Ask the Author: Jeni Neill
Answered Questions (6)
Jeni Neill
I'll have to let you know the answer to this, if I have to experience it. Hopefully not.
What I have realised though, is that the stories are all 'here' and waiting to be let out; put down on paper. It's not a case of having to work at pulling them out. I don't know if that helps? I feel very passionately about my characters and know them profoundly.
And, I have been very strict with myself to allow time for my writing. It always feels stolen from elsewhere and indulgent, but I have worked hard on controlling my tendency to think it's not worth it. I guess this is really 'I'm not worth it' but I'm trying to deal with this lack of self-respect! This is an ongoing battle!
What I have realised though, is that the stories are all 'here' and waiting to be let out; put down on paper. It's not a case of having to work at pulling them out. I don't know if that helps? I feel very passionately about my characters and know them profoundly.
And, I have been very strict with myself to allow time for my writing. It always feels stolen from elsewhere and indulgent, but I have worked hard on controlling my tendency to think it's not worth it. I guess this is really 'I'm not worth it' but I'm trying to deal with this lack of self-respect! This is an ongoing battle!
Jeni Neill
It has given me something so powerful and essential that I feel it tingle like magic and can't believe I 'managed' my life OK, before discovering it was inside me all along. It's like a self-recognition; quite empowering. Basically, I feel heard and able to be brave enough to share my stories.
Jeni Neill
I think joining a supportive and inspirational writing group was key for me. Before this happened, I was blowing about aimlessly and hadn't a clue how to start.
I had tried reading advice books on 'how to get started' but personally found these unhelpful.
I think nothing can replace a good teacher and trusted fellow writers, who will give honest and much needed feedback and encouragement.
I had tried reading advice books on 'how to get started' but personally found these unhelpful.
I think nothing can replace a good teacher and trusted fellow writers, who will give honest and much needed feedback and encouragement.
Jeni Neill
I am so excited to start 'allowing' myself to write my next book, just a few weeks behind my planned goal of the 'children's return to school'!
The time has to be 'right' and, until now, my head has been too pre-occupied and cluttered. I think I should be able to save some space to begin the writing process as from the end of September.
I knew my next book's title before exploring the subtleties of its story. This is very unlike The Devil's Dye, who met its title towards the end of editing. I believe it will be called 'The Real Rumpelstiltskin' but I do now appreciate that the writing, to some degree, will take me where it will and things could therefore change!
It is historical fiction and based just a little after The Devil's Dye, so mid seventeenth century. It tells a story of the wilderness that was The Fens and the magic and folklore that is steeped in such land.
The time has to be 'right' and, until now, my head has been too pre-occupied and cluttered. I think I should be able to save some space to begin the writing process as from the end of September.
I knew my next book's title before exploring the subtleties of its story. This is very unlike The Devil's Dye, who met its title towards the end of editing. I believe it will be called 'The Real Rumpelstiltskin' but I do now appreciate that the writing, to some degree, will take me where it will and things could therefore change!
It is historical fiction and based just a little after The Devil's Dye, so mid seventeenth century. It tells a story of the wilderness that was The Fens and the magic and folklore that is steeped in such land.
Jeni Neill
Mostly when interesting or coincidental historical facts come to my attention or, by intense and often complicated feelings that I am struggling to digest.
Jeni Neill
Well, I moved to Norwich, in East Anglia, about fourteen years ago. I had visited for shopping on several occasions before this but didn't know the city well. When I first became aware that 'Strangers' had lived here, many centuries ago, I felt intrigued by their name and my imagination must have made a mental leap.
To call a group of immigrants 'The Strangers' now seems so wrong, at the very least uninviting and to be honest downright rude! But it was a matter-of-fact term given to people 'as yet unknown' and they made a huge impression on Norwich, not least because of their financial success here.
I found their history inspiring, as I do the stories of Black Shuck that I have heard since being a young child. When I explored neighbouring Suffolk, the town of Bungay and village of Blythburgh have strong connections with this hell-hound, and so feeding my imagination still more.
To find there was only a piddly eleven years between these two historical events was the real turn in my thinking. This is the life span of a dog. The bones of a huge dog were found buried in Leiston Abbey, Suffolk, only a few years ago. I began to build my story...
To call a group of immigrants 'The Strangers' now seems so wrong, at the very least uninviting and to be honest downright rude! But it was a matter-of-fact term given to people 'as yet unknown' and they made a huge impression on Norwich, not least because of their financial success here.
I found their history inspiring, as I do the stories of Black Shuck that I have heard since being a young child. When I explored neighbouring Suffolk, the town of Bungay and village of Blythburgh have strong connections with this hell-hound, and so feeding my imagination still more.
To find there was only a piddly eleven years between these two historical events was the real turn in my thinking. This is the life span of a dog. The bones of a huge dog were found buried in Leiston Abbey, Suffolk, only a few years ago. I began to build my story...
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