Guest blogger: Jane Tara
SchizoPENia
by Jane Tara
Jane, listening to the travel voice
I feel like an intruder here. I’ve only just finished my second novel, the sequel to FORECAST, which was published nearly three years ago. Never heard of it? Well you’re in the majority, but the book did produce a core group of loyal readers who continue to write and ask when book number two will be finished. At first, their emails were friendly, but now they ping into my inbox with slingshot force, bereft of any niceties and straight to the point … ‘WHERE’S THE FOLLOW UP BOOK???’
Good question. One I’ve avoided answering up until now. But it’s time I came clean and admitted the truth … as difficult as that is. You see … I have been writing … lots … but the truth is … (deep breath …) I have SchizoPENia.
There, I’ve said it.
SchizoPENia is a condition that afflicts 1 in 32 writers (non-ABS statistics), and for which there is no cure. The sufferer finds it impossible to stick to one genre when writing. I’m not talking about cross-genre mixing it up such as historical romance with a touch of paranormal. Or time travel slash urban fantasy slash erotica. SchizoPENia is when halfway through writing a romance novel a crime novel comes knocking on imagination’s door, and simply won’t leave. It’s when a kid’s book bursts forth in the middle of writing a romantic comedy. While most writers have a ‘voice’ … I have a few … My pen name should be Sybil.
After FORECAST was published, a mild dose of SchizoPENia kicked in. A voice in my head (that sounded suspiciously like Meg Ryan) needed to write a screenplay. I wrote two romantic comedies back to back.
The real issue lies with two other voices. One has a clipped English accent and barks out children’s stories. Another regularly interrupts and relates rambling travel tales. I have no choice but to listen to them both. I write children’s books and travel articles, which pays my rent. (Important … so my landlord says) Recently I decided to combine the two voices (the merged voice sounds like a Victorian traveler) and have been working on another project with my partner … but more on that soon. The point is, I am writing!
Being a true SchizoPENic, in the midst of all this writing, my romance writer’s voice interrupted and demanded that I return to my novel. TROUBLE BREWING continues the tale of the Shakespeare women, but this time focuses on the London clan. I loved being back in the world of romance. It’s a wonderful, joyous place to visit. But until there is a breakthrough cure for SchizoPENia, I won’t be able to live there. In the meantime, I ask my three loyal romance fans to be patient.
Contact Jane oat jane@itcheefeet.com for information on any of her projects. She promises that one of her voices will respond.
Well, add me to your list of romance fans Jane…I can’t wait to read TROUBLE BREWING. I loved FORECAST…Rowie is such a lovable heroine
So now it’s finished…when is it released????
Great blog too. Now I know why I have 3 different genre books all going at once
I must be one in 32!
Maggie
Great blog Jane
Sounds like I should be chasing up Forecast and then I will be another one sending emails asking for the next one in the series.
I love books that are in a series and getting to know the characters
I look forward to reading Forecast
Have Fun
Helen
Morning Jane
As one of those three loyal friends
I’m willing to wait. Writing’s not easy and so much can get in the way! So don’t stress and just let us know when the new gem is finally here. I’ll still be in the mood to buy 
Love that station photo by the way.
Hope I catch you at a conference again some time.
Good morning Jane,
Interesting blog. You could have taken the words right out of my mouth, so I must be afflicted with the same disease.
Best of luck with the voices in your head.
Regards
Margaret
Hi Maggie. How are you??? So you’re SchizoPENic too? LOL. I’ll keep you updated on Trouble Brewing’s progress. BTW, Forecast (the screenplay) now has a director attached so Rowie might eventually make it to the screen.
Great to meet you, Helen. And yes, Forecast is part of a series. In fact, there will eventually be four books in all, loosely connected.
Roslaie! Long time no speak. We’ll definitely catch up at the next conference. BTW… that photo is at Lake Bled, Slovenia. Absolutely stunning area of the world.
Hi Margaret. Great to know another SchizoPENic. All my voices thank you for stopping by. ☺
Hi Jane
Could the Meg Ryan voice tell us a bit about the screenplays? What are they about and any chance we are going to see your name in movie credits some time soon?
Hi Debbie,
I started as a playwright, so really enjoy the Meg Ryan voice when it interrupts. One screenplay is for Forecast, and has a director attached. So fingers crossed. The other one is called The Dating Atlas, about a gal who dates her way around the world and writes about it, only to find her dream fella on a farm back home. It was moving ahead for a while, but has stalled now. It’s a fickle industry but I’m sure it will have its moment eventually. I will get round to writing the book for The Dating Atlas… if only the Victorian travel voice would shut up!
Jane x
Hey Jane…I’ve got more time to write now since I came off the committee
Now if I could just decide which book I want to finish first LOL
Ohhhhhh Yes…..FORECAST as a movie! I’m so there!
I’ll keep fingers and toes crossed that it keeps moving ahead
Keep me updated on which book you choose to finish first too, Maggie.
Count me in as a loyal Forecast fan and wanting to know the rest of the Shakespeare women history. But yes, those voices DO have a mind of their own!
Hope the pox on your house is better now.
Amy x
Pox free now, AA. Gawd that was fun! Want to hear all about the Sydney trip. xxx
I found “Forecast” in a shop this week and really enjoyed it. So I got on line to find ou if there was going to be a sequel. I am thrilled that there is. Great writing.