It’s not many people who can say they’ve swapped the parade ground for penning novels but that’s exactly what Wendy Jones did.
Wendy spent six years in the Royal Navy as a nurse and a further 17 years in the Army as a nursing officer leaving with the rank of major. She takes up the story: “My army career took me all over the world and I loved every minute of it. But I’ve always had a dream that I would write books that brought pleasure to people so when I left the Army I decided to follow that dream.”
Having had work published in academic textbooks and journals Wendy settled down to novel writing and has recently published the fourth mystery in her Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie series, set in her hometown of Dundee.
“Shona is feisty, funny and sharp and doesn’t suffer fools gladly,” says Wendy. “She’s not based on me but there’s definitely a bit of me in her!”
“Most of my inspiration and ideas come straight from my head. I have had people tell me the inside of my head must be a worrying place to be!
“Everyday life can give me inspiration in many and varied ways. A walk beside a loch in glorious sunshine and most people would be admiring the scenery whereas I’m usually thinking of the many and varied ways you I could bury a body. In a literary sense I may add,” she laughs.
Wendy loves creating stories that readers enjoy, and bringing her characters to life.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” she says. “They seem real in my head and I want this to come across so readers can identify with, and enjoy, the characters.”
But Wendy, who is working on her fifth mystery and has just signed up to write the Fergus and Flora mysteries for young adults, admits it’s not all plain sailing.
“Writing can be a solitary occupation and it’s difficult when a plot point doesn’t seem to be working out,” she explains.
“Going outside and doing something else can solve both of these issues.
“My subconscious mind will often work away, leading to a eureka moment when I rapidly scribble down the idea!”
Killer’s Cut is published by Scott and Lawson, priced £9.99.
