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.
Available Now!

Writing a novel

  • 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…

    Keep Reading

  • 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…

    Keep Reading

  • My Review of 2024 in my Writing Life

    On the Positive Side On the Negative Side Nothing else, which is fantastic!

    Keep Reading

  • Why is Writing is Akin to Gardening?

    Writing and gardening are my two main activities and I would argue that they they need a similar mindset. Being Creative Of course! When I am writing it is very much a visual experience, where pictures or a film reel transposes into words. A creative mind is one with imagination, having an idea of what…

    Keep Reading

  • 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…

    Keep Reading

  • Why did I choose an Imaginary Setting for MISSING, Past and Present?

    Keep Reading

  • After Inspiration comes Planning~ Ideas on how to plan a novel

    I was scrolling through my draft blog posts with the idea of deleting some of them when I came across this one on planning. Although it was first drafted in 2014 it is as pertinent today as it was then and interesting to see how my methods adapted and matured with each novel. How do…

    Keep Reading

  • Genealogy and How it has Shaped my Writing

    Part 1 Introduction My parents were seriously researching our family history at the same time as I was researching for my first novel RIDUNA, inspired by the story Dad shared with me of my Great Grandmother Harriet (Hopkins/Jackson). We were holidaying on the island of Alderney; a fitting place to tell us her story as…

    Keep Reading