Entertainment

Arts Q&A: Writer Jane on OMD, folk & Braveheart

Brian Campbell puts artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week: Co Antrim-based Wiltshire-born writer Jane Talbot

Jane Talbot has just published her first book of short stories
Jane Talbot has just published her first book of short stories Jane Talbot has just published her first book of short stories

1. When did you think about writing as a career and what were your first steps into it?

Last year I decided to try something new every day for a whole year. As part of that, I read my first Mills & Boon book and decided that I’d try my hand at writing romantic fiction. I wasn’t really any good at it, so then I wrote my first short story, The Faerie Thorn. I really felt at home writing dark fairytales and after that first story there was no looking back.

2. Best gig you've been to?

It was probably OMD supported by James at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester in the 80s.

3. Fantasy wedding band of choice?

Something folky, so Cara Dillon or The Wailin’ Jennys.

4. The record you'd take to a desert island?

Sunny Side Up by Paolo Nutini.

5. And the book?

Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio would keep me entertained. It was written in the 14th century and is a collection of 100 stories told by 10 people while they sheltered outside the city of Florence, trying to avoid the Black Death.

6. Top three films?

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, Moulin Rouge and Braveheart.

7. Worst film you've seen?

Bean – the Mr Bean film

8. Favourite authors?

Neil Gaiman, Roald Dahl and Kevin Barry.

9. Sports you most enjoy and top teams?

I enjoy running. I ran the Mourne Way Ultra Marathon in 2010; it was a near death experience. I don’t really enjoy watching sport.

10. Ideal holiday destination?

The Orkney Islands.

11. Pet hate?

Cruelty.

12. What's your favourite:

Dinner? Anything homemade and healthy.

Dessert? I don’t have a sweet tooth.

Drink? An Irish coffee.

13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

I have two best friends, Cara and Kate, and I wouldn’t be able to choose between them. We met through work.

14. Is there a God?

I don’t know.

:: The Faerie Thorn and Other Stories is out now, published by Blackstaff Press.