Interview with Jenn J McLeod

Today I’m reconnecting with one of my favourite women’s fiction authors. We’ve met her before—you might remember our chat about her debut novel House for All Seasons—but this time I’m waiting just outside Saddleton ready to be collected by my guest as she takes us on a quick trip around the landscape of her latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light. Here she comes now, tearing up the unsealed road in an old ute named ‘The Beast’. Please join me in welcoming Jenn J McLeod.

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RH: Jenn, great to see you again! Congratulations on the release of your third novel, Season of Shadow and Light. You’ve certainly packed a lot into this one and it’s getting great early reviews. I loved it! Once again you’ve delivered a stellar story of family secrets and the healing power of the country (and, once again, you made me cry…in a good way)

JJM: Ha! Hop in, if you’re game, Rowena. Thank you so much for those lovely words. Now buckle up. There are a few twists and turns and some surprises coming up.

RH: Oh, the things I do for a good chat! *grin*

*Jenn skilfully steers The Beast across a narrow bridge with water lapping at its edges*

RH: Since we last spoke you and ‘The J’ have packed up your house and dogs, downsized into a motorhome, and been road-tripping for some time. So before we get to chatting about Season of Shadow and Light, tell us a little about life ‘on the road’ and how it may have impacted on your writing process. Do you still try to have a routine and a dedicated space to write?

JJM: I have a dedicated space in the van, but I am rarely inside. If it’s really cold or really hot, or if I need the big screen (which I prefer when editing) I’ll be at my fold-up desk. Most of the time I am ergonomically errant in any old place, and any old chair, soaking up the fresh air, often the view, and always with my senses in overdrive.

RH: Sounds idyllic—as long as the fresh air lasts. *wink*

*A flood marker at the side of the road to Coolabah Tree Gully is stained brown up to the 1.7 metre mark, showing that less than a week ago this road would have been completely submerged*

RH: So let’s talk about the latest addition to your literary offerings: Season of Shadow and Light.

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About the Book

Sometime this season …
The secret keeper must tell.
The betrayed must trust.
The hurt must heal.

When it seems that everything Paige trusts is beginning to betray her, she leaves her husband at home and sets off on a road trip with her six-year-old daughter, Matilda, and Nana Alice in tow.

But stranded amid rising floodwaters on a detour to the tiny town of Coolabah Tree Gully, Paige discovers the greatest betrayal of all happened there twenty years earlier.

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RH: Season of Shadow and Light is narrated primarily by Paige and she certainly has a story to tell (and one to discover!) Struck down by illness and still reeling from her husband’s disloyalty, Paige seizes the opportunity to get away and fulfil her daughter’s request to learn more about, Nancy, Paige’s mother who died thirty years ago. She drags a reluctant nanna Alice (Matilda’s ‘the other nanna’) with her and it’s clear right away that there is a secret in Nancy’s past that Alice is determined will never be exposed. I was struck by how much illness surrounds Paige (I do like the synergy that Alice, the secret keeper, is a nurse), and in this novel Paige carries quite a burden. How did her extensive backstory impact on the structure of the novel and/or the revelation of such a rich history? Why was it necessary to give her so much to overcome?

JJM: This novel certainly started out as Paige’s story and as the name suggests, there are shades of light and dark and themes that deal with betrayal, tragedy, family loyalty and trust—the kind of trust that takes years to build but only seconds to wash away.

Good storylines need shades of light and dark, with characters experiencing lots of highs and lows for the reader to share. In Season of Shadow and Light I have four characters telling their story when their lives intersect in the most dire of circumstances. I admit this plot challenged me like no other. So many secrets. So many clues. I’m just so glad you enjoyed the story.

RH: Enjoyed would be an understatement *grin* I wanted to race to the end, but there were so many rich details I had to get lost in the words. Speaking of ‘lost’, I’m hoping that’s the pub up ahead. I could do with a pit-stop. How about you?

*We stop at the Billabong Pub in Coolabah Tree Gully for a bathroom break and a quick drink (non-alcoholic for both of us). After a quick round of introductions, during which delectable chef, Aiden, makes himself scarce, we’re back in The Beast and on our way to Neveah—the place of old secrets and some surprises.*

RH: The character I found most compelling—and who put me through the emotional wringer!—is Alice. She has become an adoptive mother to Paige and nanna to Mati. She is incredibly complex and though we know it’s done with the best of intentions, at times her fears for what Paige might discover make her behaviour quite harsh. Alice hasn’t had an easy life and her inner thoughts, particularly in the latter chapters, are beautifully written. She’s the secret keeper and yet few of those secrets are her own. Share with us a little about creating such a complex character. For example, Alice carries some of the narration and I wonder if this was necessary to allow the reader to understand her motivations. How do you balance showing who she is without giving away too much of the secret she keeps?

JJM: Nothing is more rewarding for an author than a reader who really connects with a character. It may surprise you to know that Alice was an accidental addition to a story that was supposed to be a modern day story about a mother on the run (Paige) colliding with a distrusting, damaged man (Aiden) and with another ‘complication’ thrown in. (You know who I mean, Rowena!)

