tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29015610939159477182024-02-20T02:00:28.863+00:00Jan JonesWriter of romantic comedy, Regency romance, serials, mysteries, novellas, short stories and poemsJan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.comBlogger339125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-70043469033887786822022-12-18T18:10:00.002+00:002023-11-16T08:08:58.485+00:00Social Media<p>.</p><p> Places where I can be found on social media:</p><p><br /></p><p>I am on twitter as @janjonesauthor</p><p>I am on mastodon as @janjonesauthor@mastodonapp.uk</p><p>I am on Bluesky as @janjonesauthor.bsky.social </p><p> </p><p> </p>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-42887369902476488442022-07-20T11:58:00.004+01:002022-08-13T08:50:58.797+01:00Red Warning<p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i></i></div><p><i><b><br />.</b></i></p><p><i><b> </b></i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoTUZxvqopGjdKVS1Bf2BXfu1JlaLgAu42YvmYaTqdoVrGsnGV4C9vcZoo_NKQIMt9WkGaJV0DYyAIiyRZnqNMTekYx4YM_jwOpMSaJ7JEoVEJfKRq8WIRbxZYE-PShEpgOgOp_53bNyrsUFq1upY6lI60OpvnlKdYCj2v6wp1Y-L9puTac7OrL2peQ/s1632/parched.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1632" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoTUZxvqopGjdKVS1Bf2BXfu1JlaLgAu42YvmYaTqdoVrGsnGV4C9vcZoo_NKQIMt9WkGaJV0DYyAIiyRZnqNMTekYx4YM_jwOpMSaJ7JEoVEJfKRq8WIRbxZYE-PShEpgOgOp_53bNyrsUFq1upY6lI60OpvnlKdYCj2v6wp1Y-L9puTac7OrL2peQ/w320-h182/parched.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></p><p><i><b>red warning </b>by Jan Jones<br /><br />the walls of the house are warm<br />the bedroom smells of hot ironed sheets<br />outside, baked air stirs in a slow waltz<br /><br />but this is England<br />my house is made of old, cold stone<br />the last time I ironed sheets was 1974<br /><br />grief lies like a blanket<br />the earth in the garden is shrinking<br />stones and bulbs stranded on the surface<br /><br />and I wonder<br />is this what the end of days is like?<br /><br />the walls of the house are warm</i></p><p> </p><p>. <br /></p><p></p>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-663877340820280172021-01-10T12:31:00.002+00:002021-01-10T12:55:00.761+00:00Ice Trees<p> .</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh531YHxD-fT_SmUWOXqH0R2hwOdjEUAjVjGWMKs-OMjwLOi9TG2A3_WYGn8bDoNjrwre2PNZR0giHYHPJrFxcnbkxpjX-NFeSaaSiWvItt78osfyEfDjsEFt48K0UhNyFbiVKIaTWjbLCQ/s1632/ice+trees_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh531YHxD-fT_SmUWOXqH0R2hwOdjEUAjVjGWMKs-OMjwLOi9TG2A3_WYGn8bDoNjrwre2PNZR0giHYHPJrFxcnbkxpjX-NFeSaaSiWvItt78osfyEfDjsEFt48K0UhNyFbiVKIaTWjbLCQ/s320/ice+trees_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /><i><b> Ice Trees </b>by Jan Jones</i><br /><br />Faint tracery of ice trees against the sky<br />like a ghost memory of how life used to be<br />before all this<br />before all the all this<br /><br />Sunlight thaws the fairytale<br />brings winter-stark reality<br />another day of doing the next thing<br />then the next<br />then the next<br />then the next</p><p><br />Yet still sometimes when I look up<br />I see the feathery traces etched on my mind<br />cobweb-tenacious<br />wanting to whisper of hope</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bs4VEBEI7b5NTRVIlCLityRhl87zCmnsGm5JHwctY8Iv7h5LLhDP5vPnwhKO79KA1SF5Z6nPShzJVcyszeOm2Zrm3M0QkVekaGNkJ3wgRtLcwJwa0EDeEGsG1UdE4opbVBt2S7P1qhy8/s1632/ice+trees_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Bs4VEBEI7b5NTRVIlCLityRhl87zCmnsGm5JHwctY8Iv7h5LLhDP5vPnwhKO79KA1SF5Z6nPShzJVcyszeOm2Zrm3M0QkVekaGNkJ3wgRtLcwJwa0EDeEGsG1UdE4opbVBt2S7P1qhy8/s320/ice+trees_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-59179241406752807392020-11-11T11:39:00.001+00:002020-11-11T11:39:10.700+00:00Armistice Day<p> .</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguc47ZEHD5IyYQT83R_jJxXuPUZgLqb5SP9GODJHMijN0gPzUb9yqPnMBZu1_Z1TS0pz-nJuz3XW_Y9o8DPH7YTQyhwgvwge0J5GH8QFlLbuQjbTBbceRG05zHQ9D0_W3BVrKp8asn7Ky/s1632/War+memorial_Nov2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1617" data-original-width="1632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguc47ZEHD5IyYQT83R_jJxXuPUZgLqb5SP9GODJHMijN0gPzUb9yqPnMBZu1_Z1TS0pz-nJuz3XW_Y9o8DPH7YTQyhwgvwge0J5GH8QFlLbuQjbTBbceRG05zHQ9D0_W3BVrKp8asn7Ky/s320/War+memorial_Nov2020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />.<p></p><p>Never forgotten <br /></p>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-44036320578241567532020-08-22T10:58:00.002+01:002020-08-22T11:00:39.415+01:00Crunching Acorns<p><i><b>.</b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl4jVJJY3_Lr7S2o_1uMQOIMOQi2XUFzsddLhqdmdMZNit9npe04m9IaWk1tlIKkzD52_wu9NkIntMgd_JPO_pPDEEcUI9YjIxDcjY7IlBk2dRIdULLGnpEgWb2JkiiHV3DlMQvfr0ZPV/s1632/acorns_2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1632" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl4jVJJY3_Lr7S2o_1uMQOIMOQi2XUFzsddLhqdmdMZNit9npe04m9IaWk1tlIKkzD52_wu9NkIntMgd_JPO_pPDEEcUI9YjIxDcjY7IlBk2dRIdULLGnpEgWb2JkiiHV3DlMQvfr0ZPV/w210-h186/acorns_2.jpg" width="210" /></a></b></i></div><i><b> Crunching Acorns </b></i><p></p><p><i>by Jan Jones<b> </b></i><br /><br />Crunching acorns underfoot<br />Too early because the year is broken<br /><br />Conversing with myself<br />Because my head is a wide country I can go<br /><br />Humming songs I listened to long ago<br />When I thought I was broken, but wasn't<br /><br />Reading old books<br />From unbroken times<br /><br />And hoping<br />Hoping</p><p>. <br /></p><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-color: #bd081c; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: none; border-radius: 2px; border-style: none; border-width: medium; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font: bold 11px/20px "helvetica neue","helvetica",sans-serif; left: 492px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 54px; width: auto; z-index: 8675311;">Save</span><span style="background: rgb(189, 8, 