southern belles, I still like the concept of being a good southern lady with manners and deportment. I love the south because I like being a southern lady.
3. What is your favourite season and why?
Summer. The gardens are alive and fragrant. The orchards are full of life and the sun warms your skin as you walk the grounds. Summer is about being alive and enjoying colour, splendour and sweet aromas.
Questions for Jed:
1. What is/are the lesson(s) you've learnt from the war?
Before war I thought what we fought for was important. I believed in equal rights and despised slavery. My father didn't see it my way and after spending months on the walk and seeing the things I saw I understand his conviction against war. Seeing men fall around you from bullet wounds, dehydration, starvation and exhaustion along with shooting down more men than you can count, weighs heavily on my conscience. Then spending weeks, months on end, camping or marching took its toll on us all. In the beginning it sounded glorifying but by the end I was lost, disheartened and confused. I learned that love and family are the most important things in life, not politics or power.
2. Have you taken your family for a voyage on the "Ambassador"?
Every year we take her out for a holiday.
3. Do you still write letters to your father?
I try to visit more than write. Writing reminds me of war and separation. I would much rather see him face to face than put how I feel into writing again. Train travel makes it easy to visit home often.
Thanks Hannah!
About Hannah
Hannah Warren was born in Paris (Fr.) in 1956 as a second child to a Dutch father and an English mother. She has lived in The Netherlands almost all her life but has a strong connection with France, UK and Holland.
She studied Dutch literature and Mass communication at the University of Amsterdam and also obtained a B.A. in English Literature & Language and a B.A. in Translation from Rotterdam University. She currently works at the International Office of HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen.
From the early age of 8, Ms Warren has written poetry and short stories but it took her fifty years to become a published author. Hannah specialises in writing family saga series, both historical and contemporary.
Between 2011 and 2014 she signed contracts with two small Indie publishing houses, which unfortunately had to close shop. On 1 March 2015 she signed with Tirgearr Publishing, Ireland.
She studied Dutch literature and Mass communication at the University of Amsterdam and also obtained a B.A. in English Literature & Language and a B.A. in Translation from Rotterdam University. She currently works at the International Office of HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen.
From the early age of 8, Ms Warren has written poetry and short stories but it took her fifty years to become a published author. Hannah specialises in writing family saga series, both historical and contemporary.
Between 2011 and 2014 she signed contracts with two small Indie publishing houses, which unfortunately had to close shop. On 1 March 2015 she signed with Tirgearr Publishing, Ireland.