Warren Telling Tales - A Hub For Creators — Episode 7: Jean Harper (EJ Harper) Interview (Scripted for podcast use)
Host: Warren Adams — Warren Telling Tales - A Hub For Creators
Source: https://warrentellingtales.buzzsprout.com/
YouTube clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlLotXFJZ1Q (to watch with a clip from the book)
Intro
Host:
This week, we sit down with EJ Harper, scientist turned novelist.
She grew up in the North East of England and left to go to university in Nottingham. Home is now a twelfth century mill in South West France.
Today, we’ll talk about her literary influences, her writing career, the highlights of creating her debut novel Lazarus Remembered, and an interesting fact from her life.
Who or what are your literary influences?
EJ Harper:
For me, the most important aspect of a novel is the emotional journey. I want to shed tears of joy and tears of grief, and I’m in awe of any author that can craft a story with a powerful emotional punch.
Maggie O’Farrell’s After You’d Gone is the perfect example of this—it tore me apart, as did the achingly beautiful Hamnet.
Another emotion is, of course, surprise, and there’s nothing more delicious than a twist that leaves you reeling. Daphne du Maurier does this beautifully with Rebecca, and so does Sarah Waters with Fingersmith.
I’ve also a soft spot for Irish writers and their wry observations on life. John Boyne’s The Heart’s Invisible Furies is just about the perfect novel, and I unreservedly recommend it to everyone.
Tell us about your writing career
EJ Harper:
I’ve always loved writing and, following a twenty-five year career in scientific research and communications, I finally realised my life-long ambition to write a novel.
Early in the process, I decided to make it an audiobook complete with a soundtrack. Thus the idea for Lazarus Remembered, my debut novel, was conceived.
I’m currently working on my second novel—a psychological drama set in France. I also write short stories and have twice been shortlisted in international competitions.
What were the highlights of writing Lazarus Remembered?
EJ Harper:
There were so many! From a writing perspective, I remember wrestling with various plot strands, and one day, while out walking, suddenly they fell into place. It was an extraordinary eureka moment.
Working with Andy was a revelation. Seeing him take a musical phrase and turn it into a song was—and is—amazing. I still have no idea how he does it.
I loved the time in the studio recording the narration, but a particular highlight is Francesca singing Sosban Fach. Late one afternoon, we made a spontaneous decision to have her sing it. Overnight, Andy worked out the melody, Francesca rehearsed it, and the next morning a piece of magic was created.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
EJ Harper:
When I was studying for my PhD, novelist Catherine Cookson and Greggs the Bakers sponsored me to travel to Japan to present my research findings.
Outro / Close
Host:
That’s EJ Harper for you—scientist turned novelist, storyteller by heart, and full of creativity behind the scenes too.
You can find more about EJ Harper and Lazarus Remembered here:
https://linktr.ee
