Historical Romance Novelist - Anna Jacobs
Author Shares Her Passions for Writing and Reading
May 19, 2009
While enjoying a northern summer, suite101 writer, Lynne Cobine, has a chance to catch up with Anna Jacobs
Any advice for beginner writers on starting to write stories?
Just do it. Read a couple of good how-to books, then dive in. Realise it takes about 500,000 words to make a good writer, and that your first efforts probably won’t be publishable – but you’ll have to write and finish them anyway to learn how to tell stories. And think of it as telling stories, not ‘writing’. When you’ve finished a book, set it aside for several months and write another. When you come back to the first one, you’ll see how to improve it.
What about the hardest part continuing with the story?
There is no easy way but to just plod along. If it’s not all sparkling stuff, and it won’t be all the time, you can fix that when you polish your story afterward. So it’s willpower and hard work that gets you through.
Have you ever put any of your family/friends in any of your stories?
Good heavens no! I’m writing fiction.
What would be a typical writing day for you?
Get up at 5.20 am, answer emails, half of which are business, have breakfast, shower and then write till lunchtime – with short intermissions to do the family washing, or nip to the shops, as needed. After lunch and some relaxation, carry on writing. I do less creative work during the afternoon, but there are always business or research things to attend to – or items like this interview!
If one of your books was made into a TV series or movie which novel would you like to be produced and who would you like to play the main characters?
Freedom’s Land, which is set in Western Australia in the 1920s, when they gave land to ex-servicemen in return for them clearing it and setting up dairy farms. Fascinating part of West Australian history. It’s my own favourite among the books I’ve written. I’d want Hugh Jackman to play the main male character, of course, because he’s Australian and gorgeous. Kate Blanchett as the female lead.
Have you read any books that you wished you had written?
Occasionally, from my favourite authors. These are the books I study in depth to find out why I loved them so much. There are also types of books I know I couldn’t write, for example, Janet Evanovich.
Who are your favourite authors?
Georgette Heyer, C J Cherryh, Susan Wiggs, Katie Fforde, Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Meredith Webber, Barbara Delinsky, PG Wodehouse, Miss Read, too many others to mention.
What are you reading at the moment?
I read three novels a week. I’m about to start The Farmer Needs a Wife by Janet Gover, which is the first novel by a friend of mine.
If you weren't a published writer what would you prefer to do?
Nothing else tempts me. I’m addicted to story telling.
