A Cwmbran author who published her first novel last month – “a supernatural thriller with a gritty urban feel”- has already started writing the second book in the series.
Jean Harrison’s debut book is titled The Tethering. She shares the touching reason for returning to writing after a long gap and gives advice for new writers in this Q&A for Cwmbran Life.
Q. What first sparked your love of writing, and how did you get started?
“My love of writing probably started when I was about seven or eight years old, back in 1968 or 1969. My father had a typewriter, and I was absolutely fascinated by it. It used one of those old ink ribbons, and I remember being mesmerised by the mechanics of the keys striking the page.
“I would sit there typing tiny stories – usually only a few sentences long – just so I could use the machine. More often than not, I ended up with ink all over my hands, but I didn’t care.
“To me it was magic: pressing keys and seeing words appear on paper. That was my first real spark of interest in writing.
“As I grew older, life became busy and I never had much time to write stories. What never changed, though, was my love of reading. I always had a book with me.
“It was only in the last few years that I finally found my way back to writing. After my husband, Steve, passed away in 2020, I began to sit down and properly put fingers to a keyboard. I struggled at first, both with the loss and navigating my way around a computer, but I kept going.
“I felt a deep need to show my three daughters that even when life seems hard and unkind, if you keep moving forward and keep believing in yourself, things do get better.
“From there the stories and ideas finally began to be discovered, leading me to the chapters of my first book.”
Q. What are you working on now?
“Right now I’m working on the second book in the Ezra Quinn series, titled Fractured Logic.
“It continues Ezra’s story after the events of The Tethering, pushing him further into a world of fractured bindings, hidden truths, and forces that threaten the fragile balance holding reality together.”
Q. Who is your favourite author and why?
“I’ve always been an avid reader, and over the years there have been many authors whose work I’ve admired. What I always enjoy most is a writer who can build a world and characters that feel like you could almost reach out and touch. Those kinds of stories stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.
“One of my favourite authors is Dan Brown. I really enjoyed the Robert Langdon series, especially The Da Vinci Code. I like the way he mixes mystery, history and fast-moving stories that keep you turning the pages.”
Q. What does your writing routine look like? Where do you write? What tools do you use?
“My writing routine is fairly simple. I usually write at home on my computer, where I can focus without too many distractions. I try to write in longer sessions when I have the time, letting the story develop naturally rather than forcing a strict schedule.
“Most of my writing is done on a computer using standard word-processing software. It makes it easy to edit, move chapters around, and adjust the story as it develops. Nothing too complicated though. I’m a bit of a technophobe when it comes to fancy writing tools.”
Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing but doesn’t know where to begin?
“The most important thing is simply to start. You don’t have to have the entire story planned out, and the first draft is never perfect. Just start with an idea, a character, or even a single scene and see where it takes you.
“Writing improves with practice, so the key is consistency. Read widely, write regularly, and don’t be afraid to rewrite and refine your work. Every writer starts somewhere, and the only way to become better is to keep putting words on the page.
Q. Where can people find your work or follow your progress?
“My debut novel, The Tethering, is available on Amazon. It’s the first book in the Ezra Quinn series and introduces readers to a darker world of paranormal investigation and hidden forces beneath the surface of reality.
“Readers who enjoy the story can follow my progress as I continue working on the next book in the series, Fractured Logic, which is currently in development. I’m also on Facebook, where I post updates about my writing and the Ezra Quinn series.
“If anyone would like to get in touch, they can also contact me at [email protected]“
📸 Jean Harrison and her writing desk.