Who are you?
Hi, I’m Jane Buckingham, I am a Trend Forecaster and researcher. I specialize in understanding the differences in the generations. I’ve now parlayed that experience with youth consumers into writing young adult fiction, my debut novel is A Lie for A Lie (An @Revenge Story). I grew up in NYC, but I live in Los Angeles now.
What do you write?
Even though I’ve spent my professional life understanding trends and how the generations behave, I don’t write about that! My first books, The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life series, were non-fiction how-to’s that I wrote pre-internet (ugh I feel old) to help pass along all the tips and tricks girlfriends pass along to each other. But writing a YA thriller was an unfinished part of my past.
When I was 21, I had a contract to write a YA novel about high school girls in NYC. But my mother died very suddenly, and I found that I couldn’t sit with my own thoughts, so I was never able to finish. Over the last few years, I’ve had to really do a lot of soul searching and reconciling of my life and in that space, I was able to try to write again.
A Lie for a Lie is a Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liar’s thriller based – in part - on a true story I heard from a school in LA where – without spoiling it – the pressure to be perfect, never make a mistake, and always get ahead, leads friends to betray each other – with some deathly consequences. I wanted to write a thriller that you couldn’t immediately guess “who dun it” but also showed the realities and challenges of being a teenager today.
I love writing Young and New Adult. I think young people really don’t get enough credit for all that they have to deal with and especially the challenges that they face today in this world. If I can write something that is entertaining but maybe helps them feel a little more understood, then I feel it is time well spent. And I have found that a lot of “adults” really enjoy A Lie for a Lie too…They are universal themes and hopefully wrapped in a mystery well told.
Where do you write?
There are two things I can do pretty much anywhere – sleep and write! But since I’m a classic Virgo, I have to tidy and organize whatever space I’m in before I can even start! If I feel like I really need to be productive, I like to write at my desk where I do my regular work. It helps me focus. If I know I have a lot to say at a certain point, I like to write in my bed where it feels cozy. Im obsessed with Keurig chai lattes and I like to sit down with one when I start. The bad news is I can only write on a laptop. I have tried to write long hand or outline on index cards but I just can’t do it. And I actually get the most writing done on planes when no one can interrupt, and I have no closets to reorganize!!
When do you write?
I tend to write late at night. Late at night there aren’t as many emails, texts or phone calls and I think it lets my brain feel more creative and have the ability to craft new people and new stories. But I find I do my best editing and outlining during the day when I guess I feel more business oriented and can be more “rutheless” to my work thus far.
I hate feeling under pressure and never want to be late or miss a deadline, so I try to stay ahead of what I need to do. Mostly I just don’t want to disappoint whoever is waiting for me!
Why do you write?
As Dorothy Parker said, “I hate writing. I love having written.” I write when it’s something I would want to read. I want people to close the book and feel like they were entertained, understood, and that it was time well spent.
How do you overcome writer's block?
I tend not to have writers block as much as story block. To me, a mystery is all about putting the pieces in and hoping the reader can put them together just before the end. But sometimes I can tell pieces aren’t quite fitting together or maybe I’m missing a piece. Either I read back through what I’ve written or I do out and walk. It’s one of the things I miss most about New York City. LA is not really a walking town; but I go where I can be surrounded by people and yet not have to fully engage. It lets me think and be inspired. I also like to go to an exercise class, since I’m not SUPER coordinated, I have to really focus. It lets me “stop” thinking and sometimes that clears it for a new idea.
Bonus: What do you enjoy doing when not writing?
I love games! Any games! Running charades, Codenames, Wordle, Canasta! I also love spending time with animals – especially my dog, Ghost and our cat, Mable!
My thanks to Jane Buckingham for today's interview.