13. This story is one of choices. How do you see them playing out with each character? In your own life? Are the choices not made as powerful as the ones we consciously make? Is there a difference between them?
Q & A With Katherine Reay from Dear Mr. Knightley
Are there many similarities between you and Sam?
That’s a tough one because I think so many struggles are universal. I hoped to show an aspect of that through Ashley and Sam’s friendship. I can certainly relate to feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and the search for what I believe and to whom I belong. That said, Sam and I do not share a similar history and any mistakes in the logistics of her childhood are my own. I spoke to so many people and read quite a lot, but I know there is much I couldn’t capture.
Is there anything autobiographical in the story?
Very little, but I did attend Northwestern and I have run a marathon—and I earned my black belt in tae kwon do a few years ago. Hmm . . . I may have to redefine “very little.” There is another incident that cracks me up: The scene when Sam corrects Alex and Professor Muir on their Shakespeare is from my life. I am sure many of you recall a similar moment in the wonderful 1995 movie Clueless but, as my husband can attest, it happened to me first—on the night I met my future in-laws. I was so nervous that I said nothing until I opened my mouth and set their Othello straight. Humiliated, I then closed my mouth for the rest of the evening.
What was your inspiration for writing Sam’s story?
In 2009, I was seriously injured and, while most people receive flowers in the hospital, my friends brought me books. I left my three-day stay with over thirty titles—and a bit of time on my hands for recovery. Yet, despite all these new stories, I wanted to spend time with old favorites, including Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. The idea grew from there. As for Sam’s hiding behind characters, I do not do that, but I have been known to belt out song lyrics when someone conversationally uses a phrase. It’s highly embarrassing for my kids, but don’t let them fool you . . . They do it too.
What is the story behind Sam’s faith? You bring many themes into the book, primarily forgiveness.
Forgiveness is paramount. We can think of it writ large in terms of our relationship with God and Christ or more tangibly in terms of our daily interactions with friends, family, and ourselves. It’s an ever-developing aspect of our faith and I did not feel led to finish Sam’s journey in this regard. She forgave Alex, but there is still much more for her to lay down. Great people surround her though, so I’m not worried.
I mentioned that the book came from a time of recovery. It also came from a wonderful time of prayer. And while I wouldn’t want to be in such physical pain again, I feel blessed that it happened because of all I learned from it and all that came from that entire experience—including this story and the extraordinary opportunity to write another.
What’s next?
Right now I am working on a manuscript with another fascinating young woman. She is bold and possesses a sharp sense of humor, which was not available to Sam. I loved writing Sam’s story and I’m thoroughly enjoying this one as well. The process is very different because there were no expectations while I wrote Dear Mr. Knightley. I hoped people would someday read and love it, but I certainly had no guarantee it would make it off my computer. That’s been a gift for me. But this next story has a deadline and, if someone liked Dear Mr. Knightley and honors me by picking up the next book, I want to give them my very best.
Sam’s Reading List from Dear Mr. Knightley
If asked about her favorite books, Sam would reply “all Jane Austen.” She loved Austen’s “safe, ordered, and confined” world. Granted, Austen heroines might dispute Sam’s assertion: Charlotte Lucas certainly didn’t feel safe—otherwise she would have passed by Mr. Collins without a second thought. But everything is relative . . .
Pride and Prejudice: Who wouldn’t want to embody the indomitable Elizabeth Bennet with her quick wit and “fine eyes”? And who doesn’t love beautiful, demure Jane Bennet? And Lydia? It is perhaps not prudent to follow in her steps, but such obtuse, brash boldness is probably fun on occasion. One can readily understand Sam’s longing to spend time within the Bennet family.
Emma: Sam hardly dared to dream of what life might be like in Emma’s warm bubble of adoration and love. Certainly many other Highbury residents didn’t feel so secure. In fact, most didn’t. But Emma? She “cannot really change for the better.”
Sense and Sensibility: Austen’s most obvious juxtaposition of two opposite ways of thinking, feeling, and living. Thankfully, Sam grew right alongside Elinor and Marianne. And, after fleeing Josh, she too gravitated to a nicely moderate center.