28) url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIGhlaWdodD0iMzBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwcHgiIHZpZXdCb3g9Ii0xIC0xIDMxIDMxIj48Zz48cGF0aCBkPSJNMjkuNDQ5LDE0LjY2MiBDMjkuNDQ5LDIyLjcyMiAyMi44NjgsMjkuMjU2IDE0Ljc1LDI5LjI1NiBDNi42MzIsMjkuMjU2IDAuMDUxLDIyLjcyMiAwLjA1MSwxNC42NjIgQzAuMDUxLDYuNjAxIDYuNjMyLDAuMDY3IDE0Ljc1LDAuMDY3IEMyMi44NjgsMC4wNjcgMjkuNDQ5LDYuNjAxIDI5LjQ0OSwxNC42NjIiIGZpbGw9IiNmZmYiIHN0cm9rZT0iI2ZmZiIgc3Ryb2tlLXdpZHRoPSIxIj48L3BhdGg+PHBhdGggZD0iTTE0LjczMywxLjY4NiBDNy41MTYsMS42ODYgMS42NjUsNy40OTUgMS42NjUsMTQuNjYyIEMxLjY2NSwyMC4xNTkgNS4xMDksMjQuODU0IDkuOTcsMjYuNzQ0IEM5Ljg1NiwyNS43MTggOS43NTMsMjQuMTQzIDEwLjAxNiwyMy4wMjIgQzEwLjI1MywyMi4wMSAxMS41NDgsMTYuNTcyIDExLjU0OCwxNi41NzIgQzExLjU0OCwxNi41NzIgMTEuMTU3LDE1Ljc5NSAxMS4xNTcsMTQuNjQ2IEMxMS4xNTcsMTIuODQyIDEyLjIxMSwxMS40OTUgMTMuNTIyLDExLjQ5NSBDMTQuNjM3LDExLjQ5NSAxNS4xNzUsMTIuMzI2IDE1LjE3NSwxMy4zMjMgQzE1LjE3NSwxNC40MzYgMTQuNDYyLDE2LjEgMTQuMDkzLDE3LjY0MyBDMTMuNzg1LDE4LjkzNSAxNC43NDUsMTkuOTg4IDE2LjAyOCwxOS45ODggQzE4LjM1MSwxOS45ODggMjAuMTM2LDE3LjU1NiAyMC4xMzYsMTQuMDQ2IEMyMC4xMzYsMTAuOTM5IDE3Ljg4OCw4Ljc2NyAxNC42NzgsOC43NjcgQzEwLjk1OSw4Ljc2NyA4Ljc3NywxMS41MzYgOC43NzcsMTQuMzk4IEM4Ljc3NywxNS41MTMgOS4yMSwxNi43MDkgOS43NDksMTcuMzU5IEM5Ljg1NiwxNy40ODggOS44NzIsMTcuNiA5Ljg0LDE3LjczMSBDOS43NDEsMTguMTQxIDkuNTIsMTkuMDIzIDkuNDc3LDE5LjIwMyBDOS40MiwxOS40NCA5LjI4OCwxOS40OTEgOS4wNCwxOS4zNzYgQzcuNDA4LDE4LjYyMiA2LjM4NywxNi4yNTIgNi4zODcsMTQuMzQ5IEM2LjM4NywxMC4yNTYgOS4zODMsNi40OTcgMTUuMDIyLDYuNDk3IEMxOS41NTUsNi40OTcgMjMuMDc4LDkuNzA1IDIzLjA3OCwxMy45OTEgQzIzLjA3OCwxOC40NjMgMjAuMjM5LDIyLjA2MiAxNi4yOTcsMjIuMDYyIEMxNC45NzMsMjIuMDYyIDEzLjcyOCwyMS4zNzkgMTMuMzAyLDIwLjU3MiBDMTMuMzAyLDIwLjU3MiAxMi42NDcsMjMuMDUgMTIuNDg4LDIzLjY1NyBDMTIuMTkzLDI0Ljc4NCAxMS4zOTYsMjYuMTk2IDEwLjg2MywyNy4wNTggQzEyLjA4NiwyNy40MzQgMTMuMzg2LDI3LjYzNyAxNC43MzMsMjcuNjM3IEMyMS45NSwyNy42MzcgMjcuODAxLDIxLjgyOCAyNy44MDEsMTQuNjYyIEMyNy44MDEsNy40OTUgMjEuOTUsMS42ODYgMTQuNzMzLDEuNjg2IiBmaWxsPSIjYmQwODFjIj48L3BhdGg+PC9nPjwvc3ZnPg==") no-repeat scroll 3px 50% / 14px 14px; border-radius: 2px; border: medium none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font: bold 11px/20px "Helvetica Neue",Helvetica,sans-serif; left: 492px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 54px; width: auto; z-index: 8675311;">Save</span>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-88283851036886624882020-05-27T10:54:00.004+01:002020-06-03T19:07:32.918+01:00New Normal<i><b>.</b></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3cfQ8Uza94pK1Qc2wJNbxcmnjK-FfQZU6FpymuvFBIDT81dC6LIeHBENzJHBiSRQa2sLGKkOzqv-a7LOcmULC0oWDjWTWA-UuNDevd1zJH1ytgRPufEvCOZSczKHO2_s_fIMAxYvDAMr/s1600/WP_20150611_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3cfQ8Uza94pK1Qc2wJNbxcmnjK-FfQZU6FpymuvFBIDT81dC6LIeHBENzJHBiSRQa2sLGKkOzqv-a7LOcmULC0oWDjWTWA-UuNDevd1zJH1ytgRPufEvCOZSczKHO2_s_fIMAxYvDAMr/s200/WP_20150611_014.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></i></div>
<br />
<i><b>New normal </b>by Jan Jones</i><br />
<br />
New times, we invent<br />
new conventions to frame our<br />
interactions<br />
<br />
Unthinkable before, now it is<br />
friendly to be the one to<br />
cross the road first<br />
preserve distance<br />
call out a cheery greeting<br />
as we pass<br />
<br />
Politeness has become our social currency<br />
.Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-30735849608799552832020-05-08T22:30:00.000+01:002020-06-03T19:08:21.145+01:00V E Day poem.<br />
<i><b>V E Day 2020</b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>by Jan Jones</i></span><br />
<br />
Today I woke early to order flour<br />
sorted out spare plants for a friend<br />
walked up the road for potting compost<br />
and my aunt's paper<br />
I watered<br />
dug a row of vegetable garden because there's <br />
no one else to do it<br />
I tied red, white & blue ribbons and sang on the doorstep<br />
I cried for all the happy stories<br />
I cried for all the loss<br />
<br />
I feel very alone<br />
and very connected<br />
<br />
Thank you V E Day 75<br />
.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyu00hjQ8cyeXg9czm0YHy76ZXVhRRqzrqAsCB-FGU4CvfNDQpF-236LZPgYDVDpnT8GJ6rBPCXoiC0zgDyYbnGZ7K4jo6Ij7kmGf5h9SM7shLYY726cfZySPJhXAImV5OXfMH5C58Kmj/s1600/digging+for+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyu00hjQ8cyeXg9czm0YHy76ZXVhRRqzrqAsCB-FGU4CvfNDQpF-236LZPgYDVDpnT8GJ6rBPCXoiC0zgDyYbnGZ7K4jo6Ij7kmGf5h9SM7shLYY726cfZySPJhXAImV5OXfMH5C58Kmj/s320/digging+for+one.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-84959670279958645112020-05-04T14:53:00.000+01:002020-05-04T15:05:53.394+01:00Different Rules<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjlgIPe5RTvZQgO9ZtcELga0rekSRV7_B1c1IwDXd19Gm49LzpXZsZjcWn3Q4_6vDPZ6HI6elpYPYffXpuRYSQN0-AVw3PihBab2EhRRUOfxW3Cy7PG4rDOYmb7V337kIn1JB1EpbdCFm/s1600/Different+Rules+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjlgIPe5RTvZQgO9ZtcELga0rekSRV7_B1c1IwDXd19Gm49LzpXZsZjcWn3Q4_6vDPZ6HI6elpYPYffXpuRYSQN0-AVw3PihBab2EhRRUOfxW3Cy7PG4rDOYmb7V337kIn1JB1EpbdCFm/s320/Different+Rules+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2020 has been a very strange year. At the
start of it, to celebrate the end of my two-year Regency immersion in the Furze
House Irregulars, I decided to spring-clean my writing brain by diving into a
new contemporary series of cosy village crime.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost instantly, my personal
circumstances changed, which made writing a lot trickier, but still doable.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then Covid-19 came along. Now,
self-isolation for a writer is not so very different to 80% of my normal life, so
I didn’t think it would make that much difference to me. Wrong. Very, very wrong. I
turned out to be not <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at all</span> good at coping with shortages, restricted movement and immense
uncertainties in the real world. (I also <i>still </i>can't get my head around only one big shop a week rather than two normal-sized ones<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Burying myself in writing was equally
challenging. Th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e</span> new book I was writing was a contemporary. I flinched when my characters stood too close to each other or
didn’t cross the road to avoid their friends. I broke out in a sweat when they
went out for meals, popped into each other’s houses for coffee or had a pint in
a crowded pub. It wasn’t just that, though. I found it actively impossible to
write my whodunit ‘into the mist’ any more. I simply couldn’t cope with
uncertainty inside my book as well as outside it. As I have never been able to
plan my novels (I get bored with the writing once I know how events are going
to pan out), I panicked. How was I going to write?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The answer for me was quite surprising. I
went back in time. <i>Different Rules</i>
has been waiting patiently on my To Do list for a very long time. I wrote it early
in my writing career in what seems another lifetime. I loved it desperately,
but after a couple of near-misses with the publishing world, I sensibly put it
away to look at later and got on with other writing projects instead.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was now later. I hauled it out from the
depths of my hard drive, blew the dust off it, read it from beginning to end
and still loved it. More to the point, I could see where the weak points were.<i> </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08814KMLL/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=cfd988ce0a6260121c2446ec6c873622&creativeASIN=B08814KMLL" target="_blank">Different Rules</a> </i>has been the absolutely perfect book to
