Category Archives: Writing

Background to writing

June 19, 2026 · 10:19 am

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 the finished article is going to be like, whether it be picturing a flower bed or imagining a novel.

Cutting out the dead wood

It has taken me years to be more ruthless in my garden (there does appear to be a rogue cerise foxglove in the bed above) but it has to be done, trimming, cutting back, pruning and even rooting out plants that have become too big or are in the wrong place. Similarly, the various layers of editing a novel are just like that.

The heather in February looks a picture but it will need a good trip when the flowers are over

Aiming for a harmony and consistency with the characters

Plants from a spectrum of colours look beautiful together, but so do those chosen carefully for height and contrast. Each plant then needs to be part of the whole picture. It may have beauty in itself, but if it is not consistent with the plot it will look out of place.

The Structure in the design completes the picture

In a garden, the walls, fencing, gravel, decking, grass, all play their part in creating a complete picture. It is the description of setting, which draws the picture for the reader, but it mustn’t be too overpowering taking away the wholeness, so that the reader is distracted or bored.

Sometimes the Result can take your breath away

My last novel, released days before lock down, has not reached the dizzy heights (for me that is) of Murder Now and Then, but Missing Past and Present is very special to me, and as one loyal reader said, ‘You really have discovered your true voice!’

Finally you’ll just have to let it go

If you are forever tweaking a garden and noticing every weed as it pops its head up, you will never stand back (or better still sit and relax) and enjoy the whole garden. It is a tough moment for an author to ‘let go’ of a completed novel. There will always be a word to change or a scene you are sad you left out because it didn’t quite fit. You need to know the moment to Let it go and enjoy the ride!

Interesting to look back! ~ Planning and Writing a Novel way back around 2010

In order to carry out the research for the third book in my Riduna Series, I needed to search out my old research notes carried out over 15 years ago. Research for my second novel, set in WW1 mainly in the Southampton area and The Channel Islands, was substantial, and continued way past the end of the book.

When I found the correct box, what astounded me was to discover that I did everything by hand first in those days. I thought you might like to go down memory lane with me too.

Examples of research pages:

It is imperative with historical fiction to carry out a substantial amount of research, and this takes me longer than writing the novel. I always scribble down copious notes but always include the source and author, if there is one. I researched from books, magazines, museum displays, newspaper articles, and of course talking to people …..

My trusty notebooks:

A Brief Chapter Outline:

For my murder mystery, MURDER Now and Then, I used post its for a time line too, to keep track of all the threads and to make sure they all came together at the end.

Chapters and Introduction of Characters:

Family Tree of Characters:

Here is an example page of my very rough first draft:

After that, I remember typing each chapter up before proof reading it a second time;

one of many.

Phew!

I was looking into using Scrivener the other day, which is supposed to organise all this for you on your PC. I have tried it once before, but this time I spent a day trying to get my head around it and decided I am a bit set in my ways. I’ll stick to using MS Word I think.

What do you think?

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Filed under Author Diana Jackson, Planning a novel, Writing, Writing a novel

Tagged as carrying out historical research, organising notes, writing a novel

January 23, 2026 · 11:22 am

New Year, New Resolutions to Make or Break!

Well, it is near the end of January. Here’s a review of where I am at with my writing projects:

Firstly, I have a completed manuscript which is currently under review by my first editors. Chapters have also been sent to a museum in London for comment and criticism.

AIM for 2026 ~ publish this sequel to MISSING by the end of this year, telling the final story of Dot’s recovery from homelessness, but it is much, much more than that ….

Secondly, I am beginning to carry out the research for the third in my Riduna Series. I carried out a great deal of the research for this novel between 2010 and 2013, when we moved to Fife. Much if it is notes scribbled by hand and so I am scanning through all of this to select the most important. I will tell you more about this process as the year progresses.

AIM for 2026 ~ Once this is done I need to begin to plan and fill in the gaps and so I hope by the end of the year to have this novel underway. The writing to take place in the winter 2026/27.

Thirdly, I am moving away from my huge commitments to Eventispress and focussing on my own writing life.

AIM for 2026 ~ to be under less pressure and thus less stressed. To enjoy my writing life to the full, but also to relax in the other facets of my life too.

So, that’s it folks! Have a good 2026 and let’s hope it is a more peaceful one.