Alongside Jane Austen, Sam would place Jane Eyre as a dear favorite. And how could these two not be fast friends? Yet, in Jane, Sam found more than a friend. She found the guide she desperately needed. Sure, Miss Eyre got swept away for a moment—and what a scene it is!—but on the whole she was a young woman with her feet firmly planted on the ground.
Sam also adored Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo. His is the story of a young man robbed of everything of meaning—by his best friend no less—and left to die in a horrid prison. But wait. He escapes, he finds a treasure beyond measure, he devises a ruthless, elegant, and sophisticated plan for revenge . . . So satisfying. It’s easy to see why Sam found him appealing. But thank you, Dumas, for underpinning your adventure with strong threads of faith, hope, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Sam needed those too.
There are so many others, but I’ll just run through a few, otherwise we could be here for pages.
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy: It’s easy for anyone to delight in Percy Blakeney, the true master of disguise and a dashingly handsome hero.
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery: If you’re an orphan, Anne is a good friend. She’s spunky, fun, ready to get you into mischief, and determined to keep you safe on Prince Edward Island. However, Anne always wanted to be a writer and poor Sam would be horrified if she knew you’d read her letters.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: I don’t think Sam set out to love Ebenezer Scrooge, but I think she now considers him a dear friend. Alex certainly does and thanks Dickens for his tale.
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell: Margaret Hale and John Thornton are a couple different in every way but so clearly meant to be together. Sam says it was the “one last go at all that matters” that appealed to her; I think it was John Thornton.
Sam started with The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis but is now working her way through The Chronicles of Narnia. She can’t read them fast enough. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy enthrall her, but Eustace will always be most near and dear to her heart—as will the glorious lion, Aslan, who saved him.
And I must add . . . Please never let Sam know her letters were published. She may have a psychotic break like poor Miss Havisham from Great Expectations and we will find her seeking solace in her banquet of books forever . . .
Thank you . . .
KBR
Acknowledgments from Dear Mr. Knightley
A friend once called God’s love “extravagant.” I’ve always loved that description—and if I ever forget, I will look back at this book, this journey, and all the people who came along beside me . . . and I will remember.
First I owe a debt of gratitude to Austen, Brontë, Webster, Dickens, Dumas . . . The list goes on. This is a book about loving books, and they wrote some of the best. Their words and worlds gave Sam—and give all of us—safe places to grow.
Then, I want to thank Lee Hough, who believed in this story from moment one and has guided me as both a friend and a mentor.
I stand amazed at the skill, poise, dedication, and acumen displayed daily by Daisy Hutton, Becky Monds, Katie Bond, and Ruthie Dean—I thank you, trust you, and cannot imagine a better home. Natalie Hanemann, LB Norton, and Jodi Hughes—thank you for your wonderful editing. Kristen Vasgaard, I’m still in love
with this beautiful cover . . . And to the Sales Team—thank you for getting this book out into the world. There are many others at Thomas Nelson who have contributed to this endeavor—I sincerely thank you all.
I also want to acknowledge Sandra Byrd, Linda Kokemor, Suzie Townsend, and Bob Haslam for your insights and time. Without you and many others, who helped push the story and me forward, it would still be only in my heart and on my computer.
Closer to home—Thanks, Team Reay. Mason, you never doubted for a moment, even when all the great ideas seemed to come from your brain, not mine. And Elizabeth, my sister, your never-ending enthusiasm and willingness to read each of my many drafts keeps me smiling. My “sisters” in Austin—thank you for making the miles seem negligible. And, Pam, I hope the story—especially that one character—makes you laugh. I love you all.
And . . . Thanks so much to you for reading Dear Mr. Knightley!
Acknowledgments from Lizzy & Jane
A BLANK PAGE IS AN INTIMIDATING THING, AND THIS blank page is the most daunting of them all. Not because there is no one to thank but because so many hands, hearts, and heads join in this journey, I fear not saying enough . . .
