An Interview with Janet Woods
Historical Romance writer talks About the Social Aspect of Writing
Mar 19, 2009
Suite101 writer, Lynne Cobine, talks to Janet Woods, an Historical Romance Writer who reveals the benefits of joining the writing groups she belongs to and her favourite authors: Anna Jacobs, Sharon Penman, Deborah Challinor, Nora Roberts and the older but not forgotten Sergeanne Golan who wrote the Angelique series.
You belong to many professional writing groups what are the benefits of joining them?
Writing is a lonely profession. Because of the sustained effort needed in writing a novel, it’s a question of a relationship between writer, their computer and their characters. Self inflicted solitary confinement might just about sum it up, because when all is said and done, the characters are from the imagination. Belonging to organizations helps me to keep a in touch with what's going on in the outside writing world, through newsletters, networking through conferences, and keeping abreast on which publisher is accepting what, and where. I belong to a working critique group that meets once a month, and also to a writer’s society that meets on a monthly basis on a more social level.
Which writers groups do you belong to?
The Society of Women Writers, WA (Hon life member) - Fellowship of Australian Writers, WA. (Fellow) - State Literature Centre, WA - Australian Society of Authors - Romance Writers of Australia - Romance Writers of America - Romantic Novelists' Association (UK) - Novelists Inc. (USA)
Who are your favourite historical romance writers?
I don't get time to read as much as I'd like to–or ought to, I suppose.
I can't go past Sharon Penman, especially her big books. Not strictly romance, I know, but I look forward to her releases with eagerness. New Zealand writer Deborah Challinor wrote an excellent trilogy. White Feathers, Tamar, and Blue Smoke. I think I have favourite books rather than favourite authors. For me I don't think anything has ever topped the adventurous Angelique series by Sergeanne Golan They still hold up well today.
What fiction are you reading at the moment?
Anna Jacobs’s latest saga, Freedom's Land.Recently I've read and enjoyed The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, which is a poignant, double-layered, and beautifully written story about the Salem Witch trials, Nora Robert's Tribute (her writing can't be faulted) and Captain's Lady a delightful traditional regency written by Sharon Milburn.
Janet has published many short stories and has had them published in the following magazines;
- Australian Woman's Weekly
- Australian Women's Day
- Readers World (Aus
- New Zealand Women's Day
- Loving Magazine (UK)
- True Magazine (UK)
- My Weekly Story Library (UK)
- Arabella Romance Magazine (USA)
- Romantic Interludes (USA)
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