By day, Jan juggles consultancy work with her family, but by night she sneaks off, into the past. Her penchant for sprinkling history with magic is fueled by coffee and Cadburys. When not writing, Jan takes her dogs and small monsters into the countryside, especially if there is a castle or historic building there with a cosy coffee shop in which to escape the rain of Manchester, England.
How would you describe your writing style?
Immersive - I like to get every detail of the period right and bring my readers into the world so they 'feel' it alongside my characters. I possibly verge on the too descriptive/graphic side of things as a result, which some people like, but I know some readers prefer a book to be 50%+ dialogue, which just isn't my novel writing style. Plays or screenplays - absolutely yes, and I write those too, but I do find it harder I confess.
What comes more easily, plot or characters?
I start with the history - which historical events or scenes do I want to include. Then, I chuck my characters into them and see how they react and how that might look with their own story arc.
Tell us about your WIP.
I have just released the 3rd book in the Tudor set Naturae Series (although there are also 2 prequels set in the Viking Age and Henry V's Agincourt). I'm still plotting out book 4 and in the meantime, writing a WW2 historical thriller involving haute couture, spies and the Resistance! Book 4 in the series is currently mulling over in my head but will take quite a bit more research before it gets pen to paper.!
Do you cross over genres or do you only stick to one?
Cross, definitely! I would describe my main Naturae series as historical fantasy thrillers, because the genre is historical fantasy but they are structured to thriller 'beats'. There is also (especially in Destiny Arising) elements of horror and/or romance in there too.
How do you get into the flow for writing? Do you have any rituals?
A large mug of coffee and absolute silence are about the only way I used to be able to write, but circumstances have forced me to be a little more tolerant of sound and motion as I had to take a lot of train journeys!
What is your personally most significant achievement as a writer, and why?
Just recently, I put together a graphic showing all the covers (which I re-did only 18 months or so ago) in the main series. I know it's only 5 at the moment but then I sat back and thoughts 'Only 5?' That's over half a million words... That's a lot! And I'm not counting the other bits and bobs, the novella's, the short stories, the anthologies... And actually, I'm quite proud of that! Not too many people can say they have published over half a million words.
What would be the greatest achievement for you to aim for as a writer if anything were possible?
To see my books made into a TV series or film. #lifegoals
What are you most grateful for as a writer?
I have to say, my husband. I am so fortunate that when it came to a choice of going back to work having had maternity leave, he turned around and said, why? What was it you enjoyed about working the most? When I answered, the writing, he simply said, so do that. As a baby author and not making a lot of money, knowing I can write for the sheer joy of it is so liberating and I am so grateful that he a) pointed it out to me and b) enables me to do that by financially supporting our family. I do other work (consulting) as well, but we are very fortunate not to have to rely on my somewhat sporadic income. He might not be my ideal reader, or even have read more than one of my books, but at least I have the freedom to work my days (mostly) flexibly. I love being self employed!
Do you have a day job? What is it?
I'm a small business consultant, and a landlord. Both jobs I take very seriously as I am passionate about helping businesses grow by streamlining their systems, and about providing safe and pleasant homes for my tenants.
Do you read the same genre you write? Why, or why not?
Yes, I love historical fantasy although I also love thrillers, romance, horror, non fiction... I read very widely in a lot of genres. The only genre I'm not such a massive fan of is some of the very trope led romances - bully or reverse harem for example, as it just makes me feel uncomfortable.
Do you read fellow indie authors' works? Why or why not?
As much as I can, yes! I love to support both fellow indie authors AND small businesses offering publishing services to us indies.
Is there an author who inspires you?
Oh gosh, I don't know where to start here.... I love Elizabeth R Andersen for her historical writing (so accurate and immersive), Astrid V.J. for her lyrical wordsmithing, which is just a joy to read, E.G Stone for lovely storytelling which wraps you in warm fuzzy blanket you never want to get out of.... and so many others! I'm inspired by those who keep publishing, keep writing, and ultimately, those who make a sound business out of their words and yet still find the time to share in their knowledge freely.
