Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and grew up on the Canadian prairies (Calgary, Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba). I returned home to Vancouver in the early ‘80s and worked as a corporate/commercial paralegal until the end of 2015. Part of the work I did as a paralegal involved detailed, technical writing. In January 2016, I began my career as a writer, drawing energy and inspiration from my west coast lifestyle, and employing the writing disciplines that I learned as a paralegal.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first manuscript, The Crest was inspired by a most unfortunate circumstance – the kidnapping of a child. Before I could write that story, I needed to know more about my characters. I needed the back story. As I dug deeper into who my characters were, and what would possess one of them to kidnap a child, I was introduced to their families and discovered even more interesting things to write about. I liked what my characters disclosed and felt compelled to write the stories of their elders. When their stories finally ended, I had three manuscripts. The Crest is the first part of a saga that I’ve called The Prophecy.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know many writers who plot out their stories on walls and charts, before ever touching a keyboard. I don’t do that unless I need to keep data sorted, such as the vital statistics of my characters. What I tend to do is write a mental outline as I contemplate the direction to be taken by my characters. When I finally sit before my computer and begin typing, the characters take over and write the story.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I enjoy sweeping, detailed and believable historical novels, such as Wilbur Smith’s stories of Africa and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I like to snuggle up with a good story and escape. It doesn’t have to be a historical fiction though. For example, I quite enjoyed J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter adventures too.
What are you working on now?
A trilogy about a British spy. It will likely start around 1915 and end about 1950.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’ve met several new authors who try to follow the rules for writing a story, including plotting on big boards. Instead of worrying about rules, I suggest writing the story from the heart first, and listen to the characters. (Mine tend to write my story for me.) Then worry about the rules. The manuscript will have to be edited anyway; may as well insert the rules at the same time.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The advice was given to me soon after I became a paralegal, by a lawyer with whom I worked. He said that I should approach everything as if I were speaking to a Man from Mars. Presume the Man from Mars knows nothing of our world and that you must explain every detail.
In other words, be clear, thorough, succinct and to the point. We called it the Man-from-Mars test. I still use that principle in my writing – always asking who, how, why, what, when.
What are you reading now?
I am reading a variety of books, fiction and non-fiction, to gain a sense of the times in which my new British spy character will live.
What’s next for you as a writer?
In addition to polishing The Prophecy saga during the past year, I challenged myself by writing at least one short story a month, and the occasional poem. I will continue to do that as I conduct research to support the British spy trilogy. One of the things I enjoy about writing historical fiction is the travelling that I do once I have a sense of the paths my characters will take.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen, a book of poetry by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jerena Tobiasen Website
Jerena Tobiasen Amazon Profile