get me through this period. For a start, it is set in the 1990s, when times were
gentler. It features a heroine who is flawed and loving and endlessly generous.
Just inserting myself into Maggie’s skin made me feel better about life. Best
of all, <b><i>the book was already finished</i></b>. I didn’t have the anxiety over where the
story was going or how I was going to structure it. I’d already <i>been</i> through
that angst. What I needed to do now was craft it into something more cohesive
without losing its energy, its hope, and its promise that - eventually - all
would be well.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did it. I feel very much
better about life. I hope reading it helps you as much as writing it has helped
me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The problem now, of course, is what to write next... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>
Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-90525185770731901752020-02-14T12:00:00.000+00:002020-02-14T12:30:16.457+00:00Thoughts on St Valentine's Day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWMAG1vcMq5Vu6gS3QiCg4jrbOCKEEywBrgV_6-_VT89h2Oa5ngi4lD3rkkcpU2FB4-GIgkSGFC3vSh6AgB3MThOdvkxAkt3zEui_S8yI-DbkDGqcXWJ910EcZaW4UxZlGkk0JrdyZAZc/s1600/hearts+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWMAG1vcMq5Vu6gS3QiCg4jrbOCKEEywBrgV_6-_VT89h2Oa5ngi4lD3rkkcpU2FB4-GIgkSGFC3vSh6AgB3MThOdvkxAkt3zEui_S8yI-DbkDGqcXWJ910EcZaW4UxZlGkk0JrdyZAZc/s200/hearts+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1550707090"></span><span id="goog_1550707091"></span>Traditionally St Valentine’s Day was when you let someone know - quietly, shyly and anonymously by means of a modest card - that you loved them. A gentle day, there and gone, leaving a tiny glow behind it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojzGjwHHPmtfg3FDhLgHVQUxZG2T9uCdLVg_1NheXq454NXwtrYQNu5PR5dK8JfxbWBAOsczGY3oTd3grhYrixhvKbnvoLJPhb_lSlX02govECOIF_rBpo1O7Zpn53S5aL_ZQnuienPvz/s1600/valentine+charge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1600" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiojzGjwHHPmtfg3FDhLgHVQUxZG2T9uCdLVg_1NheXq454NXwtrYQNu5PR5dK8JfxbWBAOsczGY3oTd3grhYrixhvKbnvoLJPhb_lSlX02govECOIF_rBpo1O7Zpn53S5aL_ZQnuienPvz/s200/valentine+charge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
These days it seems to be rather more full on. Adverts bombard us for weeks beforehand with heart-shaped gifts, romantic meals for two, perfect rose bouquets...<br />
<br />
It’s just a bit hard for the comfortably single, the newly alone, or the recently bereaved.<br />
<br />
Loving is wonderful, but it isn’t the be-all-and-end-all of life. Spreading laughter and kindness also creates those warm, fuzzy feelings. Pets bring joy. Friends you can talk to are bliss. Reading a well-written love story triggers lightning in your soul. And there is a lot of pleasure in arranging things in a way that makes you happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5j3FsQiyPHM2C4WujDbFpf-XARnk8TCISk0dN6XKv7BTbvl_JO-0ZVq-ok05rCDizlE29bewKmPxrkhME_fkAG1GVXITv2BKvKAyJ1Hx6YAtKP_YdLFkhj831CBWE9pMNT5TZRrFK9zs/s1600/book+flowers+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1401" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5j3FsQiyPHM2C4WujDbFpf-XARnk8TCISk0dN6XKv7BTbvl_JO-0ZVq-ok05rCDizlE29bewKmPxrkhME_fkAG1GVXITv2BKvKAyJ1Hx6YAtKP_YdLFkhj831CBWE9pMNT5TZRrFK9zs/s200/book+flowers+tea.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
I think what I am saying is remember to love yourself. You are a person too. Treat yourself to a nice book, a box of your favourite tea, a sticky cake and twenty minutes unadulterated you-time. Something that makes <i>you</i> feel good.<br />
<br />
Happy St Valentine’s Day x x x<br />
<br />
<i>As a St Valentine’s Day treat, I have reduced the first book in all my series to 99p/99c from 14th February for a week.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01L94G540/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B01L94G540" target="_blank">The Kydd Inheritance</a> ~ the one that kicked off my Newmarket Regencies<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CBJC6NR/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=faa44e03bfd0395cd6c275a94d05eb29&creativeASIN=B07CBJC6NR" target="_blank">A Rational Proposal</a> ~ in which we meet the Furze House Irregulars for the first time<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075Y1WF8R/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=cda606485eb843bb1a88b6302ad83efa&creativeASIN=B075Y1WF8R" target="_blank">The Jigsaw Puzzle</a> ~ the first Penny Plain mystery<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019E1M0NU/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B019E1M0NU" target="_blank">An Ordinary Gift</a> ~ a time-slippish contemporary</i><br />
<br />
<i>. </i>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-55963900104305264552020-02-04T14:34:00.000+00:002020-02-04T14:34:55.158+00:00RoNAs Shortlist 2020!.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n2Ehyphenhyphen2fDjgYSyGsDbOwCXVRu5BSxAKXFD9MbZ5r-T5KomdQewu17wX9n3_Z9XbnFCqMdrMTFGintnWPQ6wAC-elf5OjEv21nAIj-6vZ8LaRrUU5GyaE_skjIm6faWPRJBH3XUR4eoAsT/s1600/Romantic+novel+awards+colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="1600" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_n2Ehyphenhyphen2fDjgYSyGsDbOwCXVRu5BSxAKXFD9MbZ5r-T5KomdQewu17wX9n3_Z9XbnFCqMdrMTFGintnWPQ6wAC-elf5OjEv21nAIj-6vZ8LaRrUU5GyaE_skjIm6faWPRJBH3XUR4eoAsT/s320/Romantic+novel+awards+colour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's that time of year again! The shortlists for the various Romantic Novelists' Association Awards have just been published, and a splendid set of books they are too.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/news_article/the-shortlists-for-the-2020-romantic-novel-awards/" target="_blank">The full list can be found on the RNA site here</a><br />
<br />
I don't have a book in contention this year, but many of my friends do, so I'm not going to be short of people to cheer on in March.<br />
<br />
All the books are worthy winners, so whichever titles are chosen as the best Comtemporary, Popular, Romantic Comedy, Fantasy, Saga, Debut, Historical, Romantic Thriller or Shorter romantic novels of 2020, they are sure to be an excellent read!<br />
<br />
.Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-9755201143711713292019-11-22T21:35:00.001+00:002019-11-25T07:04:09.833+00:00A Practical Arrangement.<br />
It is a very strange feeling, approaching the end of a series. Part of me is delighted to be bringing the overall story to a satisfying conclusion. Part of me is looking forward to moving on to something new. Part of me is feeling just the teeniest bit bereft.<br />
<br />
