Sophia's Sofa Chats- A Visit With Claudine

My first guest has been a GoodReads friend for nearly two years now. We encountered each other over our mutual appreciation for all things Jane Austen. Claudine is an active supporter of Austen and Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF) stories and writers. Her thoughts on books are insightful and she gives great recommendations. I was tickled to death when last year saw the launch of her blog, Just Jane 1813 where she talks books, authors, and all things Jane Austen.
Ope, there she is now, right on time…

Howdy, Claudine!

Thank you for inviting me here today. Your place is so lovely and it feels so inviting. I have to thank you for your lovely comments about my blog, because people like you have been a tremendous support to me along the way. I also want to thank you for all that you do for Austenesque lovers, such as myself. Your Austenesque group on Goodreads has been such a delightful way to connect with readers who love Jane Austen.

Ahhh, my pleasure! Love the camaraderie of the group, too.

Come on in and make yourself comfortable. It’s a bit nippy here still in Southeast Michigan, but oh so green and the flowers are in riotous bloom. We’ll sit here by the window and appreciate it all. What’s spring like for you in your neck of the woods?

It’s been really chilly in my neck of the woods. I got in my car several days ago at 7:00 am to head to work, and the car thermostat said it was 25 degrees outside here on Long Island. Springtime weather in NY has become less predictable in recent years.

Can I offer you some tea? Coffee? Hot Cocoa? And surely you can’t pass up my latest batch of raspberry thumbprint cookies? Or I do have the back up blonde brownie stash just in case I murdered the cookies which I can do once in a while when I get lost in a book…

I’d love a nice steamy cup of coffee and a nibble, or so of one of those blondies. They are a guilty pleasure of mine.

Fantastic choice! No worries about the ‘guilt’ just enjoy the ‘pleasure’. I waved the magic calorie wand over everything before you came. We’re all good here.

I was just telling the folks about your love for Jane Austen and JAFF and how you have taken the initiative to start your own blog, Just Jane 1813.
You get this question a lot, I’m sure, but where and when did your Austen love begin? And when and how did you discover JAFF?

My love for Jane Austen began nearly twenty years ago, when I came across the title of “Pride and Prejudice” in Anna Quindlen’s book, “How Reading Changed My Life.”
She has these wonderful lists towards the back of her book, and “Pride and Prejudice” was listed first on her list titled Ten Book’s I’d Save in a Fire (If I Could Only Save Ten)

Therefore, in 1999, I was twenty-nine years old when I read the most memorable opening line in the history of literature and fell head over heels in love with the arrogant, but loyal Mr. Darcy and the feisty, but compassionate, Elizabeth Bennet. As an avid reader, I immediately followed “Pride and Prejudice” by reading all of Austen’s novels; yet, “Pride and Prejudice” always remained as my personal favorite. There’s never been another story for me that has captured my heart, my soul and my mind in the very same manner.

Flash forward to 2011, when I saw “Death Comes to Pemberley” by P.D. James at my local Costco. I had never seen another book related to “Pride and Prejudice” and I enjoyed it. Costco? Really? That’s where I encountered my first JAFF story, too. But ahem, sorry to interrupt. However, I was very busy pursuing my studies and working full-time, so I never ventured further to see if there were other books similar to Ms. James’ book, so I remained completely oblivious to the existence of the JAFF community until I accidently stumbled upon a list of recommended JAFF titles on Pinterest.

I selected “Unequal Affections” by Lara S. Ormiston as my next JAFF read, and I have been “beyond hooked” on JAFF ever since this time.

Pretty sure it’s a safe bet that you swoon over a good romance.
If I say ‘forced marriage trope’, does that cause your heart to go pitter pat or do you get stirred up over an entirely different trope- enemies to lovers? Love triangle? Forbidden love? Second chance? Friends to lovers?

I have learned that the text structure doesn’t matter as much to me when I look for my next JAFF read. For me, I am most attracted to reading JAFF stories with great characterizations, an interesting mixture of internal and external angst that’s all within a well-written storyline. The other non-negotiable for me is that I love stories where Darcy and Elizabeth spend a lot of time in each other’s company. Perhaps that’s because in canon, they spend so little time together in each other’s company and I find the connections between them to be quite mesmerizing.

