Scooby Doo interviewed Jennifer Holm, author of Boston Jane and My Only May Amelia.

Scooby Doo:  I am glad that you saw your books on our website and I hope that you enjoyed the website. My mom said that you wouldn't mind if I asked you a few questions so here they are:

Scooby Doo:  Where did you get the idea for the characters Jane Peck, Miss Hepplewhite, William, Jehu, and Papa?

Ms. Holm:  Well, I was a bit of a tomboy when I was a kid (like Jane), and my dad was a doctor like Papa!

I thought of Miss Hepplewhite after reading about etiquette schools, and Jehu and William I just made up (although there names are from real pioneers who lived on Shoalwater Bay).

Scooby Doo:  Where did you get the idea for the book "Boston Jane"?

Ms. Holm:  I read about James Swan (Mr. Swan!) who was a real-life amateur anthropologist.  He wrote a book called "The Northwest Coast" and so I wanted to create a character to go out and visit him!

Scooby Doo:  How long did it take you to write "Boston Jane"?

Ms. Holm:  About two years.

Scooby Doo:  How long did it take you to do the research?  Was the research boring?

Ms. Holm:  The research took forever -- and it was actually really cool!

Scooby Doo:  Why did you choose the names 'Jane Peck' and 'Mr. Swan'?  Did you get Mr. Swan from my family?! hee, hee!

Ms. Holm:  Ha!  "Peck" is a name in my family (it was my grandma's maiden name), and Mr. Swan was named after you, whoops, I mean the real Mr. Swan. :)

Scooby Doo:  Did you like writing "Boston Jane"?   Why or why not?

Ms. Holm:  It was a blast, but a LOT of hard work.

Scooby Doo:  Did you like writing from the viewpoint of a 16-year-old?  Why or why not?

Ms. Holm:  16 is a good age to write about -- it's a crazy exciting weird fun awful time in your life.  A lot happens when you turn 16.

Scooby Doo:  Why did you pick this time frame and why did you choose this plot?

Ms. Holm:  I love the 1800's.

Scooby Doo:  Do you plan to write a sequel?  If so what will you call it?  "Boston Jane II"?

Ms. Holm:  It's actually going to be a trilogy.  The sequel is finished.  It's called "Wilderness Days" and will be out in September.

Scooby Doo:  Who were your two most favorite characters?  Why?

Ms. Holm:  Jane (of course), and Handsome Jim -- he's such a hottie.

Scooby Doo:  Do you know of any women/girls like Jane Peck or Sally Biddle?

Ms. Holm:  Actually, funny that you should ask.  I know a girl just like Sally Biddle -- she tortured me when I was growing up.

Scooby Doo:  Do you like the final product of "Boston Jane"?

Ms. Holm:  Yes ... do you?

Scooby Doo:  Where did you get the idea for "Our Only May Amelia"?

Ms. Holm:  I read a diary kept by my great aunt Alice Amelia Holm, and that sparked the idea.

Scooby Doo:  Who was your favorite character in "Our Only May Amelia"?  Why?

Ms. Holm:  May -- she's got such a taste for adventure and always speaks her mind.  She's a totally cool girl!

Scooby Doo:  Do you like the book "Our Only May Amelia"?  Why or why not?

Ms. Holm:  Yep.  It's also my dad's favorite book.