It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jane Risdon onto the website today. Jane is the author of several novels and short stories, and spent many years in the music industry before becoming a novelist.
Jane: Thanks so much for inviting me to your fabulous website, Alex. I am really pleased to be able to share something about myself and my writing journey with you and your lovely readers and followers.
Alex: You are welcome, Jane. Perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself.
Jane: My name is Jane Risdon, and I am mostly but not exclusively, a crime/thriller/mystery writer. I say mostly because when the story dictates I can write in almost any genre I choose.
I didn’t start writing professionally until I retired from the international music business which had kept me out of mischief for decades, when I was living mostly in the USA and SE Asia, recording in various studios, touring, and doing everything in between, as an artist manager. Alongside my musician husband — whom I met when his band came to live next door to me when I was 16 — we managed recording artists, song writers, musicians, record producers, and facilitated the placement of music on to movie and television soundtracks, once he’d given up touring.
Jane: Thanks so much for inviting me to your fabulous website, Alex. I am really pleased to be able to share something about myself and my writing journey with you and your lovely readers and followers.
Alex: You are welcome, Jane. Perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself.
Jane: My name is Jane Risdon, and I am mostly but not exclusively, a crime/thriller/mystery writer. I say mostly because when the story dictates I can write in almost any genre I choose.
I didn’t start writing professionally until I retired from the international music business which had kept me out of mischief for decades, when I was living mostly in the USA and SE Asia, recording in various studios, touring, and doing everything in between, as an artist manager. Alongside my musician husband — whom I met when his band came to live next door to me when I was 16 — we managed recording artists, song writers, musicians, record producers, and facilitated the placement of music on to movie and television soundtracks, once he’d given up touring.
When we stopped working in music I got time to myself and could, at last, write full-time, something I’ve wanted to do since I was in my early teens.
Up until we began working together on artist management, my husband was in a band as I mentioned, and I worked for various British government departments in Germany — for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and in England for The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Whitehall — to name a couple of my positions.
I had no idea whilst I was working for the government that when I eventually got to write the books I wanted to, I’d have garnered such a rich cache of material to use. The same applied to the international music business. We worked, lived, and travelled all around the world whilst in the business and a lot of our time was spent working in Hollywood —another fantastic source of material for any would-be author.
I read crime, thrillers, and mysteries mostly, and I love anything espionage based, even true espionage. I love puzzles and trying to solve them. I try to make my crime writing like a puzzle where the reader must follow the clues along the way, trying to fathom out who did it and why etc. I don’t write police procedurals; the criminals don’t always get their just deserts in my stories.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, John Le Carrè, Frederick Forsyth, Len Deighton, and similar authors. I never read books for girls. Later I found Peter James, Michael Connolly, Patricia Cornwall, Tess Gerritsen, Kathy Reichs, David Baldacci, and Stella Rimington, to name a few of the authors I love. I love writers who are great with characterisation and plotting and who have a similar background to their main protagonists in some way; Kathy Reichs got me interested in Forensic Science.
Some years ago, I undertook the study (online) of 7 Forensic Science and Criminal Justice courses with well-known and respected universities, put together especially for crime writers. I also took a basic Archaeology course too. I wanted to ensure that when I was writing about crime, the discovery and identification of the dead, as well as the detection of the crime and any eventual prosecutions, I had an up-to-date accurate knowledge of my subjects. There is nothing worse than reading about a crime scene or investigation where the facts are out of date or plain wrong.
Earlier, I mentioned that I could be described as a multi-genre author. This is true. I’ve contributed to about 18 anthologies, writing ghost stories, time-shift, and even pirate stories and about every genre in-between except horror, sci-fi, and fantasy.
I’ve also compiled a collection of a few of my short crime stories and published them called Undercover: Crime Shorts.
I was signed to my traditional publisher, now Headline Accent, part of the Hachette group, initially for my short stories in 2014. Later my co-written novel, Only One Woman, set in the music scene of the late 1960s which is a love-triangle featuring two girls in love with the same guitarist, was published by Headline Accent in 2018. My co-author was romance best-selling, award-winning author, Christina Jones.
Christina and I go back to the late 1960s when she was fan-club secretary to my then boyfriend, now husband’s band. We’d always wanted to write together, but she was a romance author and I had never read any romances let alone considered writing any, and so ideas of what to write together never transpired. Until I started writing what I thought was going to be a crime story involving a musician and it started to turn into a romance.
I felt the novel needed another voice and Christina, having read it as I wrote it, agreed to write the character of Stella. I wrote Renza initially as the love interest of Scott, the musician. Suddenly, we were writing a love-triangle together, set in the time we were both familiar with and loved so much. It was published by Headline Accent and the rest is history.
