Ask the Author: Penelope Janu
Answered Questions (6)
Penelope Janu
With In at the Deep End, I knew I wanted to write a strong female character who had something to do with climate change (I'd done some work on the global legal regulation of climate change). At first the heroine, Harriet, was going to be a scientist. In the end she became an environmentalist, and Per, the hero, is the scientist (and naval officer).
Climate change is a serious issue. What I hope In at the Deep End does is tell readers a little about it in a lighthearted, yet accurate, way.
I knew about Robert Falcon Scott because my grandmother was a great admirer of his. The name Amundsen came up when I was searching for a surname for another character in another novel ... Once I started researching Amundsen and Scott together, I couldn't let it go. And after a while I had Harriet Scott and Per Amundsen. The contemporary characters fascinated me just like their namesakes have fascinated historians!
Climate change is a serious issue. What I hope In at the Deep End does is tell readers a little about it in a lighthearted, yet accurate, way.
I knew about Robert Falcon Scott because my grandmother was a great admirer of his. The name Amundsen came up when I was searching for a surname for another character in another novel ... Once I started researching Amundsen and Scott together, I couldn't let it go. And after a while I had Harriet Scott and Per Amundsen. The contemporary characters fascinated me just like their namesakes have fascinated historians!
Penelope Janu
People interest me. Relationships interest me. So do romantic attachments. Once I have a rough idea of who my characters are, I can't wait to tell their stories.
Penelope Janu
I've recently finished a second novel - another romantic comedy/ contemporary romance set in Australia. I love this story and can't wait to see it out in the world! I also have some work to do on an earlier novel I wrote that I can't wait to get back to. And there is another book in the back of my mind that I don't dare mention to my family - they want me to take a break before a whole new cast of characters take over my mind!
Penelope Janu
It takes a long time to sit down and get words on a page - and even more time reviewing and editing what has been written. Writing is hard work! While I had a great career and wonderful home life, I didn't write creatively because 'I didn't have the time.' I would advise younger writers to write consistently (even if it is only an hour of writing every Sunday morning) if they aspire to be a writer. And older writers? You have a lifetime of experience to share. Go for it!
Penelope Janu
Spending time with characters. I do miss them when I move onto another story! I love the fact that characters take on lives of their own, and that I get to go along for the ride!
Penelope Janu
Dig in the garden, walk the dogs, drive the children somewhere... In other words, get up from my laptop and do something different while (hopefully!) my subconscious works out the solution to whatever it is I am struggling with.
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