Monday 4 January 2016

NEW YEAR, NEW FACES Part 2!


'Novel Points of View is introducing a few changes for 2016. We want to say goodbye and many thanks to Jenny Harper and Mary Smith, and a big hello and welcome to new members Rae Cowie (writer), Jennie Bohnet (writer) and Neil Donald (photographer). We’re really looking forward to having new voices – and amazing photographs – in the weeks and months ahead.
To get things rolling we have asked each of our new members to give us 3 words or phrases that best describe their kind of creativity. And also to tell us a little bit about themselves. Over to you, Jennie:
Hello everyone and many thanks for the invitation to join the blogging team. NOVEL POINTS OF VIEW is a blog I’ve always looked forward to reading and one that has always amazed me with the diversity of each post and the knowledge of the contributors, so I was thrilled, but at the same time, terrified, to be invited to join the team.  
Following in the footsteps of Jennifer Harper and Mary Smith as well as the other original members of the team is a daunting thought and I admit I hesitated and dithered over accepting the invitation at first. Would I have anything interesting to say? Would my grammar be good enough? Would anybody be interested in my ramblings? But deep down I knew I wanted to accept the invitation and the challenge.
So, little bit about myself. I am originally from the West Country although I have lived in France for the past 16 years. Eleven years down on the Cote d’Azur and now nearly five up here in Brittany. I started off writing features more years ago than I care to remember and had some success with the nationals and also my own column for three years in the South Hams Group of Newspapers. Since living in France I’ve concentrated on fiction, writing short stories for the women’s magazines, serials and now novels. 

Now, how to describe my writing? Basically I write the kind of books I like to read - contemporary women’s fiction with a dusting of romance. Think Veronica Henry and Jill Mansell. Not being very good at standing back and evaluating my own writing I did the time honoured thing and phoned a writer friend to ask how she viewed my novels - truthfully. 

Feel-good, evocative and romantic were the three words she came up with. All of which made me smile - exactly the kind of reaction I aim to give my readers. If I can build a world on the page, create characters that live and carry the reader away for a few hours, then I’m happy.

 My latest novel, The Little KIosk By The Sea, is set in Dartmouth a place I know well, and involves family relationships, a little bit of history, and secrets that can shatter lives. With a little bit of romance along the way.

The first week of a new year when resolutions are being made, new beginnings contemplated and new challenges accepted, is of course the traditional time to wish everyone good health and happiness so, Bonne AnnĂ©e to you all. I’m looking forward to learning, sharing and being a part of the NPOV team in 2016. 


24 comments:

  1. A very big welcome Jennie. So pleased to have you hear and to learn more about you. And your books. I'm trying to stop myself acquiring any more books until I've reduced my tbr pile somewhat, but I feel a purchase coming on ...

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    1. Thank you so much Gill - I'm thrilled to be here and looking forward to getting to know everyone.

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  2. Welcome on board, Jennie! South Devon is an area I'm familiar with...you're so lucky to have lived there.

    I can't wait to read your books, and hear more about your writing along the way.

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  3. Thank you too Jennifer for the welcome. I love the Dartmouth area and would love to live there again.

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  4. Absolutely lovely to learn more about you, Jennie and with such an interesting background I'm very much looking forward to your posts. Your writing sounds like just my kind of read!

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  5. Thank you Rae - such fun getting to know everyone even if we never meet in real life!

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  6. Been a fan of your short stories for a long time Jennie, and enjoying your novels too. Looking forward to reading your blog posts.

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    1. Oh thank you so much Rosemary for your kind comment.

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  7. Lovely to see new names and faces on the blog - all the best to all of you! Good to read about you, Jennie.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary. It's exciting to meet new people isn't it?

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  8. Loving your new book so far, Jenny!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Caroline - and for the kind comment.

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  9. So pleased you accepted to enjoy join Novel Points Of View and I confess that when I was asked I felt quite anxious that I would be afraid to find things to write about. But there is always something that comes to share with other writers. I've loved all your novels to date - here's to the next one!

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  10. Thank you Linda. Comforting to know that I'm not the only worrier!

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  11. Looking forward to reading future posts, Jennie.

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  12. Thank you Mary. I hope I don't disappoint!

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  13. Loved Little Kiosk, Jennie. Am now working my way through your back catalogue!

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  14. Thank you Kath. Glad you enjoyed Little Kiosk.

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  15. Wishing you all the best with your new venture, Jennie, and, of course, with your writing!

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  16. Thank you Su. Wishing you a successful 2016 with your writing and design work.

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  17. Great idea to introduce some new faces. Not that there was anything wrong with the previous ones.
    Welcome Jennie, I look forward to reading your posts.

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  18. Looking forward to your posts, Jennie!

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  19. Thanks for dropping by Christina.

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