On Saturday, I received a mysterious parcel. It contained: cough sweets, keys, some out of date Boots vouchers and a copy of An Unexpected Affair. My husband looked at me quizzically, until he read Jan Ellis’s guest post. You are invited to solve the mystery. Read on, if you would also like to receive a parcel.
Inside Jan’s Handbag
‘…the usual flotsam and jetsam that managed to accumulate in her handbag…’
When Jessie asked me to write about the contents of my handbag, I thought, What a great idea. Which one shall I choose? The smart, black bag that makes me feel like a grown-up or the less smart into which I can comfortably cram a Jack Russell? Then I looked inside a couple of the bags that lurk by the front door and decided that it wasn’t such a great idea after all. Who wants to read about my dusty cough sweets and out-of-date Boots vouchers? Years ago, I had a friend who found a manuscript and a pork chop in hers. Now, that’s impressive and clearly worth sharing with the world.
Step inside of Eleanor’s bookshop for a mystery
Then I remembered that one of handbags had made a guest appearance in An Unexpected Affair, a novella featuring Eleanor Mace and her Devon bookshop. As this was the first fiction I’d written since the tender age of seven, I thought I’d better stick to what I knew best. Hence the contents of Eleanor’s bag:
Extract
‘…she stomped up the road to the campervan, ruffling her hair…’
Stepping onto the sunny street the wind whipped across her face as she stomped up the road to the campervan, ruffling her hair. By the time she had been to the bank and the post office, and walked the short distance to the vehicle, she was completely dishevelled. She peered at her reflection in the wing mirror, unsuccessfully trying to dislodge strands of hair from her sunglasses as she dug in her bag for the keys.
“Damn and blast it,” she said to no one in particular. It was, she decided, one of the perils of approaching middle age that you spent a great deal of time talking to yourself.
She was crouched on the pavement, unpacking the usual flotsam and jetsam that managed to accumulate in her handbag when she saw a pair of slightly scruffy deck shoes appear at her side. Above them two tanned knees descended from a pair of khaki shorts.
“Are these what you’re looking for?” Daniel Pearce stood there with the keys to her van in one hand and an old-fashioned string bag in the other. “You must have dropped them as you left the shop.”
“Gosh, yes, thanks,” said Eleanor, hastily stuffing the used tissues, old lipsticks, broken biros and dog chews back into the dark recesses of her bag where they belonged and rising to her feet. Daniel was standing between her and the sun, causing her to squint, despite the glasses.
“I’ve come down to get some fish for my father,” he explained, waving the shopping bag in the air. “It’s Friday. Fish day,” he added with a frown.
Coming from London, Eleanor had initially found it odd that you could only buy certain products on certain days. Sure, the supermarkets stocked the usual range of pre-packaged goods, but if you wanted the best local produce, you went to the weekly market behind the library.
“Mackerel,” he added.
“How lovely.”
[ends]
You are, I’m sure, agog to find out whether Eleanor and Daniel end up sharing a fish supper after this unpromising encounter or whether their relationship turns out to be as messy as those cough sweets. Fortunately, one lucky reader is going to find out!
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Win a free copy of A Summer of Surprises and an Unexpected Affair
Jan Ellis began writing fiction by accident in 2013. Until then, she had led a blameless life as a publisher, editor and historian of early modern Spain. She fell into fiction when a digital publisher approached her to write a history book, then made the mistake of mentioning romcom, which sounded much more fun. Jan’s stories have small-town settings with realistic characters who range in age from young teens to eighty-somethings.
For me, the thrill of chasing ideas is the most exciting element of the writing process.
Words can take us to any place and any time. I was delighted to discover words I wrote in my notebook during a summer holiday in Devon. My thoughts were scattered on the page, so I picked them up, revisited my photo album and returned to a time when I suffered a creative drought.
Words let us travel to any place, any time and any season.
The heat stifled ideas and frazzled my creativity. I complained the holiday cottage was too dark for me to write. After a few days, I worried my ideas had taken leave. I blamed the environment because small windows trapped the darkness in the room, and I seemed to have reached a dead end with the story.
I found the ideal house for an author.
Entering A la Ronde, created by Jane and Mary Parminter, confirmed that the correct environment is essential. My creativity opened again as soon as I wandered around the eighteenth century house. I found the ideal house for an author. Imagine a sixteen-sided house that allows you to follow the light around the house. Perfect!
In this house, I would be able to chase my ideas around and around in circles until I found the correct room to write. Ideas travel around like the wheels of a windmill until I get them on paper and stop them circling. Sometimes, I release ideas too early and they must be abandoned. For me, the thrill of chasing ideas is the most exciting element of the writing process.
At Greenway House, Agatha Christie’s holiday home, I found out that she also enjoyed chasing ideas for her stories.
