Welcome to the Author Interview. This time, it features the lovely Jayne Davis, author of The Mrs MacKinnons
If you’re an author who’d like to take part in the series, email me: debbie@myrandommusings.co.uk
Now over to Jayne:
1 Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourself
Jayne Davis is my pen name, but that is based on my real name. I use a pen name because I also write non-fiction, but I’m Jayne to all the people I’ve encountered during the writing and production of my fiction.
I grew in up in England, Singapore, and Malta – the last two because my father was a teacher who did two tours in service children’s schools. I qualified as an engineer, and worked at that for ten years before leaving to become a teacher, then a publisher (of school textbooks), and finally a freelance writer (of school textbooks) – and now I’m a fiction author as well. I live with my partner in Gloucestershire, UK.
2 Tell us a little bit about your books
I loved Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen as a teenager, and wanted to write similar books. I have only published one book so far, but I’m working on several more.
Most of them will be set in England from about 1793 until around 1820—this was a fascinating period for British history, as we were at war with France from 1793 to 1815, with only a couple of short breaks, and also at war with the United States for some of that time.
3 Where do you find your inspiration for your books?
Sometimes an idea just comes to me—it might be very vague, such as wondering what it would be like to renovate a house. That turned into my first published novel, The Mrs MacKinnons, where a couple fall in love while she helps him to renovate an old house.
I started to think about how that might come about, and why he’d need the help in the first place, then all sorts of other complications occurred to me, until I came up with a soldier returning to England from India to take up an unexpected inheritance, complete with the required dilapidated house.
I gave Matthew a horrible step-mother and half-brother as well, and some traumatic experiences in India, just to make him suffer more—authors are often really horrible to their heroes.
Then I had to think, why would a well brought up young woman need or want to help someone like that, so I made Charlotte a widow with a young son, struggling to make ends meet in a small village nearby. The rest developed from there.
4 What, for you, is the best thing about being a writer?
I’m lucky enough to be a full time freelance writer (although almost all my writing income is from my non-fiction writing under my real name). Having worked in various ‘proper’ jobs over the years, the main benefit is being able to organise my own time. If it’s a sunny day I can go for a bike ride, and catch up in the evening, without having to ask anyone. The other benefit is not having to go to meetings.
5 And the worst?
I have turned into a master procrastinator—it’s amazing how much time I can waste when I am supposed to be writing. With no manager around, it’s very easy to waste time.
6 If you could have any super power, what would it be and why?
I’m torn between the gift of healing, and some power that meant I could make politicians tell the truth. Or being able to fly, that would be cool!
7 Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to write their first book?
Just write. Then edit it, then join a critique group so others can give you an objective opinion. I use on online site called Scribophile, and have made some great on-line friends there.
There are loads of book on the craft of writing, and some good podcasts as well—I recommend the Self-Publishing Formula, Joanna Penn, and The Bestseller Experiment podcasts.
8 Tell us one random fact about you
I used to go skydiving when I was at university (that was many decades ago).
9 Who is your favourite author?
Depends what mood I’m in. In historical romances, one of my favourite living authors is Courtney Milan. On a long flight, I’d go for something like a Lee Child to pass the time.
10 And your favourite book(s)?
Too many to count. If I had to choose just one, probably Pride & Prejudice.
11 What book are you reading right now?
A non-fiction book about smuggling in Britain, which is relevant for the book I’m currently writing.
12 Where is your favourite place to write?
Sitting in the garden.
13 Do you prefer to write in silence or do you have a writing soundtrack?
Either, depends on my mood. If I have a soundtrack, though, it must be either music without words, or words in a language I cannot understand, otherwise it becomes a distraction.
14 What can we expect from you next?
I’m working on a series, starting with the story of the man who will be the linking character through the books. This first one is set in 1777.
15 Anything else you’d like to share with us?
Indie authors rely a lot on reviews of their books to get them noticed on Amazon. Any review, no matter how short is useful (although obviously authors prefer the 5* ones!).
16 Where can we find you? (Links to your Amazon page and social media)
Amazon, my website, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
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