Singletitles.com catches up with the much-loved international best-selling author of Edge of Regret, Without Reproach and Hearts of Gold, Janet Woods.

What made you want to become a writer?

I can’t remember a time when I wanted to become a writer. It happened rather instantly in middle age. I read a romance, thought I might be able to write one, so went home and did write one. As a novel it failed spectacularly in all departments, except one. It gave me a huge sense of achievement and I knew this was what I was meant to do with the rest of my life.

You’ve written many wonderful books, mostly historical. What originally drew you to writing historical novels and, in your opinion, why is historical fiction still so popular?

I think there’s a natural curiosity in all of us to know how our ancestors lived. We’ve been left a legacy of beautiful buildings, places and art to wonder at and admire. The past shaped the world we live in and provided us with our customs and cultures. Because of that rich legacy I think we tend to romanticise the past. What drew me in was the challenge of trying to capture the atmosphere of a particular era, whether it be upper or lower classes. How was a woman’s experience then? For instance, what was it like being anything less than an equal partner in a marriage, or bringing up a family with a lack of medical expertise to call on – of growing up not being able to read and write, or not being able to flood my house with light at the flick of a switch. I do think there’s a strong element of the romantic in history that keeps historical fiction alive. It’s a little escape. But I don’t think I’d like to live there because the downside must have been the struggle to survive, even for the wealthy.

What are the challenges of writing historical novels?

Knowing when to stop researching. Historical fiction doesn’t have a one-size- fits-all element to the genre. There are historical novels that depict actual people and events. There are others that are mostly fiction, with facts stirred in. Others concentrate heavily on period flavour. Regional saga usually deals with the working classes. Some rely on story line – others on characterisation. Regency would be the most well known genre. Within these fall traditional romances, and a more sexy romance has emerged over the past decade or so, and so on into erotica. Research can be overdone, so it can come across as information dumping, or as though the author is trying to impress you with the facts. Or it can be so undercooked that it comes across as a costume drama. Finding the right balance for the type of book you are writing is the challenge for me.

In addition to writing historical romantic novels, you’ve also written contemporaries such as Without Reproach and The Grace of Day. What made you want to write contemporaries and was it hard for you to write books set in the present day after writing so many historicals?

I’ve always written the occasional contemporary. I find that a change of writing genre stops my writing from getting stale. Sometimes I get hit with a strong idea and characters that I just have to write. When I do I tend to run with it whether it’s a contemporay or not. WITHOUT REPROACH was one of those. It’s a romantic suspense, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it. Neither publishers or reader like authors to change genre, but sometimes I get to the point when I feel as though I’m writing the same old thing. Sometimes you can get away with a bit of a change, as I did with Without Reproach. I don’t find it hard to switch because I usually feel as though I’m dictated to by my characters.

Tell us something about your latest release, Hearts of Gold…

HEARTS OF GOLD starts off in the Western Australian Goldfields in 1890. I started it there because the initial idea trigger originated there. The conditions were so harsh there that I wondered how a young teenager would fare if she was left alone with only the clothes on her back. Once I brought Sarette (my heroine) down to the point of despair where she had nowhere to turn, I introduced her rescuer and mentor, who was in the same depth of despair, but for different reasons. After a short time the story moves on to the UK. Although the mentor is left behind, his story carries through to the end and colours Sarette’s thinking while her new life unfolds. The story has a slight touch of Pygmalion to it, I think.

What inspired this story?

The picture of a snake – a death adder to be exact – so research for this book started off right from the very first paragraph. It appears in the first scene and was a catalyst for the plight of the heroine and her subsequent story.

What’s a typical writing day for Janet Woods like?

A very early start (today it was 4.30 am). Mugs of tea and emails till 7.30. Half and hour on the treadmill, breakfast, shower, then back to my desk by 9 am. I write until noon, then watch a film on TV with my husband. Quite often I’ll sleep through it. Back to my desk from 2 pm until 5 pm. My husband has the dinner cooked by then. This goes on for 7 days a week usually.

Who are your favourite authors?

Sharon Penman – Edward Rutherfurd – Nora Roberts – Jilly Cooper – Jackie Collins – Leslie Thomas – Anna Jacobs . . . too many to mention.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

I’m sure every one of them has heard of persistence – persistence – and more persistence! Getting published in the first place is hard and there are many good writers who’ve already learned their craft and are waiting to step onto the ladder. Keep writing, join organisations, enter the comps, go to conferences. and give yourself very chance to be read by those in the business.

What’s next for Janet Woods?

I’ve just started the second book of a two book contract with Severn House. The first book is called SALTING THE WOUND, and is on the way to my agent in London. The second is as yet untitled. I’m between agents at the moment, since my agency of nine years is to close, so feel a bit unsettled.

My new agent as from the end of June will be Kate Nash. Kate’s in possession of a contemporary I’ve recently finished called GRAFFITI. It’s a little different from my usual fare, and once again, the characters wrote it, and I’ve got my fingers crossed that Kate will be able to find a publisher for it.

Thanks for joining us, Janet. Janet’s latest novel, Hearts of Gold is out now and available for purchase at http://www.cataurl.com/TPzfF . If you want to find out more about Janet and her books, visit her website at http://members.iinet.net.au/~woods/ or her blog at janwoods.blogspot.com.

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