Q&A WITH AUTHOR JANE ADAMS - 'MURDER AT THE WILLOWS' IS OUT NOW!

Jane Adams is the author of over thirty published crime novels. The first, The Greenway, was nominated for both the Authors’ Club award and the CWA John Creasey for best debut novel.

Writing had never been on her ‘possible careers’ list, but she says once stories take root in your brain, they just have to be told – and she feels very fortunate that people want to read them.

In addition to writing, Jane teaches creative writing, reads and mentors for The Literary Consultancy, and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and FRSA.

We caught up with Jane ahead of the launch of her new book. Read about Jane's writing journey below. 

Q: What’s the hardest thing about writing?
A: Having to remind myself that I’ve done this before and can do it again. I know there will be times when I feel like I’m writing rubbish — the trick is just to keep writing through the rubbish and make good use of the delete key!

I also know there’ll be moments when bits of plot are spinning off in all directions and I’m not sure I know how to pull everything together. The important thing is to remember that this self-doubt happens Every Single Time and I just have to keep moving forward. As my dad used to say, ‘Just keep walking, you’ll get somewhere eventually.’

Q: Tell us about the setting?
A: Frantham on Sea is in a small, imaginary bay on the Jurassic coast in Dorset, quite close to Lyme Regis. It’s a gorgeous part of the country — and it’s been far too long since my last visit.

Q: What’s the biggest distraction in your writing day?
A: Looking out of the window, shouting at the radio, researching random stuff or playing with my phone when I should be getting the words on the page. . .

Q: Tell us about the characters?
A: Rina’s surrogate family is a little eccentric, but they are warm-hearted, caring and (I hope) genuinely likeable. Rina was inspired by the very independent and opinionated women I grew up around. She’s also got a smidge of Miss Marple, as played by the wonderful Margaret Rutherford, who was my first — albeit very inaccurate — introduction to Agatha Christie. It took me a while to accept that the Miss Marple of the books was nothing like her and I must admit to being disappointed for a while!

Q: What really inspires you?
A: The fact that people want to read my books. I’m still astonished by that and very grateful.

Q: What’s your favourite thing about this book?
A: Several years had passed between writing the previous Rina and this one. Being able to come back and settle in with people I really enjoy spending time with is lovely — and there are more books on the way, which makes it even better.

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