I have had the characters from the Furze House Irregulars in my head for two years now. Some of them - like Verity and Charles from <i>A Rational Proposal</i> - were very real to me right from the start. Others - like Ned from <i>A Scholarly Application</i> - didn’t exist at all until I began to write his story. The rest developed over the course of the books. One of the joys of writing this series has been the space it has given me to find out about all these people, to let them grow and deepen in character, to let them surprise me and take on a life of their own.<br />
<br />
.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAaXRtJaKtzFlY5sABfme8i2dFeSprLtAYxvuRA9ukeaN3dEEW987TqDO5hTkzdwVdgG6ALPJ8XySSpslxuc1gunl5zj8pcDUSyDqfa5uqbKM6XXgwOTTHSVsz1emK5pZ01_aop_hk0Ke/s1600/A+Practical+Arrangement+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSAaXRtJaKtzFlY5sABfme8i2dFeSprLtAYxvuRA9ukeaN3dEEW987TqDO5hTkzdwVdgG6ALPJ8XySSpslxuc1gunl5zj8pcDUSyDqfa5uqbKM6XXgwOTTHSVsz1emK5pZ01_aop_hk0Ke/s320/A+Practical+Arrangement+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
The fourth and final book, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Practical-Arrangement-Irregulars-Newmarket-Regency-ebook/dp/B081TGCS4J/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=428d6895d44b646456e847e8f47322ee&creativeASIN=B081TGCS4J" target="_blank"><i>A Practical Arrangement</i></a>, will be out on New Year’s Day 2020, making it two years exactly from the start to the finish of the series. I’m going to miss them all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>When Benedict Fitzgilbert’s sister’s absence from London exposes him to society husband-hunters, Lilith suggests an assumed interest in her friend Julia Congreve as a practical arrangement to keep the Marriage Mart matriarchs off his back. But beautiful Julia is the epitome of a society butterfly, and Benedict is far too focused on hunting for the criminal mastermind ‘Flint’ to waste time on a masquerade.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Unfortunately, it seems the only way to distract Flint from the net closing in around him is to make Julia’s and Benedict’s attraction appear real.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The Furze House Irregulars: women of spirit, women of courage, women who don't see why, in this male-dominated Regency era, they should not also play their part in bringing wrong-doers to justice.</i><br />
<i>. </i>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-63389273624550310002019-04-19T10:42:00.000+01:002019-04-19T10:43:21.601+01:00Jane Dixon-Smith.<br />
My cover designer - the fabulously talented Jane Dixon-Smith - is on the Romantic Novelists' Association blog today talking about her work .<br />
<br />
<a href="https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/2019/04/ask-an-industry-expert-jane-dixon-smith" target="_blank">Read the interview here</a><br />
. Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-29699247106438268602019-03-06T13:48:00.000+00:002019-03-06T13:58:16.565+00:00A Scholarly Application.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_L5mlYfQqg0yXeZNMpMEPkn741cTda9QJoL11ecHY8chilPLC8wPObAOgGN1VDHb-jo2FQumPs8zMuLXUcXT67sSckQi-UdeKWIsqSIbD_h43VOGC1oM8r5zoWJNwkXV7MHmex7unulov/s1600/A+Scholarly+Application+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_L5mlYfQqg0yXeZNMpMEPkn741cTda9QJoL11ecHY8chilPLC8wPObAOgGN1VDHb-jo2FQumPs8zMuLXUcXT67sSckQi-UdeKWIsqSIbD_h43VOGC1oM8r5zoWJNwkXV7MHmex7unulov/s320/A+Scholarly+Application+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I am very pleased to let you know <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scholarly-Application-Irregulars-Newmarket-Regency-ebook/dp/B07P7W37LG/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=f5696aceee7eb6beaf08315c67243376&creativeASIN=B07P7W37LG" target="_blank">A Scholarly Application</a> - the third in the Furze House Irregulars series - is now up on Amazon, ready to be delivered to your Kindle on April 18th.<br />
<br />
This third book was something of a challenge. After <i>A Rational Proposal</i> and <i>A Respectable House</i>, I knew the world of the series well, and was comfortable with all four of my heroines. I also knew three of my heroes reasonably intimately. But I had no idea at all about Lilith's Edward. Absolutely none. He was simply a name on the page. Terrifying. It wasn't until I came across a photo of David Bowie looking endearingly scruffy, with a blond fringe falling over his eyes, that I suddenly 'saw' Ned Makepeace and knew what made him tick.<br />
<br />
Relief all round. I do hope you enjoy the result.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>A Scholarly Application:</b></i><br />
<br />
Society bluestocking Lilith Fitzgilbert is the last person
anyone would expect to create a scandal. Maverick antiquarian Edward
Makepeace is the last person anyone would expect to take on a female
scholar. And when Lilith joins Edward’s excavation of the Devil’s Ditch
near Newmarket, neither of them expect to find a dead butler. Nor, on
top of everything else, do they expect to fall in love.<br />
<br />
<i>A
Scholarly Application</i> is the seventh of my Newmarket Regencies and
the third in the Furze House Irregulars series featuring women of
spirit, women of courage, women who don't see why, in this
male-dominated Regency era, they should not also play their part in
bringing wrong-doers to justice.<br />
. Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-43987176059475896342019-02-05T10:37:00.000+00:002019-03-06T13:53:07.058+00:00Shortlisted!.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNs3tcyvEWzZY0Ox6FFCsDMwwd5A7D8l55lvLGjUtEoGUfnpFxy6xjyt8h65_fCjwosGfd39gAOcfsmA3ARJvBc0krgrlwnczVh61KQO4xd1tmZqgtJsodBHCO0vE4bvegQo1BpFbS9Kv/s1600/A+Rational+Proposal+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNs3tcyvEWzZY0Ox6FFCsDMwwd5A7D8l55lvLGjUtEoGUfnpFxy6xjyt8h65_fCjwosGfd39gAOcfsmA3ARJvBc0krgrlwnczVh61KQO4xd1tmZqgtJsodBHCO0vE4bvegQo1BpFbS9Kv/s320/A+Rational+Proposal+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
The news is out and I am DELIGHTED to reveal <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rational-Proposal-Irregulars-Newmarket-Regency-ebook/dp/B07CBJC6NR/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=faa44e03bfd0395cd6c275a94d05eb29&creativeASIN=B07CBJC6NR" target="_blank"><i>"A Rational Proposal"</i></a> has been shortlisted for a RoNA. The RoNAs always attract a tremendous range of excellent books. I'm so pleased that the readers liked mine enough to judge it one of the top five in its category.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>"A Rational Proposal"</i> is the first in the four-book <i>Furze House Irregulars</i> series set in Regency Newmarket and London and - once my head had stopped telling me I was an idiot and had adjusted to creating a series rather than a stand-alone - was great fun to write.<br />
