An Interview with J Lee Amey
J Lee Amey was born and raised in Essex, England, but now resides on the beautiful south coast of Dorset, England. In her spare time she can usually be found strolling through sand, fields or forest with her husband and dog. Although Jo has produced many scribblings over the years, The Glastonbury Tales is her first novella.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I actually started writing this book many, many years ago. I’d studied some of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales at college and had always enjoyed writing poetry. I thought it might be fun to do a modern take, following the same format and structure, but telling of travellers on their own form of pilgrimage, to the Glastonbury Festival. Good old LIFE then got in the way and I didn’t pick the project up again until recent years. It feels great to have now finished what I started all those years ago.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
What a great question! I’d love to get my readers’ feedback on this!
Some of the characters have quite obvious soundtracks (in my mind), for instance:
“Is This Love,” by Bob Marley & the Wailers (Bro), “Sunshine of Your Love,” by Cream (Suzie), “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” by Cyndi Lauper (Shaznay), “Chelsea Dagger,” by The Fratellis (Kel). But some of their tales also have a certain feel to them, to me; like “Sadness,” by Platon Daviydov (Sofe’s Tale), or “Hole In My Soul,” by Aerosmith (Suzie’s Tale). Finally, for no particularly related reason, but purely because I adore the song—could listen to it on repeat and think it would be great on a soundtrack playing in the background—“Strangers,” by Kenya Grace.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I’m currently reading Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. I’m a TERRIBLE reader—I don’t make enough time to read, so unless I’m on holiday, it takes me ages to get through a book. I am, however, a prolific LISTENER and whizz through many audiobooks, as I spend a lot of time travelling to and from work, so I’m also currently listening to First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Errrrm, I doubt many of my readers will know that I used to flog jacket spuds for a living! Also, I used to work raising money for the UK-based charity Marie Curie. The palliative care that Marie Curie nurses provide is invaluable to those who need it and their families, when it matters most. What they do is inspiring and it was very easy to be passionate about raising funds to support their services, as well as the research the charity carries out into end-of-life care.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
Way before the days of mobile phones, my mum & aunt used to write to each other, and the cards or letters would be written entirely in rhyme. I remember reading them as a child and it putting a smile on my face—I suppose I felt like it made you read the words as a song. I also have to mention, of course, Pam Ayres and Victoria Wood, who have definitely influenced me, together with John Cooper Clarke—all three I feel have shaped my writing style.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Without a doubt, my favourite place to write is snuggled up under a blanket on the sofa with my dog (yes, with a good old-fashioned pen and pad!). Or on warmer days, sat around in a field with the kettle on the boil in the campervan, husband with head buried in a book, and dog snoring loudly (but rhythmically!…very relaxing).
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Oh, easy—just pull your socks up, stop procrastinating and get on with it!
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
A smile on their face. Although I’ve tried to evoke other emotions for readers throughout the book, this would be my ultimate hope, once all is said and done.
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