By Bristol native and longtime English teacher Jeanne James-Hansen relied on her rural farm upbringing for setting and inspiration in her recently released book “Arete.”
Spanning from the 1970s to early 2000s, “Arete” follows two nearly identical families — a dad, mom, brother and sister — that she describes as “butterfly wings.” Their lives mirror each other in ways that allow James-Hansen to explore themes of alcoholism, grief, pain and romance and emphasize the power of a kind neighbor or friend.
She describes her novel as historic fiction with several fairytales woven into it. She alternates between character viewpoints to tell the story.
Jeanne James-Hansen self-published “Arete.” She will talk about her book and sign copies on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Novel Ideas in downtown Aberdeen.
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James-Hansen drew inspiration for “Arete” from her childhood and experience growing up on a farm with her three brothers. With a lack of farming knowledge, she jokes that she’s “just a farmer’s daughter,” but that she does understand the farming community.
“Being raised on a farm was kind of magic,” James-Hansen said.
Although it might appear boring to some, it was a great place for a girl to let her imagination run free, she said.
That imagination has presented itself through writing during James-Hansen’s life. She remembers writing her first poem when she was 8. That was after the birth of her little brother, who she’d hoped would be a sister. James-Hansen said she also wrote many short stories throughout childhood.
After graduating from Bristol High School, James-Hansen attended South Dakota State University, earning her undergraduate degree in English with a Spanish minor. She later returned for her master’s in English.
She spent the next chapter of her life teaching — at Watertown Public Schools, Lake Area Technical College, Roncalli High School and Central High School. She taught summer school for many years, a job that allowed her stretches of free time because most of the curriculum was online.
Idea to write a book sparked by ‘Twilight’
The idea to start her own book was sparked around the same time “Twilight” was released in 2005. James-Hansen was interested after she read an article about Stephanie Meyer, author of the “Twilight” series, and her writing process.
“And then I realized she was the same age as me, and I was like, ‘I should write a book,’” James-Hansen said.
She began by writing two farm-fantasy books for her kids, serving as good practice for her and a source of entertainment for her children. She began “Arete” in 2018 and published it herself through Amazon in 2025.
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As her own editor, James-Hansen hopes that spreading word of “Arete” will yield feedback from readers.
She said she’s taking the upcoming year off from teaching to focus on learning about the publishing industry and figuring out her next steps.
Novel Ideas, 410 S Main St, is hosting a book talk and signing on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Arete” can also be purchased online through Amazon at a.co/d/0iXlCuaU.