As a pantster, my stories all generally start with a title, a tagline and an opening sentence. I have an idea of the theme and a very loose understanding of how I will take my characters through to the end. But something miraculous does happen once the story starts taking shape. These fictional characters become real to me and they do sometimes go in unexpected directions.

RH: Unexpected directions are great, especially for us readers, but no plot! I couldn’t do that. *imagines self huddled in the corner rocking at the thought of no plot*

JJM: This is my longwinded way of talking about Season of Shadow and Light changing direction when Alice hijacked the plot. The more I dug down, peeling Alice’s tough layer away to discover a fragility (and the reasons behind it) I found myself hooked on her early years. I feel like she put her trust in me to tell her very special life/love story. (That probably sounds corny, but it’s true.)
When I was done telling the story I knew I had to include something in the bookclub questions in the back of the book, so I might get some reader thoughts:

• This novel started out as Paige’s story. By the second draft, however, I realised Alice had the greatest journey. Whose story do you feel is the predominant one and why?
• I believe Alice also has the most devastating conflict: Is she obligated to protect the deceptions of the dead when the truth might somehow help the living?

JJM: What a great premise for a story! Are some secrets best buried? I loved this conundrum and because of it I think readers will have different views about Alice, how the relationship she had with her parents shaped her life, and whether her reasons for keeping the secret are enough to warrant such deception. Slowly, Alice’s story developed into a much deeper storyline about a random meeting, an impossible love story, and choices. So, yes, while Paige and Aiden (with their ‘complicated’ relationship) are fabulous, I admit to Alice hijacking me along the way. Yes, I was worried about what readers might think, but with early reader reviews already in and your lovely comments, I am super excited about this story.

And here we are, Rowena, almost at the very place where someone made that first choice—one that would ripple across three decades.

RH: Oh, that’s Nevaeh! I feel a little nervous to be here. *Rubs hands on trousers and hops out to open the gate blocking the long road to the property, Neveah, and take a moment to enjoy the bleating of the goats in a nearby paddock. I’ve barely re-buckled my seatbelt before we’re jolting across the cattle grid and onto the vast property.*

RH: As mentioned, you and ‘The J’ are road-tripping around Australia in Barcoola. To a lesser extent you have put your characters on the road, with Paige on the precipice of some major decisions. You’ve always had a great ear for dialogue and you’ve flavoured Season of Shadow and Light with some Aussie gems and telling observations of country life and customs. I love that Paige sees a sign to the toilets that reads: HIS/HERS/EITHER (BUT NOT TOGETHER)—very thematic as it turns out! You mention the grey nomads who’ve lost their caravan in a flooded culvert and you’ve even managed to include a Maltese Shi-Tzu as part of the road-trip crew. When we talked last time you mentioned you were careful not to put recognisable people and places into your novels, yet as I read I couldn’t help wondering how many of your own experiences may have crept into Season of Shadow and Light. Do you feel being on the road has enriched you as a writer? Are you always on the look-out for inspiration or is the entire experience part of your muse?

JJM: The majority of this storyline was done while I was still living in a house . . . no wheels! And, yes, we did experience flooding rain that year and my neighbour did lose his chicken shed and almost a cow when the creek burst its banks. But you probably aren’t taking about those scenes.
I did step out of my comfort zone in many ways and I found inspiration from unexpected sources:
• One was using my sister, Kris, as the inspiration behind Paige. Some similarities would be plot spoilers, but I can tell you Kris developed sudden sensory deficiency many years ago, losing her sense of taste and smell.
• Seven years my senior, Kris was also very ‘horsey’, while I was afraid of horses, especially after one ate the buttons off the back of my blouse at the Easter show when I was about 6 years old.
• Being more a dog person, my original tribute to ‘animals as therapy’ was going to be a dog, until I started researching horses and found myself fascinated in the human/horse connection. I even put a lot of what I read into practice with a crotchety, nippy old race horse (retired) in a nearby property. We helped each other and I was so sad to leave him when we sold to hit the road in the caravan. Ed, as I called him, was actually named Nevaeh.
• I was inspired to write an ‘ugly’ pub into this story. I wanted a very real town, and while there are some charming, quintessential pubs in many small towns, I’d had enough wrought iron balustrades, etc, etc. I once stayed in a very ugly pub (with the boarded up veranda, the poorly set aluminium window opening over a track filled with moribund bugs and decaying moths, and crooked floors.) The thing is, I remember that pub more fondly than any other pub experience.

• There is more of ‘me’ in this book. When I say ‘me’ I mean things I am passionate about. The name ‘Alice’ holds a lot of significance and although the real life Alice (long since passed) shared no resemblance, in any way, with the fictional Alice, just using her name helped me with some of the more emotional scenes. I really related to Alice’s stance, especially being at that point of no return, knowing what she might lose if she tells the truth. But I loved creating all the characters in this novel: Aiden (love a damaged man), Sharni (she turned out such an unexpected joy), of course there’s Rory . . . (talk about turning someone around.) Rory needed help. I loved delivering on that.

