REACHING a landmark birthday gave Jane Eagland the inspiration to change careers. Now with a second novel on the shelves and her debut released in America, the Ribble Valley-based author spoke to us about her work.

As head of English at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Jane Eagland had spent her working life surrounded by books, analysing their content and guiding pupils through exams.

But turning 50 she decided to quit the classroom and ‘have a go at writing seriously’, with no real ambition other than to enjoy herself.

Nearly 10 years later she is celebrating literary success at home in the UK and in America, where her debut novel Wildthorn was recently published.

Her second title Whisper My Name was released in the UK in August and she has spent the past few weeks publicising her work with talks and signings – as well as researching a third novel for her publishers Macmillan.

“When I left teaching I did an MA in creative writing to give myself the discipline to be able to write,” said Jane, who gained an agent after writing a children’s picture book. “I never went into writing thinking that I wanted to get published – it was more about just wanting the time to do it, so being published has been a bonus.

“I had dabbled with writing, but when you’re teaching full time you honestly don’t have the time or energy to really get into it. I never thought I would finish one novel, but to do two and be working on a third is a surprise.”

Although not sequels, both Wildthorn and Whisper My Name are set in a dark, mysterious Victorian world, where the teenage heroines are trying to break free from the constrains of their lives.

Wildthorn centres on Louisa Cosgrove who has been sent to a lunatic asylum, despite her protestations of sanity – which only see her further institutionalised and locked away from her family for longer spells.

Jane’s inspiration came from reading a true story of someone in this situation, although she also acknowledges the influence her mother’s diagnosis with manic depression had on the book.

“Something at the back of Wildthorn was my mother’s diagnosis and treatment,” she said. “Friends have asked why I didn’t look into it for the book, but I probably shied away from it being in a modern setting as it would be too emotional.

“I do feel that I have addressed it though, at a comfortable time and distance with setting the book in the past. It’s funny because the story doesn’t seem interesting in a modern setting, but putting it into history gives the distance and makes it interesting.”

The new book, Whisper My Name, sees 16-year-old Meriel Garland move from India following the death of her parents to live with her ‘strange scientist’ grandfather in London. It looks into the spirit world and the ongoing fascination people have with the ‘other side’.

While the main audience for her books is older teens, Jane says women – ‘and even men’ – have enjoyed the stories.

“In a sense the readership age came through two things,” said Jane. “I initially thought I would write an adult novel but I just don’t feel mature enough.

“I can remember what it felt like to be that age. And then the other thing was sheer commercial realism – having got an agent for the children’s market, if I’d gone for an adult readership I would have had to have another agent.

“When I’m writing I’m not thinking in a conscious way of what will work. I’m writing for myself and then if it happens to also appeal to other people it’s very good.

“I can’t write with an audience in mind as it would be artificial.”

Before the release of Whisper My Name, Jane was asked to write a third book but her publishers rejected the idea she had in mind asking her to come up with something else, although she does hope to develop the story in the future.

“They felt my idea was too different – sadly I guess you become a brand.

“I don’t necessarily have to keep it Victorian but the realistic element of it needs to stay. Reassuringly I’m researching an area now which I feel that sense of excitement about and seeing where it takes me.

“I know some authors work to commission where publishers say they want this and they go off and do that.

“I admire them greatly doing that, but I have to feel something of a passion or deep interest. If it makes me excited that’s good. You’ve got to be committed to write – if you weren’t it would be like torturing yourself.

“I can't make a living from my writing yet, but I'm not doing it for the money.

“Even if a time comes when the publishers say ‘thanks but no thanks’ I still think I would want to have writing as an activity in my life.

“It’s like having a puzzle to solve. You set up these questions and it’s enormously satisfying if you come up with an answer.”

l Meet Jane Eagland at Blackburn Library on October 14, 7pm.