Jayne Woodhouse on The Stephensons' Rocket

When I was sent The Stephensons' Rocket to review, I just fell in love with it, because our first dog to come into my family was a greyhound called Feather - and this book brought back so many happy memories. I just couldn't resist asking Jayne a few questions on how she became involved with greyhounds and why she wrote the book.

Vicky: Why did you write The Stephensons' Rocket?

Jayne: I'd been writing children's history books and curriculum resources for about 25 years, but had always wanted to try my hand at fiction. It came to the time when it felt like it was now or never! Then I joined a small writers' group, where I was able to get the help, encouragement and support I needed to achieve my ambition.

Vicky: What was your inspiration for this story?

Jayne: The story was inspired by a real greyhound called Sheldon Rocket (Rocky), who was given a good home by a family member when his racing days were over. Sadly, Rocky has passed away now, but you will see him remembered in the book's dedication page.

Vicky: How important was it to see that a greyhound dog can be a calming family pet especially in such a troubled family?

Jayne: Very important, because many people do not realise that greyhounds can make extremely good pets. I also wanted to show that sometimes animals can be a way of helping people to change their lives in a positive direction.

Vicky: Can you tell me a little about the Retired Greyhound Trust?

Jayne: The RGT is a National Charity, founded in 1976 to care for and re-home retired greyhounds. Around 9,000 greyhounds retire each year and while many owners and trainers look after their animals for the rest of their lives, there are still lots of dogs that need new homes. You can find out more about the work the RGT do by visiting their website: www.retiredgreyhounds.co.uk.

Vicky: Did you meet any greyhounds during your research?

Jayne: Apart from the family greyhound, I visited the Portsmouth branch of the RGT and spoke at length to the organiser and toured her kennels. I also have friends nearby with a re-homed greyhound called Maisy, whose picture appears on the publicity information for the book.

Vicky: Both Marcus and Wilf are people with a past - will we see more of them in a sequel perhaps?

Jayne: Yes, definitely! I've started writing the sequel now, but don't want to give too much away in case my ideas don't work out!

Vicky: Who are your favourite authors and why?

Jayne: My favourite author at the moment is Hilary Mantel, so I was thrilled when she won the Booker Prize. I greatly admire her writing skills and the fact that she is so versatile in her subject matter. I also read everything that Rose Tremain writes, as well as Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan. However, I also love crime novels for light relief, as the stories are entertaining and usually well-plotted. My favourite children's author is Meg Rosoff - I love her style and I think she really knows how to communicate complex ideas to this age group.

Vicky: As a writer of non fiction how did you finding writing fiction?

Jayne: Very scary! Writing non fiction gave me a lot of important basic skills to draw on, such as being able to express my ideas clearly and knowing how to set out a manuscript. But apart from that, it was really right back to the beginning and a very steep learning curve. I'd never invented my own characters or constructed a plot line, so I had to work very hard to develop those areas - and many more! I also found I couldn't write my non fiction at the same time as the novel, so a lot of The Stephensons' Rocket had to wait for gaps in my regular commissions.

Vicky: Who has inspired you the most in writing fiction?

Jayne: I would have to say the three people in my writers' group: Valerie Bird, Vera Forster and Sandra Horn. They have taught me that writing is all about doing the very best job you can - not just about getting published, that listening to constructive criticism is the greatest help a writer can have and that if you write a sentence enough times, you'll get it right in the end!

Vicky: Can you see yourself writing a series involving Rocky and his human family?

Jayne: There's definitely a sequel in the pipeline, as the characters won't stop talking to me unless I write about what happens next! Possibly a third book?? I'll have to wait and see!

Vicky: What was it like winning the Writing for Children Award in the Winchester Writers' Conference?

Jayne: It was brilliant - my first novel and the first writing competition I'd ever entered and I won first prize! I was walking on air for months afterwards. It gave me so much encouragement to carry on, knowing that other people liked what I was writing. Also the comments and feedback were really vital in shaping revisions to the book.

Vicky: Does that put more pressure on you for future writing.

Jayne: Not really - I think I put the pressure on myself, because I always want to write better each time.

Vicky: Will you write adult fiction?

Jayne: Yes, it's something I have thought about and, only recently, I completed my first adult short story. So I hope I can develop that area of my writing at some point in the future.