Interview with Janet Paisley

Can you describe your latest book, White Rose Rebel?

It's a big, sexy Scottish novel about the power struggle between husband and wife set against a brutal national power struggle - a marital squabble that erupts within a real civil war. It's based on Colonel Anne Farqhuarson of Invercauld, a real person and a Jacobite, an action-packed story with themes that are extremely relevant and contemporary.

The publication of this novel marks a new departure for you. What was the inspiration behind the change to historical fiction?

Thematically, it's more a change of clothes. Also, I've been writing Jacobites stories since 1996 for theatre, radio and film, and interested in this character for a lot longer. My intention, from the earliest, was to write novels, but I was asked to write so many other things, there was never time. Thanks to Penguin, I was finally able to make time.

The Jacobite era and the figure of Bonnie Prince Charlie are both seen in a romantic light these days, despite the best efforts of historians. Why do you think this era holds so much attraction in Scotland and beyond?

It was really a great clash of cultures: feudalism against capitalism, the ancient tribal system fighting for survival, and the last civil war to engulf Britain, so far. But it's also due to the romance of great tragedy and, unlike other instances of genocide and dispossession, this one features a fairy story Prince Charming at its head. Politically, all the nations of Europe were involved and had vested interests. The struggle that formed the modern world was taking place.

Can you tell us a little about what led you to writing? What’s been your path so far?

A desire to tell stories, from childhood. Other folk called them lies but I had no explanation for why my family was different so I made up reasons, many versions. My stories were better that real life. I hope they still are. I became the school story-teller. It was my one way to get enjoyable attention. At the same age, from primary, I read and wrote poetry for pleasure. Still do. I published stories first, 1979, then poetry took over. Theatre followed and the media: radio, TV, film. The need for story, and a novel is just a long story, is what made me a writer. It explains life.

What are you working on at the moment?

Another long story.