Writing Only One Woman with Christina was easy for me having been involved with music most of my life and being married to a musician has given me unique insights into the lives of musicians, songwriters, producers, and the world of making records, movies, and television series, as well as touring and everything related to that world. We lived amongst and worked with the movers and shakers in Hollywood and I have garnered no end of material as a result. Material for not just Only One Woman, but for my crime writing too. Where there is money and power, there is often crime. Hollywood is awash with material for an author wanting to find interesting and unusual characters and events to draw upon.
Working in government departments also furnished me with ample writing material. I worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the Cold War when Soviet spies were expelled from Britain and the IRA were active on mainland England. All this has contributed to my imagination and writing.
Up until we began working together on artist management, my husband was in a band as I mentioned, and I worked for various British government departments in Germany — for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and in England for The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Whitehall — to name a couple of my positions.
I had no idea whilst I was working for the government that when I eventually got to write the books I wanted to, I’d have garnered such a rich cache of material to use. The same applied to the international music business. We worked, lived, and travelled all around the world whilst in the business and a lot of our time was spent working in Hollywood —another fantastic source of material for any would-be author.
I read crime, thrillers, and mysteries mostly, and I love anything espionage based, even true espionage. I love puzzles and trying to solve them. I try to make my crime writing like a puzzle where the reader must follow the clues along the way, trying to fathom out who did it and why etc. I don’t write police procedurals; the criminals don’t always get their just deserts in my stories.
I grew up reading Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, John Le Carrè, Frederick Forsyth, Len Deighton, and similar authors. I never read books for girls. Later I found Peter James, Michael Connolly, Patricia Cornwall, Tess Gerritsen, Kathy Reichs, David Baldacci, and Stella Rimington, to name a few of the authors I love. I love writers who are great with characterisation and plotting and who have a similar background to their main protagonists in some way; Kathy Reichs got me interested in Forensic Science.
Some years ago, I undertook the study (online) of 7 Forensic Science and Criminal Justice courses with well-known and respected universities, put together especially for crime writers. I also took a basic Archaeology course too. I wanted to ensure that when I was writing about crime, the discovery and identification of the dead, as well as the detection of the crime and any eventual prosecutions, I had an up-to-date accurate knowledge of my subjects. There is nothing worse than reading about a crime scene or investigation where the facts are out of date or plain wrong.
Earlier, I mentioned that I could be described as a multi-genre author. This is true. I’ve contributed to about 18 anthologies, writing ghost stories, time-shift, and even pirate stories and about every genre in-between except horror, sci-fi, and fantasy.
I’ve also compiled a collection of a few of my short crime stories and published them called Undercover: Crime Shorts.
I was signed to my traditional publisher, now Headline Accent, part of the Hachette group, initially for my short stories in 2014. Later my co-written novel, Only One Woman, set in the music scene of the late 1960s which is a love-triangle featuring two girls in love with the same guitarist, was published by Headline Accent in 2018. My co-author was romance best-selling, award-winning author, Christina Jones.
Christina and I go back to the late 1960s when she was fan-club secretary to my then boyfriend, now husband’s band. We’d always wanted to write together, but she was a romance author and I had never read any romances let alone considered writing any, and so ideas of what to write together never transpired. Until I started writing what I thought was going to be a crime story involving a musician and it started to turn into a romance.
I felt the novel needed another voice and Christina, having read it as I wrote it, agreed to write the character of Stella. I wrote Renza initially as the love interest of Scott, the musician. Suddenly, we were writing a love-triangle together, set in the time we were both familiar with and loved so much. It was published by Headline Accent and the rest is history.
Writing Only One Woman with Christina was easy for me having been involved with music most of my life and being married to a musician has given me unique insights into the lives of musicians, songwriters, producers, and the world of making records, movies, and television series, as well as touring and everything related to that world. We lived amongst and worked with the movers and shakers in Hollywood and I have garnered no end of material as a result. Material for not just Only One Woman, but for my crime writing too. Where there is money and power, there is often crime. Hollywood is awash with material for an author wanting to find interesting and unusual characters and events to draw upon.
Working in government departments also furnished me with ample writing material. I worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the Cold War when Soviet spies were expelled from Britain and the IRA were active on mainland England. All this has contributed to my imagination and writing.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Jane: I am not a plotter. I cannot be that organised. I get an idea from a name, an incident from my past or from the lives of the many people I’ve encountered along the years, a TV news broadcast, newspaper article, or an overheard conversation can set the little grey cells whirling. I write from my thoughts, only making notes about my characters ages, physical descriptions etc, or the names and locations of places in my story as they crop up. That is all. I never know what is going to pop out of my head and on to the screen until it does, and that means I have no idea where a story is going. A bit of a pain when writing a synopsis, I can tell you.
I even research as I go along, which might slow things down for some writers, but I enjoy stopping and looking something up or dragging something from my memory and checking it. Writing Only One Woman, set in the late 1960s, did require detailed research: venues, band names, world events, and even the food and drink we consumed, the clothes we wore, the TV and radio shows we enjoyed all required some research and that is why I am so glad I’ve kept diaries all my life.
