“For a long time I thought I didn’t
have time to write a novel. One of the
most valuable things I learned is that
writing a novel is all about taking small
steps, making the most of the pockets
of time you have, and making those
hours count,” she says. “I think if I’d
known that before I would’ve written
my novel ages ago!”
And behind every successful woman
there’s often a loving partner.
“Peter’s so proud of me and makes
sure he gives me enough time to write,”
Jane confides. “He’s a really great
sounding board as well, so I oftendiscuss
ideas with him.”
While most ofThe Drywas written
in their light-filled apartment in the
beachside suburb of St Kilda, her
follow-up effortForce of Naturewas
a little different. Jane fell pregnant,
welcoming daughter Charlotte into
the world in September 2016.
“Once Charlotte was born I started
going to the library to writeForce
of Naturejust so I could leave the
house for a bit, and Peter would look
after her – I still have no solid writing
routine yet,” she says.
Looking out over Port Phillip
from the balcony of Jane and Peter’s
apartment, it’s easy to see why the
family enjoys living here, with the
beach just a carefree stroll away.
“I’m not much of an interior
decorator but I like to make my home
somewhere you can feel comfortable
spending time – and now I spend
a lot more time here, working fromhome,” Jane explains. “I aim to strike
a balance so that I don’t feel like I’m
living at work.”
Now, two novels and one baby in,
there’s no stopping her. Although she
hasn’t started writing it yet, Jane already
has definite plans for her third book.
“All I know is it will be another
Australian mystery – if readers like
the first two they should like it,” she
says, giving little away.
With a baby and a full writing
schedule her life may seem busy, but
that’s what Jane thrives on. She knows
what makes her happy – bringing
people joy with her words.
“Having readers and booksellers
tell me they appreciate my novels
isoneofthebestthings,” she admits.
“Hearing that you’ve written
something people enjoy is the
whole reason for writing.”•Top
read
ForceofNature
by Jane Harper,
RRP $32.99,
Pan MacmillanAnd the success of Jane’s literary
debuthas since surpassed her
expectations, with Hollywood actress
and producer Reese Witherspoon- who recently had a big hit with
the TV adaptation of Australian author
Liane Moriarty’sBig Little Lies - snapping upThe Dry’s film rights.
“I didn’t think anything like this
would happen,” Jane admits. “When
I was writing it I was doing it as
a personal hobby and my goal was
simply to finish a manuscript. I didn’t
let myself think anything beyond that.”
The Dryis about a policeman
investigating a tragedy in his rural
home town, and Jane admits the plot
and setting came to her before any
of the characters.
“I knew I wanted to set it in Australia
because it’s a naturally beautiful and
atmospheric place that offers so much
to the story and the characters,” she says.
Jane was still working as a journalist
while writing the novel, and the places
she saw and people she met in the field
inspired her to explore the struggles
faced by many remote Aussie farmers.
“I’d be out talking to people whose
lives depended on the land, and then
also to people who were from small
communities where everyone knew
each other’s business, and it inspired
me,” she explains.
Between day-long shifts for the
newspaper and spending family with
her husband Peter Strachan, Jane would
snatch a precious hour or so early each
morning to work on the tome.
LIFE’SAPICNIC
Jane loves
the lifestyle in
sunny St KildaGREAT
EXPECTATIONS
Charlotte, Jane
and Peter at home‘Having readers
tell me they
appreciate my
novels is one of
the best things’TEXT: MARKEETA WADDINGTON PICTURES: DAVID HAHN/BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU
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