Got a recommendation from your favorites’ shelf for the forced marriage trope or one of the others?

Back in the day, when I was a teacher, my students would tell me that I had too many favorite books and songs to name just a few. I feel the same way about JAFF. For readers who want to see me favorites, they can browse my (https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... ) virtual shelves.

With Fan Fiction there are some regular types that the reader can expect.
When it comes to types, does a variation do it for you best or is it a retelling or sequel? What type is your least favorite?

After reading nearly 200 JAFF stories, I can honestly say I don’t have a favorite type. I initially started looking to read more JAFF sequels when I began this journey; however, I have read so many great sequels, variations and retellings, that I can no longer claim one type of story solely as my favorite type.

If you can’t read Jane Austen or JAFF, what are some of the other books you pick up?

Why wouldn’t I be able to read Jane Austen or JAFF? LOL!!

I have been an avid reader my whole life. The very first series I ever read, Laura Ingalls Wilders’ “Little House” series, sits right in front of me in my office each day, as a reminder of my tremendous love of reading and the power of a memorable series of books. I read cookbooks, magazines, websites, professional resources, research articles, and nearly anything that speaks to my interests. I was a big fan of Jodi Picoult’s books for a long time, and I met her a few times, but there isn’t an author of fiction who communicates to me the way that Austen does through her prose, so when I am not reading JAFF, I read from a variety of authors and genres.

Because I’m nosey, just how many books are sitting on your TBR Pile right now? No judgment here, ‘kay because I have enough to bury me alive between virtual and real shelves.

Only 440... I thought it was a larger number, but that’s where I am right now.
Oh, not bad. You’re doing great staying on top of that thing. It’s the group challenge, right? Haha!

When you’re not reading, what’s something else you enjoy doing?

I love to be creative and I love history, so I have spent a lot of time scrapbooking my children’s’ lives. I’ve made so many types of scrapbook albums and pages, it’s something I love to do that I also find very meaningful in the overall scheme of our lives.

I also love to cook, entertain family and friends, and most of all, I love to spend time with my four children, except when I am trying to get them to do something they don’t want to do, such as their homework, wink, wink!

In the real world, what do people think of your love of books?

Many people think that I am a bit too obsessed with books. I have always been the type of person who brings a book everywhere with me, even to go to the movies, so I can read before the movie begins. Every time I see a bookstore, I have to go inside of it. When I travel, I pack bags filled with books, magazines, articles, etc. Even my mom, who has known me the longest from anyone else, thinks I am too consumed with reading. Now that I read mainly JAFF, she recently asked me, “You read all these books and they all have same characters?” Therefore, having all of these amazing friends on Goodreads has connected me with so many people I can connect with through JAFF and it’s really hanged my life in so many wonderful ways!

Do you have a particular reader pet peeve? Personally, I hate it when someone walks up to me while I’m reading and says ‘hey you’re not doing anything…’


The only thing I can’t tolerate is when people don’t take good care of books. I’m typically so obsessed with keeping my books in good condition, I can’t fathom how some other people don’t feel the same need to preserve the quality of the books that they read.


Now reviewing…what made you start writing them? And what made you decide to carry that over into blogging?

When I discovered JAFF, it was as if I died and went to heaven. I couldn’t believe that there were so many fabulous stories in the world who were writing such memorable stories based on Austen’s characters! As I became happily immersed in JAFF, I felt tremendous gratitude to the authors who took the time and energies to write these stories that have made me so very happy. When I learned how important reviews are to an author’s livelihood, I wanted to give back in a way that mattered to their success, and I felt writing reviews was a way that I could do this for them.

The idea for blogging evolved from my own love of blogs, I have followed many blogs over the years, and yet, I never felt I had an inspiration to write my own blog that would keep me inspired and enthusiastic for the long haul, until I started reading JAFF. First, when I started reading JAFF, I found the JAFF world very challenging to navigate. Who were the authors, where were all of the JAFF books located, especially the kinds I wanted to read? So, eventually I created a blog to help others navigate the JAFF world and to give back to the authors in some small way, for all they have given to people like me through their stories.