I used my diaries to help unfold the story of Renza, Scott and his band, their gigs, their recordings and so on. Christina also had her own record of similar events. All making our novel an authentic depiction of the late 1960s experienced by two teenage girls and a rock band heading for the big time. Musicians love it and so do guys which is wonderful. Only One Woman is not only a romance,
but also a social history, a trip into nostalgia. It is named after The Marbles song of 1968, written by The Bee Gees for the duo. Later the lead singer, Graham Bonnet, went on to become an iconic rock singer with Rainbow, Michael Schenker, Alcatraz, Blackmore, and many other legendary rock bands. Graham kindly wrote the foreword to our novel and it is an insight into how music and The Bee Gees changed his life.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Jane: In my stories my characters are possibly based on people I have met, or know, but I am confused myself as to which parts of which person I’ve managed to put into one character, if at all. I met many characters working at the FCO when I was there, and in other government departments, who I am sure have crept into my work. I am sure they are all dead by now, some were so much older than I.
The same applies to some of the larger-than-life characters and huge personalities working in the Hollywood music and movie business I’ve encountered over many decades. I cannot be too explicit as I don’t want to end up with the horse’s head in my bed or concrete boots.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Jane: I’ve never sought a publishing deal, so had never had to write a synopsis for a submission. The thought fills me with fear, even now. My publisher found me. I thought I’d escaped writing one.
I recently signed with an Agent in New York, something I’d never contemplated. I was approached in December 2019 by an agent interested in knowing more about me and my work. After sending 7 pages of my novel, Ms. Birdsong Investigates (book one of a series) to her with a brief outline about my story and series, I forgot about it. Two months later she asked for 50 pages and a synopsis. Dear God! I nearly died. It took me a few weeks to write it. I sent it off with the 50 pages and never expected to hear another word.
Two months later I was asked to send a printed copy of the whole novel to her. It was going before a panel. I thought I’d die. I sent it off and decided not to think about it. Two weeks later I received a letter asking me to embellish one character a little more, because she wanted to offer me representation and wanted to let the panel read my additions. I did this, right at the heart of the pandemic (Covid-19) and I took my time. She was happy to wait. I sent it off, having asked an editor to go through it quickly beforehand. I got an offer back immediately. I researched her company before agreeing to sign with her.
As of the first week in January 2021 Ms. Birdsong Investigates Murder in Ampney Parva: Operation Matryoshka, is in with publishers in the USA and UK. I now wait to see what happens next. My novel is about a former MI5 Intelligence Officer, forced to take early retirement following a botched joint operation with MI6. My character is female, forty, and a martial arts expert. It is the first in a series.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Jane: Marketing is a pain, I hate it: but it must be done. I am active on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and I have a website. I belong to various groups where I can promote, and I am often a guest author on blogs. I also have guest authors on my blog from time to time. In addition to this I write a regular series for a print/online magazine and I’ve appeared in others often. I am also a regular guest speaker on online internet radio shows and have appeared in YouTube videos. I am a regular on The Authors Show podcasts and I have my own section in MYVLF — video interview and Book of the Month Feb 2000 — which is a virtual literary festival and library. Even with a traditional publisher authors are expected to do the bulk of marketing.
Jane: I am not a plotter. I cannot be that organised. I get an idea from a name, an incident from my past or from the lives of the many people I’ve encountered along the years, a TV news broadcast, newspaper article, or an overheard conversation can set the little grey cells whirling. I write from my thoughts, only making notes about my characters ages, physical descriptions etc, or the names and locations of places in my story as they crop up. That is all. I never know what is going to pop out of my head and on to the screen until it does, and that means I have no idea where a story is going. A bit of a pain when writing a synopsis, I can tell you.
I even research as I go along, which might slow things down for some writers, but I enjoy stopping and looking something up or dragging something from my memory and checking it. Writing Only One Woman, set in the late 1960s, did require detailed research: venues, band names, world events, and even the food and drink we consumed, the clothes we wore, the TV and radio shows we enjoyed all required some research and that is why I am so glad I’ve kept diaries all my life.
I used my diaries to help unfold the story of Renza, Scott and his band, their gigs, their recordings and so on. Christina also had her own record of similar events. All making our novel an authentic depiction of the late 1960s experienced by two teenage girls and a rock band heading for the big time. Musicians love it and so do guys which is wonderful. Only One Woman is not only a romance,
but also a social history, a trip into nostalgia. It is named after The Marbles song of 1968, written by The Bee Gees for the duo. Later the lead singer, Graham Bonnet, went on to become an iconic rock singer with Rainbow, Michael Schenker, Alcatraz, Blackmore, and many other legendary rock bands. Graham kindly wrote the foreword to our novel and it is an insight into how music and The Bee Gees changed his life.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Jane: In my stories my characters are possibly based on people I have met, or know, but I am confused myself as to which parts of which person I’ve managed to put into one character, if at all. I met many characters working at the FCO when I was there, and in other government departments, who I am sure have crept into my work. I am sure they are all dead by now, some were so much older than I.
