Author Bio:
I grew up in Melbourne, Australia and thank my parents and school teachers for encouraging my love of literature and history.
After graduating from business college, I worked in the dry world of ledgers and accounting, then joined the tide of Australians traveling to the UK for a working holiday. There, in front of me was the history I’d read about. I was hooked. Marriage and children came next, then back to work, which kept my urge to write on the backburner. On the point of retiring I changed course to accept a position as secretary for a large New South Wales, Historical Society. Now really retired I am finally indulging my love of writing and travelling.
What inspires you to write?
I've always been a lover of historical fiction and the urge to write has been with since schooldays. Yet, when I retired and ready to go, I had no idea what to write about. Inspiration came from a small article on how a person's true character emerges when faced with extreme danger or stress. For example, the tough he-man crumbles and runs, the insignificant person steps up and takes charge. I'd been researching events leading up to WW1 and the story began. Inspiration for my subsequent books comes from an idea and a story follows. Writing is a joy and a wonderful, personal achievement.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm definitely a seat of the pants writer. An idea will rattle around in my head and I begin with a vague idea of where it will go. The story takes over and I follow. I have the characters in my head from the beginning however they do change a bit as the story grows.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I wasn't sure how to answer this question until you assured me I'm not alone. (phew) I don't exactly talk to my characters but I am in their heads a lot, or maybe they are in my head a lot. I'm with them in sticky situations and 'how would I react' or 'I wouldn't take that and neither should she'.
Who are your favorite authors?
So many favourite authors.
I think every historical fiction author would acknowledge Georgette Heyer as one of the best.
Catherine Gaskin, Wilbur Smith, Philippa Gregory, Evelyn Anthony, are a few firm favourites.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I wasn't at all familiar with the publishing world when I began submitting to traditional publishers. It was accepted by a publisher and the UK and I continued to do the same with my second and third books.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
It has certainly changed in my life, from purchasing paperback and hard cover books in book shops to ordering what we want online for our kindle and other refined devices. I wouldn't be surprised if paperback and hardcover books become collector's items and displayed in museums for schoolchildren to learn about the old days. Like it or not, its changing and we must adapt.
What genres do you write?
Historical fiction. Histoical romance
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print
Website(s)
Jan Selbourne Home Page Link
Link to Author Page on Smashwords
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