<br />
<br />
The RoNA awards ceremony is on 4th March. I'm looking forward to a grand evening with my RNA pals celebrating everyone's wonderful books!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/news_article/2019-romantic-novel-awards-shortlists-announced/" target="_blank">The full list of shortlisted books can be found here.</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations to all of us!</div>
. Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-29333946587186193012018-12-20T13:21:00.000+00:002018-12-20T13:22:19.737+00:00Merry Christmas!.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQlVkT2Z5cN7T6kpcqJxqC785Z05_QXrr8j0ju3ENzuPQxlt5h0dd38ZxljexuO1asF5kasBDQjLX1KlF6mcnsYFvupYQKLySg4Lp61oKAkSBFbIgqlMqTIL8WGkxYDGhFxEwLym4yf9G/s1600/robins_2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQlVkT2Z5cN7T6kpcqJxqC785Z05_QXrr8j0ju3ENzuPQxlt5h0dd38ZxljexuO1asF5kasBDQjLX1KlF6mcnsYFvupYQKLySg4Lp61oKAkSBFbIgqlMqTIL8WGkxYDGhFxEwLym4yf9G/s320/robins_2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
.<br />
It's that time again. The tree is up and decorated. Cards are written and posted. Presents are being wrapped.<br />
<br />
This year, the robins are all nesting around the very top of the tree. (They aren't as dark as this in real life. Must check camera settings)<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-10531882166265704702018-11-10T23:24:00.000+00:002018-11-10T23:24:42.397+00:00From Poppies to Flames.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu4-CFG2cvQlCe-DBN6HhfEp07qEjXTzhG3ezgt8uso07lGajInQ1VLX42CCtMU4BmMMKCOpQof7FkoTR1jDEnXc7iDY-CK_RFVqKZSfUsRZ2QUhqRRLVtFk48TJyg8G3Mtx37n9xSHps/s1600/tower+poppies_aug2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu4-CFG2cvQlCe-DBN6HhfEp07qEjXTzhG3ezgt8uso07lGajInQ1VLX42CCtMU4BmMMKCOpQof7FkoTR1jDEnXc7iDY-CK_RFVqKZSfUsRZ2QUhqRRLVtFk48TJyg8G3Mtx37n9xSHps/s320/tower+poppies_aug2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of London poppies ~ August 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>From Poppies to Flames </b>by Jan Jones</i><br />
<i>.</i><br />Watching the lighting of the Tower moat<br />I remember four years ago<br />The first thin stream of poppies<br />The silence as a thousand strangers stood in the still air<br />Gripping hands<br />Aching<br />Grieving<br />.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAClH-5TQrJKSTidrOfgt6IkQwne_BNS8Rm9EdG-w14sWdE6EA0rCRQAbn5CxryLMlSOdCQH8KwAVa1pcwl_0eNWlW-7m7ivjeN-JXI2PxHZwHm85PHYs78Fv5XeSfDe8ILlhrDsXRwwP/s1600/tower+poppies_nov2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAClH-5TQrJKSTidrOfgt6IkQwne_BNS8Rm9EdG-w14sWdE6EA0rCRQAbn5CxryLMlSOdCQH8KwAVa1pcwl_0eNWlW-7m7ivjeN-JXI2PxHZwHm85PHYs78Fv5XeSfDe8ILlhrDsXRwwP/s200/tower+poppies_nov2014.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing the poppies ~ Nov 2014</td></tr>
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I was there again on the last day<br />I saw them dismantled<br />Packed away until you would<br />never know there had been a sea of blood<br /><br />Four years ago. Four years.<br /><br />In those four years I have lost irreplaceable friends<br />and so many icons. My history flickering out<br />Life diminished<br /><br />A century ago<br />How many more never returned<br />Between the thin red line and the torches<br />Countless lives altered fast and forever<br /><br />So much waste<br />And so much waste still<br />Make it stop<br /><br />Peace<br /><br />Not pieces<br />
.<br />
.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of London torches ~ November 2018</td></tr>
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<br />Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-35798629957194985552018-11-06T13:01:00.000+00:002019-03-06T13:53:48.085+00:00A Respectable House is now out!.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKUY074LuzzODiFSVcVel8V-RnKrSKX6TYTa1yA_T7krkImZhQsQWGPtvHKWbxqUL6AppVD1K1PEYrj0-b9k1GFuGe3uzt_xdB7b84rfDYlseUijdAxNIzFqI2jWhX726-Gnt2tqhr0aF/s1600/A+Respectable+House+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKUY074LuzzODiFSVcVel8V-RnKrSKX6TYTa1yA_T7krkImZhQsQWGPtvHKWbxqUL6AppVD1K1PEYrj0-b9k1GFuGe3uzt_xdB7b84rfDYlseUijdAxNIzFqI2jWhX726-Gnt2tqhr0aF/s320/A+Respectable+House+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Respectable-House-Furze-Irregulars-Book-ebook/dp/B07JZG48KW/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=f0e2914da19973d99957f513d2b55d6b&creativeASIN=B07JZG48KW" target="_blank"><i>A Respectable House</i></a> - the second in the four-book Furze House Irregulars series - is now out.<br />
<br />
This one features Kitty Eastwick - Verity Bowman’s half-sister from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rational-Proposal-Furze-House-Irregulars-ebook/dp/B07CBJC6NR/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=faa44e03bfd0395cd6c275a94d05eb29&creativeASIN=B07CBJC6NR" target="_blank"><i>A Rational Proposal</i></a> - and starts immediately after the end of that book. It was quite a challenge writing the first couple of pages without cramming in a lot of ‘the story so far...’ from book one. I hope I managed it!<br />
<br />
Kitty Eastwick is running for her life. Nicholas Dacre is guarding her. Both are scarred in different ways and must learn to trust each other before anything like a happy ending can be reached.<br />
<br />
Once again the story stands alone as far as the love story and mystery is concerned, but woven through it is the whole-series conundrum of the ‘shadow master’ Flint.<br />
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The ‘respectable house’ (<i>or at least discreet</i>, as Kitty puts it) of the title refers to Furze House at the top end of Newmarket High Street (which I am convinced ought to be there even though all the maps strangely disclaim any knowledge of it). While I was busy imagining the big, echoing house and adding a laundry, stables, vegetable plot and tiny cottages to the rear, I got a little concerned that I was cramming a lot into quite a modest space.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xk7w3PsT3ZYWKcBoEPSOByWEY_4GVB3UgHfyh-eQxouHHEsnfhEt8LdwD6m5VvqTzsl7sTl3K9EL7NXM65mzajtTvaIoRQhYXrcJ8oo4Fsyo9Y-hmzSR4KzKAPiFA8NN5ZueAVfPUdx3/s1600/Grosvenor+Yard_cottages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xk7w3PsT3ZYWKcBoEPSOByWEY_4GVB3UgHfyh-eQxouHHEsnfhEt8LdwD6m5VvqTzsl7sTl3K9EL7NXM65mzajtTvaIoRQhYXrcJ8oo4Fsyo9Y-hmzSR4KzKAPiFA8NN5ZueAVfPUdx3/s200/Grosvenor+Yard_cottages.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grosvenor Yard cottages, now demolished</td></tr>
