BooksChatter: ℚ Wealth and Privilege

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Jeanette Watts to talk about Wealth and Privilege (4 February 2013, Jeanettee Watts, 440 pages) her historical fiction novel.

Synopsis | Teaser | Author Q&A | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

Hello Jeanette, welcome and thank you for joining us on BooksChatter.

What was the inspiration for Wealth and Privilege?

"I was waiting for a friend, and reading the back covers of her immense stack of romance novels. I couldn’t help but notice that all romance novels seem to be set in the south, or occasionally the west. What’s so unromantic about the north? Or the east? I’m a Yankee girl, I thought I needed to set this right. Atlanta has Gone With the Wind, now Pittsburgh has Wealth and Privilege."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Does any writer have a choice but to be reflected? I’m nuts about history, so all the descriptions of historic events are accurate. It gave me an excuse to research in archives.

I love dogs and can’t have any of my own because my husband is allergic to fur, so my heroine has a pair of Labrador Retrievers.

I am a dancer and a costumer, so I talk about the dances of the time, and I love talking about changes in women’s fashion, all through the eyes of a man who is simply living through the times, and adjusting to women’s latest whims. "

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Wealth and Privilege - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"My cover is actually a vacation photo! Except that the background in the original is a parking lot. My husband is a fantastic graphic artist, he painstakingly cut out the background, and inserted the picture of trees from Western Pennsylvania."

Why should we read Wealth and Privilege and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"One reader who reviewed my book said that he was lying awake at night, worrying about the characters. That doesn’t happen so much in literature these days."

Can you tell us something quirky about Wealth and Privilege, its story and characters?

"Not only are the events I describe historical events, but the “bit” characters are frequently real people. Dr. James McClelland really was a doctor in Pittsburgh at the time. I walked up to the archivist at the Heinz History Center, and asked, “If I’m rich, and living on Penn Avenue, and it’s 1880, and I get sick, who is my doctor?” He looked up at me, and said, “Dr. McClelland. I’ll go get you his file.” Several months later, the History Center had a clothing exhibit. And there on display among all the women’s dresses, was Dr. McClelland’s frock coat. I was so excited, I felt like I’d just found one of my own ancestors, not just a character I was fleshing out."

Who would you recommend Wealth and Privilege to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"History lovers will enjoy it. Gone With the Wind fans? During scenes with my heroine, think about Rhett Butler. "

If you could / wished to turn Wealth and Privilege into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I don’t know about actors, but I want James Cameron to direct it. He would totally understand the book, the characters, and the action scenes. As for locations, the book is set in Pittsburgh and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, so that part isn’t exactly negotiable. The locations are characters in their own right. "

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I am all over the map. So far, I’ve written historical fiction, textbooks on dancing, television commercials, stage melodramas, marketing materials, and screenplays. There’s a children’s book I want to write. And now that 50 Shades of Gray has come out, I’ve wondered about writing pornography. At least I had an idea that I think would make a really good story."

What is your writing process?

"Put words on paper (or, on the computer). Put down more words. Delete those words and put in different words. Keep doing it until everything is “ripe.” Get a bunch of proofreaders. Delete, correct, and change more words. Get more proofreaders…"

What is in store next?

"The sequel to Wealth and Privilege is called Brains and Beauty. I sent it out to three proofreaders, two of them have returned their edits. Once I get all those corrections in place, it goes out for one more round of editing, and then I can go to print."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you (this could be absolutely anything!)? Could you please provide us with a picture of you with them / it?

"Hm… well, here’s a photo of a few of my dancers from last weekend’s dance workshop. I guess they’re sort of like my pets. They are certainly the most important thing in the world to me! That’s me in the center back in the zebra stripes. "