Jeannie Wycherley

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I am a proud dog mum living in East Devon in the south west of England. I love reading and crafting, watching movies and playing games, both board games and online. I spent part of my childhood living in Europe as my Dad was in the forces, and to this day I love travelling. I've backpacked and holidayed all over Asia and North Africa but now that the pandemic has put paid to that, my husband and I are having a campervan conversion completed so we can travel all around the UK! Exciting!

When and why did you start writing books?

I started writing in 2011 because I was unhappy in my job and needed a creative outlet. My first offerings did okay. I had a play accepted by a local amateur theatre company and a short story won a prize. I was made redundant in 2012 and joined a writing boot camp which clarified how awful my writing really was! However, since then I have written most days. I wrote lots of short stories and had success with some of them before publishing my first novel, Crone, in 2016. I write a mix of horror, dark fantasy, paranormal cozy mysteries and urban fantasy. As for the why? I've realised this is what my heart has wanted to do my whole life.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

I always wanted to write. As a kid, I loved it. I only stopped writing stories when I went to University. I have a Phd in History. I loved researching and I still read more non-fiction than fiction. For quite some time I fooled myself that academia was where my future lay. I am pleased it didn't, however!

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

I have a character called Snitch in my Wonderland series that I absolutely love. He was supposed to be a cameo, but now he has a full time job. I love writing him. Alfhild Daemonne from the Wonky Inn books is hilarious to write too. She's bonkers. Loyal, loving, sensitive, kind, feisty and accident prone. I write her from my heart. My favourite book is probably Vengeful Vampire at Wonky Inn. The escape scene was magical to write.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

The Municipality of Lost Souls. It took a long time to write. Even after it had been edited I still wasn't happy. I went back through it and painstakingly perfected every sentence. I wanted it to be elegant and mysterious. And I didn't want all the questions answered because how is that life? I'm really proud of it.

Who is your favourite author and book?

My favourite author is Charles Dickens. Unbeatable writing, wonderful stories. Social truth. My favourite book is Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell. Heart-breaking and a wonderful depiction of Victorian England.

What book are you reading right now?

I'm currently writing and I don't read while I'm writing because I don't want other people's work to end up in mine. I do have a book about serial killers on my Kindle that I delve into when I'm at the hairdressers/dentist etc.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Everywhere. Something funny that someone says. Funny pictures. For my darker books, I draw on the incredible landscape where I live. Lots of forest here.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Crafting. I do as much multi media as I can.

Do you have any new books in the works?

I always have new books in the works. I am writing one, plotting one and thinking of one as we speak. Then I'll make a plan for next year. Another collaboration with my Dad (Peter Alderson Sharp) and I'll add to my ongoing series, maybe start a new one, and try and slip in a darker book as well. Can't wait!