The Mitford Books Series

November 30, 1999

Jan Karon, author of the Mitford books series, talks about her latest book, "A New Song." This book rose to number two on the New York Times bestseller list last spring.

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HomeArts: Good afternoon! Thanks for joining our one-hour chat with author Jan Karon. Victoria readers were first introduced to Jan's Mitford books when she was our 1998 writer in residence and now we eagerly await new additions to the series! Her latest is "A New Song," which last spring rose to number two on the New York Times bestseller list. Now, please welcome Jan!

Jan Karon: Welcome to everyone who took time from their busy life to find out more about Mitford. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to be together. Now for the questions!

Cheesewiz: Was it difficult for you to leave a paying job in the advertising industry and become a novelist? What was your biggest sacrifice? What was the best part about it?

Jan Karon: The answer to "was it difficult?" is, absolutely. It was terrifying. The best part was the wonderful new possibilities that lay before me, which drove my adrenaline like a freight train. One is always afraid of the unknown, but I let God guide me and He never left my side.

Karenjan: I know you're hard at work on the next book, how much time do you put into it each day?

Jan Karon: I have just finished "A Common Life - The Wedding Story." Because it is a short novel in the Mitford series, I find that I have some delicious time to spend on other pursuits. The next full-length novel will be begun on May 1 and I will spend 18 months writing it. I'm so jealous of Charles Frazier, who had 8 long years to write Cold Mountain! (laughing) I have no "writing schedule" daily. I had all the schedule I would ever care to have while in advertising. I simply write around the other components of my very busy life and always manage to get it done ahead of deadline, because I love writing, and especially writing about Mitford. I often run to the computer with great joy to see what will happen next. Sometimes, I slouch toward the computer full of woe and trembling. In the end, it all seems to work somehow. <Smile>

Jojo: Do you envision more Mitford books, after the wedding novella?

Jan Karon: Yes. There will be a sixth and seventh full-length novel, and the Mitford Cookbook. Then, the Mitford series will end, for my characters will have told their stories. But don't be sad; everything has a beginning and everything has an end and it is my hope simply to reveal the life of a simple, decent human being.

XiannieMamie: Do you feel that there are a lot of Jan Karon fans out there? Do you get lots of fan mail?

Jan Karon: I get buckets and tons of fan mail, and it is my deepest regret that I can no longer respond to it. It is simply too overwhelming and I must attend to the business of writing the book. As a child, I always thought it would be wonderful to get lots of love letters, and every day I find that dream now comes true. I appreciate my readers and their love for Mitford, believe me.

TeaLoverDenise: I live in a small southern town and since reading your books, I have come to appreciate all of our town "characters" in a new way. Our little town does indeed have its own J.C. and Andrew and Mrs. Sadie and others. Do you hear this same comment from other readers?

Jan Karon: I hear this same comment from almost everyone and I believe that what Mitford does is hold a mirror up to the reader so that in fact they see themselves. They see their family, their friends, and their community, in a very comfortable and comforting way. And how nice to know that there might be many Uncle Billys out there!

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