The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jill Thrussell

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Jill Thrussell

Summary: Ani thought that I'll Meet You In Heaven was a story of love, loss and new beginnings which would be a great comfort to those who have suffered loss. she had quite a few questions for author Jill Thrussell when she popped in to see us.

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Interviewer: Ani Johnson

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Ani thought that I'll Meet You In Heaven was a story of love, loss and new beginnings which would be a great comfort to those who have suffered loss. she had quite a few questions for author Jill Thrussell when she popped in to see us.

• Bookbag: When you close your eyes and imagine your readers, who do you see?

Jill Thrussell: I'll Meet You In Heaven was written as a classic love story primarily aimed at women. However I have written other titles for everyone.

• BB: Your latest novella I'll Meet You In Heaven is a love story during which the couple in question die early on and are told that they'll be sent back to Earth to live separately as a test. What inspired this story of loss, life and bereavement?

JT: It was based on another title I had written called Accidental Death which was told from the male perspective. I then decided to consider the aspect of loss of a loved one from a female perspective.

• BB: The back cover blurb for the novella reads as if it's part synopsis and part reading group questions. If a reading group is thinking about picking it, what would you suggest that they (and indeed readers in general) pay special attention to as they read?

JT: This book is a complex story with several aspects and layers to it. The aspects of grief. The recovery from grief. The power of the mind and the notion of spiritual existence and life after death. The possibility of a romantic bond between two lovers which can transcend life itself. Readers can read it and enjoy the layers they most identify with.

• BB: In the novella's preface you mention that you would wanted to focus on a classical romantic story that reminded the reader of true love. What do you think is the definitive classical romantic story and do you feel that it's something that's missing from modern fiction?

JT: In my culture I grew up in Scotland, our culture at the time supported the concept of one partner for life. Although our culture was very light and we joke around a lot, there was a very deep unspoken appreciation of deep, romantic attachments to the person you love.

I wanted to explore that concept in its purest form. In our culture it was the norm for the man to provide for his wife and his wife to work merely as an retention to her independence. So she had the means to leave if she ever wanted to or felt mistreated.

I would say a classical love story explores depths of faithfulness, loyalty, commitment, and sacrifice illustrated by one protagonist or both.

• BB: As an established author, do you have any hints for those wanting to dip their toe into the world of creative writing and self-publishing? For instance, what would you do again and what do you suggest is best avoided?

JT: Work hard, don't be a version of someone else. Find your own stories to write from your own mind. Try to find sincere people to mentor you. Find impartial readers to help you with early reviews of your work that are very confidential, independent and honest.

• BB: It's interesting that you work across disciplines: writing fiction, non-fiction and film scripts and now you've also started directing. Which do you prefer and why?

JT: I love fiction it allows me to create, explore and surround myself with places, people and scenario's that don't really exist and weave them into existence. I enjoy writing both books and scripts, it allows me the opportunity to explore the story from different perspectives and tell the story in different ways.

• BB: Due to family circumstances you trained to become an accountant. Apart from the obvious financial awareness it brings, has your qualification or the experience of studying for it helped your creative career or fed into it in any other way?

JT: Yes it has helped me in terms of planning the production side. So I can work with producers effectively.

I only recently started directing.

• BB: Your bio describes you as a humanitarian. It's a word that can mean many things to many people. What does this word mean to you and how is it translated into your day to day life?

JT: I have sponsored development projects in Africa from my own personal funds and book royalties. I have gone into slum areas and met with people who are suffering, ill with HIV and poverty related afflictions, I have hugged and embraced them, people that many people would shun.

Remembering we are all human beings and that everyone appreciates the dignity of being treated as a real human being is critical and at the core of being a humanitarian.

• BB: You're an inspirational person, Jill, overcoming a lot to achieve the success and diverse life you enjoy today. What those who have inspired you in the worlds of literature, film and life in general? Who are they?

JT: Rebecca (Becky) a woman who looked after me in my younger years she taught me strength. One of my primary school teachers who said I had the best imagination he had seen in twenty years of teaching. He encouraged me to write. The television producers who endorsed my first television project at thirteen years old in Scotland for a national channel.

And so many other people. Dr Maya Angelou, Cornell West, Antwone Fisher.

• BB: What's next for Jill Thrussell?

JT: I wrote the scripts of The Gemini Project and The Love Machine months ago and have just finished the books.

Now I am working on several sci-fis Mindplant, The Enticement, Robot Colony 25 and Prohuman Inc and a romantic thriller called The Rich List.

I have several film and television projects in development I am working on at the moment regarding titles I have already written such as Venus Honey Traps. I am also working on a few of my projects with other writers such as a comedy called Fertilized.

I am also working on concepts for virtual reality games for several of the titles I am working on.

• BB: You're obviously a very busy person, Jill. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

You can read more about Jill Thrussell here.

Check out Bookbag's exciting features section, with interviews, top tens and editorials.

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