I’m
delighted to welcome Jean
Moran to my blog.
Hello Jean, I’m so thrilled to have
you as a guest on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat today. Over the years, we’ve
met on many occasions and shared countless laughs (and a drink or two) with
fellow members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association - BathWiltsChapter at our
local watering hole in Lacock. The hilarious stories you’ve told of the ups and
downs of being an author have had us practically rolling on the pub floor in
stitches. But before we discover more about your latest release, Tears of the Dragon, here are a few
questions which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the
things that matter to you.
Arabella: How did you manage to get
your first novel published and what did you learn from the experience?
Jean:
I studied the markets and happened on an opening with Virgin. It resulted in me
obtaining a publishing contract just fourteen months after I started writing. I
went on to write twelve in that particular genre.
Arabella: If you could choose,
which would it be: A walk in the woods, a walk along a beachfront to dip your
toes in the sea, or a day shopping for clothes?
Jean:
The woods or clothes, though I will let you into a secret – I buy most of my
clothes in charity shops or on ebay – secondhand. I’ve had some great bargains
– Phase Eight dresses and jumpers for around £8, ditto Ted Baker, Betty Barclay
and All Saints. I look to look good but at a reasonable price.
I
spent too much time on the sea living on a sailing yacht, so that’s well and
truly out of my system. I prefer the quiet of a forest – notably Tintern Forest
where I used to live and take walks with my dog. Fabulous views and full of red
deer.
Arabella: Who or what inspired you
to write your latest release, Tears of the Dragon?
Jean:
I’d had enough of writing about WW2 Home Front. I wanted to expand the genre
into historical epic and depict my characters against the momentous happenings
in both the military and political arena. One of my favourite books was King
Rat by James Clavell, also Shogun. I was interested in the Far East. I had
written touched on the fall of Singapore in previous books that I wrote both as
Lizzie Lane and Erica Brown, but so too had a lot of other authors.
I
can’t recall anyone writing about the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas Day in
1941 and I got interested. Along the way I became interested in Kowloon Walled
City, a Chinese enclave in the midst of a British Crown Colony. Doctor Rowena
Rossiter, my main character, is imprisoned there for a while and it’s oddly
comfortable compared with the prison camp she ends up in – and funded by opium.
Arabella: Where do you read? Sofa
or bed or ____?
Jean:
Anywhere except when travelling. I get travel sick reading except on an
aircraft.
Arabella: Some authors write at
first light, others need a mug of coffee or a glass of wine before putting pen
to paper. When writing, are there any “essentials” you need to help the words
flow?
Jean:
Whenever I feel a need. I don’t need any essentials. I’ve been told I’m a
natural born storyteller. As long as I’ve got a scrap of paper, the stub of a
pencil and an idea, then I’m away.
Arabella: You’re halfway through
the work-in-progress, you’re about to kill off the hero and there is going to
be no happy-ever-after. In other words, you’re stuck! If you had to contact an
“author/publisher/editor friend” for guidance, who would it be?
Jean:
Nobody. If you’re any good you work your way through. I’m experienced enough
(over fifty books published) to know that a better idea will come along if I
just let it simmer.
Arabella: The T.V. is on and you’re
in control of the remote. Which is it to be: A quiz programme…An afternoon of
sport…A family soap…A romantic film you always wanted to see but missed when it
was shown at the cinema?
Jean: Might
do a quiz, never watch a soap, do watch cricket, but rarely watch or read
romance – which might be something of a surprise. Unless the film is Casablanca
which I’ve seen many times. Other than that, no romance please. Give me a
thriller or a war film.
Arabella: Do you have any great
writing, publishing, or marketing tips you’d like to share to “want-to-be”
authors starting out on their writing journey?
Jean:
Get a job in Tesco – it’s less work!
Seriously, understand that your reader becomes your lead character when
they’re reading. Tell the story and always keep on board that your main
character takes the story forward not a load of cleverly crafted prose. You’re
the storyteller, the descendent of those who sat round the fire in Neolithic
times and told stories verbally. If you can tell a good story across a pub
table, you’ve got the makings of a writer.
Thank you so much for sharing some of your writing secrets
with your readers, Jean. I’m sure, like me, they were amazed you never watch or
read romance stories. I’m now wondering where you get your inspiration from so you can write such blockbusting bestsellers!
Best wishes and good luck with Tears of the Dragon.
Arabella Sheen
ABOUT JEAN MORAN
Best-selling author of over fifty novels mainly
concentrating on World War Two. Winner of BBC New Writers Award.
Once keen on breeding and showing dogs, now keen on
sailing around in warm climes, writing books and sampling Italian wine.
FAVOURITE QUOTE -- I'm
the right weight for eight feet tall.
BLURB
– TEARS OF THE DRAGON
A sweeping, exotic historical saga for fans of
Dinah Jefferies.
One sultry evening in Kowloon, Dr Rowena Rossiter and Sister Alice Huntley are off-duty and in search
of fun – little knowing that their world is on the brink of collapse.
That night, Rowena will meet two men who will
fight for her heart for the next four years. Connor O'Connor, the
rebellious Irish soldier, who will woo and then lose her, and Kim
Pheloung. Immensely rich and the most beautiful man Rowena has ever seen,
he is also the most ruthless, with a sinister need possess and control.
When the Japanese invasion leaves this previously
strong and independent woman raped and broken, who will succeed in claiming
Rowena's body and soul? And will she ever learn to love the child born
of that terrible Christmas Day?
BUY
LINK:
Thank you for being a great guest on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat, Jean. Your suggestion about the main character taking the story forward has found a place in my notebook of writing tips.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Arabella
A great interview! Really interesting and full of top tips for writers.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Thank you both.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula. It's nice to know you enjoyed reading the Q&A's. Everytime I send out a sheet of Q&A's to a guest, I'm eager to discover (and then share) some of their secrets and writing tips. I'm so pleased you joined us and left a comment. It's so encouraging when someone leaves positive feedback.
DeleteThank you... :)
Arabella
That tip from Jean about the reader becoming the lead in the story when reading is a gem!
ReplyDeleteSome of the other guests on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat have also left some writing tip sparklers you might enjoy discovering... (You can find a list of author guests in the column on the right-hand side of this page).
Thank you for your comments, Jenny.
Best wishes,
Arabella