It is my pleasure to introduce author, Jane Risdon, who has come along to ‘Patricia’s Pen’ to chat about her writing. Without further ado, it’s over to Jane.
Patricia, thanks so much for inviting me to contribute. I really appreciate it.
My Writing
Jane Risdon
I’m a late starter where writing is concerned. I spent years wanting to write but being in the international music business put the brakes on my ambitions. Once I retired I had the freedom to let myself go and before long I was published in many anthologies and signed to a traditional publisher for my short stories and co-written novel with Christina Jones, Only One Woman (Headline Accent).
However, I consider myself a crime/mystery writer — writing the romance, Only One Woman, came as a surprise, but I find the story dictates the genre and I can write in many genres I’ve discovered. My music experiences both in 1960s and throughout my career, helped greatly when writing this novel set in the late 1960s UK music scene.
I’ve written many short crime stories over the years and I decided to put some of those not used for anthologies into a collection of my own, Undercover: Crime Shorts (Plaisted Publishing). There are dozens still on my computer. I have several half-completed novels on there too, including a sequel to Only One Woman.
Recently I signed with an Agent who is looking to place my series of novels featuring a former MI5 Intelligence Officer — Ms. Birdsong Investigates. The first novel is Ms. Birdsong Investigates Murder in Ampney Parva: Operation Matryoshka. At present I’m working on two other books in the series.
My experiences working for the Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as other government departments earlier on in my life, has given me so much material to call upon. Ms. Birdsong was screaming to be written. The Cold War, the ‘Troubles,’ in Northern Ireland, other world events were all filed away waiting for the day when I could write.
The kidnapping of Geoffrey Jackson, British Ambassador to Montivideo, by Tupamaro Guerrillas, and the expulsion of Soviet Embassy diplomats from the UK in a tit-for-tat move against the expulsion of British Embassy ‘spies,’ from Moscow, were all gifts from heaven for a would-be crime/mystery writer who would later add a dose of espionage to her stories occasionally.
Imagine how exciting it is to be Positively Vetted (PV) by a Special Branch commander who had been instrumental in tracking and arresting the husband-and-wife spies, the Krogers, who were part of the famous Portland Spy ring in the early 1960s – my imagination went into over-drive.
Later, working in Hollywood and around the world, I found more material for my writing than I ever imagined. Where there is power and money, there is crime, and intrigue. I’ve read many books giving true accounts of corruption within the entertainment industry in Hollywood — I don’t have to look far for inspiration for my material: some characters I know, and some I know about.
As a writer I’m never short of inspiration or potential material for my stories. I use my own life experiences, or those of others quite often. Write what you know they say.
About Jane Risdon
Jane Risdon is the co-author of ‘Only One Woman,’ with Christina Jones (Headline Accent) and ‘Undercover: Crime Shorts,’ (Plaisted Publishing), as well as having many short stories published in numerous anthologies and writing for several online and print magazines such as Writing Magazine and The Writers and Readers’ Magazine.
Jane’s collection of crime stories, ‘Undercover Crime Shorts, was book of the Month onvirtual library and festival site, MYVLF.com, and her live video interview features in their theatre. She’s a regular guest on international internet radio shows such as theauthorsshow.com, chatandspinradion.com and The Brian Hammer Jackson Radio Show.
Before turning her hand to writing Jane worked in the International Music Business alongside her musician husband, working with musicians, singer/songwriters, and record producers. They also facilitated the placement of music in movies and television series.
Links to Social Media
Links to buy books
Patricia M Osborne 
Fascinating article. I think there are quite a few of us “older” (I like to say “lived-in”) authors out there who have treasure troves of life experience in our valises 😉
I’m looking forward to reading the stories of Ms Birdsong. What a fabulous name. It’s fun before I even start reading.
Thank you, ladies and good luck (and inspiration) for your work.
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Forgive my lateness, I had a fun time at the hospital today for an appointment 13 months late due to Covid. Oh, yes we are a treasure trove indeed, imagine if we all got together in a room, what a natter we’d all have. I am so pleased you dropped in and I cannot wait for Lavinia Birdsong to Strutt her stuff. She has been around the block a few times, much younger than I (we) but she has been there and got the scars…she is also funny – so as well as being able to kill you in a dozen ways, she likes a good book, a fine wine and lots of music. So I cannot wait to get her out there. Keep your fingers crossed a publisher is dying to take her. 🙂 xxx
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Angela, thanks so much and you are so right! We have had a lot of water pass under our bridges. Thanks for your comments about the divine Ms. B – she has been a blast to write, but so much research has been done too. Do you enjoy that side of writing?
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I totally agree, Angela. Thank you for commenting, I am sure Jane will be along in due course to respond to you.
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Patricia, apologies for the lateness. I have been in hospital being prodded and tortured. Thanks so much for this, it looks fab. I am sure after I’ve been sharing it you will see some traffic here. Thanks so much. Jane xx
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No problems at all, Jane. I hope the hospital went well and that was a lot more important than being on here.
I’m glad you like it.
Rest up now. x
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Thanks so much, I am in one piece – just! I shall do more as soon as my head is clear. It is fab and thanks again. x
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Sounds like you need a good rest. Take care. And come back soon to Patricia’s Pen once Ms Birdsong is ready to go.
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Undercover Crime Shorts is an excellent book, Jane. I enjoyed learning more about your inspiration. Thank you for hosting, Patricia. It is great to meet you.
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It was a delight to host Jane, Robbie. Thank you for commenting and great to meet you too. I am so sorry but your reply got caught up in pending and I didn’t spot it.
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No problem, Patricia. That has happened to me too.
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Robbie, thanks for being here. Much appreciated. Thanks for your kind words about Undercover: Crime Shorts – I had fun researching methods of dispatch for that one!!
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I am fine now thanks. Just such a hassle getting there and back and all the PPE and so on. I shall be on the case today. xx
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Good news.
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Love the title “Ms Birdsong”. Shall be looking out to read it. And a Happy Birthday, Jane. xx
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Kit, thanks so much, and thanks for being keen to read her. She is not Miss Marple but there is a little village in the story, but she is not all sweetness and light – not a cosy – but I am sure you can tell that. My agent is sending her out now. I hope we get a bite as I have three books so far for her. Appreciate your support. xx
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Best of luck, Jane. And I too wish you a very happy birthday. xx
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Many thanks, Patricia, I had a nice quiet day and evening. My son video-called me and it was lovely to chat to him now he is out of the hospital and getting better. 9 months of worry whilst he was in ICU in LA. xx
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That was a lovely birthday present then, Jane. To have your son out of hospital and on the mend. I hope he makes a full recovery. xx
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Thanks, Patricia, he is getting there, but it can happen again. This is the second time and much worse than before. xxxx
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