St Joseph's Nudgee College

March 25, 2009

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Several Year 10 and 11 St Joseph's Nudgee College students yesterday participated in a master class presented by author of The Story of Tom Brennan, JC Burke.

Jane (JC), who is in Brisbane all week on school visits, ran three sessions across the day for students who either chose to attend themselves or were invited by their English teachers.

"I always enjoy doing school visits," Jane said.

"Today I showed the boys how to take their writing to the next level by developing the character."

The theme of the sessions was "Show Me, Don't Tell Me" with Jane encouraging the boys to see scenes in their heads like on a TV screen.

"See the characters in your head like on a TV. Watch their movements, the expressions on their faces, their actions and write what they are doing,” she said.

The author of seven books, Jane began her writing career at the age of 35. She is a trained nurse and was head chemotherapy sister at the University College Hospital in London before coming down with glandular fever. It was while she was recovering from her illness that Jane began writing.

"When I got glandular fever I had to have a break from work for six weeks or so and needed something to keep my brain active. Both my parents were writers but I’d never considered it before. It wasn’t even a hobby for me."

In an effort to keep busy, Jane enrolled in a writing course via correspondence and loved it so much she enrolled in another course at Sydney University with children’s author Libby Gleeson. It was through Libby that Jane found out about the Australian Society of Authors (ASA) Mentorship program.

Jane's application to the ASA program was successful and it was during her mentorship that she wrote her first novel White Lies.

"I've been very lucky as a writer. The first book I ever wrote was published and things have just gone from there."

Timing wise, the visit was perfect as one of Jane's nephews, Year 7 student Eric Boittier, received a Principal's Award at yesterday's assembly, which Jane was able to attend.

"It was nice to watch Eric get his award. I think he enjoyed having his Aunty Jane there."