Welcome to OPEN BOOK, where we open the book on our authors and discover their literary stories!

 

In this edition, we'd like to introduce Janice Jones, author of Baby Boomer - A Post-War Chronicle.

 

 

What is the story behind the title?

 

The term "Baby Boomers" was coined to describe the generation born after World War Two, when a spike in the birth-rate served to augment the population after the loss of so many lives. My older brother was born on 18th. March 1946.  Eventually, I realized that he must have been born on Armistice Day.  My parents had married in1942, but presumably decided not to have a child in wartime (with such limited means as we're available then).               

 

 

Who or what inspired your characters?

 

The memoire mentions family members and other people whom I have encountered, in such a way that they would recognize themselves, but other people might not, and of course, internationally known figures appear.               

 

 

Where do find your writing inspiration?

 

I have a degree in Physics, and despite the general view that  scientists as not artistic, I feel that an appreciation of the written word and precision in language are important to scientists.  For thirty years I was married to Gareth, who had a degree in English.  One day I was bemoaning the difficulty science teachers face because young children are regaled with fantasy stories.  How can you expect children to understand the scientific process of evidence-based conclusions, when they still believe in a man in a red coat who flies round the world in a single night in a sleigh pulled by twelve reindeer!  Together we wrote teaching resources called "The Wonderful World of Suzy Squirrel" and "Suzy Squirrel and Friends" aimed at 4 - 6 year-olds. They were delightful tales of the adventures of Suzy, but the science was correct and the books include activities based on the scientific concepts in the stories.              

 

 

What was your planning process for writing this novel like?

 

It occurred to me that the Baby Boomer generation - those born just after the Second World War - have lived through events of immense impact both nationally and internationally, seismic shifts in attitude, and dramatic changes in circumstances, opportunities, and aspirations. I decided to weave national and international events of importance into a chronological memoire of my life and experiences.

 

 

Where do you find it easiest to write?

 

I write notes for each chapter, but then write directly onto the laptop in my spare room. These days, if anything occurs to me, I write it down straightaway in a notebook.          

 

 

Where and when do you get most of your writing done?

 

Whenever I feel inspired, but usually in the afternoons.             

 

 

What piece of writing advice have you found the most helpful during your writing career?

 

Don't give up.   

 

 

Did you encounter Writers Block? If so, how did you overcome it?

 

Occasionally I get tangled up in how I want to organise the ideas, but I just let it simmer for a day or two and it generally unravels.       

 

 

Are there any books which have inspired your writing?

 

There are a number of novels which I admired, but I was not directly inspired, since a memoire  is rather a different concept.         

 

 

And finally… Why should people read your book next?

 

I hope that Baby Boomers will enjoy reminiscing with some of the descriptions and depictions and Generation Alpha should become acquainted with the changes and developments which produced the world they now inhabit.