• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sandhenge Publications

Jim Potter, Author

  • About the Author
  • Author Blog
    • Sign Up for Jim’s Posts
  • Podcast
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact the Author
  • Check Book Reviews
  • Sign Up to Receive Blog Posts
  • All Books
  • Listen to the Blog Podcast

What Motivated Kaitlin?

September 5, 2018 by Jim Potter 5 Comments

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet
(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)


 

· Stories Change Lives ·

I had to learn the answer to the question. What motivated Kaitlin to go to Scotland?

It’s normal for people to dream and to have things on their bucket list—what they want to do before they kick the bucket. But Kaitlin isn’t just dreaming. She’s making it happen!

Everyone dreams. Every young person has plans for what they want to do someday. Two years ago Kaitlin visited Scotland and England. Today, Kaitlin’s on her way to graduate school at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Let’s hear it for Kaitlin! Hip-hip-hurrah!

Sometimes people can remember the exact moment that an idea formed in their brain. They recall what influenced them to make a decision. Other times, there’s seemingly no way to piece together the multitude of events that helped shape an idea.

Kaitlin developed an incredible thirst for British literature and culture from first watching an American musical, and later, in fifth grade, was mesmerized by an adaptation done by the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) checked out from the library.

First, here’s her Scottish influence.

Kaitlin crossed the Brig o’ Doon (bridge over the River Doon) while visiting the Scottish Highlands.

Have you ever heard of the 1954 movie titled Brigadoon? This musical starring Gene Kelly follows two Americans lost in the mists of the Scottish Highlands when they stumble across Brigadoon, a village from the 1700s that appears once every hundred years. Tommy (Gene Kelly) falls in love with a woman from Brigadoon, Fiona, and he must decide whether to stay with the love of his life, or return to New York City.

“It’s very romantic—the heather-strewn hills, the mist, the music and lyrics. It does rely on Scottish stereotypes, but therein lies its charm, I think,” Kaitlin informs me.

She watched Brigadoon repeatedly over the years and saw the stage play in high school. Kaitlin even revisited Brigadoon in a scholarly way in college (double major: English and Theater) when she chose it as her senior project, researching the inspirations as well as analyzing the historical and cultural inaccuracies of the musical.

Now, how did Kaitlin get interested in the United Kingdom (UK) in general?

Kaitlin remembers stopping at the library with her mother after playing in a fifth grade basketball game. Kaitlin was considering a video on the ancient Olympics when her mother pulled out a DVD of BBC’s Pride and Prejudice from the shelf and handed the videos to Kaitlin, saying, “I heard this is good.”

The story changed Kaitlin forever! Adapted from Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice, the 1995 BBC version follows Elizabeth Bennet as she navigates through Regency English society. She soon makes the acquaintance of wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy (played by Colin Firth) who makes a bad first impression, and the six-hour series follows the two as they overcome their prides and prejudices and consequently fall in love.

“The DVD only had the first three episodes of the six-part series,” Kaitlin remarked, “and it abruptly ended with Elizabeth rejecting Mr. Darcy’s marriage proposal. I remember yelling at the TV, ‘No! There’s got to be more!”

Kaitlin then returned to the library the next day for the remaining episodes of Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen and her influence followed Kaitlin all through middle and high school, as Kaitlin read and watched through almost every novel, adaptation, and spinoff she could get her hands on. After she graduated college Kaitlin even made a pilgrimage to Lyme Park in England, the filming location of Mr. Darcy’s grand estate, Pemberley.

Kaitlin as Elizabeth Bennet at Pemberley in Lyme Park, England

What started as a singular Austen-obsession in childhood gradually rounded out into a deep appreciation of the broader canon of British Literature- from Shakespeare to Robert Burns, The Secret Garden to Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Kaitlin reverently devoured as many Classics as she could. One stood out among the rest though, the book that she hails as her favorite book of all time, Jane Eyre (1847) by Charlotte Brontë.

I asked Kaitlin this question: “If you were writing gothic fiction and you were the central character, what would be the premise or plot of your book?”

She didn’t know about the plot of her book but she was able to clearly picture a scene in the novel. There’d be mist, hedge mazes, secret passages and she’s in a long, flowing nightgown, holding a candelabra as lightning flashes in the dark sky.

“Kaitlin, since I have every reason to believe you’re a romantic, do you ever imagine meeting a Mr. Rochester (a fictional character in Jane Eyre)? If so, and if you’re willing to share, what would he be like? For him to interest you, would he need to be a romantic?”

“In regards to the character, I love Mr. Rochester because from the beginning he treats Jane as an equal and they recognize each other as such; that’s something I’m quite passionate about. There’s a passage when he’s proposing to Jane, he declares that she is his equal and his likeness, his second self and best earthly companion, which is quite lovely.”

Kaitlin would want a person who was intelligent, had a love of adventure, and was kind. I also learned from Kaitlin that if a Mr. Rochester and Kaitlin were compatible then no, he wouldn’t necessarily have to be a romantic.

Since I knew that Kaitlin enjoys gothic fiction and that she’s read Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker, I couldn’t help myself. I asked her this: “If during your stay in Glasgow your roommate, let’s call her Mina Harker (a fictional character in Dracula), invites you to join a secret group of vampire hunters, what do you think you’d do or say?”

“Oh, no! Mina! (Kaitlin laughs) I would seize the opportunity. I would make sure I was prepared; I’d have my garlic and my crucifix and go.”

I doubt Kaitlin will be vampire hunting but I’m sure she’ll be busy at the University of Glasgow, working for her Masters in Museum Education. With an appreciation of history and culture, she’s looking forward to some hands-on experience and serving in museum work practice.

Two years ago, when Kaitlin traveled in Scotland, she remembers seeing this same university and thinking: “I wonder what it would be like to study here?”

She’ll know soon enough.

“This is an opportunity,” states Kaitlin. “I’m not tied down. It’s the right time.”

As some Scotts would say: “Hae a guid journey.”

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet

Related

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jim Potter says

    Jim, enjoyed reading your blog about Kaitlin. Good story so really hope she finds happiness. Brigadoon is an unusual introduction to classic British literature but if it works it works. Sean

    Reply
  2. Gina says

    Jim! What a great interview with Kaitlin! Wonderfully written! And Kaitlin, wow, you are so very cool. Gina

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Gina, thank for you encouragement! Yes, Kaitlin is a dreamer and a dream. And may all her dreams come true! Jim

      Reply
  3. Jami says

    This is so lovely!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Jami, thanks. Kaitlin is a classical database on steroids. And so passionate for learning! Jim

      Reply

Comment Form: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jim Potter, Author

author

Recent Posts

  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Cover Reveal
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Designer’s Proof
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Sequel
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Promotion
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Collaboration

Post Archives

Testimonials

Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

Podcast Listening Options

Footer

Follow Jim on Facebook

Follow Jim on Facebook

Interviews with Jim Potter

Video interview with James Lowe outside Bookends Bookstore July 21, 2022

Print interview with author Bill Bush September 1, 2022

Print interview with author Cheryl Unruh February 28, 2019

Hutchinson Magazine Article

Copyright © 2023 Sandhenge Publications · Website by Rosemary Miller