RH: Ah, yes, Rory. My lips are sealed—which is more than I can say for this road. *releases grip on dash as she spies the elaborate gates of Neveah, now almost lost beneath creeping vine. RH & JJM get out and stretch legs while talking to the very friendly horses—except for the one in the tartan coat who stays in the far corner of the yard.*

RH: Well, after that drive I hope you are not too exhausted because I have a whole new set of questions in keeping with our road-trip theme—it’s time for your

RH: Best place to visit?

JJM: No idea yet. Stay tuned. (Somewhere in Australia)

RH: Best place to live (if you could afford it)?

JJM: In a safe, secure cabin high up, overlooking a wide, fish-laden river (no flooding). Good neighbours—only not too close.

RH: Best road trip music?

JJM: Anything that lets me sing really loud.

RH: Best book to read when the storm sets in?

JJM: Books about the seasons!

RH: *laughs* Most memorable road-trip experience?

JJM: The J and I did this same road trip thing thirty years ago, only in a Ford F100 and a tent. One day we were ‘rescued’ by four South Australian farmers (on their annual outback pilgrimage). We’d dropped our exhaust on the (then corrugated dirt) Stuart highway, not far from the ‘smack-bang, dead centre’ of Australia. They got us going again. We later ‘bumped into’ our ‘heroes’ at Coober Pedy pub and they suggested it would be safer to camp out of town with them, rather than the (then) insalubrious caravan park with the seedy caretaker.
We did! (No Wolf Creek back then, obviously.) What an experience. In the middle of nowhere—100 clicks from Coober Pedy—they cooked us kangaroo tail soup, kangaroo steak, damper and baked vegies—all from a campfire. My love of a life in the country was born. (And my reference to odd looking vegies in the book came from the vegies these farmers had on board that night!)

RH: Who would have thought thirty years ago those experiences would make their way onto the printed page? So what’s next for Jenn J McLeod—in books and in life?

JJM: I’m open to anything. More writing and more books. My fourth seasons novel, next year, will be my last in the quartet, allowing me to explore new story lines. I am currently in the early days of book #5—a family drama about letting go and starting over. Still with all the warmth, humour and twists of a Jenn J McLeod story it has a small seaside community caravan park as the setting. Oh, yes, lots of inspiration there. A potential ‘character’ has just parked on the site next to me!

RH: I look forward to both of those novels—hmm, I wonder if a seedy caretaker will make an appearance… Before I let you go, I have one more pressing question. You’ve mentioned before that you’re a huge fan of McLeod’s Daughters, so I have to ask: How does it feel to be in the same publishing house with your heroine and creator of that iconic series, Posie Graeme-Evans?

JJM: Okay, well, thanks for name-dropping for me! I literally just hung up the phone after speaking with Posie from Tassie. The J and I have a standing invitation to ‘drop by’ when we get down that way. But more immediate is Posie and I are going to do a little blog tango. (Her on mine, me on hers!) I’ll also have you know I consider myself ‘the lost McLeod’s Daughter’. Here’s me telling Posie that (after stalking her at a Simon &Schuster function two years ago!)

RH: Well you’re not lost anymore, that’s for sure! *laughs* Thanks for joining us today, Jenn. It’s always a pleasure to chat with you!

JJM: And you have the most inspired blogs. It’s been lovely aboard The Beast.

RH: It certainly has. *surreptitiously rubs numb butt* Where can we find Season of Shadow and Light and all of your other fantastic books?

JJM: This is where I get to say: “Where all good books are sold—in store and online.” See Simon & Schuster Australia for direct links and information.

And if readers would like to connect, there are options galore on my website: www.jennjmcleod.com

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About the Author

When Jenn J. McLeod quit Sydney’s corporate communications chaos, she bought a little café in a small town and ran a unique, dog-friendly B&B in country NSW. Home now is a fifth wheeler caravan, her days spent writing heart-warming tales of Australian country life. Readers and reviewers alike enthusiastically received Jenn’s debut, House for all Seasons, placing it at #5 on the 2013 Nielsen’s Best Selling Debut Novel list. Season of Shadow and Light is the third book in her Seasons Collection, with a fourth Seasons Collection novel due in 2016.

 

 

WIN: Thanks to Anna O’Grady at Simon and Schuster Australia we have one set of Jenn’s ‘Seasons’ books to give away. The set includes the top 5 selling debut House for all Seasons, Simmering Season, and Season of Shadow and Light.

To go into the draw just use the comments section below to answer the following question (the answer is within the interview):

Q: What is the name of the character who was an ‘accidental addition’ to the novel Season of Shadow and Light?

Competition closes midnight AEST Monday May 18th, 2015. Sorry, Australian residents only.
Winner decided using Random.Org

NB: COMPETITION NO LONGER VALID WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN!

 

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