Author Discussion Group discussion

Now that we know 10 things about Jodi and have a trivia game under our belt - let's sit down with the author and ask her a few questions!

I have questions myself to ask, if you have any for Jodi please feel free to jump in.

here is your first question Jodi:

1. (From Gaele Hi) I loved the fact that Lizzie was so real and strong: conventional thought says that women of the time were rather simpering and dominated by their husbands and society, when the reverse was often true surviving without mod cons we so rely on today wasn’t easy. We see much of the same strength (although buoyed more by circumstance) with Abigail. What other contemporaries of the time were used to influence Lizzie’s development and approach to challenges?

Hi there - sorry. Was in a class!

Ah, interesting question.

Abigail Adams, for sure. Martha Ballard, of midwifery fame. And the few women who actually did dress up as men and join the revolution. Also, the women who kept their families alive by finding ways to feed them...

Jodi wrote: "... Also, the women who kept their families alive by finding ways..."

aren't they always an inspiration? :D

Here is a question from(Elise VanCise):

What drew you to writing about (the revolutionary) era?

Marie wrote: "Here is a question from(Elise VanCise):

What drew you to writing about (the revolutionary) era?"

I have been a big Adams family fan for a long time. I have been drawn, too, to the creativity of the period. Of having to invent and define oneself as a nation seems such a rich metaphor for inventing and defining the self as well. Add to this the fact that I kept wondering what the women were doing while the men were away, and why so few stories dealt with them.

Jodi wrote: "Marie wrote: "Here is a question from(Elise VanCise):

What drew you to writing about (the revolutionary) era?"

I have been a big Adams family fan for a long time. I have been drawn, too, to the..."

It's great that we have authors like you to help tell these women's stories!

Frome (Naomi Leadbeater):

How do you think the eating habits of today compare to those of the past? Traditional cooking recipes vs. how we all eat out of boxes now for instance.

Marie wrote: "Frome (Naomi Leadbeater):

How do you think the eating habits of today compare to those of the past? Traditional cooking recipes vs. how we all eat out of boxes now for instance."

Interesting question. I'm not sure their diet was all that healthy, even compared to ours. Lots of meat and fat if you were wealthy; lots of cream and butter if you had a cow; hard cider all day; jarred vegetables in winter; and--worst of all from my POV--no citrus fruit!

Also, since they had less, their portions were MUCH smaller. Probably 1/4 of our "normal" portion size, or less.

Jodi wrote: "Marie wrote: "Frome (Naomi Leadbeater):

How do you think the eating habits of today compare to those of the past? Traditional cooking recipes vs. how we all eat out of boxes now for instance."

I..."

citrus fruit is pretty epic!

From (Karleene Morrow):

How do you approach the research side of writing about another time? What [resources] do you use?

Ohh yeah, fill us in on this one. I do a lot of research too.

I can't do anything without primary sources. I need to "hear" what people sounded like. So, newspapers, diaries, and letters are a must-read. All the Adams letters are now online, and libraries like the Boston Public have early newspapers in digital format now, too. So no more dark and dusty microfilm rooms! I also need to "see" the place. That involves looking at early maps and drawings. I like to know the place in as much detail as possible...street maps, houses, inhabitants. The more I know, the more I can envision my characters living in that environment. Finally, I like knowing what news and events they would have been paying attention to. Thus, my characters tend to react to events not when they happened in real time, but when the characters would actually have HEARD the news--usually several days or even weeks after the events happened. Oh, yeah. I need to know what they might have eaten, how they would have gotten their food, and what clothing they would have worn!

That's amazing Jodi, leading us into a question from Andrea Larson:

Have you ever visit the historical sites mentioned in your story – if so which ones, what were they like to see in person?

I'm curious now (and TY for the answer) .. did you watch/ see the John Adams docu/drama that HBO did in 2008? I'm currently watching a whole slew of discussions through History Extra (a BBC site/mag/podcast) where they are dissecting the Showtime "The White Queen" series -

Probably my thoughts are less to the 'historical accuracy' but more to the feel, and the interest it generates in the public - have you found a ready audience for this story with those people who enjoyed the series? Do you think they help or hurt in terms of interest?

I liked but didn't love the Adams series. I honestly forget what it was I didn't love. I'd have to watch it again. Something about it didn't seem quite accurate to me. As for where I have visited...I have been to all three Adams houses in Quincy, and got a private tour of Josiah Quincy's home, where a number of scenes take place, and which is adjacent to Lizzie's house. It was very helpful to have actual places in mind when I wrote...

Alright readers - Andrea Larson's question was the last one i had, now it's your turn! You have Jodi for 30 more minutes of questions before we begin a contest at the top of the next hour!

Hey, folks...I need to go teach a class. But I'll be back at 3:00, or maybe even 2:00. See you soon!

Oh, I think such series are enormously helpful in getting people to realize what great stories history holds...back later!

Jodi wrote: "Hey, folks...I need to go teach a class. But I'll be back at 3:00, or maybe even 2:00. See you soon!"

my apologies! have a great class - we will keep things going until you return!