I just knew I would be a writer. It just seemed the only sensible thing to do. Jane Gardam knowthingwriter Change image and share on social
English country life is more like Chekhov than 'The Archers' or Thomas Hardy or even the Updike ethic with which it is sometimes compared. Jane Gardam archerchekhovcompare Change image and share on social
I discovered that writing was very nice indeed when I was very young, and I never changed. I don't think my style has changed very much at all - though I hope what I say is a bit more interesting. It's about getting to know a character and loving them, I think. Jane Gardam bitechangecharacter share on social
I was nearly 40 when I started. I had no fear that I wasn't going to write. I knew it was just delayed. Then, my goodness, I never stopped. Jane Gardam delayfeargoodness Change image and share on social
I think the most dangerous influence for a young writer is to be treated with cynicism or discouragement. Jane Gardam cynicismdangerousdiscouragement Change image and share on social
I hate the idea of sequels. I think you should be able to do it in one book. Jane Gardam bookhateidea Change image and share on social
I knew I had a lot to say. Not politically - politics have always confused me - but perhaps spiritually. Jane Gardam confuseknowlot Change image and share on social
In modern novels, there is no one I want to copy. My style 'is a poor thing, but it is my own.' Jane Gardam copymodernnovel Change image and share on social
For years, there was no man in the house when my husband was off on law cases in the Far East. Without writing, I would have been bored and unfaithful, maybe both, and the children would have been hideously over-protected. Jane Gardam borecasechild share on social
Stories of all lengths and depths come from different parts of the cave. For a novel, you must lay in mental, physical and spiritual provision as for a siege or for a time of hectic explosions, while a short story is, or can be, a steady, timed flame like the lighting of a blow lamp on a building site full of dry tinder. Jane Gardam blowbuildcave share on social