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Imagine my absolute joy at discovering pictorial evidence of the old Grosvenor Arms site a few alleys down!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ3IrNnjN1LG3yzNOv_E_-C922yC2IKvzzc3YeLH5TogXVuZMKdQcKY_X00TG4_-e7jygqmdSxv8N83S96MpYTi_2fwdz59XVyyt4ZFaQ3KTlD7YSMQQov415nHL-Nb9BtlUt3xYS7iiP/s1600/Grosvenor+Yard_plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="476" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ3IrNnjN1LG3yzNOv_E_-C922yC2IKvzzc3YeLH5TogXVuZMKdQcKY_X00TG4_-e7jygqmdSxv8N83S96MpYTi_2fwdz59XVyyt4ZFaQ3KTlD7YSMQQov415nHL-Nb9BtlUt3xYS7iiP/s320/Grosvenor+Yard_plan.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old site of Grosvenor Yard, Newmarket</td></tr>
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Grosvenor Yard is now a fairly unlovely car park, but in the past there was a large inn (with a ‘jug and bottle’ for off-sales), a decent sized courtyard, an old farmhouse and - yes - two rows of tiny, terraced one-up-one-down cottages! It is moments like that which make a historical novelist's life so glorious.<br />
<br />
We really are embedded in the past!<br />
<br />
<i>Photo credits of Grosvenor Yard to the Newmarket Local History Society.</i>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-79283724245706142912018-10-28T10:42:00.000+00:002018-10-28T10:43:58.096+00:00Archer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKG5AgpDJqkjSt_7DP_PxGVElovLhGKSx31oM4XEMwxB2TRU12NjlKzv9jMXkshhXIOQUefr2yiwwn8OhudBY3t00THtblHWGMtTZwrLbJny6kNfCLZVvRm8tkaB2krMThGwCd0tXPq9K/s1600/Archer+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKG5AgpDJqkjSt_7DP_PxGVElovLhGKSx31oM4XEMwxB2TRU12NjlKzv9jMXkshhXIOQUefr2yiwwn8OhudBY3t00THtblHWGMtTZwrLbJny6kNfCLZVvRm8tkaB2krMThGwCd0tXPq9K/s320/Archer+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Archer: Oct 2003-Oct 2018</i></td></tr>
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<i><b>For Archer </b></i>by Jan Jones<br />
<i><b></b></i><br />
I thought I had run out of grief<br />
I was wrong<br />
It seems there is always one more heartstring to wrench<br />
Always enough space for one more wound<br />
<br />
You were the best of cats, Archer<br />
Sleep now<br />
And then run with your brother forever<br />
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<br />
<br />
.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRMnrGFksDJwwN7pb4Z7FHcuLgJzVZuYwxnUdq2vNPdXc7MSNiQJLvmpVzkt_A0rS2NqT7qMtjVJ6_bABvNLjbWnsFozemzDPv-jeZp1TBH-D9f_GjiobTGAIuU_UVUoSqdA4ooJh-QJw/s1600/Archer+by+aga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRMnrGFksDJwwN7pb4Z7FHcuLgJzVZuYwxnUdq2vNPdXc7MSNiQJLvmpVzkt_A0rS2NqT7qMtjVJ6_bABvNLjbWnsFozemzDPv-jeZp1TBH-D9f_GjiobTGAIuU_UVUoSqdA4ooJh-QJw/s320/Archer+by+aga.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archer in his favourite place</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLyTpKD5aQ_5X9zsxvNOhcCRIswq2OdFD8h20i8kFWSikSJmhpaysqGpZq9K_GvdBwJjrXMPs6Q5vzF7IwGhxg6Ye7WkKYCjfQFz_Bcxw75B6z4F5GZuQGzpvWg2ZIEKlBhQdIPfzAsLd/s1600/Archer+kitten+2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLyTpKD5aQ_5X9zsxvNOhcCRIswq2OdFD8h20i8kFWSikSJmhpaysqGpZq9K_GvdBwJjrXMPs6Q5vzF7IwGhxg6Ye7WkKYCjfQFz_Bcxw75B6z4F5GZuQGzpvWg2ZIEKlBhQdIPfzAsLd/s200/Archer+kitten+2003.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archer kitten in 2003</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPdm3kbhGu7de5UvtLN_8eTTls8sGDzGay4qSRu1Qp1Z0JEg8eP7aWpE3ceRDIXfI20Wpx101Txqxtpvr-pZ4WFCZ8vBQi5MiKRwLfzabRVtXxqRKGuVtHaD6QJaA4MRHctgdG27eGfPn/s1600/Archer+in+sun_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPdm3kbhGu7de5UvtLN_8eTTls8sGDzGay4qSRu1Qp1Z0JEg8eP7aWpE3ceRDIXfI20Wpx101Txqxtpvr-pZ4WFCZ8vBQi5MiKRwLfzabRVtXxqRKGuVtHaD6QJaA4MRHctgdG27eGfPn/s200/Archer+in+sun_1.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archer in the sun</td></tr>
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<i>. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGsvtGdcTPjWddZJDabRoFgt8Ek8fNV8wDuBaipgXz6AxWmTWwYS_PThXnCYZsEZH-WiO5xHzojcyuxomsLs2XFsCE9vLR1XQbWtaD0Z6l1wVUjSKc7GxIrukrghqynATbpzakfF1GSPy/s1600/Archer-and-Merlin_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGsvtGdcTPjWddZJDabRoFgt8Ek8fNV8wDuBaipgXz6AxWmTWwYS_PThXnCYZsEZH-WiO5xHzojcyuxomsLs2XFsCE9vLR1XQbWtaD0Z6l1wVUjSKc7GxIrukrghqynATbpzakfF1GSPy/s200/Archer-and-Merlin_2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Archer and Merlin in 2011</i></td></tr>
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</i>Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-20600015866113660552018-10-27T09:36:00.000+01:002018-10-27T09:41:57.188+01:00Coming soon....<br />
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I am in the very final stages of sorting out <i>A Respectable House</i> ready for publication. Isn't the cover great? Another one from the talented Jane Dixon-Smith.<br />
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This is another Newmarket Regency and the second in the Furze House Irregulars series. It concerns Kitty (the half-sister of Verity from <i>A Rational Proposal</i>) and starts immediately after <i>A Rational Proposal</i> finishes.<br />
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Picture the scene: a full moon, a gentleman's fast carriage drawn by four matched chestnuts in peak condition, a hunted lady and a devil-may-care gentleman speeding to Newmarket...Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-32000963758931918712018-09-23T12:08:00.001+01:002018-09-23T12:13:07.114+01:00In praise of phone writing .<br />
Yesterday, I had a difficult scene to write. It wasn't difficult because of the action - I could see that in my mind - but it was a difficult subject and I knew it would be very, very tricky to get the tone right. I sat down yesterday morning determined to do it... and proceeded to get no end of other scenes edited, paperwork updated, emails answered and games of spider solitaire played while I was putting it off.<br />
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By the evening I still hadn’t written it. I shut the computer down and went downstairs to do the washing up.<br />
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And then I wrote the scene.<br />
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On my phone.<br />
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The thing about using OneNote on my phone is that by its very nature, I know whatever I write won’t be a finished copy. My fingers are so clumsy that there are typos all over the place. The phone makes heroic and occasionally ludicrous attempts to guess what I mean, rendering the text even less readable, and I often can’t see the screen properly to know what I've done wrong anyway.<br />
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There is no tabulation, hit and miss punctuation, but the great thing is that <i>none of it matters</i>. I know I am going to email it to myself and correct it on the PC tomorrow.<br />
