Chat with Jill Barnett 07/29/01 at Writerspace

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Chat with Jill Barnett 07/29/01

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SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY
Jill Barnett
In her stunning hardcover debut, New York Times bestselling author Jill Barnett creates a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the epic panorama of World War II. Passionate, poignant and powerfully told, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY is an intense, grandly classic novel of love and war, spanning three continents and an infinite range of human emotion. It is a triumphant adventure, a extraordinary tale of the choices made for love and country at a time when ordinary, everyday people become heroes.

Cissy - So... Welcome everyone! Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII. We'll be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
Jill Barnett - Hello Miss Kate. Welcome
spin - sorry everyone but i dont know who and what u r talking about??? very confused kiwi here
YH - Miss Kate
Cissy - Jill, before we move on to Q&A from the group, can we get you to talk to us a little about SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY?
Jill Barnett - I owe Mireya an answer about research. I'll have to post on the website, I think.
YH - there's a tv show called Sex in the City spin, and Aidan is a cute character in there.
MissKate - Hope you're all having a good evening. It's Kate from the BB - I was a bit delayed - phone call from my grandmother. Anyway, it's good to be here.
Jill Barnett - Sure
Jill Barnett - Sentimental Journey is a book that began for me in 1991.
YH - you're not too late Kate, we haven't really started yet!
Cissy - Welcome, Kate. We're just getting started, so your timing is good.
spin - okkk well that explains everything not oh well i dont watch that much tv anyway rather read bks
Jill Barnett - It started as a spinoff of JUST A KISS AWAY, the J.R.'s character was actually Jim Cassidy. I thought it would be quite ironic to ahve someone that handsome wnd up with a blind girl
YH - ?
Cissy - got you in line, YH
Jill Barnett - It began as an adventure with the two of them on the run, but I decided to put it on the back burner after BEWITCHING because I needed to write Richard and Letty's story.
Jill Barnett - (I'm typing this in pieces and posting so there isn't big down time gaps.)
april - Oh, definitely. I can understand that.
Cissy - sounds good, Jill -- just type "ga" (go ahead) when you're done, so I don't talk over you
Jill Barnett - Anyway, I also had an idea about a WWII book where these characters are in a plane crash in a flight to Cairo during WWII and end up on the run from Rimmel. Eventually..about 1993 05 1994, the books merged into a bigger book idea and I sat on it. Refused to write even thos my editor wanted it. I was saving it for a special time.
spin - ahhmmmm an i still here??
Jill Barnett - After Wonderful was publishing in 1997, Pocket came to bme about moving my books into hardcover.
SEAL has timed out.
Ginger - yes Spin
cat person - - from spider-tm054.proxy.aol.com on 7/29 at 8:55pm EST
Cissy - far as I can tell, spin
april - ?
spin - good thought that the machine was spitting me out again
Jill Barnett - They wanted to do WICKED in hard, but I said no. I knew I wanted SJ to be my hardcover debut and I didn't think it was fair to my readers to go hardcover with the third book in a paperback trilogy.
Ginger - We thank you for that Jill
PattiL has timed out.
spin - ?
Jill Barnett - I dug my heels in and won, otherwise my first hardcover would have been in 1999. Honestly, this book is different for me--bigger, broader, more characters, because I ahve been hungry for books that have more scope and because after my husband died, writing fairy tale romances was so damn hard. I'd just curl into a ball and sob sometimes.
Cissy - good move, Jill!
Jill Barnett - I hope you can all understand that. GA
YH - What made you decide to write about JR's grandson rather than JR himself? and what made you decide on the backdrop of WWII (as in what was the inspiration for that airplane crash idea)? And I understand Red was loosely based on your dad, was Skip, and for that matter, JR Jr based on anyone you know?
Ginger - I can inly imagine how hard that would be Jill
Jill Barnett - GA
Cissy - Definitely. ... YH has the first question (April, Spin in line)
YH - !and yes Ms. B, I think we understand...
Cel - I understand perfectly what you are saying, Jill, even thought I didn't lose a spouse
marjbird - logged on - from 206.159.125.253 on 7/29 at 8:58pm EST
Ginger - LOL Yh That was just one Question Right?
Jill Barnett - Thanks..now to YH's ?
spin - i understand that well jill and hi marjbird
Cissy - Welcome marjbird Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII. We're be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
YH - um, um, not really
Jill Barnett - The WWII idea was from that plane...the JR and Kitty and Rheinholdt segment of the book is from that idea
MissKate - LOL -
Kiki - logged on - from a060-0125.cmb2.splitrock.net on 7/29 at 9:00pm EST
MissKate - Oops - how did *that* happen? Sorry.