At Greenway House, Agatha Christie’s holiday home, I found out that she also enjoyed chasing ideas for her stories. She spent time listening to conversations in hotels, researching and plotting. She delighted in the process of developing her narratives but didn’t look forward to ‘sitting down and writing the darn thing’. Exploration of the garden of Greenway House did give my ideas more room to develop. Sitting in Agatha Christie’s room, I met the anti-hero in my novel.
Since confessing my frustrations to my notebook, I have completed my second novel, Loving You (working title). I am using feedback from the RNA New Writers’ Scheme to control the ideas I chased across the page during a heatwave in Devon. My RNA reader is currently sitting on my shoulder, shaking her head occasionally and pushing me to challenge my characters.
I have learned to move around the house in search of inspiration because working in one room inhibited my ideas. Moreover, I just need to get on and ‘write the darn thing’ and accept there will be times of frustration and many, many drafts of the novel.
I spent four hours in a department store and didn’t buy anything, not even a handbag, instead I shopped for characters. Jenny Kane led a writing workshop for the RNA South Wales and West Chapter and inspired me to reconnect with the characters in my work in progress. Former archaeologist and medieval historian, Jenny is a self-proclaimed accidental author. I was lucky enough to grab a coffee and time for a chat with Jenny, so I could tell you more about this lovely lady from Devon.
Jessie: Tell us more about Jenny Kane/Jenny Ash.
Jenny: I am workaholic, coffee drinking, author who writes her books from the corner of my favourite coffee shop, in Devon.
Jessie: How have you managed to build your brand as an author and sustain your success?
Jenny: The first genre I wrote was erotica. I didn’t mean to, and I certainly didn’t see that career coming, but for some reason I found myself composing scenes of smut.
After five years of kinky thinking, I decided to have a go at writing a story where everyone kept their clothes on. It was most liberating! To my surprise, that novel, Another Cup of Coffee, was well received.
With the writing market changing all the time, I’ve always been wary of putting all my eggs in one basket, and so, after writing eight granny friendly novels, I had a go at writing about my personal passion – medieval crime. Oh- and I write children’s picture books too. I have three pen names.
Jessie: Do your pen names have different identities?
Jenny: As Jenny Kane I write contemporary fiction and romance, as well as children’s picture books.
As Jennifer Ash I write medieval murder mysteries (The Folville Chronicles) as well as audio scripts for ITV and Spiteful Puppet.
My first pen name was Kay Jaybee- only investigate her if you are over 18 and enjoy erotica.
Jessie: How did you manage to become the resident writer in Costa Coffee shop How wonderful!
Northmoor House: the writers’ residential retreat rub by Jenny and Alison
Jenny: I’ve always been a coffee shop writer. I get too distracted by things that need doing around the house if I attempt to write at home. When a Costa opened in Tiverton, I started to write in there. I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing, but after I’d turned up every day for several months, the staff started to enquire, and soon I was part of the furniture. So much so, that they offered to hold a book launch for me when Another Cup of Coffee was published.
When I turned up for the launch, I found that I had a new table in the far corner of the cafe with a plaque on the wall, stating it was Jenny Kane’s Corner! I was speechless. I had corner- just like Winnie the Pooh!
I’ve sat and worked in that corner every day since. It’s lovely. Mostly I’m left alone to write, but it’s not unknown for folk to pop by for a chat or to have their books signed.
So far I’ve written 12 full length novels, 4 scripts and countless workshops and short stories at that table.
Jessie: Tell me about the writing workshops you offer. How do you balance the workshops and writing?
Jenny: I’ve been teaching creative writing on and off for the past twelve years. However, 2 years ago, my friend and fellow writer, Alison Knight and I, pooled our resources and set up the creative writing business, Imagine.
We provide workshops for beginners and cover every element of fiction writing from character development to location building, plotting, short story writing and the skills you need to get your butt on a chair and make yourself write.
Our most popular courses are our life writing masterclass and the Novel in a Year workshop series. These run over a year, and take people from their first word, to preparation for submission to an agent or publisher.
I split my working day between writing (7am- 12pm) and prepping for workshops (12.30pm and 3pm). After that I go to work, before editing/proofing my students work in the evenings.
Jessie: Summarise your latest release in two sentences.
Edward’s Outlaw by Jennifer Ash is a murder mystery set in Rockingham Castle during the fourteenth century
Jenny: Edward’s Outlaw by Jennifer Ash is a murder mystery set in Rockingham Castle during the fourteenth century. Placed in the castle for her own protected, Mathilda Folville, finds herself playing detective in order to save her husband’s life and her family’s reputation.
Jessie: List a maximum of three quotes from the reviews that you have had.
