Writers with Dienece-Anna Jensen
- Dienece Darling
- 7 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Welcome to the inaugural blog post of Writers with Dienece!
For the next few weeks, I'll introduce you to authors of the Our House series on Jakaranda Laan. Each book is connected by a lovely Jacaranda-lined street in a small town, yet they can be read as standalone books.
We are starting off our author chats with the intrepid leader of the series, Anna Jensen. Now, I believe Anna deserves a medal. Why?
Have you ever tried to organize creative people? It can be a whole lot more than a bit chaotic, and Anna's been wrangling upwards of 12 creative authors into one cohesive series every year for the last three years.
But who is Anna when she isn't wearing her leadership hat with such grace and style?
Anna Jensen is formerly from the UK, but she's been living in Durban on the east coast of South Africa for the past 29 years, and she's a bit of a girl after my own heart. She writes historical fiction about real events. Those are my favourite kind!
Dienece: Welcome, Anna. Can you tell us how you came to live in South Africa?
Anna: I grew up in the north of England, lived in Cornwall as a teenager, and then studied in Cambridge (not at the famous university, but still!). I met my husband, Craig, while living in Cambridge. He’s from South Africa, and on our first couple of meetings I didn’t understand his accent. I remember nodding and replying yes to a question, an answer which left him with a puzzled expression on his face!
[Dienece interrupts] Hang on. I have to know. Did you ever ask him what he said?
Anna: I think he asked me if I’d had a good day. Something very innocuous, but my reply definitely wasn’t what he expected. Thankfully, I’d learnt to understand him by the time he asked me to marry him! Mind you, he actually wrote the proposal in a birthday card. Perhaps he wanted to be sure.
[Dienece laughs] That's hilarious! I can't say I blame him for writing it out just to be sure, but how sweet too that he wrote it down. A wonderful memory to add to your birthday, and a keepsake that can stay with you.
What happened next?
Anna: We got married at my parents’ home in Cornwall in 1997, and then, two weeks later, moved to a town a few hours’ drive north of the coastal city of Durban, in South Africa. It was a bit of a shock to the system, I have to say. But I guess kind of romantic!
Dienece: Thank you so much for sharing your own love story with us, and that sounds like the start of a wonderful romance book--hint, hint. [Dienece winks] Maybe you could write it one day? I do so love a good romance!
Speaking of sharing stories, why don't you tell us the inspiration behind your latest release, a dual timeline story, which just happens to be Book #1 of Our House on Jakaranda Laan, The Mask's Shadow.
Anna: I first mentioned my historical main character from The Mask’s Shadow, an older lady called Lucy Jones, in my book The Ferryman’s Light from the first Our House series, Our House on Sycamore Street. She takes centre stage in The Lady’s Companion in the following year’s series, Our House on Heather Wynd.
For this year’s series, set in South Africa, I wanted to close the circle of Lucy’s story. But I wasn’t too sure how to do it. Until I watched a TV show hosted by Sir David Suchet, the actor who played Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.
The show followed in Agatha’s footsteps as she travelled around South Africa and the then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In addition to showcasing the various places she visited, the episode also traced the origins of one of Agatha’s early novels, The Man in the Brown Suit, to this visit to South Africa.
I hadn’t heard of the novel before, so decided I should read it. And in so doing, got the perfect idea for Lucy Jones and Number One Jakaranda Laan.
You’ll have to read The Mask’s Shadow to find Agatha’s cameo!
Dienece: That's so cool! I've read an early copy of your book and, knowing that Agatha Christie really did begin to write that book in South Africa, makes the story all the more special!
BTW, Dear Readers, you don't need to have read the other books with Lucy to enjoy this one. The Mask's Shadow works perfectly as a standalone. I really enjoyed the twists and turns to uncover the truth about Lucy.
Of course, naturally, you can read the other books while you wait for this pre-order to go live on August 7th!
And, if I may say a little more about Anna's book, I came in thinking I knew what the title for The Mask's Shadow meant. I didn't, and it's a really special meaning, so I can't spoil it. But go ahead and read the book to find out because it's rather thought provoking.
Now, Anna, do you have a Bible verse that's connected to this book that you can share with us?
Anna: “… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
The Mask’s Shadow is all about secrets, shame and identity. It can be so easy to think the safest option for our lives to keep certain things hidden, denying the truth of their existence. But Jesus tells us there is a freedom in truth — especially when we realise He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Dienece: That is so true. It can be hard sometimes to admit that telling the truth is best, even harder to implement, but very true, nonetheless.
And I love that you reminded us that Jesus is ultimately the Truth we ought to seek out above all. Thank you for bringing that to the forefront.
Did you learn any historical facts or interesting titbits while writing this book?
Anna: Agatha Christie really did visit South Africa – and loved surfing in the ocean near Cape Town. Sadly, she didn’t enjoy the surf where I live, in Durban.
She also bought quite a few curios to take back home from her travels. I thought that was such a fun discovery!
Dienece: I must say, I did enjoy Agatha in the story, and I'll reiterate what I said before, Dear Readers, you should read The Mask's Shadow!
Not just for Agatha's part but because I loved learning about the family in the 2019 timeline (they were my favourite family in the book), and how they tied to the past.
Just as we wrap things up here. I've got time to ask a quick set of 3 questions to help us get to know Anna better.
What's your favourite book in the Bible?
Anna: I find myself camping in the first two chapters of Genesis a lot! I love discovering the work of the Father Creator, the presence of Jesus as Word, and the brooding of the Holy Spirit. Exploring the environment we were created to be in, and realising the cross and resurrection of Jesus reclaims our place there, is wonderfully life-giving.
Dienece: That's a new one for me, but what a wonderful passage to ponder so often in the Bible! When God created everything.
Okay, second question. Name a book that made you laugh.
Anna: Bill Byson's ‘Notes from a Small Island’. He describes some of his early experiences when relocating from the US to the UK. As a Brit living abroad, it’s laugh-out-loud funny!
Dienece: As someone who has moved country, I'm already laughing. I can so easily imagine the trouble he got himself into. The bloopers can last for a long, long time! And if you don't learn how to laugh... Well, let's just say, learn to laugh! It makes life easier.
And our last 'getting-to-know-you' question, what are you reading now?
Anna: ‘Chaos Can't: Overcome What Comes Against You in a Shaken World’ by Allen Arnold. I’m reading it for a second time. It’s an inspiring but very practical book for all creatives, not just writers. And is rooted in Genesis!
I’m also reading a spy thriller by Mick Herron. It’s not Christian fiction, but his writing style is very unique and refreshing.
Dienece: Thanks for sharing those with us. I've enjoyed getting to know you better. You've been a big blessing to me personally over the last year as you welcomed me so warmly to the Our House series. I've learned a lot about writing and collaborating with other authors from you.
And, Readers, Anna is such a gracious, wonderful soul. You should totally connect with her at her website www.annajensen.co.uk/start-here, or even on Facebook through @annaloujensen, or better yet, sign up to her newsletter! annajensen.co.uk/news
If you have any questions for Anna, please pop them into the comments. Thanks for joining us today. I hope you enjoyed getting to know Anna. Join me in a few weeks to meet the author of House #4!
FYI, House #2 will be with us in November, and I'm House #3 :) So, we'll chat with the author of House #4 next.
But don't forget to check out House #1, The Mask's Shadow! It comes out on August 7th.
Find out more about the Our House on Jakaranda Laan series by getting a free copy of our series recipe book! You are not signing up to anyone's newsletter through this link. It's a simple download, that's it.
Comments