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Here’s a confession. I love editing. I have stupidly high standards. That quote about spending all morning moving a comma and spending all afternoon putting it back again could have been made for me. I adore going over and over a paragraph until it flows properly, getting the words exactly right. It’s just the writing in the first place that’s the tricky bit.<br />
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And that is the beauty of writing late at night on my phone. It satisfies my inner deadline (at least I've acheived <i>something</i> by bedtime). It means I can think about the current problem while I wash up - often the right word or phrase will come to me moments after I plunge my hands into the soapy water - knowing I can note it down straight away and email it.<br />
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Most importantly, because writing on my phone is so wildly inaccurate, I can gloriously ignore my inner editor. I know it’s going to be full of mistakes, sentences in the wrong place, characters with the wrong names, all dialogue and no action, or all stream of consciousness. None of that matters because it is impossible to do on a phone anyway. The transcending joy for me is that THE WORDS ARE WRITTEN. None of them may survive tomorrow’s edit in the particular way I've written them tonight, but they are there.<br />
<br />
Trust me, it is so much easier to edit words in a manuscript when you actually have words to work on.<br />
.Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-56964499481669143432018-08-04T10:52:00.000+01:002018-08-05T13:22:01.725+01:00Rights....<br />
In the past, I have derived a substantial part of my income from women's magazines. I have written many, many stories for them - long, short and medium-length - and a goodly number of serials. They used to pay for First British Serial Rights (meaning they got to publish my words first) and there was usually an agreement that I wouldn't re-sell or re-publish them for a year. The copyright remained with me.<br />
<br />
I was, needless to say, entirely happy about the situation. Some magazines paid better than others, but it was all fair, all above board, and I RETAINED THE COPYRIGHT.<br />
<br />
One magazine I wrote for rolled out new contracts asking for global rights, but not exclusivity, so I was free to re-sell on myself if I wanted to (I do). I didn't like the idea that they could <i>also</i> re-sell on without paying me anything. I no longer write for them.<br />
<br />
Woman's Weekly are now asking for all rights. ALL RIGHTS. Even copyright. So if I sell a piece of work to them once, that's it, it's gone forever and I will never again be paid for the use they get out of it. I will also never be able to expand it, add more story strands, give the characters enriched lives... I won't, in other words, be able to reap the benefits of my own imagination and of the not inconsiderable amout of work it takes to create a believable world.<br />
<br />
This is totally unacceptable. I will not write for them again until fair contracts are resumed. The thing is - women's magazine fiction is <i>important</i>. It is often the only fiction people have time to read. The reach of women's magazines is immense. My words have touched countless thousands of lives. By driving good, strong writers like me away, the magazine is impoverishing the very readers who keep them in business. They are dismissing both writers and readers as irrelevant.<br />
<br />
Not well played, Woman's Weekly. Not well played at all.<br />
.Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-30454646016729971942018-07-08T11:01:00.001+01:002018-07-08T11:03:33.144+01:00Poems as character snapshots.<br />
Poems are helpful for all sorts of things, from celebration to closure. I also use them to capture moments, to capture feelings and sometimes, to capture characters.<br />
<br />
This is one I wrote a long, long time ago. Every time I read it, I can conjure her up. And every time, I understand her a little more.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLZtvLUgVjOsuG0o0Y-jV4BZOAXB-x-p-54UNT31Hs5lXayguGp3_A4Vr4V7LY4NAtD-uq83dPl5qXxnJNY_CJtGTNkfMAKlb2A8aEVgCOghC4tGWi05c0gMsNxvHxKhYJ45Ao2E3FIjM/s1600/cutting+chips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLZtvLUgVjOsuG0o0Y-jV4BZOAXB-x-p-54UNT31Hs5lXayguGp3_A4Vr4V7LY4NAtD-uq83dPl5qXxnJNY_CJtGTNkfMAKlb2A8aEVgCOghC4tGWi05c0gMsNxvHxKhYJ45Ao2E3FIjM/s200/cutting+chips.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><b>Cutting Chips </b></i>by Jan Jones<br />
<br />
<br />
She cuts chips the long way<br />
One slice at a time<br />
Thanked me with remote eyes<br />
when I told her how it could be done faster<br />
but said there was more to life than speed<br />
<br />
She fills whole afternoons shopping<br />
Looking for things not to buy, reasons not to buy them<br />
Changes her clothes several times a day<br />
as an excuse to move from one room to another<br />
<br />
She inhabits the kitchen distantly whilst we crack beers,<br />
Eat dinner at peak acceleration, rattle through the washing up<br />
Sits alone in the lounge in the evenings<br />
with a CD and a glass of sherry on a drinks mat.<br />
He always hated rings.<br />
<br />
We ask, does she want to come out with us tonight?<br />
She smiles and shakes her head<br />
She’s going to watch television<br />
There’s a programme later on about making ravioli<br />
<br />
.Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-15962946277560755372018-04-14T17:05:00.002+01:002018-04-14T17:08:32.244+01:00Bargain!. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRktq-H-qukeh6KcFSSN0jOdZbXP2HhP-TEPZG06WIbIiZjmstJdKdKNByG2IGKAr2VrxmtHJ0CD53Ub6oXTq6zpyCtIV_dVNHmMdmReH0cHXnaDcSdZfFNuY9omx3yRkVMs8xRKbbmGCw/s1600/A+Rational+Proposal+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRktq-H-qukeh6KcFSSN0jOdZbXP2HhP-TEPZG06WIbIiZjmstJdKdKNByG2IGKAr2VrxmtHJ0CD53Ub6oXTq6zpyCtIV_dVNHmMdmReH0cHXnaDcSdZfFNuY9omx3yRkVMs8xRKbbmGCw/s200/A+Rational+Proposal+Cover+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
To celebrate the release of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rational-Proposal-Furze-House-Irregulars-ebook/dp/B07CBJC6NR/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=faa44e03bfd0395cd6c275a94d05eb29&creativeASIN=B07CBJC6NR" target="_blank"> <i>A RATIONAL PROPOSAL</i></a> on April 19th (which is my fifth Newmarket Regency and the first in the Furze House Irregulars set of books), I have reduced the price of <i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kydd-Inheritance-Newmarket-Regency-Book-ebook/dp/B01L94G540/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B01L94G540" target="_blank">THE KYDD INHERITANCE</a></i>, which was my first Regency romance.<br />
<br />
