Interview with The Eco News
1. How did you get into writing novels?
I've written for myself for as long as I can remember but it's only in recent years that I have approached it more seriously and taken courses to learn more about the craft and hone my skills. I have written flash fiction and short stories, which have their own skillsets, but I particularly enjoy the space a novel gives me to explore characters and issues in more detail. And it's fun to create a world for my characters and readers to occupy and enjoy, particularly now I am writing my Olivia Wells eco-friendly cosy crime series and I get to research all these wonderful new ideas and concepts.
For instance, I have always loved the idea of a co-working workspace, where self-employed people share premises, resources and ideas. My husband is a steam railway enthusiast and I really like the architecture of the steam era.
So, I thought, why not create a co-working workspace within an old Great Western Railway Goods Shed?
Then I started reading about the wonders of repurposing and sympathetically adapting existing old buildings whilst enhancing their performance and functionality as the most sustainable way to meet new needs and purposes.
And bingo! My heroine, Olivia Wells was born - an eco -architect who specialises in the careful repair and adaption of old buildings, while celebrating the distinctive historical and cultural features that makes them special, as well as extending their life and upgrading their performance. And so, the Penbartha Good Shed was created, and where there's a Goods Shed, there's a Railway station and other ancillary buildings. Where there are buildings, there are people and where there are people, there is murder!
2. Why do you choose to write about crime? Is this your favourite topic?
My favourite genres have always been crime and historical fiction. I studied History at University and ever since then historical fiction is my go-to escapist reading choice, but it's not something I could ever write.
I've always enjoyed reading crime fiction, from my first introduction to Enid Blyton's Famous Five. I've read widely within the crime genre, but now find reading cosy crime the most enjoyable and least stressful. I really enjoy series where you get to know all the characters in depth and can join them on their adventures. Cosy crime is an increasingly popular genre because it offers a comforting, escapist read, that entertains and informs and where good always triumphs over evil.
3. What is your best book since being an author and why?
I've particularly enjoyed writing A Deadly Inheritance. When I first began writing it, my intention was to write an entertaining murder mystery set in Cornwall. However, I've always been environmentally aware and there's no disputing the fact that we are facing a massive climate crisis. So, I found myself researching and imagining a better world which includes positive environmental solutions and green characters as the norm and, being a writer, that's what I created.
I soon discovered that there is a whole new movement out there, called 'positive green fiction' and that I was a part of it. Detailed scientific studies carried out at UK and US universities have proved that doom-laden and dystopian stories leave readers feeling helpless, fearful and they just switch off.
On the other hand, when readers are immersed in a good story with all the usual ingredients of character, setting, tension etc, they are transported to the story world, connect with the characters and often change their attitudes and beliefs to those of the story's protagonists, either short or long term. Stories which include positive role models, green ideas and solutions that are embedded within a traditional genre and aimed at a mainstream audience far more likely to inspire hope and actually change readers' behaviours.
Consequently, although I wrote A Deadly Inheritance primarily to entertain, I am delighted when readers tell me they have picked up and acted upon the green messages embedded within the story.
Reviews so far show that readers have enjoved the Cornish setting, the characters, friendships, plot twists and the mystery element.
Others have enjoyed the eco element and have said that my story has inspired them to look at their lives and businesses to see what they can do to make them more sustainable. So, in my own way, I hope I'm writing the way to a greener world where the positive sustainable ways of living I create and write about will be found beyond the pages of a novel before it's too late...
4. At home, what environmental practices do you have in place?
We live in a three-story Victorian house, within a conservation area, and are very aware of the challenges this presents. We have done all the things we can to improve its insulation and energy performance and are careful with our choice of energy supplier etc. We adopt all relevant energy saving advice, while being careful to protect the fabric of the building, and are happy to add jumpers rather than just turn the heating up.
In my writing practice I try to be as eco-friendly as possible. When I do have to print stuff out at home, I use recycled paper, printer ink in recycled cartridges and use the Ryman eco font that reduces ink usage by up to 33%.
By choosing to publish my books independently, I can now practice what I preach, and so eco-friendly paperbacks are available from my website, with recycled packaging, sustainable and carbon-conscious delivery etc, and for those who prefer eco-friendly e-books, these are available from Amazon
5. How do you inspire your family to care for the planet?
As a family, we are all quite environmentally aware. When I met my husband (over 30 years ago) he was an early pioneer of recycling, low energy consumption and travelling everywhere by bicycle. While we do have a car, we still walk everywhere we can, and always shop locally (with a rather lovely pull-along shopping trolley we call Cheryl). We are fortunate to live within walking distance of our GP, dentist, hairdresser, vet, supermarket, school etc, so really don't need to use the car very often. I haven't flown for nearly 12 years and am perfectly happy with taking the flight-free pledge every year and holidaying in the UK. We are careful about how much red meat we eat (in my case, very little) and where we buy it from and buy milk from the local dairy, delivered by a milkman.
We are far from perfect, but our children are now adults and have grown up with the idea of recycling, re-using and being careful about energy and food wastage (one of my biggest pet hates). They enjoy walking, sailing and surfing and they have seen how we do things slightly differently from a lot of people. And now they are doing it themselves.
Jane McParkes
"Writing the way to a greener world..."
www.janemcparkes.com – for eco-friendly paperbacks and free goodies
https://amzn.to/3GVXGW7 – for eco-friendly e-books