Jenny: For The Folville Chronicles by Jennifer Ash – “Ellis Peters meets Jean Plaidy… via Robin Hood.” (Review from Goodreads)
For Abi’s House by Jenny Kane – “Reading a Jenny Kane book is like opening a journal by a much loved friend. I’m spirited away into a world of warm, friendly and interesting people. To places that I not only want to visit but actually live in. Shops, cafés and pubs that I want to be my locals and life that I want to experience and be a part of. Abi’s House gives you all of these feelings and left me with a huge smile on my face and a glowing in my heart. More of this wonderfulness please!!” (Review from Amazon)
For Another Cup of Coffee by Jenny Kane – “‘This book is definitely my cup of coffee
Gosh, where to start with this review?! The characters: you laughed with them, cringed, hated, wanted to shout at the book because you cared so deeply. Every character had their own story, and I loved that this was intertwined with Amy’s story, waiting to see how it panned out. Big round of applause for Kane for the characters on its own….Another Cup of Coffee itself: very realistic and a delight from start to finish. I felt like I was sitting on the outside looking in all the time, and I’d known this group of people for my entire life…. A timeless piece and one worth picking up big time. This book is definitely my cup of coffee (sorry, I had to). (Review from Bookmark That)
Jessie: Present an extract from your latest novel that will tempt a reader.
A young woman of my build, with similar hair, has suffered a violent death in the room allocated to me.
“…A young woman of my build, with similar hair, has suffered a violent death in the room allocated to me. A room in which I was intended to be trapped under lock and key….”
Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?
Jenny: I also feel a little bereft when I finish a novel. It’s such an intense process. The character’s live in your head 24/7 for months. When I finished Edward’s Outlaw it felt particularly strange as it bought me to the end of an intense three book writing experience- (The Outlaw’s Ransom, The Winter Outlaw and Edward’s Outlaw – the first 3 books in The Folville Chronicles) The lead character, Mathilda, is someone I’m very fond of- I miss her now that I’m writing a different series (as Jenny Kane- name a secret as yet!)
Mathilda will be back however, as there is another story coming as part of The Folville Chronicles in 2020.
Jessie: Why should I keep your books in my handbag?
They’ll provide some much needed escapism- and make you smile.
Jessie: What is the last sentence written in your writer’s notebook?
Jenny: Check about the vinegar.
Jessie: What is the biggest challenge for an author?
Jenny: Not losing heart. It can take a long time to succeed, and even then the financial rewards are feeble. It can be very hard to stay positive when you’re surrounded by celebrities getting paid a fortune to write (often poorly) simply because they can cycle fast or once ate bugs in the jungle.
Jessie: What is the best advice that you have received as a writer?
Jenny: Cut down on your adverbs. My work was awash with them at first. I hadn’t realised how much they were slowing my plots down.
Jessie: How do you support other writers and what common mistakes do fledgling authors make?
Jenny: Always be positive. Writers are usually full of self doubt (I know I am), so we need to encourage and support with time and kind words.
New authors often make the mistake of rushing the editing process- usually because they are so keen to get their work out into the wild. If in doubt- edit once more- and if you can afford it- pay a professional to do that last check for you.
Jessie: Tell me about the writers’ retreats you have organised.
Jenny: As well as workshops, Imagine runs a residential retreat at Northmoor House on Exmoor every October. This year the event runs from 7-11th October.
The week involves as much private writing time as you like, one-to-one mentoring from Alison Knight and myself (on request- no addition charge) and an evening with guest speaker, Kate Lord Brown.
The retreat price includes all meals and accommodation in an original Victorian house- complete with the original free standing baths! (Bring your own bubbles!)
Book soon – we’d love to see you there- but there are only 3 rooms left for 2019.
Imagine also provides day long Location Inspiration Days. These take place in a variety of stunning locations, where you are encouraged to use the setting to create your works of fiction.
Our next events are on 19th June and 11th Sept at the Old Farmhouse and Chapel, in Ashcott, Somerset. You can find details at www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk
About Jenny:
Jenny Kane is the author of several contemporary fiction novels including, Romancing Robin Hood (Littwitz Press, 2018), Abi’s House, (Accent Press, 2015), and the Another Cup of Coffee series (Accent Press, 2013). As Jennifer Ash she writes the medieval mysteries, The Folville Chronicles, as well as audio scripts for ITV.
Folks, I am suffering from cottage envy. Author, Helen Christmas sent me pictures of her chocolate box cottage, with an English country garden. She has an enviable writing room, with a view. The colours of her summer garden will lift your spirits. Indeed, Helen’s sunny letter provided me with the desire to write and the need to purchase a new home. I invite you to retreat to Helen’s life, in the country, via her blog post. Let’s dream about the idyllic writer’s life…
17th century thatched cottage passed down through five generations
My husband, Peter and I are blessed to live in a 17th century thatched cottage passed down through five generations. We not only love our home but live near close to Bognor seafront. I escaped the rat race in 1999 by which time we had set up a small website design business at home. In summer we spend time maintaining our walled back garden, growing vegetables whilst sharing our home with a beautiful white cat, named Theo (after Peter’s Great Great Grandfather) and doting border collie, Barney.
