Scattered Thoughts

Saturday 14 March 2015

Garden by Jane Yates


About the Book:
Inspired by the classic novel The Secret Garden, Jane Yates introduces us to a steampunk world of bio-domes, robots and mysteries. Eleven-year-old Aberdeen is so used to being by herself that all she has to fill her thoughts are stories of mighty dragons and grand castles. Aberdeen’s world is soon thrown into disarray however; her parents murdered.
Having no choice, Aberdeen is sent to live with her uncle back on Earth where her fascination into her new surroundings begin to take hold. Untrusting of new people at first, it isn’t long before Aberdeen comes across 3 other children, and taking a risk, befriends them as she tries to adjust to her new home. And yet, along with Maisy, Peter and Lenard, Aberdeen comes across a riddle – a set of clues to reveal the hiding place of a lost manuscript. A manuscript that forces more questions than answers.
Oh, and there’s Frank too, Peter’s robot dog, who completes this special circle of friendship.
Garden is a journey of self-discovery, of trials and friendship. With adventure boundless, Jane Yates follows up her acclaimed Paradox Child trilogy with a new tale for young fans of steampunk and science fiction.

Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle UK I Amazon Kindle US I Smashwords

Interview with the Author:

What inspires you to write?
My daughter Emily inspired me to write my first book. I was going to write a horror story first. Right up to the night before I started that’s what it was going to be about. But then a series of events happened and, to cut a long story short, I had to come up with a new idea. Emily said, why I don’t write a children’s book, as she said I was always making up stories for her as a child on the spot and never wrote them down. So that’s what I did. Also as I had to work still at the museum and its objects got worked into the stories.
Nice reviews from my readers keep inspiring me to write more stories.

How did you come up with the idea for your current story? 
My friend at work Beth gave me a copy of The Secret Garden as a gift. I had seen the film years ago and loved it. Then when I started to read the book I begin to imagine more of a story than there was. Read between the lines as it were. I thought the original was brilliant and, although it was written over 100 years ago, it still seemed fresh. However, I thought it be great to modernize it and as a steampunk writer give it a steampunk twist, but to still keep the message warm and the same – one of hope and self-discovery and dreams coming true.

Tell us about your writing process.
I have written three books for Nanowrimo, and two in between.
I would say I make no notes, just start writing. I usually write quick, as all my ideas come at once. My writing style can be jumbled. My second book of the Paradox Child series has taken the longest so far, being three months. What takes the time is getting the spelling and editing corrected. Poor people have to do that, as I am dyslexic.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?
I like all the bits were Maisy tells stories. I forget I am writing and feel as if I am listening alone. I write very quickly so I never really know how anything is going to end until it does. I liked the inner story of a tiger in India the best. I would love to go to India and travel on a steam train and see the temples and elephants.

Do you read? Who are your favorite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
I do, read, only slowly. And I review the books that I like.
In fact Garden was edited by one of my favorite writers - Dan Thomson. He is a poet and every line of Garden he edited appeared to sing afterwards.
I love Amy Good and Sharon Sant, to name just a few. I was thrilled to have Sharon Sant endorse on the cover of Garden.

What is the best piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
You are allowed to read out your work and not feel rubbish at it. I was told this just last week.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Don’t get discouraged. It’s free to publish your book on kindle amazon, go for it!! Even if under a pseudonym. Also join a NANOWRIMO group. Look out for free local writing groups. Read a lot of people’s work you like to give you inspiration.
If it’s too much distraction at home, write in a library or go for a walk somewhere away from everything and write there.

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?
Go for walks, swim, bake, garden, talk to my children. I love to be near water. I used to live near the sea when I lived in Wales, I could just see it out my window. Now I live in Oxford, right in the middle of the country and nowhere near the sea.
However I live next to a river and there are canals.
I also have an allotment and I like to grow my own veg, herbs and flowers.

What do you have in store next for your readers?
I am writing the Octopus Pirate, which I wrote for Nanowrimo last year. It is a steampunk tale of a time traveling pirate that is part octopus.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers?
My gratitude. Please message me on Goodreads. I love to hear your comments. It makes my day when I get a good review. You all make a difference to me. For years, until I was 50 years old, I did not think I could write or was even allowed to as I am so dyslexic and have low self-esteem. Then fate and friendship has brought me to this point and I hope to inspire other people, especially dyslexics to write.

Garden - ART

 


 

Book Trailer:


About the Author:
Jane lives in the historic city of Oxford, England with her two spaniels. She works at the Pitt Rivers museum there too and is amazed and inspired by its wondrous array of objects. Being a museum of anthropology and world archaeology, Jane often finds herself influenced by its exhibitions. And indeed it has helped Jane write a trilogy for children – the Paradox Child series.
Jane is not only a mother, artist and storyteller, but dyslexic too, which only highlights her success even more. Jane refuses to allow the disorder to halt her dreams and continues to enjoy her favourite hobbies. Jane is a lover of steampunk, adventure and children’s stories, which often play a huge role in her own books.

Connect with the Author:
Facebook I Twitter

Publisher:







Buy the Book at an 35% discount for the duration of the tour from SMASHWORDS using the code - EN36V






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