Writer Of The Week: Jane Burns

Our Writer Of The Week is Jane Burns. Jane’ s story, “A Splash Of Sunshine”, is in Special 268, on sale now.

“A Splash Of Sunshine” is about a character dealing with grief and its positive outcome – was it a tricky balance to write?

It was difficult to get it just right. I borrowed from real life experiences where I have noted how young children have the capacity to bring adults “out of themselves” just by a smile or a matter-of-fact way of treating them. They have a disarming quality, encapsulated in my story by little Rosie. Adults can tiptoe around grief, but children get to the heart of the matter by just being themselves.

How important are characters’ emotions in your stories?

Characters’ emotions are key. It’s the emotions that draw the reader in and want to continue to see how the characters react to a situation – whether that is humorous or dramatic. It is also interesting to explore the emotions through the age or gender of the characters and how characters relate to each other. In “A Splash Of Sunshine” Rosie acts very differently towards her parents, yet when she is dealing with her grandfather she becomes very bossy and acts like the adult.

What motivates you to write?

I have a study, decked out with my favourite books and writing memorabilia and notebooks bursting with ideas. I have been writing at some level since I learned to read and love books; the desire to write never wanes. In the days of my retirement as a “lady who lunches” and often, I have to be more disciplined to sit down at my desk or computer and get a finished product on paper.

I also have a small group of fellow enthusiasts in friends and family who read and critique my work – usually over coffee and cakes. And let’s not forget the “PF” Tuesday X group – something I try not to miss. The chat is both enjoyable and inspirational, and it’s heartening to know that we are all experiencing similar highs and lows of being a writer.

Do you have any favourite authors?

From classics to crime with a hint of the supernatural in between. I grew up loving classics such as “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and anything written by Enid Blyton. Each year I try to revisit the Brontës – in fact, one of my Ladies Who Lunch groups has been nicknamed “The Brontës”. I love Jane Austen, too.

My love of TV detective shows stems from my love of the crime novel. Ian Rankin is my favourite and I have all of the Rebus books – many of which are signed. For a gentler foray into world of crime there is Alexander McCall Smith and “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” books which, to me, are also modern morality tales. I love his variety of books and his amazing output each year.

I am very fortunate to have met my crime writing heroes such as the aforementioned and the amazing Anthony Horowitz, novelist and screenwriter of classic dramas such as “Foyle’s War” and early “Midsomer Murders” episodes. Their love and enthusiasm for writing is truly infectious.

Notebook and pencil or laptop? Kitchen table or study? Blank wall or inspiring view?

I have lots of lovely notebooks – all shapes, sizes and colours. I use the smaller ones for jotting down ideas for stories and characters and A4 notebooks for developing first drafts. My preference is to use coloured pens for different sections. In addition, I have a small Dictaphone; a useful addition to have by the bedside at night for ideas that invariably pop into my head in the wee small hours.

I don’t have a laptop as I prefer to use the computer in my study for developing the full drafts of short stories, novels or plays. The computer also comes in handy for editing and adding notes – in colour.

What’s your one top tip for aspiring writers?

It’s two tips actually, but they are linked. Never discard an idea because it may come in useful at a later date, and persevere with your writing. I recently finished a supernatural screenplay, developed from a newspaper cutting I had in a folder from 1997, along with a few scribbled thoughts. Over the years, I had gone back and forth with various possibilities, but it all came together earlier this year. Just need a producer now.

Regarding my “People’s Friend” journey – it started in 2007 when I won a competition to write a 1000-word short story. I had one other short story published in 2009, but nothing thereafter. This year, after my 70^th birthday, I decided I wanted to have another short story success with my favourite magazine.

After a few unsuccessful attempts, I was delighted to have my short story “A Splash Of Sunshine” accepted. This time, I hope the journey will continue without 15-year gaps.