A Photograph of Diana holding a wine glass, wearing a fancy red sweater. She's got shoulder length brown hair, peach skin.

Diana Jackson

Views, reviews and muse related to my writing

An Image of my latest book Missing, Past and Present. Sat on a wooden table with a brown background.
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Research

  • Half Way Through 2026 ~ Where am I now in my plans, hopes and dreams?

    We have just passed the longest day and now is a time when we experience light for about 19 hours in Scotland, dependent on the weather. Here’s a general catch up in what I’m doing: WIP My current work in progress is complete (HOORAY!), has undergone proof-reading, editing for content, authenticity and copy. It has…

  • How to Create an Imaginary Setting for a Novel

    Draw a map Draw out a basic map with streets, footpaths, houses, shops and any other key places. Make it large enough to add to. Link it to other towns, real or imaginary, with arrows at the edge of the page. (eg Bedford 5 miles) Add in railway stations and bus stations, if they feature…

  • Choosing a Book Title

    Background Choosing a book title is a personal thing. Some authors know the title before they begin to write, in fact it appears miraculously as they are doing their research. Others wait until they have written the first draft. On reading and editing it a title appears as being an obvious choice. Then there are…

  • Choosing a Book Title

    Background Choosing a book title is a personal thing. Some authors know the title before they begin to write, in fact it appears miraculously as they are doing their research. Others wait until they have written the first draft. On reading and editing it a title appears as being an obvious choice. Then there are…

  • Copyright Issues ~ Seeking Advice

    Eventispress hopes to publish the prequel to my debut novel Riduna late on in 2024. Background It was written by my parents at the same time as I wrote Riduna, and was published by The Daily Mail in one of their offers to publish a book and print half a dozen copies for the author…

  • How to Create an Imaginary Setting for a Novel

    Draw a map Draw out a basic map with streets, footpaths, houses, shops and any other key places. Make it large enough to add to. Link it to other towns, real or imaginary, with arrows at the edge of the page. (eg Bedford 5 miles) Add in railway stations and bus stations, if they feature…

  • Island Life ~Alderney

    I received this lovely email from a previous curator of Alderney Museum: “This is Frances (I was the curator at the Alderney Museum). I just wanted to say that I have often read your blog and wanted to let you know how much i enjoy them, particularly the posts about Alderney which I will always…

  • How our Family History was Researched

    A comment on my last post from my niece prompted me describe how our family history search was carried out, predominantly by our parents. Firstly it was started in the days before internet searches. Research on Alderney Dad wrote down all he knew of his Grandmother Harriet Jane, alongside lots of questions and we headed…