The same applies to some of the larger-than-life characters and huge personalities working in the Hollywood music and movie business I’ve encountered over many decades. I cannot be too explicit as I don’t want to end up with the horse’s head in my bed or concrete boots.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Jane: I’ve never sought a publishing deal, so had never had to write a synopsis for a submission. The thought fills me with fear, even now. My publisher found me. I thought I’d escaped writing one.
I recently signed with an Agent in New York, something I’d never contemplated. I was approached in December 2019 by an agent interested in knowing more about me and my work. After sending 7 pages of my novel, Ms. Birdsong Investigates (book one of a series) to her with a brief outline about my story and series, I forgot about it. Two months later she asked for 50 pages and a synopsis. Dear God! I nearly died. It took me a few weeks to write it. I sent it off with the 50 pages and never expected to hear another word.
Two months later I was asked to send a printed copy of the whole novel to her. It was going before a panel. I thought I’d die. I sent it off and decided not to think about it. Two weeks later I received a letter asking me to embellish one character a little more, because she wanted to offer me representation and wanted to let the panel read my additions. I did this, right at the heart of the pandemic (Covid-19) and I took my time. She was happy to wait. I sent it off, having asked an editor to go through it quickly beforehand. I got an offer back immediately. I researched her company before agreeing to sign with her.
As of the first week in January 2021 Ms. Birdsong Investigates Murder in Ampney Parva: Operation Matryoshka, is in with publishers in the USA and UK. I now wait to see what happens next. My novel is about a former MI5 Intelligence Officer, forced to take early retirement following a botched joint operation with MI6. My character is female, forty, and a martial arts expert. It is the first in a series.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Jane: Marketing is a pain, I hate it: but it must be done. I am active on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and I have a website. I belong to various groups where I can promote, and I am often a guest author on blogs. I also have guest authors on my blog from time to time. In addition to this I write a regular series for a print/online magazine and I’ve appeared in others often. I am also a regular guest speaker on online internet radio shows and have appeared in YouTube videos. I am a regular on The Authors Show podcasts and I have my own section in MYVLF — video interview and Book of the Month Feb 2000 — which is a virtual literary festival and library. Even with a traditional publisher authors are expected to do the bulk of marketing.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Jane: Aside from writing I love walking and visiting places of interest such as gardens, stately homes, quaint villages, cathedrals, and churches. I love photography so I am always taking photos and I often blog about my visit (my jollies). I am a history buff and I research family history. I love science and astronomy, reading about and watching anything involved with espionage and crime, especially true crime. Lots of things interest me and I love general knowledge quizzes. Music is a passion and being married to a musician and having many musician friends means music is never far from me. It has been and is a massive part of my life.
Alex: And where can readers find you online?
Jane: My books are available via Amazon and most digital platforms and from Waterstones and Blackwell’s stores. My books are listed on my Amazon Author Page here. Only One Woman can be found here and Undercover: Crime Shorts here.
You can follow Jane on social media by clicking on any of the links below:
Jane: Aside from writing I love walking and visiting places of interest such as gardens, stately homes, quaint villages, cathedrals, and churches. I love photography so I am always taking photos and I often blog about my visit (my jollies). I am a history buff and I research family history. I love science and astronomy, reading about and watching anything involved with espionage and crime, especially true crime. Lots of things interest me and I love general knowledge quizzes. Music is a passion and being married to a musician and having many musician friends means music is never far from me. It has been and is a massive part of my life.
Alex: And where can readers find you online?
Jane: My books are available via Amazon and most digital platforms and from Waterstones and Blackwell’s stores. My books are listed on my Amazon Author Page here. Only One Woman can be found here and Undercover: Crime Shorts here.
You can follow Jane on social media by clicking on any of the links below:
Jane's website
Jane's facebook page
Jane's Twitter page
Jane's Instagram page
Jane's Pinterest page
Jane's MeWe page
Connect with Jane on MYVLF
Jane's agent in the US
Jane's publisher
Alex: Thank you so much Jane for sharing your writing journey with us, and best of luck with your new book.
Jane: Thank you, Alex. I really appreciate being invited on.
Jane's facebook page
Jane's Twitter page
Jane's Instagram page
Jane's Pinterest page
Jane's MeWe page
Connect with Jane on MYVLF
Jane's agent in the US
Jane's publisher
Alex: Thank you so much Jane for sharing your writing journey with us, and best of luck with your new book.
Jane: Thank you, Alex. I really appreciate being invited on.