BethS - ?
Cissy - Hi Kiki! Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII. We're be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
Jill Barnett - I adore WWII. My dad was a veteran of WWII and he told me stories all the time. I adore the period. Red was loosely...very loosely patterned after my dad. No one else.
Kiki - Thanks Cissy!
spin - hi kiki
Jill Barnett - My dad was 6'i", red hair, was born in Acme, Texas and his mother play honky tonk piano and drank beer, but she was a sweet lady with a big grin.
MissKate - ?
Kiki - LOL........a woman who knew how to have fun!
YH - I never thought Red's mom was based on someone in your family...
Cissy - April has the next question (Spin, BethS, MissKate in line)
Jill Barnett - My dad also played with Stan Kenton and Benny Goodman, so the music was definitely part of my life. Also, I mention things like 'the Streit farm'--my family's place in Lockett, TX and Louie Lee Holder was my dad's best friend.
Jill Barnett - GA
Jill Barnett - I slipped that in, YH )
april - I wanted to know if there were any noteworthy parts of the book that got cut out?
Jill Barnett - Kiki? I just saw America's Sweethearts Friday. Julia Roberts character was Kiki
Kiki - get outta here.......it's been my nickname for almost 50 years
Cissy - btw, to all of those who came in after the chat began, we've all made a pact to avoid spoilers in our questions and answers
Ginger - Thanks Cissy
Kiki - good Cissy, cuz I just ran to B&N and bought Jill's book tonight before the chat
YH - that's okay Ms B. It's interesting to know bits about your history!
Jill Barnett - I cut 200 pages out of the book in January. There were some scenes with Kitty and her brothers and her dad in Long Beach California. (I grew up near there) That all got cut. I scenes a lot and asked my editor ot read and recommend cuts. I made them all A scene with Red in bomber school in Texas and a couple of scenes with Audrey and Bob
YH - um, is there any plan to post cut-out scens on the BB, pretty please?
Jill Barnett - I also cut the letters a lot in the section with Skip and Greer . GA (Love the nickname)
marjbird - Sentimental Journey brought back many memories as I was a teen ager then. Thanks!
april - The mention of Kitty's brothers made me think of Lollie's brothers.
Cissy - Spin has the next question (BethS, MissKate in line)
Jill Barnett - Oh, phooey. I accidentally delted part of that answer. Sorry
Cissy - well, you have the floor, Jill - just pop it back in!
spin - hi jill first thanks for the hrs of enjoyment ur bks have given me and now the ? why go hardback......i want to cry when u authors do that
Jill Barnett - I cut lots of descriptiona nd some dialogue. Also flashback with Rheinhold...it wasn't good, and some scenes with missions
YH - no wonder the whole book felt like every word counted!
Jill Barnett - GA
Cissy - Spin has the next question (BethS, MissKate in line)
Jill Barnett - I edited like crazy to make each scene and each sentence and work pack a wallop.
Jill Barnett - That's part of the reason the book took 22 months
Jill Barnett - GA
Kiki - ?
Cel - BTW, the banner for Sentimental Journey is wondereful!
april - Isn't it pretty?
YH - heck, the whole cover is pretty... as for that matter, the story too...
Jill Barnett - Dear SPin...I'm so sorry, but it is the only way for an author to grow. I know you ahve to wait for the paperback, but there is the library for free. There is a point in a genre writer's career when the publisher has to take them into a new arena.
MissKate - logged on. - from elkppp43.dpnet.net on 7/29 at 9:10pm EST
spin - hi jill thanks for the hrs of enjoyment u have given me with ur bks and stories.....no why oh why did u have to go hardback???
Martha - the banner makes me want to KNOW more! Plus dh is a WWII buff.
Cissy - thanks, april & Cel
spin - not over here there isnt and they dont know u at all in the town library so i guess i have to just wait huh?
april - ?
YH - Martha, I'd say SJ is a book you both would enjoy...
Cissy - BethS has the next question (MissKate, Kiki, april in line)
Sara - really, Martha? so is mine? WWII fanatic. He wants our daughter's graduation trip to be to the battlefields of Europe. She is not impressed
Ginger - JIll I don't mind the hardbacks, but if it is a series I have to be able to get tham all in hardback
gerri - - from ac9dd5f4.ipt.aol.com on 7/29 at 9:12pm EST
Jill Barnett - There is a huge segment of the reading population that doesn't have access to the book in paperback. Hardcover books sell overseas, are optioned for movies, reach libraries and markets that are much bigger. I wish they would ahve discounted the book. They had promised me they would and didn't. I wish I could ahve a fforded to give a $5.00 rebate to my readers, but I can't. We are going to talk to them about price. They didn't overpay me so that price wasn't my fault. I thought the book would be &18-20 dollars.
