Character Interview for Love Is All by Donna Hewlett

By Donna Hewlett

A Conversation with Jayne and Mason

Some stories begin with a setting. Others begin with a question. Love Is All began with both.

I have long believed that places shape us. Stand in a European square at dusk, beneath stone that has witnessed centuries of longing and loss, and perspective shifts. If we let them, places have the power to transform us.

But this novel did not grow from setting alone. It grew from legacy.

I wrote Love Is All in part for my mother, who set many of her dreams aside for the sake of responsibility. She loved deeply and gave generously. Yet what might have unfolded had she felt freer to pursue her own longings? Through Jayne, I explored that possibility.

Another influence entered my life in a very different way. A professor and mentor introduced me to the love story of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Their letters were bold, urgent, and alive. Their courage in loving despite complication became a quiet thread woven into this novel.

LOVE IS ALL

LOVE IS ALL tells the story of Jayne Thompson—a devoted wife, mother, and part-time librarian whose life takes an unexpected turn. After receiving a shocking cancer diagnosis, Jayne makes a daring choice to keep her illness a secret and embarks on an unforgettable two-week tour of Europe, a dream long set aside for the sake of others.

As she wanders through the enchanting streets of Paris, the romantic canals of Venice, and the beautiful art in Florence, Jayne reconnects with her passions and discovers a fierce spirit she never knew she had. Along the way, she forges deep connections, especially with Mason, a fellow traveler who challenges her to embrace the beauty of life and love like never before.

LOVE IS ALL is not just a story about facing mortality; it’s a celebration of resilience, joy, and the transformative power of pursuing one’s dreams. Join Jayne on her journey and redefine what living fully in the moment means. This tale will inspire you to chase your dreams, cherish your relationships, and wholeheartedly embrace life’s fleeting beauty.

Jayne and Mason meet in Europe, across cities layered with history and longing. What follows is a glimpse into their journey.

Jayne, when we first meet you, what are you most afraid of?

Jayne: That I will not have the courage to live my dream. There comes a moment when you realize someday is not a promise. It is a hope. I spent years being careful. Now, do I have the courage to make a different choice and step into something larger?

Mason, how do you see Jayne when she joins your tour?

Mason: She listens differently. Most travelers want landmarks or highlights. She wants meaning. She lingers in cathedrals. She studies light on stone. There is urgency in her attention. That kind of presence is rare. It unsettles me. 

Jayne, the Browning love story appears throughout your journey. Why does it matter to you?

Jayne: Robert and Elizabeth chose each other despite limitation and expectation. Their letters feel alive because they are brave. Their love unfolded in real cities, in real rooms, under real constraints. It reminds me that love is not abstract. It is lived in particular places. Their story asks whether I am willing to choose love with that same courage.

Mason, did the Browning story affect you?

Mason: At first, I admired it intellectually before I realized I had been waiting for certainty before allowing myself to feel deeply. The Brownings did not wait for perfect conditions. They acted. That realization forced me to examine what I was postponing.

Jayne, what do the cities give you?

Jayne: Perspective. Standing in places that have survived centuries of loss and beauty makes you reconsider your own life. Europe carries layers of love stories, both triumphant and tragic. It reminds me that life is brief but profound. If we let them, places transform us. They invite us to risk something.

Mason, you are used to guiding others through these cities. Does traveling with Jayne alter your experience?

Mason: On my other tours, the world is something that I interpret. I am accustomed to framing the story. It is easier to describe wonder than to step fully into it. With her, I begin to feel it again. She reacts to music in a square or a quiet courtyard as though it is personal. It makes me aware of how much of my own life I have been narrating instead of inhabiting.

Jayne, when do you realize your connection with Mason is different?

Jayne: When you allow someone close, you are no longer simply moving through cities. You are risking something far more permanent. It evolves slowly. In conversations that stretch longer than expected. In shared glances. 

Mason, what draws you to her despite that risk?

Mason: Her presence. She does not move through the world casually. She experiences it deeply. Being near that kind of awareness is impossible to ignore. Real life doesn’t pause because something meaningful appears. That tension makes every moment sharper. It draws you in, making risk more worth it.

Jayne, what holds you back?

Jayne: Responsibility. History. The knowledge that some choices cannot be undone. Loving someone is never simple when your life is already woven in other directions. Every choice carries consequences, for better or worse. Love changes the trajectory of your life.

Mason, do you sense that tension?

Mason: Yes. It is there in pauses. In conversations that almost happen. Slow burn is not dramatic. It is restraint. It is knowing and not acting. That restraint can be more powerful than immediacy.

To both of you, what does “Love Is All” mean now?

Jayne: It means love clarifies what matters. It reveals what you are willing to fight for. Love animates everything. Love of place. Love of possibility. Love of another person. Without love, life feels muted.

Mason: It means love changes how you see everything. A city. A song. Yourself. It brings color back to things that had begun to feel routine. It challenges you to live more fully.

As their journey unfolds across storied streets and quiet evenings, Jayne and Mason discover that transformation does not always arrive with certainty. Sometimes it arrives with urgency. Sometimes with hesitation.

Love grows slowly. Place works on them quietly. Time presses.

And neither of them will remain unchanged.

BUY LOVE IS ALL HERE

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Donna Hewlett holds an MA in English Language and Literature from Middle Tennessee State University and an MFA in Writing from the University of Nebraska. She has traveled the world extensively and lived in Saudi Arabia. Tapping into her travel experiences, she creates a strong sense of place in her writing. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband and two rambunctious corgis. Learn more at donnahewlett.com

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Category: Interviews, On Writing