The Prime of Ms Jane Wenham-Jones

I first got to know Jane more years ago than I care to remember. I know I was in my forties so she must have been a babe in arms (in which case I should have reported her alcohol consumption to the management). I had only just begun to take my writing seriously and here I was surrounded by a group of wonderful women writers who had come together under the auspices of the late-lamented QWF Magazine. We assembled in a hotel somewhere near Burton on Trent at the magazine's very first QWF convention. Organised by editor, Jo Good (now Jo Derrick and also one of my best friends) it was one of the most enjoyable and uplifting get-togethers I have ever attended, before or since. We were all at the beginning of our careers, writing short stories without a published book between us. I'm sorry I can't remember everyone's names but I know that many have gone on to illustrious like Lynne Barrett-Lee and Katherine Roberts. (now one of The History Girls) And into this gang of like-minded women burst Jane Wenham-Jones as explosive and as bubbly as a cork shot from a champagne bottle.

Jane was then also beginning to make her name as a writer of women's magazine fiction. Despite her appearance as a party-girl par excellence, she was then (and still is) a consummate professional. Her policy was that whever a story was rejected, she would waste no time in checking it over, revising it and sending it elsewhere the same day. That way, she always had many stories 'out there' at any one time and so did not dwell on rejection. Like all of us, she also wanted to write a novel and her first Raising the Roof was published in 2001, followed by One Glass is Never Enough and Perfect Alibis. And now: Prime Time

As well as writing fiction, Jane writes a weekly column in her local newspaper, is the a resident 'agony aunt' for Writing Magazine where she offers advice on all writing problems and dilemmas in a light-hearted but clear-headed way. Always self-deprecating, Jane is the most entertaining speaker at any writers' conference and has been mistress of ceremonies at RNA and other prestigious events. She is also the author of two books about writing. Wannabe a Writer? and Wannabe a Writer We've Heard Of?  Not only that, but she's willing to have a go at anything. Everything is grist to Jane's writing mill. She has appeared in many a TV show , including Kilroy and Ready, Steady Cook, which are both transformed into hilarious episodes in Prime Time. Her energy amazes me.

Jane's novels are what is often disparaging called 'chick-lit (or even 'hen-lit') but I would call them romantic comedies. Having said that, where many such novels are shallow and throwaway, Jane's novels always have an underlying seriousness and also deep compassion.

Prime Time tells the story of Lauren, newly divorced and still smarting, with a son who has just started secondary school. She also suffers badly from PMT and this gives her an opportunity to appear on daytime TV. One thing leads to another and she finds her life spinning out of control, especially when she finds herself falling for the charms of handsome television producer. Meanwhile her son is having problems at school and she has strong reason to believe her very best friend's husband is having an affair. Hilarious and poignant in turns, it is a novel you will both laugh and wincing in sympathy at the same time. Her characters are all real people with real lives and everything is anchored by knowing exactly what constitutes the most important things in life.

Jane just gets better and better. I thoroughly enjoyed Prime Time.