Thanks for joining me for Sunday Speed Dates. This week I have Jennifer Wilson joining me.
Jennifer is a marine biologist by training, who developed an equal passion for history whilst stalking Mary, Queen of Scots of childhood holidays (she has since moved on to Richard III). She completed her BSc and MSc at the University of Hull, and has worked as a marine environmental consultant since graduating.
Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the north-east reignited Jennifer’s pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since. In 2014, Jennifer won the Story Tyne short story competition, and also continues to work on developing her poetic voice, reading at a number of events, and with several pieces available online. Her debut novel Kindred Spirits: Tower of London was published by Crooked Cat Publishing in October 2015.
Welcome Jennifer!
First, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Well, I’m a marine biologist by training, and an environmental consultant in my day-job, where I mainly work on environmental impact assessments for projects like offshore wind farms, power stations or other coastal projects. I love it, but as with all science-based roles, everything has to be referenced, right and double-checked to make sure, so I enjoy the freedom of coming home in the evening and writing fiction, where I make the rules!
It’s always better when we can make the rules! :)
Tell us a little about your latest project.
My second novel, Kindred Spirits: Royal Mile will be released on 1st June, which I am very excited about. It follows on from my debut, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, where we follow the adventures of the setting’s ghostly community, getting to know the friendships and feuds which have grown up, sometimes over centuries. In Royal Mile, we’re following one of my historical heroines, Mary Queen of Scots, as she tries to cheer up her father, and deal with her problematic second husband, Lord Darnley. We get to meet the ghosts of Edinburgh’s most famous street, from the Castle at the top, all the way down to Holyrood Palace.
That is so neat. I love when stories incorporate real life places and people in them.
Do you have any pets?
Sadly not, but at the moment, I think that’s only right due to a slightly erratic lifestyle. But I am 100% a cat person, and dream of one day having a home and lifestyle that’s good enough to have a couple of friendly kitties wandering around. As a child, our neighbours’ cats used to spend time in our home, and there’s something so special about coming home to a pet. One day…
I do hope you get a pair of kitties of your own. They’re so entertaining.
What was your favorite job before writing?
The one I’m still doing! Since the age of seven, I wanted to be a marine biologist, and given that it’s a pretty competitive field, I consider myself very lucky to be working in it today. At university I developed a real passion for offshore wind farms, and my very first job was working on two simultaneously. It was a challenge, but I loved every minute of it.
That does sound challenging…and unique! I don’t think I’ve ever known someone who worked on a wind farm, much less an offshore wind farm!
Tell us one funny story about you as a kid
I managed to fall downstairs in a linen basket… We were playing hide-and-seek, and as a serious advisory note to anyone with children about: don’t encourage them to use round linen baskets at the top of staircases as a hiding spot! Whilst I was starting to get out, it toppled, and rolled down the stairs. I remember seeing the radiator approaching, but not having the sense to pull my head back inside the basket. There was a lot of blood. I didn’t do it again. I felt terrible too, because it was at a friend’s house, not even my own hallway which got redecorated in red!
Oh no!
It is such a unique idea, wherever did you get the idea for Kindred Spirits?
Thank you so much! It started as an idea for a poetry competition in a writing magazine, which had to feature ghosts. Whilst I was brainstorming ideas, I got obsessed with the notion that if their ghosts were to meet, Anne Boleyn and Richard III would have a lot in common through their mutual dislike of a King Henry Tudor, albeit a generation apart. The poem was absolutely awful, but the idea kept niggling away at me, and I decided to expand it and make it a story instead, looking at who else might be ‘hanging about’ at the Tower of London, and what sort of relationships would have developed over so many years.
Ah…the old “what if” game. It’s one of my favorites and has led to some interesting ideas.
Where do you like to write?
I keep clearing the desk in my spare room, convincing myself I should set it up as a study, but it’s the furthest point from the front door, and as a murder mystery addict, I don’t like the idea of having my back to the whole house… So I work at the dining table, and force myself to keep it as clear as I can. Having said that, it’s usually strewn with notebooks, research materials and other writing clutter, so I suppose it’s my writing table that I eat at, rather than my dining table that I write at.
I also love writing on trains, in cafes or bars, anywhere with a bit of background noise; I cannot write in silence.
I’m with you on this. I don’t like being alone in the quiet to write. The background sounds are a welcome noise when writing.
Name one entity or group that you feel supported you outside of family members. How did you meet them?
The weekly writing group I attend, at Quilliam Brothers’ tea shop in Newcastle, run by Elementary V. Watson.
There was a note at the bottom of a newsletter, if I remember rightly, for a group in my local library, which sadly folded after a couple of months, but Victoria also held weekly sessions in town, so I started going there instead. They’re a lovely group of people, and I’ve made some solid friendships there, which makes sharing work for thoughts and comments a lot easier. I like working to writing prompts too, so it’s good to get the ink flowing.