How did you come to calling your blog Just Jane 1813 and what decided you on the scope of your blog content (or are you still expanding on that)?


I really wanted a catchy, memorable “brand” name, knowing that anything too long may not be easily remembered. Do you remember on the show “Will and Grace,” when Jack would say “Just Jack?” Well, that seemed like the perfect way to convey my blog’s vision and the addition of 1813 is in honor of the publication date of Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

Clever! Now I get it.

My vision for Just Jane 1813 is evolving; I didn’t know I’d love blogging as much as I do! Therefore, I am creating my vision for my blog throughout this first year, with the hopes that by the end of year one, my blog will look and feel the way I want it to for the next several years.


Now that you have several blog posts and events under your belt, do you have a favorite yet?

Thank you for asking me this question. I am still establishing my blog and my vision for its potential. Therefore, I don’t have any favorites yet, since I have found myself relishing this whole experience.

If I were someone new to Just Jane 1813, what could I expect to find when I visit your blog? Love the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the little extras you add to your reviews like the linked articles, play lists, and Pinterest Boards. Regular features? Special posts?

I am thrilled that you’ve noticed the little touches I’ve added to make Just Jane 1813 a little bit more than a typical reading experience for my readers. I am very responsive to the creative aspects of blogging and hope to expand my creativity as my technology skills develop over time. I can’t help but ponder what Jane would think about our tech-savvy world today!

The vision of Just Jane 1813 is to create a modern JAFF community based on stories, author interviews, and various works of art that are inspired by the compelling vision Jane Austen had regarding our relationships with each other, especially her ideas about womanhood and woman’s roles within society. That’s why I love to include JASNA and other related articles on my blog, as well as special Pinterest boards and playlists. They help to inform my readers about Austen and the Regency era, while immersing them in other pleasurable activities, such as web-browsing and listening to music related to Jane Austen and the lovely JAFF stories being published in recent years.

I also want blog visitors to know that Just Jane 1813 is still a work-in-progress and that I am open to hearing their feedback about what they enjoy on the blog and where I can improve the blog. I also have a blog redesign scheduled in the next several months, where I will have a new structure to my home page and the overall blog, including gorgeous graphics that speak to my vision for Just Jane 1813.

Anything new coming up on Just Jane 1813 you want to share about?

This year, I have been working very hard on a yearlong group read of “Pride and Prejudice” titled “We Still Need Her.” This past Sunday, April 17, 2016, Meryton Press author, Karen Cox, hosted chapter 18, which is the pivotal chapter containing the events of the Netherfield Ball. Karen did a wonderful job bringing her wit and her insights to this post where she describes why this chapter reads like a sit-com titled “Everyone Loves Elizabeth.” I’d love for readers to jump in and enjoy this chapter and consider joining this informal group. Readers can join us at https://justjane1813.com/category/jus... and have their share in the conversation.

Next month, I am hosting my fifth blog event. I don’t have a name for it yet, but I will be reviewing and highlighting JAFF that’s based on all of Austen’s major works, except for “Pride and Prejudice” because I wanted to give my readers some exposure to some different kinds of JAFF, since I focus a lot of my posts on JAFF based on “Pride and Prejudice.” I’m hoping readers enjoy this event, as I will be offering a variety of posts throughout this event, including a review of the new Jane Austen adaptation, “Love and Friendship.”

I’m also very interested in hearing what readers want to see more of on my blog, so if there are suggestions for me from your readers, I hope people feel free to make suggestions on this post.


Sofa Starter Questions:
Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi
Dog-ear or bookmark? Dog-ear
Clutter Queen or Organized to the hilt? Organized to the hilt!
Live to eat or eat to live? Live to eat
Hike or Dance? Hike
Introvert or Extrovert? Extrovert
Willoughby or Crawford? Always Willoughby… I have a strange weakness for him that I can’t really articulate.

And, I guess I should let her get back to real life. Thanks so much for stopping by Claudine! I’ll bundle up some of these cookies for you to take home with you.


Here’s where you can find Claudine when she’s not hanging out on GoodReads:
Blog: https://justjane1813.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JustJane1813

Twitter: https://twitter.com/justjane1813

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...