Ask Jacqueline Winspear - March 12, 2013 discussion

Welcome to the group! Jacqueline will be answering questions throughout the day on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for Jacqueline or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Hi, my name is Barb and I really enjoy the Maisie Dobbs series. I was introduced to it in a book club. Since then, I have read them all except the newest. I just wanted to compliment you, Ms. Winspear on your ability to make your characters and history come alive. When you described the terrible conditions in the war, I could almost feel the mud and cold; fantastic imagery.
My question is, how did you decide to use that time in history for the setting of the series? Thank you for writing such a captivating series, I hope you have many more books to add!

Oh, a question: will Maisie ever have a catalyst to let go of her career enough to have a true relationship with a life partner?

My name is Pam. I absolutely love the Maisie Dobbs series. I have recommended it to every lover of books that I know. I won't be able to join the group on the 12th because of a previous commitment. But I look forward to future discussions

Hello, My name is Abby and I have read all the books so far and have first hold when my library gets your Newest. I enjoy the setting and Mazie and have gained an education on the wide spread consequences of WW1. Interest piqued I have been reading other accts of the war ie The end of the Belle epoque and some other books by Persephone Books The covers of your books are great as well.

My name is Robin. I usually read mysteries not for the answer to "who done it" but for the setting and characters, which are wonderful in your books. I love that Maisie is a strong woman who sees her career as a mission. Now that Downton Abbey is such a huge hit, I am recommending your books to my friends who are fans of the show, as they have become interested in that time and the effects of WWI. I wondered why you chose that era and why you added the unusual twist of Maisie's use of eastern philosophy and psychology.

I agree with you, Robin - I love the Maisie Dobbs series not so much for the "who done it" but for the "why done it." I've loved watching Maisie grow and change and how self-possessed she is.

I feel so oddly invested in this series. I had to stop listening to the audiobooks because the narrator, who was perfectly fine, just gave the wrong "voice" to Maisie. I cannot wait to turn on my Kindle on the 26th and having Leaving Everything Most Loved waiting for me.

I basically have to ditto what everyone above me has said, except that I do also wait eagerly to find out "who done it." Can't wait to turn on my Kindle and read the new one, which I have on pre-order. I'm so grateful to the friend who first told me about Maisie. I've passed on the favor by telling my other friends and most are now Maisie fans, too.

I have read 9 of the books and love them all. Will she ever marry? What will happen when WWII comes?

I was introduced to Maisie Dobbs in one book club, and
we loved it so much that I recommended these books to my other book club and now many others are reading her
wonderful mysteries. Love it that the books focus on
the development of Maisie's character and the times in which she lives. Each book offers such rich details of life's events. I have read 6 books now and will continue in the series. I kind of liked the police
inspector for Maisie. Just finished Incomplete Revenge and he wasn't in it. Is he lost in the
shuffle or did this job lead her out of his jurisdiction??????????????????
and he wasn't in it.

Hi, I'm Mary, blogger, reader and writer of historical fiction. I'd like to ask Jacqueline what has attracted her to this particular time period as the setting for her Maisie Dobbs books.

What do you use, or how do you research the time period? It's as if you've lived in that time.

Hi. I am really eager to read the new Maisie book. As a former librarian, I am curious about what resources Ms. Winspear used to learn about 1930s London. I know she always puts such historical details into her books.

Hi, I'm Janet and I'm a librarian and a bookseller. My colleagues will attest that I'm Maisie's #1 fan! Would you speak about how much is plotted in advance when you sit down to write, and how much, if any, comes to you in Maisie's voice and takes you in a different direction than you expected as you are writing? Thank you for this phenomenal character and series!

I work in a public library and am in charge of "staff picks". Many of our patrons have been introduced to Maisie through this and love her as much as I do. Your writing is brilliant! You have raised the literary bar. Did you base Maisie on a real life character?

I LOVE the series. Maisie is wonderfully complex and yet so understandable as a woman making her own way. Have you decided how long the series will continue, and if so, can we look forward to Maisie in WWII Britain? Thank you for writing such awesome books and taking the time to answer questions here.

Like others, I've read all the Maisie Dobbs books to date and have enjoyed Maisie's growth through the series. As the time transitions from post-WWI to pre-WWII (and likely, during WWII), how do you see the time period affecting:
1. Maisie's working-class roots vs. current prosperity?
2. Maisie as a professional working woman? (Her ability to do her job - as a woman - as well as her job opportunities as a private detective)
3. Maisie's view on war?

Thank you for your time!

Lisa

Hello, I'm a stay-at-home mom of four, so reading is a precious commodity. A librarian friend suggested your books and I have really enjoyed them. My question is what do you read for enjoyment when you are writing your books? Do you read something similar in setting and style or do you find something that is completely different from your own writings? Thanks so much for a taking the time for this discussion.