Writing groups are unsung heroes. They offer such support and help through all steps of the process.
What is the most fun/unusual thing you have done in the name of research?
Attended my leading man’s funeral – not that common for historical fiction writers… When they discovered Richard III’s body under the carpark 
in Leicester, it was just incredible, and I just had to take part in the ballot to try and get a place at one of his funeral services, didn’t I? Never thought I’d win though. I attended Compline, the service during which they brought his body to the cathedral, and it was such a beautiful weekend of lectures, services and events. Not technically research, although I did learn a lot, but it was certainly inspiring, and gave me the shove I needed to finish the book.
That is so amazing!
What do you feel is the most important thing that people DON’T know about historical fiction that you think they need to know?
That it is fiction. The best historical fiction writers are so good that they can convince you their version of events is the truth, but to be honest, even with famous dynasties like the Tudors, which are relatively well-documented, we can never know what was really going on behind closed doors, so writers make it up. Good ones hang fiction onto fact, where people were on what dates, what they were wearing, what they were reported saying in public etc., but some just go wild, and are completely unrealistic. I think the best thing to do, if you find a character in historical fiction who really interests you, is to go and find a biography, or some factual books about the period. That’s how I read, and it’s a good way to find new fascinating people from our past (and maybe even inspire your next project).
Well said! It’s a fine line to walk between history, fiction, counterfactual fiction, and out and out lies.
If you could meet just one person from your books, who would it be? Why?
It’s a tough one, between Richard III and Mary Queen of Scots, but for a real insight, I’d have to go for Mary.
So many questions to ask her! What was really going through her mind when she was carted off to France as a child? Did she truly not know of plans to murder her second husband? In hind-sight, what would she have done differently? She is portrayed in so many different ways, by different factions of history, but I think she’s a complex character and to sit down and talk to her would be so educational. Also, she was a powerful woman in an age where women were still seen very much as the property of their fathers then their husbands, so hearing how she handled that side of her life would be intriguing too.
That does sound interesting. It’s always said that history is written by the winners, so those views are definitely skewed in favor of one side or the other. Getting a chance to get the real story would be amazing.
Favorite fancy drink to order at your local coffee shop?
I’ve been trying various teas at my writing group sessions, and am currently enjoying Banana Twist Tea, especially when accompanied by a slice of their banana cake – it’s practically a health food!
Well, banana is the main ingredient, therefore it is healthy! lol
You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. How would you spend your money?
On a boat. I’ve always wanted a boat, a sea-going one, which I can take around the coast of Scotland, or through the Med, visiting various ports and generally having a fantastic time. I would have a crew too, of course, so I could spend the time in transit watching for wildlife or writing. The perfect life.
As I would probably have taken at least a year off from work with it too, I’d try to do some wildlife-charity work at the same time as well.
That sounds like a fantastic idea. I love the idea of wildlife charity work, it’s so rewarding!
You get arrested: Who is your partner in crime?
My mate Heather – we’re far too bad an influence on each other, it could only ever be her.
Never underestimate the help of a good friend. :)
Who do you call for bail money?
My parents. Tragic, isn’t it, but I think they’d still come through for me… I’m their only child – they couldn’t let me go down without a fight.
Oh, I know the feeling. Parents are the best when it comes to bailing us out and not asking too many questions!
What is the best advice you’ve received as a writer?
To keep writing. You cannot do anything with words you haven’t written, whether that’s edit them, read them somewhere, submit them to a magazine / publisher or even just look at them as something you’ve achieved. You might have the most perfect novel in your head, but if it stays there, what’s the point?
So true.
What other projects do you have in the works?
I’m currently working on a time-slip historical fiction short-story, which I’m aiming to self-publish, and am also gathering ideas and scenes for what I hope will become the third Kindred Spirits story. I’m looking into Westminster Abbey, but it’s an ambitious challenge, given just how many people are buried in there (3,000 according to their guidebook, including 17 monarchs). Mind, at least it gives plenty of scope for arguments, and stories need conflict, after all…
That does sound ambitious. Also very, very fun and exciting.
Where can we find out more about you and what you write?
You can find me at my website, on Facebook and Twitter. I’m also part of The Next Page, running workshops and other literary events across North Tyneside; visit our website for more information.
I’m hosting an online Facebook party on the launch day itself, and I’d love for you and your readers to join in the fun. There’ll be (virtual) food, drink and entertainment, plus (real) guests, competitions, and most importantly, prizes! Head over here and click ‘going’ to keep up to date with the latest information.
Wonderful! I can’t wait to see you around online. Thanks again for stopping by!
Thanks for having me!