Interview with Jessica James, Day 2

Jessica James is an avid reader of 19th century fiction and non-fiction who lives in Gettysburg, Pa. When not writing, she enjoys sunsets on Little Round Top and ghost hunting with her nieces and nephews.

What do you enjoy most about reading historical fiction?

Learning! When I read historical fiction, I can’t help but become interested in whatever era I am reading about and want to learn more about it. I think that people who are strictly non-fiction readers and turn their noses up at fiction are really missing out. The fictional part of this genre has the ability to carry a reader away to another time and place, while the historical part educates and inspires. What more can you ask for?

Once we become writers, we read with a critical eye. For some grammatical errors in a book are like fingernails on a chalkboard. For others weak plots cause them to lay a book aside without finishing it. What, if anything, annoys you about some historical fiction? (Without naming names!)

I don’t seek out historical inaccuracies like I think some readers do, but if they are really blatant, it is quite bothersome to me. I think it irritates me because I lose trust in the author and the story. If I continually spot mistakes, I begin to question if anything I’m reading is true. It also makes me wonder how committed the author is to his or her craft.

However, the thing that I am most ridiculously critical of in historical fiction is language and dialogue. Running across a modern phrase or, worse yet, slang, in a historical novel is more like a stab in the heart than fingernails on a chalkboard. I know there is a balance between trying to be true to your time period and trying to entertain the modern reader, so I try not to judge too harshly.


Historical fiction requires a lot of research. How did you go about researching your work?

There are so many facets to research. There is location and setting, for which I spent a lot of time on Virginia battlefields to get a feel for the layout of the land. There is the historical timeline, the customs, the dress, for which I read many non-fiction books and a host of newspaper and magazine articles from the time period.

It’s amazing how much research is involved – and often how little of it is used. I recall spending more than four hours researching the death of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart for what would become one or two lines in Shades of Gray. It wasn’t so much that I needed the cold, hard facts of his death, but I wanted to capture the dismay, the emotions and the grief of those who knew him, so my characters could adequately reflect that mood.

Another facet of research is the speech and language—which I have already mentioned I am a stickler about. For this part of my research, I read obituaries, diaries, newspaper articles and anything I could get my hands on from the 19th century.


What would you like readers to gain from reading your book(s)?

I would like readers to gain a knowledge and appreciation of the time period I write about, and to understand the struggles, emotions and sacrifices of ordinary citizens.

I’ve had readers tell me that Shades of Gray made them laugh one minute and cry the next – which is exactly what I want to hear! That means they are emotionally involved in the story, and hopefully, that will make them want to read more about the Civil War.


Any advice for aspiring novelists?

Keep writing. Keep dreaming. Keep trying. Keep praying.

Any final words?

Yes! I want to thank all those who volunteer their time and energy at FavoritePASTimes for providing such a valuable link to the past. This site showcases the wonderful and diverse reading opportunities that are out there, and provides a glimpse into the writing world as well. I think all historical fiction authors have ‘old souls’ and were sent here to keep the fires of the past burning. Thank you for helping to spread the word.

You are welcome, Jessica! Thanks so much for appreciating us. And thanks for the great interview! Remember to leave a comment (this week only) for a chance to win a copy of Shades of Gray.