Hello my name is Wendy. I have enjoyed the Masie Dobbs series for a number of years. My question for Jacqueline is how did you decide that Maise should be an investigator? Was this based upon historical research that you were doing for your first Maise Dobbs novel? Had you found that the field of psychology was making advances in "profiling" the mind set of criminals at this time? My second question is why did you decide that Maise should be a more independent woman? I have read other historical novels and a few biographies from that time period. Was it because the role of women was changing after the WWI? It seemed to me that many women were starting to question their role in relation to men.

I read the entire Maisie Dobbs series this fall and loved the mysteries, rhe historical details and the believable characters. I think the BBC should make this series into the next Downton Abbey! Has anyone purchased the television or movie rights? It would be wonderful! Thanks for such a delightful series from Charlotte in Vermont.

Charlotte wrote: "I read the entire Maisie Dobbs series this fall and loved the mysteries, rhe historical details and the believable characters. I think the BBC should make this series into the next Downton Abbey! ..."

Charlotte,

I agree with you that I thought BBC would love to make this into a series. Have it shown on PBS. Great question I am looking forward to her answer to your question.

Hi all, I'm Kate. I'm a very big fan of the series and can't wait for the newest Maisie installment! Reading Maisie has definitely sparked my interest in the WWI/WWII time period. My question(s) for Jacqueline: Did you take inspiration from other works of literature set during the same time period? If so, which books? And, a bit off topic from Maisie, but what is your favorite book? Looking forward to your comments on the 12th :)

Hello, my name is Susan Jo. I see that all my questions have already been asked so I won't ask them again. I do, however, wish to express my appreciation for the Maisie Dobbs series. They are extremely well written and plotted. I sincerely hope they will continue for a long time to come. Thank you so much!

I have enjoyed each of the Maisie Dobbs books, and was thrilled to see you have another one! The books feuled an interest in the WW1 era, and I am wondering if that era had always interested you or if you happened to start on it on your way to another topic. Thanks, Rebecca

I am new to this "discussion with the author" events - what time will this occur on Tuesday?

I don't remember how I discovered your books but as soon as I did, I bought all of your books and devoured them. I love the covers on all the books. I'm hoping in your future books, that Maisie will be able to find a partner to love. Also love learning about the history through fiction. Enjoyable.

Messenger of Truth has been my favorite of the series, and like many others I appreciate the way you have so carefully depicted life in this era. I too wonder if Maisie will ever find someone with whom she can truly share her life. I also note how fiercely you are willing to portray the more insidious costs of warfare. What has led to your courage in being willing to tell the stories of those for whom the cost of war is too high?

I LOVE Maisie and everyone she befriends seems to have such honorable qualities too.

My question isn't very interesting, except just to me - why did you leave Britain for California? Or is that too personal?

I was introduced to Maisie by my friend Dee, a prolific reader she. This character is just beyond interesting. I don't have a question for JW. Just want to express my thanks for making my reading that much better with the Maisie series. There has been nothing I don't like about the books. I toast you highly JW for your ability to imagine the characters, the plot and locations for these novels. I love them dearly and did from word one, page one, book one.
Thanks.

I agree with Susan Jo - there are great questions here. I can't wait to hear the answers. My question: do you have a writing mentor?
Thank you!
Kathy

This is meant as a compliment... I had thought you were a contemporary of Agatha Christie because your stories have captured the time period so well. My basic questions have been asked previously, but I do wonder why there seems to be less of an emphasis on Maisie's use of psychology in her solving the cases. Admittedly, i'm not more than halfway through the series. It just seems that she's not as obvious with it.

Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to come and answer our questions. What a rare treat. I just read the first book a couple days ago. One character I found quite intriguing was Maurice. I loved, loved, loved those little "teaching moments" Maisie remembered learning from him. I felt like I needed to take notes and then practice those gems of wisdom about human nature, and how to communicate without language, and how to draw stories out of people gently and compassionately. My favorite of all was the idea to fill someone back up after they have experienced a void. The quick thinking and kind way Maisie asked Celia to go fabric shopping, and also when she asked Billy to help renovate her office, were especially touching examples of this concept. How did you ever learn these truths? Do you practice them yourself? You must be an amazingly intuitive and compassionate person. I would love to learn more about living my life in such a manner. What can you tell me about living such a life?

Hello, I have enjoyed every one of the Maisie books, and am waiting eagerly for the latest one. Any chance that it would be available at Left Coast Crime?

Robin wrote: "My name is Robin. I usually read mysteries not for the answer to "who done it" but for the setting and characters, which are wonderful in your books. I love that Maisie is a strong woman who sees h..."
Robin, Have you heard the more recent books on audio? They are much better than the earlier one. Jacqueline read one, Pardonable Lies, which gives you the voice that the author meant her to have and there's a wonderful interview after the book.

