An Interview with Jane Steen (May 2020)
What do you focus on first, the plot or the characters?
Definitely the characters. My books are very much character-driven, although the kernel of the story is nearly always suggested by a location. I get interested in a place and its relation to a particular historical period, and then I very quickly begin to imagine characters that would fit into that place and time. As I think about those characters a plot starts to suggest itself, usually as a very vague outline. I do some research to see if my idea has any legs at all, and then it’s a process of “rinse and repeat” as I go through various iterations of research, character development, and plotting. Eventually a book emerges.
What’s your preferred approach to conducting your research?
The lazy one, as much as possible. I constantly read books about the Victorian era and books written in the nineteenth century, so I have a pretty thorough general understanding of the historical background and the way people thought. For details I admit to using Google a lot - yes, and Wikipedia! After all, many of my detailed research questions arise when I’m sitting there writing a scene, and five minutes online answers most of them without interrupting the flow of writing. I’m a storyteller, not a historian, as I often say in my Author’s Note, so I don’t travel the globe or sit in libraries looking at primary sources. On the other hand I dislike getting things wrong so I will usually go back in the editing and production phases to double-and triple-check facts.
Who are your favourite authors?
As a young woman I discovered Dorothy L. Sayers, and I would say that her ability to create interesting characters and depict the society of her era influenced my writing greatly. At one point I read nothing but Victorian authors, and I loved Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy in particular at that age. I’ve been a fan of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series for decades, and after starting to watch Game of Thrones I really got into George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books. When my kids were growing up I was as much a fan of the Harry Potter books as they were. For relaxation I like authors like Elizabeth Peters. The common theme with all of those authors is ability to create vivid characters that fit perfectly into their world, so that you feel that you could visit them. I read widely and have sampled many genres; I also love literary fiction, nonfiction (particularly biography), and history.
How often do you think of new characters and/or plots?
I’ve had hundreds of plot and character ideas. I would say I think of new stories almost constantly when I’m not actually in the process of writing a book. When I’m writing my brain’s a bit quieter and more focused. I have one series and three standalone books under serious consideration for when I’ve finished my current two series; I find that if a story really resonates with me it can stay in my head for years, gently brewing.
What’s your favorite part of writing and publishing?
I think I get the biggest kick out of the production phase, which for me includes the various stages of editing. I can find first drafts difficult or delightful depending on whether I’m wrestling with a story or not - some stories are just easier to get down than others. On the publishing side, I love the interaction with readers. I particularly like readers who really get into the nitty gritty of my books, whether it’s to praise me or tell me I’m wrong. I write them quite long answers if they email me.
How many of your own character traits do you find creeping into your heroes and heroines?
I think every writer puts a bit of themselves into their favorite characters, but there’s very little that’s autobiographical about my novels. Most of what goes into my characters comes from observation of other people. At least that’s what I think - writing with and about characters is a deeply subliminal process, to the point where I often feel that the characters are writing themselves. Sometimes I realize where I get pieces of characters from much later, after the book is published.
Martin Rutherford from The House of Closed Doors is probably the character I’m fondest of. I think that’s because he has something of my husband in him, although to be honest I couldn’t tell you what that something is (his appearance, family background, and abilities are completely different). Martin, incidentally, started out as a character who was going to seem really nice but actually turn out to be a villain in the end. By the end of the first draft he had written his way into my heart and I had to alter all my ideas to accommodate him in future books. Obviously I also like my heroines Nell and Lady Helena; Nell for her amazing drive and feistiness and Helena for her kindness and her ability to just cope with whatever life throws at her. I wish I could meet Tess so that I could give her a hug, and I so want to meet Helena’s brother Michael! I love the complexity of a character who has all the power in a family but so many challenges to deal with.
Who is your favorite character?
I’ve had a lot of experience with this particular beast, and it wasn’t till the 2020 pandemic lockdown that I really acquired a metaphor for what high levels of stress do to my ability to write. When faced with disruptive life events my brain goes into a sort of lockdown state. I can function only within certain limits. Although I can usually continue with my publishing business and do a number of other writing-related tasks, creating new work becomes an activity I’m simply isolated from, as if I need to travel to an office to write but am not allowed to leave the house. Life has thrown quite a few lockdown events at me, and I find myself wondering if I can ever write again. I think this is quite a normal symptom for the majority of writers, by the way. But I’ve also discovered that I am a very resilient writer, and the way I’ve coped is to focus on the things I can do (which can include plotting or character development work, so very useful for later on) and wait until the ability to write comes back. I’ve learned to recognize when I’m thrashing and to work through times when I’m anxious. I keep a journal which helps me to process my thoughts and figure out why I’m experiencing anxiety or stress. I have a number of other coping strategies that include getting out into my garden, of which I’m very fond.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
A good story is obviously extremely important. I’ve read many books where the writing has been dreadful but the story has been so good that as a reader I’m ready to forgive the writer for their clunky style. I’m less impressed by beautiful writing than some people - I like a simple and direct style without pretentious overuse of words. Yet I love complexity of ideas and layers of thought and emotion. For me, the litmus test for good writing is that I keep wanting to return to the book and that can be for a variety of reasons.
What do you feel are the most important elements of good writing?
I couldn’t tell you the first book specifically - I was probably four years old! But I remember the book that turned me on to historical fiction: Désirée by Annemarie Selinko. My mother read it and passed it on to me when I was a teenager, and I was completely hooked on the story of the woman who almost married Napoleon Bonaparte and became Queen of Sweden. I have no idea if I’d even like the book now; probably not. I’ve re-read several books I loved as a young woman and thought they were awful as a mature adult.
What was the first book you remember reading cover to cover, engrossed in the story?