The price will be 99p in the UK and $1.40 in the US for one week only: April 14th to April 20th 2018. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>.</i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ijSGvFDw6NofDqXSRkwHyb35Nq5Ea8x-diac0j3eL6Ya7LWJrW6M1fYPb6xcdOTdWOCruKTy4S_UHwREkkMgc5Bqo3W_a1Q2qyIeMQZrTNlXmDmoVmSSxezrgUNBstQaT-hKNhZx3npA/s1600/The+Kydd+Inheritance+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ijSGvFDw6NofDqXSRkwHyb35Nq5Ea8x-diac0j3eL6Ya7LWJrW6M1fYPb6xcdOTdWOCruKTy4S_UHwREkkMgc5Bqo3W_a1Q2qyIeMQZrTNlXmDmoVmSSxezrgUNBstQaT-hKNhZx3npA/s200/The+Kydd+Inheritance+MEDIUM+WEB.jpg" width="133" /></a></i></div>
<i> </i><br />
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kydd-Inheritance-Newmarket-Regency-Book-ebook/dp/B01L94G540/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=janjonesroman-21&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B01L94G540" target="_blank">THE KYDD INHERITANCE</a></i> is the prequel to the Newmarket Regency series and stars Nell Kydd and Hugo Derringer. It opens with Nell's brother missing, her father dead and her loathsome
uncle not only ruining the family estate with his mismanagement but also trying to marry Nell off to an amiable friend who would drive her demented within days. Then Captain Hugo
Derringer comes to stay in the district and nothing will be quite the same ever again.<br />
<br />
<i>The Kydd Inheritance</i>
was shortlisted for the RoNA Rose award in 2012.<br />
. Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-79954525707027356412018-03-18T12:52:00.003+00:002019-03-06T13:54:26.779+00:00The Furze House Irregulars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2dpv8oTF0fEJpxEfET72itiiuYrK9sfB3PS5fBAeGDfWDMpPCc-FUuHnVJgYSiDMlh93eYwCuSjNSt27MVnhXeGabFHMdmm8eKsSq-JOtiRShqVDrXSffKoQFGmnmd6oENh04Kmijn1N/s1600/inn_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2dpv8oTF0fEJpxEfET72itiiuYrK9sfB3PS5fBAeGDfWDMpPCc-FUuHnVJgYSiDMlh93eYwCuSjNSt27MVnhXeGabFHMdmm8eKsSq-JOtiRShqVDrXSffKoQFGmnmd6oENh04Kmijn1N/s400/inn_5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sorry for the recent silence. I'm busy writing the fifth in my Newmarket Regency series, which I'd thought was going to be a stand-alone, but which my idiot brain suddenly had the bright idea of turning into the first of a new set of four (maybe) books set in both Newmarket and London. It was a little like walking into an inn courtyard and discovering an entire new house lurking around the corner.<br />
<br />
As this brainstorm happened a third of the way into the writing, it necessitated a fairly lengthy and somewhat panic-struck reappraisal of what was and wasn't going into the book. Also how I would finish it off as a stand-alone, while still leaving room for the other three.<br />
<br />
Confused? Yes, me too. Pretty sure all will be well though. Fairly pretty sure.<br />
<br />
This book is called <i>A Rational Proposal</i> and will hopefully be out next month. I'm still thinking about covers, but here's a tiny snippet from the opening page.<br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b>CHAPTER ONE</b><br /><br /><i>Kennet End, Newmarket, October 1817</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i> </i><br />Miss Verity Bowman, undoubtedly by design, was looking particularly fetching, framed in the window seat of the dower house wearing a demure black mourning gown. Only the cut of the material and the subtle sheen of the satin and perhaps the double row of tiny black buttons gave away the fact that it had come from one of the more exclusive establishments on Bond Street.<br /> Charles Congreve, invited to sit down and be comfortable, appreciated the picture she presented, fully understood why her uncle had made her his heir, and desired nothing more than to strangle the pair of them. Sadly, there was little to be gained in strangling a man who had departed this earth just ten days since. In addition, the legal brotherhood tended to look askance at those of their members who took to throttling clients. Which, he was very much afraid, Verity was about to become.<br /> Unaware of his less-than-affable thoughts, Verity smiled warmly as he took a seat. “Charles, how lovely, such an age since we have seen you. Mama and I are so glad it is you dealing with this sad business, though I do hope nothing very dreadful has happened to poor Mr Tweedie?” </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><span style="color: #666666;"> Verity had happened to poor Mr Tweedie. Charles's senior partner had taken one appalled look at the codicil appended to Admiral Harrington's will (a document that had been perfectly sound in wind and limb when it had left his own chambers), made an astringent remark about amateur notaries in Newmarket who didn’t have the wit to know better, and announced himself to be at a delicate stage with several cases, too much so to travel into Suffolk to undertake the process of winding up the late admiral's affairs. Not that there would be any, he'd added as an aside, the admiral being a very clean-living gentleman. Just the small weakness when it came to the turf. He was confident Charles would manage.<br /> “Thank you,” Charles had replied, feeling anything but grateful. “You have recollected Miss Bowman is my mother’s goddaughter and a particular friend of my sister?”<br /> Mr Tweedie had looked at him over the rim of his spectacles. “Naturally, I have remembered. A family attorney never forgets anything. Nor, as I am sure I do not need to remind you, does he allow personal considerations to influence his judgement. I repeat, I repose complete confidence in whatever decisions you might find yourself making. You had best leave directly after the funeral.”<br /> So now Charles murmured his partner’s excuses about having a great deal of urgent work, was pressed to take tea and macaroons by mother and daughter, and his portmanteau was carried up to a guest bedroom just as if he was an invited visitor and not a common attorney. And all he could think of was how far Verity’s intelligent brown eyes were going to widen when he broke the terms of Admiral Harrington’s will to her. And then how far they would narrow. And how he had rarely, if ever, managed to get the upper hand of her in all their dealings together.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901561093915947718.post-20352587000133543742018-02-08T12:49:00.003+00:002018-02-08T12:51:37.245+00:00RoNA 2018 shortlists announced.<br />
It must be spring at last - the <a href="http://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/news_article/rona-shortlists-2018-announced/" target="_blank">shortlists for this year's RoNA Awards</a> are now out. <br />
<br />
The judges are going to have their work cut out to decide between so many fabulous authors and books!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jan Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00471022034388834235noreply@blogger.com0