Hello, I discovered the Maisie Dobbs books last year and quickly read them all except for the most recent, #10. My favourite was the Mapping of Love and Death. Like others I love the time period the books are set in and read them more for the settings and characters than the mystery itself. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series and would love to see Maisie find true happiness.

Hello, I agree with so many of the comments about the Maisie Dobbs books. My question is what resources and how to do you research the time period and get so much detail to describe the time and the setting. Thank you for this opportunity

Hi, I adore the Maisie Dobbs series! I'm listening to them on audio, and I'm just about to listen to "Elegy for Eddie". I've already got "Leaving Everything Most Loved" in my cart @ Audible. I feel like these characters are my friends, and I look forward to finding out what's going on!! I especially want to thank you for your clean, wholesome writing! I respect and appreciate the fact that you write without objectionable language! Keep it up!

I absolutely love the series. I'm still working my way through the series, since I started at the beginning last year. No question really. Just a comment that I love how the characters have developed from one book to the next so you really feel you're getting to know them and they're not just a bunch of characters stuck in time. Looking forward to reading the rest and all future releases.

Hello! Like everyone else, I love the Maisie Dobb series and look forward eagerly to each book. I have heard a rumor that the Maisie series will be coming to an end soon. Can you confirm or deny?

I love the Maisie Dobb series and can't read enough books about the Great War. What are some of your favorite fictional books about WWI. My 2 favorites might be Birdsong and Three Day Road.

I have also read all of the Maisie Dobbs books. I love that she came from the servant's quarters to later be part of the family. She seems to continue to struggle with her "place in the world". My favorite book so far is "Ellegy for Eddie". She begins to wonder if she's too controlling. This really struck me because it made me wonder the same thing about myself. I look forward to reading more of Maisie's self examination. I don't have a question, just a comment. I hope the Maisie Dobbs stories continue for a long time.

I would love to have the books made into a series like Downton Abbey. I would suggest BBC or Master Piece Theater be involved. Is there any interest in making these books into a series or movies?

I am guessing from your letter on the website that there are more books are going to be written for this series? Do you see this going on indefinitely or do you have an end in mind?

I too love the Maisie Dobb series, and especially am intrigued with the historical details of the stories. I am very moved by the descriptions of the veterans, and the idea of the changing roles for women at that time. I wonder if you have any personal connection to the time period, or what else may have interested you to create Maisie? Many friends and family are enthralled with Downton Abbey, and so I have recommended your books to them. Thank you for sharing your talents, and bringing this period to life. My grandfather fought in France in WWI, and while wounded escaped from a hospital in France to avoid the flu. He was, we believe, deeply effected by his experience, but of course while he lived did not complain or speak much of it.

Rummor Has it!!! That this is the end of Masie Dobbs? I have been saving Book 9 ever since I heard this thinking that may be the last! IS 10 THE LAST INSTALLMENT in the series????

Oh no! I hope this is not the last Maisie Dobbs book.

Maisie is so serious and I wish she were sometimes just funny and silly, but maybe the character just isn't.

Your Maisie Dobbs series shows so much skill and talent with setting -- both the visual and the psychological. In general it seems to me that many aspects of period setting beyond concrete visual description are quite hard to convey. For example, how can an author convey the feel of a period's music and dance without simply name-dropping songs & dance styles that mean nothing to a readers who hasn't heard of them before? What aspects of 1920s culture have you found tricky to incorporate into your writing? And are there any cultural themes or details that haven't fit in to the novels so far but that you particularly adore?

Finally, you obviously put a lot of thought and research into Maisie's spiritualism. Could you share any resources that you would recommend about how spiritualism & interactions with the occult changed from their 1890s popularity to after WWI? I'm fascinated with all the ways WWI changed cultural norms in ways you would not immediately expect.

Thank you for Maisie Dobbs! I'm wondering this: What is your favorite aspect of research?

Hello, My name is Dena and I started reading this series because I was going to meet Jacqueline in Omaha, Ne at the Mayhem Convention. Sadly, she was unable to attend, but I fell in love with Maisie... Currently I'm reading book four, so I am behind as usual with the fact I have so many series I follow.

I love to read the rich, beautiful details that Maisie sees and the historical time period is amazing! I can hear the sounds and see the streets as Maisie walks them. Each character feels so real.......

I do hope this series continues as you are a wonderful writer.

Maisie is a friend of mine and I love to be in her company. She has a reserve I can never quite penetrate but I respect she has had an interesting life. Meditation interests me and how she applies it in her work, does the author use a specific form herself? Thank you, Anita

Your portrayal of characters suffering from what we'd now call post-traumatic stress disorder is spot-on. Can you talk about how you incorporated this into your books (why you decided to make such an important, recurring element; your research into it; the challenges of writing about it, etc.)? Thank you.

Karen