Jennie Goutet
https://www.jenniegoutet.com/
Author of A Love Once Lost
Hi, Teens Everywhere (waving) !! I was so excited when I saw this interview because I love teens. My French husband and I live near Paris and have served the teen ministry in our church for many years. We started with the pre-teens and moved up to the teens as our children grew. Now, my two oldest are in college and my youngest is a senior, so we will transition out of the teens after this year. Something really cool that we got to do every summer for the past ten years was to go to the European church camp in the Swiss Alps and serve the teens coming from Brussels, Paris, Lyon, Geneva, Milan, Prague, and a few other scattered cities. It was so much fun!
Okay, now for the actual questions, because what else is fun? Books!
T4JYM: Your book, A Love Once Lost, releases today. Can you tell our readers what they can expect from it?
JG: My book takes place in Spa. Have you ever heard of it? It’s a small city in Belgium right now, but in the year 1770, Belgium did not yet exist as a country. In A Love Once Lost, you’ll get to see what it’s like to live in 18th century Europe with the wide dresses and powdered hairstyles. It’s a love story, too, so even though God is not mentioned in the book (it is a clean, rather than Christian, romance), you can see how He works to bring about the happy ending. It’s a bit like Esther because God is not mentioned in that book of the Bible either, but He is doing some pretty incredible things to bring about Esther’s happy ending.
T4JYM: You have some amazing books available! I see many books I would love to dig through myself. Which did you find to be the most enjoyable to write? Which book is your favorite?
JG: Oh no! Don’t make me pick a favorite!
Okay, okay. Hm. Maybe one of my early books, A Fall from Grace? A lot of readers enjoy that one. Selena has fallen on hard times through no fault of her own, and the people she works for all treat her terribly. But she has a noble character, and it is that which makes Lucius fall in love with her. I, myself, like reading stories where someone prevails through hard times and manages to maintain their noble character. It makes me want to imitate it.
T4JYM: Your website mentions a few of the awards and recognitions you have received. Which one are you most proud of?
JG: I suppose the New England Readers Choice award because I received 1st place in historical romance for Philippa Holds Court. (This is the sequel to A Fall from Grace). I was so surprised to have won, and I really loved Philippa and Jack’s story, so I was additionally happy it was recognized.
T4JYM: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?
JG: I pray for ideas. I talk to author friends. I force myself to write when I have no ideas, and sometimes the ideas come as I force it. Sometimes I’ll want to write about a place (like my Daughters of the Gentry series set in Lincolnshire). Sometimes I want to write about a trope, like pretend engagement (A Sham Betrothal). Those are some of the ways I get my ideas.
T4JYM: How long does it generally take for you to write a book?
JG: When I was starting out, it took me a year to write a book. Now it takes me two months for the first draft and another month or two for the subsequent drafts. I usually do 1-3 drafts on the computer, one on paper, one where the computer reads the words back to me so I can catch repetition, and one where I read on my Kindle like a reader would to see if it flows smoothly. Then it goes to the editor.
T4JYM: How do you ensure that your works are historically accurate when writing period pieces?
JG: I grew up reading, and a lot of it was historical. At first it was Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables. Then it was Jane Austen, Dickens, Thackery, Gaskell, Dostoevsky, and more of those classical authors. Much of what I read was from the 19th century or earlier, so the prose and customs feel natural to me. But I still need to check word origins to make sure I’m not using one that is dated to the 20th century. And I read a ton of historical research books about the period for clothes and customs and things like that.
T4JYM: What’s next? Do you have any new books in the works?
JG: I’m currently writing Book II of The Bridwells’ Grand Tour series, which is set in Paris in the same year as A Love Once Lost. I don’t have a title yet but it will come out in one year. I’m having a lot of fun because the hero is a bit of a rascal and will need to learn repentance if he wants to win the heroine’s heart.
T4JYM: If you could have 1 hour with Jesus, what would it look like?
JG: At first, I would hope to hear that he is proud of me. I would hope that he says of me something like what he said to Nathanial : “Here is a true Israelite in whom there is nothing false.” And I would also hope he would say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” After that, we would hang out, preferably on the edge of a cliff with a vast horizon before us, our legs swinging. And I would ask him things like – how can we eat meat in heaven if there’s no more death? Will it snow? Because I love the snow, but then the leaves die. And what does my room look like? Does it have a window seat so I can read? And what talent will I get to contribute there? I will hope he laughs at my jokes.
T4JYM: What is your favorite book of the Bible and your favorite verse? Why?
JG: Favorite book. Maybe … Ephesians? So much good advice. So much hope. Favorite verse – oh, that is super hard. Maybe Luke 12:32 where he says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom.” I like that he calls us his little flock. It’s endearing.
T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?
JG: My advice would be this: Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God. It’s from Micah 6:8. It’s so simple to remember and follow… Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God. I just don’t think you can go wrong with that advice.
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