Jane Maxwell on writing fiction
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I would say that the ideas for my stories and novels generally begin with something I am familiar with, maybe a place or an animal or a memory of someone I once knew. |
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The natural world generally inspires me. I was brought up with walks along the Mersey River bank with my father collecting wild flowers and identifying various birds with the binoculars. In later life I lived in South Africa for some years and fell in love with the magnificent wildlife there. I would say that the ideas for my stories and novels generally begin with something I am familiar with, maybe a place or an animal or a memory of someone I once knew. Then the story gradually emerges. At first an idea has to ‘cook’ in my mind before I begin to write, but once it is there the writing flows.
I keep a notebook by my bedside because that’s when I get my best ideas just before I go to sleep. If I don’t jot them down, I’ve forgotten by the morning. I often mix fiction with fact. I’m constantly checking my facts on the internet. I relax reading thrillers which have to be fast-moving and gripping. James Patterson is one of my favourites; short punchy chapters carrying me effortlessly along to an unexpected conclusion. I also like Wilbur Smith’s exciting African sagas full of adventure and family intrigue. I’m also a member of a writing group with a great leader who sets us various writing tasks each week and gives us valuable feedback. Having a regular writing routine keeps the writing muscles working. And finally, when I think I’ve come to the end of a story, it’s edit edit edit and then edit some more.
I keep a notebook by my bedside because that’s when I get my best ideas just before I go to sleep. If I don’t jot them down, I’ve forgotten by the morning. I often mix fiction with fact. I’m constantly checking my facts on the internet. I relax reading thrillers which have to be fast-moving and gripping. James Patterson is one of my favourites; short punchy chapters carrying me effortlessly along to an unexpected conclusion. I also like Wilbur Smith’s exciting African sagas full of adventure and family intrigue. I’m also a member of a writing group with a great leader who sets us various writing tasks each week and gives us valuable feedback. Having a regular writing routine keeps the writing muscles working. And finally, when I think I’ve come to the end of a story, it’s edit edit edit and then edit some more.
About Jane Maxwell
Jane Maxwell was brought up in the north of England, one of the youngest in a family of six. She studied English Literature at the University of Manchester's Teacher Training College in Didsbury and spent the first 12 years of her teaching career in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the fight for Independence.
Whilst there she travelled extensively throughout the Continent and came to love Africa and its wildlife experiencing many exciting encounters with various animals.
She returned to England with her husband in 1978 where she taught for a further 30 years before retiring in the Midlands. She continues to visit family in Southern Africa on a regular basis and enjoys visiting the game parks there.
To read more of Jane Maxwell's stories visit her website at Jane Maxwell Author.
Jane Maxwell was brought up in the north of England, one of the youngest in a family of six. She studied English Literature at the University of Manchester's Teacher Training College in Didsbury and spent the first 12 years of her teaching career in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the fight for Independence.
Whilst there she travelled extensively throughout the Continent and came to love Africa and its wildlife experiencing many exciting encounters with various animals.
She returned to England with her husband in 1978 where she taught for a further 30 years before retiring in the Midlands. She continues to visit family in Southern Africa on a regular basis and enjoys visiting the game parks there.
To read more of Jane Maxwell's stories visit her website at Jane Maxwell Author.