Deborah Jenkins

I’m an – ahem – ‘mature’ woman (in years, but not behaviour I’m afraid), married with two adult children and a recent value-added, gorgeous granddaughter. For many years I was a class teacher but now only teach small groups for a few hours a week. I’ve always written from around the age of eight. It started off as my way of processing this strange and wonderful world and evolved into a much-loved hobby along with reading and long walks on the hills near our home in Gloucestershire, England. These days, I write for publication, but I think writing for me, will always be something I ‘have’ to do. For my sanity perhaps or that of my family and friends…

I’m profoundly deaf, a condition that has only developed in recent years, so it’s been a challenge adjusting to this. Conventional hearing aids don’t work for me, but I had an operation a while ago for a bone implanted hearing aid. This helps a lot, but I still struggle to hear in certain situations, and it makes some of my work as a writer challenging – talks, Q and As, interviews etc. I’ve learned to be up front about it which takes away some of the awkwardness.

Meet Deborah Jenkins

Questions on Writing

What is the hardest part of your writing experience?
I find marketing and promotion hard. Most publishers expect authors to do their part, which is fair enough in these days of social media etc. And I have worked hard at it, particularly in the last two years. But it’s not easy putting yourself and your books out there. I find it can affect my mental health or threaten to turn me into the kind of person I don’t like. I’ve learned that it’s OK to step away, to take a break. The world won’t end if I don’t ‘tweet’/’X’ for a few days.

What have you learned about yourself when writing?
I think I’ve learned that I’m basically an introvert. I’ve always assumed the opposite as I’m quite outgoing. But although I love being with people, writing has shown me that I get my energy from being alone, with words. If I don’t have regular time to write and read, I turn a bit strange and frantic.

Do you make yourself write everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
I can’t write everyday as I also teach and care for my mother-in-law, but I do plan my writing. At least three days a week I write from 9 until 1, and have a rough guide as to how much I want to write each day. That way, I know how long it will take to write a book.

What does literary success look like to you?
That’s an interesting question and I think I’ve come full circle with it. Years ago, I would have said holding my book in my hands and hearing from people how much they enjoyed it. I was lucky enough to experience this. Success then became about getting good reviews. Of course, they aren’t all good, but I’ve had mainly lovely ones. Incredibly, Braver was then shortlisted for two major awards and I got to attend two posh award ceremonies in London last year. You’d think success would now be about winning an award, wouldn’t you? But I’ve had an epiphany: whatever we yearn for in that regard, it will never be enough. I didn’t start writing to get awards. I wanted to entertain, encourage, and inspire. Nothing beats the rush of pleasure when someone tells me how much they love my book – that’s success for me.

How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes along as you write?
I plan the plot but never beforehand. I tend to know the beginning and the end before I write and it’s only once I start writing that the story emerges. I take time out for planning and research as I write. This works better for me.

Is there anything that draws you to a particular genre? Do you like to write in the same genres that you like to read?
I want to read inspiring stories with beautiful words. My favourite genres are therefore literary fiction and ‘uplit’. Possibly, my writing could be described as a blend of these. I think it’s essential for writers to read their preferred genres copiously, but also to read other things too.

How do you celebrate when a book is published?
I’ve had book launches for my two most recent books, the first at Waterstones in London, and the second in my local library in the small town where I live. I absolutely loved them, but they were hard work and exhausting. I think next time I’ll have a smaller celebration at home with family and a few friends. I seem to be going in the opposite direction to most writers – next it will be a bottle of fizz with the husband.

Questions on Books and About You

Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
So Late In The Day by Claire Keegan, A Patchwork Planet by Anne Taylor, Larry’s Party by Carol Shields, and The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben.

What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
Varjak Paw by S. F Said

What does your writing space look like?
After many years in a corner of the bedroom, I’m now blessed to have my own writing room. There is a computer desk and chair, bookshelves and a wide view of the sky and trees. There’s also a bed/couch that I can flop on. My best ideas for writing come when I’m out walking between those trees though.

How many books do you think you own?
I really don’t know. Several hundred.

Who is your literary icon?
Probably Elizabeth Strout or Anne Tyler.

If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
Pride and Prejudice.

Is there an author who you always read?
Many. In addition to the ones mentioned above, Frederick Backman, Ann Patchett, Kate Atkinson, Clare Chambers, to name a few.

And finally, are there any plans for any new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
I’m writing a novel about someone with hearing loss, how it changes her life and causes her to walk away from everything she knows. But it’s also about how we all suffer with hearing loss in a way, having lost the ability to listen well – to the needs of others, the environment, the world.

Thank you for interviewing me! I really enjoyed thinking about how to answer these questions.

Thank you Deborah😊I haven’t heard of Varjak Paw by S.F Said, so I will definitely be looking for it as it sounds fabulous.

Deborah Jenkins’ Books