Brian Jenner Interview

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WriteWords talks to writerBrian Jenner about his journalism and non-fiction and why he wrote his autobiography at thirteen.

Tell us all about your writing background- what you’ve written, what you’re currently writing

I trained as a journalist in local papers, but I couldn’t find an editor to take me on. I started on the Peterborough column of the Daily Telegraph and I worked on the Guardian Obituaries desk for a while. I’ve had a number of interesting small jobs – for example I pick the quotations at the bottom of your WH Smith diary.

I started the community website for Paddington and Bayswater (www.newspad.co.uk) in 1999 which has meant I have written hundreds of news stories about the area.

In 2003 I wrote a book called ‘Men and Collections’ which was in the ‘Men in Sheds’ series. I moved out of London to Bournemouth at the beginning of 2004 which was a shock to the system. I am writing a novel about the transition.

A businessman once asked me to write some speeches for him. It was very well paid, so I thought I’d like to do more of it. I put an advert in Private Eye. I now write everything from best man gags to corporate keynote addresses. It helped that I did six years in a speaking club called Toastmasters International – I got loads of public speaking practice in front of a sympathetic audience.

How did you start writing?

I remember when I was thirteen telling my maths teacher at school that I was writing my autobiography. He said, ‘Isn’t it a bit early?’ I can’t really explain why – maybe I was inspired by Adrian Mole.

Who are your favourite writers and why?

I like Evelyn Waugh for his mordant wit. I love Tolstoy for his spirituality. I was at school with Guy Browning, who is a brilliant humorous writer and performer. It’s taken him 20 years to hit the big time, but you’ll see his name in quite a few places now.

How did you get your first agent/ commission/publication?

I sat next to the Sunday Times columnist A A Gill once at a Private Eye lunch and I asked him how he got into journalism. He said, ‘I was asked.’ I was a bit cheesed off by this response, until two years ago I got a commission to write a book about men who collect things. How did I get the gig? I was asked.

What’s the worst thing about writing?

The loneliness, the lack of consistent financial reward, and the rejections, which come in many forms.

And the best?

The thrill of people quoting things back to you which you’ve written and the satisfaction of ‘telling it how it is’.

Tell us what kind of response you get from audiences/readers and if/how this affects/influences your writing

A N Wilson once said, ‘If you know somebody is going to be awfully annoyed by something you write, that’s obviously very satisfying, and if they howl with rage or cry, that’s honey.’ I like to be provocative and I like to go after people. I do this on the local website for Paddington and Bayswater which I set up. Local journalism can be so bland, but it doesn’t have to be.

A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
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Comments by other Members

Al T at 10:09 on 01 September 2005 Report this post

Interesting interview, Brian. On AA Gill, you probably know that before he was "asked", he spent many years moping around at home, not getting published and drinking himself into oblivion, whilst his delightful wife went out to hunt and gather in the City. Of course, as soon as he became successful, he traded her in for a more glamorous model. Perhaps he thought that was a better story...

As for Evelyn Waugh, I loved Brideshead Revisited, which I first read as a teenager after watching the TV series, but recently tried to read Scoop, hoping it would amuse me, but gave up less than half way through as I couldn't care less about any of the characters and didn't find them remotely funny. But perhaps that's just me...

Best of luck with your endeavours,

Al T.

<Added>

Before this sites owners get too worried, I should add that AA Gill openly refers to himself as a recovering alcoholic and no longer drinks.