Ginger - LOL Sara
Ginger - Hello Gerri
Jill Barnett - GA...I'm ready for the next one
marjbird - My bh is in France and Germany looking at some of the WW II areas.
spin - hi jill thanks for the hrs of enjoyment u have given me with ur bks and stories.....no why oh why did u have to go hardback???
BethS - Jill, were you appalled or thrilled when PEARL HARBOR came out right before SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY?
april - I found the book for about that much.
spin - hi gerri
Cissy - Welcome gerri! Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII. We're be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
gerri - Hi everyone
Jill Barnett - But I meant BEFORE discounting, not afdterward.
YH - well, if it makes you feel better Ms. B, I got mine quite discounted... about $20 Canadian... There was a promotion before it came out...
Sara - ah, and dh is waiting for that new HBO show too.
Ginger - I got it for $17 at Target
april - Oh, I'm taping it for my mom. band of brothers, yes?
Jill Barnett - Target has it for 16.06...good price.
Sara - right, Band of Brothers
Jill Barnett - Good...I want readers to feel they are getting their money's worth.
Ginger - Geez jill your target is cheaper than mine
Jill Barnett - GA
Cissy - Jill, did you see BethS's question?
YH - It DEFINITELY was worth the money.
Jill Barnett - Really? It's in Silverdale Washington
Ginger - Mine is in Indianapolis In
Jill Barnett - Oops. No. Blonde moment...blonde moment
Jill Barnett - Beth, can you please repeat. I will watch.
Ginger - Jill you do realize that after your Mom Yh is your biggest fan right?
Cissy - Beth, can you repost please?
marjbird - Mine is in Indianapolis In also. Will you make it to Indianapolis sometime, Jill?
YH -
Jill Barnett - I was in Cincinnate and Dayton a couple of weeks back.
YH - surprising she doesn't have a restraining order on me eh, Ginger?
YH - and here I thought I wasn't as bad as April... guess I'm not
BethS - Jill were you appalled or thrilled with PEARL HARBOR came out right before SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY? That is, was it's publicity a nudge or a drag?
Jill Barnett - Cincinnati and Dayton...they might not send me out there for a few books. But Chicago likes me. )
Ginger - LOL Yh
Kiki - Jill does the story concentrate on us fighting the Japanese or later when we fought the Germans, or both? I didn't come in the chat at the very beginning and I can't look at the book cuz then I'd want to start reading it and I gotta finish my Delinsky first....
Jill Barnett - Actually Beth--thanks for reposting--I was excited and appalled...I'll explain.
Kiki - oops how'd that happen? sorry
april - Oh, you are so just as bad as I!
marjbird - I know and it orke my heart that I couldn't make it to either place.
YH - hee... no wonder we get along so well!
Jill Barnett - I got to preview PH early and about died when there was a similar storyline. Although I never believed she would sleep wioth Josh after not sleeping with Affleck...although Josh is awfully cute.
Kiki -
Jill Barnett - Pocket was excited about the movie hipe because it brought WWII to the forfront. We didn't know PH was coming or Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers. I just had good commercial timing. There is also a resurgence of 60s stuff and the book I'm writing now is the 1960s
Jill Barnett - Great minds...I hope )
MissKate - You've got good marketing instincts, Jill. I thought the same thing about PH and SJ (and I also think Josh Hartnett is cute). LOL.
YH - you just can foresee trends Ms. B...
Jill Barnett - I think it was a good thing, but I was really unhappy when I saw the poster that was my cover. That annoyed me because my cover had been around for 18 mos
Jill Barnett - I didn't forget you Kiki, I had to answer in order. Please ask your ? again when it;'s your turn.
Jill Barnett - GA
Cissy - MissKate has the next question (Kiki, April in line)
BethS - ?
Jill Barnett - Did I skip something Beth? Sorry.
april - BRB potty break Kate and YH have my ?
BethS - No, I have a followup question now
MissKate - I always read about how the writing process for each book is an individual experience. I was curious, were any of your books especially difficult to write, and likewise, was there ever an instance where one of your books just came easily to you?
YH - okey doke april.
Kiki - good question MissKate!
Jill Barnett - I loved PH, but thought they could ahve cut the bombings by 10 minutes or more and that the Cuba Gooding Jr. storyline had no place in the plot. It felt tacked on and disjointed.\
Jill Barnett - I ahve nevber had a book come easily. Sad, huh?
