Downton Abbey fans are not in good humor this morning. Actually, most were upset after last night’s airing of the season 3 finale. And understandably so. After all, a main character has been killed off. A character all Downton Abbey fans have loved since his first appearance. Matthew Crawley is no more. Which surprised many since only a couple of weeks ago another beloved character exited Downton Abbey: Lady Sybil Crawley.

It has become known that the two actors portraying these characters did not want to renew their contracts in order to pursue other acting roles. That is their choice no matter how angry Downton Abbey fans get regarding the demise of those delightful characters. But what is more important here is why are we upset in the first place? What has driven us to be so vocal towards the unfavorable decision of the series writer?

Two words: Emotional Connection.

And isn’t that what we want from any fiction novel we read?  And hope to achieve with any poem, short story, or novel we write? Yes, perhaps the characters could have been sent away on a trip, only to be brought back at a later time should the actors decide to return to the series. However, doing so would not have moved the story forward; the characters of Tom Branson and Mary Crawley would somehow have remained stagnant. Julian Fellowes took a risk, but a risk that I believe will create a new depth to Downton Abbey.

A retired English professor had let me read an interview clipping he kept from many years ago of William Faulkner. To sum up the article, this Nobel Prize-winning novelist stated that a writer must keep the reader wanting to turn the page to see what happens next. He used the word suspense. When you think about it, it goes hand in hand with achieving that emotional connection.

I hope I achieved that myself with my novel, Saving Alessandra; and I am working diligently to do the same with the sequels. Only time, and readers, will tell.

What are your thoughts? Please share them, whether about Downton Abbey or your own writing goals. I would love to read them.

Christine Maria Jahn

Recently I was watching an episode of one of my favorite shows, House Hunters International, and suddenly realized that when immigrants from other parts of the world move to the United States, we expect, and want, them to embrace our ways. However, when Americans (not all, but many) relocate to other countries, we think differently. But why should we not enforce the same expectations upon ourselves? After all, do we not owe a foreign country and culture the same respect we so prominently and ferociously believe should take place on our own soil? Allow me to clarify.

A couple relocates for either a job transfer or to give their children a cultural experience. Yet when looking at apartments and houses, the couple/family want American size rooms and American style floor plans. If you are there to experience a different culture, then embrace it.

If the realtor tells you that it’s not customary for an apartment to have a separate laundry room, rather it’s the norm in their quaint city to have a washer in the kitchen, then accept what he/she says. Do not argue and say that it’s a deal breaker. And it’s not the end of the world if  the bedroom is not big enough to fit king size furniture or if the yard is not big enough to fit an Olympic size swimming pool.

So many times I wish I could reach through the television screen and just smack some sense into these people. Some of you probably just said, “well that’s harsh.” And I know it is, but if I had the opportunity to live abroad in Italy, Brussels, or my personal dream, the Cotswolds in England, I would never have the audacity to expect that my way of life here in America could, or should, be expected there. It would be very shallow of me to think that a foreign country should roll out the red carpet and change their normalcy for me.

So to all who are thinking of living abroad to experience a different culture (myself included), please remember to EMBRACE and RESPECT the country and ways of that country, no matter how different it may be.

If you have lived abroad, feel free to post your comments of where and what was the most difficult adjustment. If not, where would you like to live if given the opportunity?

Love and Blessings!

Christine Maria Jahn