Jane Beckenham's Blogspot

What would you do on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

That's an easy one, most of my Sundays are lazy because I spend them writing, critiquing, blogging and researching - my favourite way to spend my time - and if there was beach nearby I would probably take my laptop out there too!

If you could choose to be anyone, live or dead, who would it be, and why?

Sarah Jennings, the first Duchess of Marlborough. She was beautiful and adored by her husband in a time when marriage could be unbearable for women. But I would do things a little differently and make sure I didn't upset Queen Anne and get thrown out of Court.

Who was your first crush?

I doubt I could remember that far back – and I won't try as no one will have heard of him anyway!

What is harder…childbirth, or writing?

Childbirth – but on a scale of 1-10 mine were only really 6's and they do tend to be on the large side in my family!

If you could be any character of any book, your own or others, who would it be, and why?

Lady Emily Ashton in Tasha Alexander's 'And Only to Deceive' – She was brought up in a restricted Victorian environment by a domineering mother who pushed her to get married. She did so for expedience and six months later finds herself a titled, wealthy widow. Life suddenly becomes exciting and with the freedoms of wealth and widowhood in Victorian London, Lady Ashton is determined to live the way she wants to. She's not outrageous, just independent spirited. I would love to be her.

What are the five goals you'd like to achieve before you kick the bucket?

  1. To have four books published – I will have two by the spring and I only began writing last year, so I might get there if I keep my standards high and my readership interested.

  2. To see both my children settled and happy in their chosen careers/lifestyle.

  3. To emigrate to Canada and run the hotel my husband and I have our eye on

  4. To sit by the lake round a fire pit with my nearest and dearest and watch the sun go down (see No 3)

  5. To have our house by the lake built and a balcony on our bedroom with a view over water where I can sit and write (See No 3)

What comes first…a character, or a plot?

For me, the plot. Then I create the characters according to what the story demands and fill in their personalities so they behave in the way I want them to. I firmly believe characters do not do things out of character unless there is a very good reason – and if they do, that reason must be explained.

What's your ultimate meal?

Actually that was last night's dinner – Crispy duck, spring onion and cucumber with hoi-sin sauce wrapped in Chinese pancakes. Followed by a tiny pot of dark chocolate mousse and fresh raspberries.

What was your most embarrassing moment in life?

When I made a date with two men on the same night by accident and they both turned up to take me out. One was furious and stormed off, the other thought it was hilarious and laughed like a drain – he stuck around for a while too.

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Good: Generous, Reliable, Creative

Bad: Indecisive, Obsessive, Lazy

You write historical fiction. What are your goals for this year?

To see Duking Days Revolution being well received when it is released in the Spring. To finish my current wip which is a Victorian Romance and a very different style and era for me. I want to prove I can write credibly outside the 17th century.

Many thanks to Anita Davison for taking the time to give us an insight into her world. You can visit Anita at her web site www.anitadavison.webeden.co.uk and check out her books at Enspiren Press: http://www.novel-writer.com/Duking-Days-Rebellion-Anita-Davision

So that's a snippet of Anita's life.

Jane Beckenham.

www.janebeckenham.com