30,000 years ago, I was Scottish
Jess Ryder
I had my mitochondrial DNA tested and discovered that my maternal line can ultimately be traced to the west coast of Scotland – 30,000 years ago. I thought I was a Londoner, through and through… I’ve never had an impulse to learn to play the bagpipes, but maybe I should give it a go – the skill might be in my genes.
I use my ancestors’ names for my characters
I have done a lot of research into my family history and often use the surnames of my ancestors for characters in my novels. It can be hard to think of the right name for a character – sometimes one will just hit me and I’ll know it’s suitable right away, but if I’m not sure I just look at my list of ancestors and pick one.
My heart belongs to Cornwall
I have holidayed in Cornwall since the age of three, when my parents first took me to the coastal village of Trevone, near Padstow. As a family, we have been going back there ever since and it’s our favourite place in the world. It’s no wonder that Cornwall keeps cropping up in my books. My first psychological thriller, ‘Lie to Me’ reaches its climax in Cornwall. Writing as Jan Page, my teen novel ‘Juggling Lessons’ partly takes place there and YA book, ‘Selina Penaluna’ is set in the area during the second world war.
I enjoy ‘hurtling through the graveyard’
I live in North West London and our nearest green space is Hampstead cemetery. I walk there a lot, it’s a wonderful place for thinking about my stories, or just relaxing and enjoying the peacefulness. It’s also great for blackberrying! I call it going for a hurtle, because an old school friend once misheard the lyrics, ‘heard it through the grapevine’ as ‘hurtling through the graveyard’.
Given the choice, I’ll take the train.
I love travelling by train across Europe. The trains are cheap, comfortable and nearly always on time! It’s a fantastic way to see a country and to understand the geography of a place. In my former life as a children’s TV writer, I story-edited a series of Thomas the Tank Engine. I was living in Birmingham at the time and discovered – weirdly – that our house was a few doors away from where the original author, the Reverend Awdry, used to live.
I’m a butterfly writer
Psychological thrillers are my latest passion, but I’ve flitted across many other genres under my other writing name of Jan Page. These include hundreds of episodes of children’s TV, stage plays, novels for young children, teens and young adult. All kinds of writing interests me – I even like writing lists of things to do! Who knows what I’ll turn to next?
I can recite the Lord’s Prayer in Anglo Saxon
The English language fascinates me. I’m always googling a word or phrase to find out its origin. I also love foreign languages and am addicted to the Duolingo app, which has replaced my addiction to Killer Sudoku. Currently, I’m learning Spanish. And yes, I can recite the Lord’s Prayer in Anglo Saxon – well, most of it.
I rediscovered Dickens thanks to Kindle
When I was an English literature student, I didn’t enjoy Dickens. The books were so long and the typeface was so small, I kept falling asleep. Then the Kindle was invented and I bought Dickens’ complete works for £1.99. I increased the font size, got stuck in, and realised that, of course, the man’s a genius. It all goes to show that e-publishing is not just for new writers!
I love a sing-song
I’m a member of a community choir – fortunately they don’t audition so anyone can join. I’m in the sopranos, but often have to mouth when it comes to the high notes, which suggests I should be an alto. However, I prefer the sopranos because we usually get to sing the melody. Community choirs are brilliant for making new friends and singing is a great way to shake off the cares of the week.
I’m always making something
When I’m not writing, I like to make things – textiles, ceramics, printing, refurbishing furniture etc. Mosaic is a great interest of mine. I love playing with colour and design and particularly like buying old bits of china and smashing them to pieces. It’s very therapeutic, especially if you’re feeling angry or frustrated!
