Friday, March 16, 2018

Interview with mystery author Jenny Jackson


Helping me wrap up the week is mystery author Jenny Jackson. We’re chatting about her new novel, The Silence of Knowing.

Bio:
Jenny Jackson was born in the north of Kent, UK a few months after the end of World War II. Happily married for over 50 years now and with two children and two grandchildren, Jenny currently resides in East Sussex.

Having worked in a comprehensive school for over 20 years, Jenny is now a volunteer for a local charity that works with adults with learning difficulties.

She belongs to local writing group, Shorelink, and enjoys walking in the countryside with friends.

Jenny claims an addiction to strong tea, but hates coffee, and is annoyed as the way the passage of time is definitely speeding up.

Please tell us a little bit about your debut novel release.
In a small Kentish village in 1952, eleven-year-old twins are thrilled when an American teacher arrives at their village school, suspecting him of being their absent father. Josie, who has been born mute, communicates through her writing and details the adventure that leads her and her brother and their two best friends into an adult world of dark secrets which land them in a life-threatening situation.

What inspired you to write this story?
Memories of my own upbringing in Kent and the specific memory of a school friend who lived with her mother and grandparents. I was told that her father wasn’t dead but that he had had to go and live in another country. Not a lie, as her father had actually been an American G.I.

You can read an excerpt here.

What exciting story are you working on next?
A longer novel in the same genre, this time with a male protagonist.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Writing has always been a now and then hobby but once I joined my writing group, Shorelink Writers, I found my work was being taken seriously and it is thanks to my fellow members’ encouragement that I wrote the book.

Do you write full-time?
Although retired, I am a part-time writer as I seem to be busier than ever. I write mainly when I am alone in the house with no distractions.

Please tell us about an interesting quirk.
I can only work when the place is completely silent. Initially, I write with a propelling pencil in a notebook.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An author! It’s only taken me 60 years...

Links:

Thanks for being here today, Jenny.

2 comments:

Sally Patricia Gardner said...

It's a great read, Jenny, and I am so thrilled that Shorelink Writers played a part in it.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Jenny. I couldn't put the book down - eagerly awaiting your next.