In summer we spend time maintaining our walled back garden
In the time I have lived here, I’ve become fascinated with the conservation of period property as we endeavoured to protect our cottage. We did come up against the might of our local council who purposefully made planning applications difficult. In fact there was one planning officer in particular whose underlying duplicity astounded me and was perhaps the inspiration behind some of the scenes in my book series, ‘Same Face Different Place,’ a mystery thriller which spans 4 decades.
Working from home gave me the freedom to reflect on life, especially when walking Barney along the beach
I began my writing journey in 2011. Working from home gave me the freedom to reflect on life, especially when walking Barney along the beach; such musings included the various social changes I’d observed. I remember the 70s when Labour were in government and despite the power of the trade unions and strikes, there was more camaraderie. People looked out for each other. Next came the 80s. As a student, it was an exciting time, the clothes, the outrageous styles and the music; a time when everyone craved more money but sadly, it turned into an era of greed. With less compassion in society, it makes me wonder if people forgot life’s simple pleasures, something that our home has made us appreciate. It made me want to write a novel that embraced all these different decades.
I have always loved reading and cannot deny the influence of certain authors: Leslie Pearse for her loveable characters and unforgettable stories; Martina Cole who opened my eyes to a world of psychopathic gangsters. But most poignant of all was Ken Follet’s ‘Pillars of the Earth’ a saga which explored the conflict of Medieval times and the impact wielded by men in power.
Going back to my own writing, once started, I began to get up at dawn to get at least a couple of hours in before work. Much of my writing takes place in our peaceful office with Barney curled up at my feet and nothing but the cry of gulls on the beach.
Whilst thinking about my writing space, there is just one more thing I would like to mention; there is a very special picture in the office of Peter’s ancestors, all of whom lived in this cottage. In fact this inspired a particular scene in my second book ‘Visions.’
In fact this inspired a particular scene in my second book ‘Visions.’
The misty faces of three generations (including their father, just a baby at the time) added an element of comfort to the atmosphere and even though the sepia-toned picture contained an eerie quality, it emitted the sense that someone was watching over them.
I definitely feel something when I gaze at that picture; it breathes a sense of nostalgia into my world and feels very reassuring, which is wonderful for a writer…
Helen is certainly blessed with inspiration, and it is wonderful she appreciates her life. Helen writes romantic suspense. She has written a saga spanning decades. Her work sounds fascinating. Interesting, how the environment and experiences make us and inspire us. Many thanks to Helen for writing to my blog.
About Helen
Helen Christmas enjoying her life
Helen J. Christmas lives on the south coast of Sussex in a very old thatched cottage with her husband. With a love of writing since childhood, she started her decade spanning thriller series ‘Same Face Different Place‘ in 2011. Her first book ‘Beginnings,’ set in 1970s London, combines romantic suspense with a hard-hitting conspiracy thriller.
Writing is something she juggles around family and social life. Helen is self employed and enjoys running a web design company from home with her husband, accompanied by their faithful border collie and a fluffy white cat.
We have busy lives and among my many hats, I am a writer, a blogger, photographer and website designer. I love networking with other authors and readers and when I’m not engrossed in work, I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading books, films and fine wines.
Same Face Different Place is a mystery suspense thriller, set across 4 decades. The first book ‘Beginnings’ is based in 1970s London against a backdrop of organised crime and police cover-ups. Part thriller and part romance, it has been likened to books by Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers and received some pleasing reviews.
The next part of the saga, ‘Visions’ resonates through the 80s, packed with nostalgia from the music and fashion to the politics under Margaret Thatcher’s government.
Book 3 ‘Pleasures’ continues where ‘Visions’ left off, a thrilling coming of age story, where the younger generation are drawn to designer drugs and raves. This book ends with a dramatic trial at the Old Bailey, where pieces of the mystery are unpicked and justice is served…
But nothing is straight forward with this complex cast of characters; as the main heroine, Eleanor, must once again protect her family from the evils of her enemies. The final episode, ‘Retribution’ concludes with a terrifying campaign of revenge and is published in 2 parts, ‘Retribution – Phase 1’ and ‘Retribution – End Game.’ With the characters reunited in an epilogue in 2012, I am pleased to say, the series was completed in summer 2017.
I have always loved reading and cannot deny the influence of certain authors: Leslie Pearse for her loveable characters and unforgettable stories; Martina Cole who opened my eyes to a world of psychopathic gangsters. But most poignant of all was Ken Follet’s ‘Pillars of the Earth’ a saga which explored the conflict of Medieval times and the impact wielded by men in power.
