Jeremy Lachlan is the author of the Jane Doe Chronicles, a thrilling and award-winning children’s fantasy series about the world between worlds. Today, Jeremy’s on the blog to answer our Ten Terrifying Questions.
Read on!
Jeremy Lachlan
1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
I was born and raised in a town called Griffith, in country NSW. Wide streets, big skies, an overgrown abandoned quarry out the back. It was a fantastic place to grow up, and my mum still lives there. It’s still home. As far as schooling goes, I wish I could say something interesting, like I was taught maths and science by a pack of rabid kangaroos in the quarry, but the truth is pretty ordinary. Primary school in Griffith, high school in Sydney, university in Canberra, where I studied creative writing.
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
Oh gosh. When I was twelve, I desperately wanted to be an actor. Not for the fame, but to work with – and perform – so many different stories. When I was eighteen, one of the Star Wars prequels was being filmed in Sydney, so I joined an extras agency to see if I could get in it. I didn’t. I got a few episodes of Home and Away and some American Olympic commercial instead. I hated it. I mean, it wasn’t even acting, but I knew it wasn’t for me. Throughout that year, I’d started writing some short stories, and after the experience on set, it clicked. I realised I wanted to be the one creating the stories, the one writing them. I wanted to be a published author. That was still the dream at thirty. It came true six years later.
3. What strongly held belief did you have when you were younger that you do not have now?
I loved the Care Bears and was SO sure they were real, living above the clouds, charming it up, shooting happy rainbow vibes out of their bellies and all. Turns out, some cartoons are a lie. I was also damn sure I’d get superpowers or meet a dinosaur someday, but I’m still holding out for these two.
4. What are three works of art – book or painting or piece of music, etc – that you can now say had a great effect on you and influenced your own development as a writer?
One: The Lost World, by Michael Crichton. It was the first “big” book I ever read, having been obsessed with Jurassic Park for years. My brother bought it for me for Christmas one year, and I still remember unwrapping it, devouring it over three days, and wanting to start it again immediately after I finished. The fact that I now regularly hear from kids, teens and adults who’ve had similar experiences with my book? It’s just the best feeling.
Two: I’m a BIG film score nerd. Music by John Williams, Michael Giacchino, Rachel Portman, Hans Zimmer, Alexandre Desplat, Max Richter and more fuel and inspire me every day. There’s a track for every mood, action sequence or emotional beat, and it really helps bring the stories (and my characters) to life. I’m pretty much addicted to Spotify.
Three: I’m gonna say every movie, TV show and cartoon I’ve ever seen. They’ve taught me just as much as all the books I’ve read. Indiana Jones. The Wizard of Oz. Loony Tunes. The Mysterious Cities of Gold. Voltron. Star Wars. I love and have learned from them all. When I was really little, I even asked my mum if I could change my name to He-Man or Astro-Boy. Thankfully, she said no.
5. Considering the innumerable artistic avenues open to you, why did you choose to write a children’s book?
Stories have been around for as long as us humans have. They’ve helped, taught and inspired every generation, and have certainly done the same for me, through good times and bad. Getting to tell and share stories for a living? I consider that an honour and a privilege. To write for kids? Even better. They’re so open, honest, willing to take the plunge, dive into adventure, and question everything. I’m also still very much a kid at heart, so it seemed a natural fit. I also want to show that queer kids exist. That homosexuality isn’t something we just choose as late teens or adults. Coming out stories are important–always will be–but it’s also important to have stories where the LGBTQIA+ experience is normalised. In Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds, Jane has to save every world from destruction. She also just happens to be a lesbian.
The series isn’t just for kids, though. As soon as this story about a hero, an island, and a booby-trapped labyrinth between worlds popped into my head, I knew it was my chance to write the kind of story I’ve always loved. A big, sweeping action/adventure epic that people of all ages can pick up and enjoy – kids, sure, but their big brothers and sisters, and parents, too. A story that can entertain people, but also bond them. I nearly burst every time a kid comes up to me with their parents, and it turns out they’ve all read and shared the adventure. It’s a sacred, magical thing to be a part of.
6. Please tell us about your latest book…
Jane Doe and the Key of All Souls picks up where Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds left off (on a pretty massive cliff-hanger). Jane, Violet and Hickory continue their quest to reunite the keys of legend and claim the Cradle Sea before Roth destroys the Otherworlds. Problem is, they’re trapped outside the Manor in a dying, desert world–Roth’s home world–and its residents have a few secrets of their own. There are sand storms, there are scorpions, there are more booby traps, new friends and foes, and every soul in every world hangs in the balance. This marks the end of a thirteen year project, and I’m just SO excited to share it with everyone.
This is the second part of the first duology (one big adventure split over two books), so all your questions will be answered. But don’t worry, I’ve already started work on the second duology (books three and four), which will chronicle Jane’s next big adventure.
7. What do you hope kids will take away with them after reading your book?
I want them to put down the book and feel like they’ve been on one helluva wild ride. I want them to feel seen and to walk away with courage–courage to fight for the people they love, and to be true to themselves. I want them to pick up other books and keep reading, learning and growing. Most of all, I hope they had fun.
8. Who do you most admire in the realm of writing and why?
To be honest, anyone who devotes their time and energy into telling stories. It can be a tough, gruelling gig, and anyone who gives it a shot–who pours their heart and soul into something they genuinely care about, be it a short story or a novel or a graphic novel or a screenplay–gets a big thumbs up from this guy.
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
I just want to keep doing what I love. If I get to write for the rest of my life, I’ll die a happy (hopefully old and wrinkly) man. Buuuuut, a film adaptation of Jane Doe would be amazing. I have a film agent based in New York, so toes and fingers crossed on that score. Also, I was serious when I said I haven’t given up on getting superpowers or meeting a dinosaur.
10. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Make sure you have a good chair (I do not have a good chair). Take a break from coffee now and then (I rarely do this). Be wary of all writing advice, including this (what works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s okay). Be supportive of others in the writing community (why tear people down when you can lift people up??). Read, read, read (because books!). Most of all, keep at it (it takes as long as it takes).
Thank you for playing!
No, thank you!
Jane Doe and the Key of All Souls is out now–grab a signed copy!*
*Available while stocks last
Jane Doe and the Key of All Souls
The Jane Doe Chronicles: Book 2
Strap in. Hold on tight. The follow-up to the award-winning Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds is here!
Jane Doe is in more danger than ever before. Her father is still imprisoned. The Manor – the hallowed world between worlds – is still dying. The villainous Roth is still searching for the mythical, all-powerful Cradle Sea. Worst of all, Jane has learned that she is the key to stopping him...
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