Sometimes you just have to get downright medieval to win the day and that’s exactly what Kit Sweetly does in Jamie Pacton’s new YA contemporary The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly! This book is all sorts of fun involving some very nerdy references (woo!), teens taking charge and fighting for what’s right, friendships worthy of a round table, and that sort of romance that’s so sweet and gooey you just want more of it!
Today, I’m excited to have Jamie on the blog to chat about the scenes she had the most fun writing in Kit Sweetly!
Kit Sweetly Scenes I Had the Most Fun Writing
by Jamie Pacton
I had so much fun writing The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly, and it’s shot through with places I love, moments from my own life, and lots of little nods to my loved ones. Here are some of my favourite scenes and those I had the most fun writing:
The scene Where Kit Rides Out as a Knight
I love this scene so much and I was delighted when I realized I could include Eowny’s “I AM NO MAN!” quote from Lord of the Rings.
The scene at The Joan of Arc Chapel
I went to Marquette and met my husband there, so I have many fond memories of the Joan of Arc chapel on campus. For KIT research, I also went back and talked with a tour guide there, so much of what Kit learns is plucked right from my visit.
The Kite Festival scene
I love the Milwaukee lakefront with a deep and abiding passion. It’s a beautiful stretch of parks along the shores of Lake Michigan, and I’ve spent many happy hours at the Kite Festival there. I tried to write in all the joy and possibility I feel when I’m by the lake into Kit and Jett’s visit to Milwaukee.
The After Party at the Castle scene
This was a blast to write because I finally got to introduce all Kit’s other friends and fellow knights. I also loved showing the wilder side to the Castle, including Kit’s Uncle Len’s awful Pearl Jam cover band.
The Laundry Mat Training scene
Parts of that scene—like when Kit encounters a huge burly dude eating cheese with a butcher knife—actually happened to me late one night in a laundry mat. It was terrifying. The rest of this scene when Kit’s friends show up and they joust came to me in a flash of inspiration and I still laugh when I think about that scene. One of the many reasons I want a KIT movie is to see this come to life. ☺
The LOTR Jokes scene with Chris
There are so many Lord of the Rings jokes in the book, but when Chris is recovering from his accident and on pain killers, he starts channelling Gandalf in order to motivate Kit. When writing this scene, I got to scour the internet for Gandalf quotes and then figure out how to fit them in the story. It was so fun! (And I hope it makes readers laugh as much as it makes me laugh).
The Kit Falls In a Dumpster scene
Ahem, yes. This really happened to me. A few years ago, while my small children kids were in the car waiting for us to go somewhere, I threw a bag of trash and my keys into the dumpster by our apartment. I hopped in to get my keys, but I’m really short and couldn’t boost myself out. Luckily, the dumpster was pretty much empty except for a plastic cat litter box, so I used that to clamber out. I channelled all that into Kit’s misadventures, but made hers like eighty times worse. Poor Kit!
The Kit and Her Friends Ride Out as Knight’s scene
Gah. This is such a triumphant moment for Kit and her friends. I love to think of them settling into their knightly roles, riding out in glory, and kicking ass. I loved writing all the jousting scenes, but it was really lovely to bring Kit’s band of knights into this scene.
The Kiss scene
At last! Finally! This is the slow burn payoff scene, where Kit and Jett finally figure out their feelings for each other. I was so relieved for them and so happy they just let themselves love each other.
The Pancakes at the End of the Book scene
I wrote a lot of my heart and heartache into this last scene, and I wanted to leave readers with perhaps some of my only wisdom: life is wildly surprising and you don’t always get what you think you want, but it’s anything life throws at you can be a bit better if you’re surrounded by people you love and eating pancakes.
About the Book
by Jamie Pacton
Published on May 5, 2020 by Page Street
ISBN: 9781624149528
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Working as a wench ― i.e. waitress ― at a cheesy medieval-themed restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, Kit Sweetly dreams of being a knight like her brother. She has the moves, is capable on a horse, and desperately needs the raise that comes with knighthood, so she can help her mom pay the mortgage and hold a spot at her dream college.
Company policy allows only guys to be knights. So when Kit takes her brother’s place and reveals her identity at the end of the show, she rockets into internet fame and a whole lot of trouble with the management. But the Girl Knight won’t go down without a fight. As other wenches join her quest, a protest forms. In a joust before Castle executives, they’ll prove that gender restrictions should stay medieval―if they don’t get fired first.
Moxie meets A Knight’s Tale as Kit Sweetly slays sexism, bad bosses, and bad luck to become a knight at a medieval-themed restaurant.
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About Austine
I'm a 20-something research proposal developer with a background in the life sciences and education. Reviewer of books since 2011, amateur photographer by day, and aspiring author by night. I believe animals (and books) are better than people.
Definitely added this one to the TBR, I love the sound of it, the medieval restaurant, the realistic financial situation this girl is in, all of that appeals to me. As for my favorite genre, I probably read more contemporary than anything else, but I do like to read a bit of everything.