Jenni Fagan

Jenni Fagan (credit: Urszula Soltys)

Jenni Fagan is a Poet and Novelist. Her debut novel, The Panopticon, was released by Windmill Books in April. We had a chat with Jenni and asked her about her writing day, what makes her day and the fictional character she’d like to meet.

What’s your typical writing day like?

I have three main writing days per week, they begin with getting my toddler up, dressed, breakfasted and out the door. Then I usually make myself porridge, check e-mails, have a coffee. I like to start by 9am so I then have four hours to work in peace. I usually have to read through some of the chapters, or if I am confused I might have to print the entire novel off and go through it all with a biro, make notes, restructure. If I am doing a first draft then I just aim for momentum and try not to worry too much about whether it is any good or not. Around 1pm I will have lunch. If I have interview requests or other mails to respond to then I try and do that later once the writing is done. 

Can you briefly describe your writing style?

My writing style variesbut I’d say I’m a realist who is unconcerned by limitations, I try and reign the more poetic elements in as they can become too stylised and mostly I aim for simplicity.

Are you a planner or do you see where an idea takes you and just start writing?

I write in quite a stream of consciousness way a lot. I enjoy the spontaneity of being surprised by what you’ve written so I don’t tend to plan much. I might start with an idea, an image, a line, usually a question. Once I have written a story or novel I will then go back and work out some kind of plan and restructure the huge initial splurge. I cut a lot out as well.

You’re also a poet as well as a novelist. Does one much influence the other?

I think so. I like to deconstruct words, the way I think, associations, I am always looking for a turn of phrase that is unusual but unaffected. I imagine my poetry influences the way I write prose more than the other way around.

How do you approach editing?

I am a really critical editor, I cut things all the time that I think are probably quite good but that’s not always enough of a reason to keep them. I try to pay attention to what is most important for the story and use that as my guide.

Which author/book has made the most impact on you?

It’s really difficult to pin it down to one author or book, I don’t believe in literary monogamy and I have been influenced by a lot of writers. If I had to name three authors offhand I would say Celine, Ali Smith, Gertrude Stein. If you asked me tomorrow you might get a different answer. 

Who are your ideal dinner guests?

Friends! I don’t get to see my friends often enough and I like to cook for people so I would say getting to catch up with friends over dinner would be my ideal. 

What makes you laugh?

My toddler makes me laugh, dark humour makes me laugh too. 

Is there a character from fiction you’d like to meet?

That’s a great question and there are lots of characters in fiction I’d love to meet, I’d share a beer with Henry Chinaski but only in the afternoon. 

Five tips for writers?

Write because you have a love of words first and foremost.

Don’t think you have to wait to be published to think of yourself as a writer, being published is only part of the journey.

Be disciplined and take the time you need even if other people don’t think it is important.

Ask more experienced authors for criticism or feedback, you will always learn something.

Always strive to improve your work, approach, style, it will keep you interested.

Jenni’s Website.  

 Buy Jenni’s book, The Panopticon.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.