Give us three fun facts about yourself.
I used to fence at school and reckon, in a tight spot, I could handle a sword fight with a steel-stemmed parasol...
I am supremely clumsy yet still find physical comedy hilarious...
I also do work as an extra on films/TV
What is something about you that few people know?
I'm ambidextrous, which is quite handy, except my handwriting is illegible whichever hand I use!
Do you have any hobbies?
Aside from reading and visiting historic places, I like to bake!
What's your favorite season?
Autumn - I love the colours!
Do you have pets?
2 Cavalier King Charles spaniels - one who is completely bonkers and thinks she's a race horse or a greyhound, and another, older, who is an absolute cuddle-monster but snores (so off-putting!)
Connect with Jan here.
Featured Book: Destiny Arising
Fairfax nodded, joy widening his smile. “If I am to have a shorter life than you, then the very least you can do as king is make it a happy one. Choose me and only me. Choose love.”
Why would you like to feature this book?
It's my latest release!
What was your favorite scene to write and why?
Henry and Fairfax try to get close to the soon to be crowned Princess Elizabeth, but found themselves thwarted by the crowds, so Henry then tries to sneak into her coronation ceremony, ends up saving her life, and STILL isn't able to speak to her properly. He ends up getting stuck in a wardrobe in a recess of Westminster Abbey and has to impart his important message to his half sister via Elizabeth's nanny! It's also a scene where we truly see how morally grey Henry Fitzroy is as he is tempted by the prospect of allowing Elizabeth to drink the poison so he can step up and be King of England! The scene was great fun to research and I enjoyed crafting the dilemma's in it.
Who was your favorite character to write and why?
Hard choice between Henry Fitzroy, my morally grey, ambitious vampire or Fairfax, a chaos daemon who always makes me smile with his antics!
This author, to me, is unique. I love the blend of history with fantasy, true historical references and people, but shaped into a magical world, a world of Fae and vampires and creatures. Oh and the clergy, yeah, this is set in the 1500's where religion and church were omnipotent. And what an interesting notion, that Vampire's and Fae were instrumental in the demise of Catholicism in England! How the author weaves these truthful historical facts, of the corrupt clergy and church, where the Protestant and Catholic faith is itself on trial, the struggles and volatility of the British monarchy, together with pure fictional elements, such as vampires, witches and Fae, so effortlessly, so believably, to unveil a tapestry fitting for a museum, to be shared by all, studied by all, and admired by all. I know I have mentioned it before in previous reviews of books by this talented author, the prose, the storytelling, how well written the works of Ms Foster are, is a delight to my heart., my senses and my love of her characters. Who are SO diverse, who are SO real, who are just plain awesome!
What was the spark that started this series?
With all of my books, I start with the history - looking for what events were significant, or apparently not seen as significant at the time but became so. I realised that there were a lot of royal deaths over a short period of time, and quite a few which were suspicious. This set me on a path of murder mystery...
What was the most interesting random fact you researched for this book?
There's an actual account of a witch trial - the Pendle witches - written by the clerk of the court and signed off by both the judges in 1612, which really brings to light just how people thought in Tudor times, what they believed, and how those beliefs operated within the law. For example, at the time, it wasn't illegal to BE a witch, because everyone 'knew' they existed, but to cause death by the use of witchcraft was a crime (as it was basically the manner of murder). This is an almost word for word description of the crime which a 14 year old was accused of in York, which I have changed only the name the victim and perpetrator of in my story: “If it so pleases my Lord Justices, the prisoner is accused of the following: That she feloniously had practised, used and exercised diverse and wicked and devilish acts of witchcrafts, enchantments, sorceries and charms upon one William Tunn, a blacksmith in the parish of Beesworth. And by use of said witchcraft, Nemis Claybourne did kill William Tunn.”
What's the message you worked into this book?
It's taken me a while to realise that the underlying theme throughout all of my books is: it's ok to be different, embrace it!
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