Barbara H.

Barbara H. asked Jacqueline Winspear:

What inspired you to write the Maisie Dobbs series? Is Maisie modeled after somebody that you have known? The way in which your characters continue to develop in each new book is really what makes them so compelling. Are they representative of people that you know are simply characters that you have created out of thin air?!

Jacqueline Winspear Hello Barbara, As quite a few people are asking the same question, I thought it would be best if I gave you a link to my website, to a page where I talk about the genesis of Maisie Dobbs. Frankly, she is not modeled on any given person, but was inspired by an extraordinary generation of women in Britain - the first generation of women to go to war in great numbers in modern times. Here are a couple of links - I hope you enjoy them, as I've included an article I wrote about the women of Britain in WW1:

http://jacquelinewinspear.com/A%20Con...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles...

More Answered Questions

Mark Pearce

Mark Pearce asked Jacqueline Winspear:

I don't know how old you are (and I'm too much of a gentleman to ask) but do you envisage writing about Maisie for many years yet (hoping ardently the answer is yes!) and what age do you think she will be when you run out of things to say about her? Are there any other characters with a story or stories to tell?

precious

precious asked Jacqueline Winspear:

Hi, Miss Jacqueline.There's a lot of great questions here. I'd personally love to see a PBS creation from your Maisie Dobbs series! That's where I fell in love with Sherlock, and Maisie has that same feel about her, except that she wears a skirt as her greatest challenge. I've always wondered about Maurice. He seems such a strong mentor that he HAS to represent someone in your life. Your grandfather, perhaps?

Morgan Golladay

Morgan Golladay asked Jacqueline Winspear:

MAISIE DOBBS was the first novel I had read which gave me a clear insight into the struggles of the British during WWI -- the rationing, deprivations, fears for the men (and women) engaged in the war -- on a very personal level. Here in the US, we were isolated from the war, but for the last year, and while great loss was incurred, I don't think it matched the losses of England. What were your sources?

All answers from Jacqueline Winspear…

Jacqueline Winspear

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