Jill Barnett - Typo alert! Sorry...I'll finish answering.
marjbird - Did you get to meet any of the Sgt. Pilots and the women pilots?
Cissy - Tyops are required in this room, Jill!
talpianna - - from spider-ntc-tb083.proxy.aol.com on 7/29 at 9:27pm EST
Jill Barnett - Because I don't write the same characters or similar storylines, every book is like starting over again...even in the Wonderful, Wild and Wicked series they were all very different.
marjbird - Rite on!!!!
talpianna - They told me to go to my room, is this it?
Gin - logged on. - from spider-tn072.proxy.aol.com on 7/29 at 9:28pm EST
Gin - Ssorry my [uter freezes up on me when I am in here now days
Ginger has timed out.
spin - hi anne
Cissy - Welcome talpianna and Gin Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII. We're be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
spin - wb ginger
Jill Barnett - I challenge myself in every book. I try to get better, to get deeper and to do it sharply and cleanly, without sappiness and melodrama and with revaltion for my characters...that's really difficult. I also stack my scenes with multiple purposes. That is difficult too. I try to never overwrite a scene. If it's a page, then I don't beef it up to make the same size as another. I go in, do what has to be done and then move on. I believe this makes the fly in pacing because they are not long and even. That has to be monotonous subconsciously
Jill Barnett - GA
Cissy - oops, Gin - that should have been "welcome back"
Cissy - Kiki has the next question (April, BethS in line)
Helena - - from mke-24-167-227-31.wi.rr.com on 7/29 at 9:31pm EST
MissKate - Thank you, Jill.
Kiki - Jill can you just give us a brief synopsis of the book? does it involve both fighting the Japanese AND the Germans? Also are there any GOOD Germans for a change? <bg>
Gin - Hi Helena
Jill Barnett - Kiki asked me about the Japanese. This book takes place in the Eastern arean, North Africa, which wsa before the US entered WWII after Dec 7 1942 and the Japanese bombing of PH.
Shelby Morgen - logged on - from spider-mtc-ti073.proxy.aol.com on 7/29 at 9:32pm EST
Helena - hi all
spin - hi helenea and shelby
talpianna - ?
Cissy - Welcome Helena & Shelby Morgen Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII. We're be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
Jill Barnett - Kiki...you'll have to read the book. There is a German soldier and there are Nazis. No Pacific fighting.
MissKate - Hi Helena and Shelby!
Jill Barnett - I don't want to tell you about Rheinholdt because I think his character is very important to the flavor of the book and very accurate to the War
Jill Barnett - GA
Shelby Morgen - Thanks!
Jill Barnett - Wait!
Kiki - I'll start it right after I finish the one I'm on now...thanks!
Cissy - April has the next question (BethS, Talpianna in line)
Cissy - oops, go ahead, Jill...
marjbird - ?
april - I love Reinholdt's character.
Ann - - from spider-tm054.proxy.aol.com on 7/29 at 9:34pm EST
YH - Let me just tell you Kiki, some Germans were portrayed as humans, not just evil demons.
Gin - Hi Ann
april - My question is are you going to go back to paperbacks or is there no going back now that you're on to bigger and better things?
YH - Same goes for the allies for that matter... the book is about humans and how they dealt with things.
Cissy - Welcome, Ann! Tonight we're chatting with Jill Barnett about her spectacular new book, SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, a powerful novel of love, honor, and courage, set against the backdrop of WWII.. We're be operating on protocol, so if you have any questions for Jill, please type ? and I'll call on you in turn.
Cel - Hi Ann
YH - I loved Reinholdt as well.
Jill Barnett - You asked for an putline...there are five main characters--three mena dn two women.. The book opens with a mission in North Africa in 1942 and there three men on the mission...then it goes back adn you meet the men and the women who come into their lives...along with some others.
spin - hi ann
Jill Barnett - GA
Kiki - that';s a switch, YH but glad to hear it! I'm tired of them being portrayed as evil demons...not all of them anyways.,..
Shelby Morgen - Just dropped by to see how the chat room works-- sorry to interupt!!!! Night,.,,
Shelby Morgen - - from spider-mtc-ti073.proxy.aol.com on 7/29 at 9:35pm EST
Jill Barnett - Outline...mutter...mutter...
Jill Barnett - Hi, Shelby...Stick around
Gin - Jill your typos make you fit right in here!
YH - Ms. B
Ann - hi all!
Jill Barnett - April,
talpianna - There was an anti-Nazi German underground, the White Rose
april - I maintain its the computer... it changes things as you type.
YH - hi Ann
april - Yes? hehehe

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