I’d like to start by thanking all the women who shared their experiences with breast cancer with me—especially Pam Muir, Katherine James, and Lisa Youngblood for going deep. I also thank Julie Jarema, Annie Gunderson, Sandy Sampson, Amy Juneau, Dawn Behling, Peter Armstrong, and all the nurses and doctors at McLaren Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, for their amazing work, patience, and generosity. Any mistakes—and the many changes in treatment to fit a very fictional case—are most definitely my own.
And to the incomparable team at Thomas Nelson—Daisy Hutton, Katie Bond, Becky Monds, Elizabeth Hudson, Jodi Hughes, Ansley Boatman, and the fantastic Sales Team—you all make me smile each and every day. Kristen Vasgaard, thank you for yet another beautiful cover, and LB Norton, for being the best Word Master I know. There are so many others who work tirelessly—I sincerely thank you all.
I also want to always remember my dear friend Lee Hough who helped create Lizzy & Jane—and to thank Andrea Heinecke and Bryan Norman for guiding it on.
And to my family . . . Mom and Dad, thank you for—Well, there’s too much to list isn’t there? I’ll start with my “desk away from my desk.” It, and all that comes with it each summer, is an outpouring of your love. Thank you.
As always, thanks Team Reay—especially you, SHM, for always believing and digging in beside me each and every day.
Finally and especially, I thank the Elizabeths. Each of you has your fingerprints all over this story and my heart. I hope you will always know, deep in your soul, how much I love you.
Acknowledgments from The Brontë Plot
My first three books sit closely on a shelf. They don’t form a series, but common threads are so readily apparent. Women seeking voices, places to stand, true life, love, joy, and family—and all with a healthy (sometimes saturating) dose of classic literature. They’ve been such fun! But there’s a deeper thread and—while I’m beyond thankful for the incredible words penned and emotional journeys conveyed by Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens, Jean Webster, Alexandre Dumas, and too many others to name—I need to give a shout-out to probably the most pervading influence in my thinking and writing. Thank you, C. S. Lewis.
I also offer my deepest gratitude to Daisy Hutton, extraordinary editor, publisher, and friend. Thank you for believing this story could be so much more than I first envisioned. I’m thankful for your faith and your trust—and thrilled we’ll get to do this all over again . . . And again.
And to the incredible team at Thomas Nelson—Katie Bond, Elizabeth Hudson, Jodi Hughes, Kristen Ingebretson, Becky Monds, and the amazing sales team. Many thanks for all your hard work to bring these stories to the world, wearing so many hats—and with such incredible style!
To my Grove-y sisters and dear friends, Thank you. Sarah Ladd, Kristy Cambron, Beth Vogt, Katie Ganshert, Cara Putman, Melissa Tagg, and Courtney Walsh . . . I cherish our friendship, prayer-chain e-mails, understanding, and our blog. I feel so blessed to be counted within this group. And a special thanks to Rachel McMillian and Hilary Manton Lodge for answering my desperate Facebook plea, for your friendship . . . And for the title! To Elizabeth Lane—Thanks for dreaming up the “events” with me, first readings, last readings, and always answering the phone. And to Claudia Cross—I’m so delighted to be on this road with you; our fun together is only beginning. Kindred spirits all!
And speaking of kindred spirits—Thank you to my family, Team Reay, for the everyday gritty camaraderie and to four generations of unfailing love and support. There wouldn’t be a glimmer of an idea, any ideas, without you.
Last, but not least—Thank you. So many of you have joined me on this bookish journey—readers, reviewers, bloggers. There is such joy out there! Thank you for reading and sharing with me! I hope you enjoyed Lucy and Helen.
About the Author
Katherine Reay has enjoyed a lifelong affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. After earning degrees in history and marketing from Northwestern University, she worked in not-for-profit development before returning to school to pursue her MTS. Katherine lives with her husband and three children in Chicago, Illinois.
Visit her website at www.katherinereay.com
Twitter: @Katherine_Reay
Facebook: katherinereaybooks
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