Jan Foster
Manchester, UK
Good morning, Jan, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the site for Art and Authors and those that love them. Tell us about what you've written.My published works include a historical fantasy series of novels (the Naturae series) set in Tudor England and Scotland, and a children's book series about new experiences, Mitch and Mooch Try.
What is your favorite genre to write?
Historical fantasy! I love the mixture of research to get the historical angle right, and the magic of fantasy.
Favorite food.
Cake – pretty much any kind but especially cheesecake!
I love cake! Tea or coffee?
Coffee, preferably milky and sweet.
Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza every time! My daughter is obsessed by ice cream though – even through winter, she insists on one a day, but it’s a hot day thing for me! Pizza is great any season though, a year round staple.
Wine or beer or soda or what?
I’m not a fan of any of them! I don’t drink and I don’t really like fizzy drinks. I know, weird, right? A cup of tea or frothy coffee will do me fine thanks, or water.
That's so much healthier!
Where would you like to visit?
Narnia. Seriously, I’m sure somewhere there’s a wardrobe…
Well, if you come up missing, we know where to look...
Favorite musical artist.
Prince, a lifelong fan. I am team purple all the way!
Do you listen to music when you write? What?
I don’t actually, I find I need absolute peace and quiet. Even for editing!
What makes you laugh?
Mr Bean, my puppy, and any kind of physical comedy.
Favorite work of art or sculpture.
I get lost in Monet, there’s something about the textures and colours which inspires my muse. Oddly, I first saw them copied on the sidewalks of Paris as a child – the street artists are amazing!
How old were you when you started writing?
When I was in university, I wrote plays and scripts but then real life intruded and I ended up writing a lot of business material. When I had my children, I found it was the writing for work which I missed, so I decided to fill my maternity leave with that (in between naps!).
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
I believe I’m what they call a Plantster – I do plot but leave the specifics of exactly how each scene will go to my characters. I have a rough idea of where each character arc will start and finish, but generally, their interaction and motivations guide the story. I do love a good flashcard session though if I’ve got myself into a hole plot-wise!
Describe your perfect evening.
My children go to bed early, and stay there, when told. Husband stops working. Chocolate, of course, and a film. We can all dream, right?
Where do you get your inspiration?
History provides me with a great starting point, and I question when I research, what must that have felt like? What *could have happened differently and where does that lead? A lot of my plots stem from asking What If…
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
I rarely get actually blocked – my problem is usually procrastination or other things (RL!) intruding. If I do get blocked, I revert to flash cards, where people are, what they are doing, and why. Then it’s like a jigsaw puzzle to figure out what the problem is and how they can all fit together to get to where they need to go.
Who is your favorite author?
I’m going to have to break this down – there’s just too many!
Historical and fantasy – Deborah Harkness or Jodi Taylor
Historical – CJ Sansom and Bernard Cornwall
Thrillers – Jeffrey Deaver and Scott Mariani
Medical thrillers – Patricia Cornwell
Best book you ever read.
You are killing me here! Too many to choose from… how about best comfort read? Jean M Auel, Clan of the Cave Bear series.
Last book you read.
A Woman of No Importance – its all about Virginia Hall, who was quite possibly one of the finest war heroes you’ve never heard of!
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
House renovations – I love it!
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
Eddie Izzard. His comedy drew me in, his wackiness and sense of humour and view on life. Then, later, his unbelieveble commitment to all the other things he has done – the charity marathons and his acting. I even have a signed photo propped up above my kettle for when I need spurring on, for inspiraton. He’s holding his fists in a kind of boxer pose, and it just makes me think ‘go get ‘em!’
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
Probably Anne Bolyen. I am constantly torn over how calculating she really was, or was she more of a pawn?
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
The words don’t write themselves, you have to actually get your butt in the seat and focus on finishing! Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it was the best, most honest advice I was given when starting out also and it worked for me!
Do you have some links for us to follow you?
Social Links
Websites: www.escapeintoatale.com (Author Website)
www.mitchandmooch.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janfosterauthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B084LF154S
Blog: https://escapeintoatale.com/short-stories-and-articles/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/escapeintoatale
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20093349.Jan_Foster
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jan.foster.author/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JanFoster
LinkTree https://linktr.ee/janfosterauthor
Subscribe to my newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/mailingsubscribe and I’ll send you a free copy of the Naturae Series prequel Risking Destiny (a full length novel set in Viking Age Orkney!) to enjoy!
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