The photo below is of the town where I live:
Hello I’m Jan - although my blog name is Author!
(to read my blog, click on A Curious State of Affairs, on top of the page!)
Use this link to visit the official Jan Marshall – Author website!
In case you’re wondering, the photo at the top of this page is one I took myself of the beautiful Regency town where I live, overlooking the waters of Lyme Bay in Devon, England (from time to time I change the header on my blog – so I have displayed the photo I am referring to above). The town is as known for its laid back bohemian atmosphere as it is for its stunning Jurassic coastline and is completely unspoilt by modern architecture; it has over 500 listed buildings, mostly from the Georgian period. My own home was built in 1830. I moved here to semi retire and write – but mostly to escape from the rat race! I’ve never regretted it.
I was actually born In Warwickshire, England. I attended the University of Birmingham where I read English Literature & Psychology and graduated with an Honours degree. I subsequently pursued a career in teaching before eventually becoming a Senior Manager for a large corporate estate agency. From there I went on to work for several other leading estate agencies at senior management level.
As a postgraduate I trained and qualified as a counsellor – specialising in bereavement and worked for many years in a voluntary capacity for a bereavement counselling service.
I was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma of the tibia in 1995 (a rare primary bone Cancer). Surgery to remove the tumour with wide margins was carried out followed by intensive phisiotherapy. Five years later I needed additional surgery to strengthen the bone. I am still a NERD (No Evidence of Recurring Disease) 12 years later! I am now the UK Co-moderator of a Cancer Support site that offers advocacy, advice and support for patients, and relatives and friends of those who have Chondrosarcoma.
My first book (a novel) was published in December 2006 – and I am currently completing my third. I hope to be successsful enough to write full time one day!
A Curious State of Affairs ISBN 1-84685-454-7 Jan Marshall
also available at Amazon USA
Alfie: Born (approximately) 1st September 2008 (from Cat's Protection rescue centre)
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Hey Jan,
I just wanted to thank you for the comment you left on my blog. I really appreciate it, very much. Thank you.
~ Ryan
By: Ryan Graham on September 13, 2007
at 7:50 pm
Jan, Thanks very much for visiting my site and your comments about my book. Of course you’re welcome to write about “Mom’s Cancer” and use my artwork. I’m honored, and appreciate your courtesy in asking. I enjoyed your site, particularly your stories about your grandad. Best of luck with your writing; wouldn’t we all like to be successful enough to do it full-time?
By: Brian Fies on September 23, 2007
at 6:15 pm
Thanks Brian – the post is entitled: Cancer Awarenes Month: Getting Superpowers!
By: Author on September 24, 2007
at 8:40 am
I’m so glad you’re a NERD! The picture at the heading of your blog is so beautiful, by the way.
By: abarclay12 on October 26, 2007
at 5:59 pm
Thanks abarclay – glad you like it.
By: Author on October 26, 2007
at 6:15 pm
Hi!
Thanks for posting on my newly formed blog. I have so enjoyed reading yours here. Last night, I accidentally kept clicking out, and returned several times. Especially to make sure I had the elf link correct. Yes, I love ‘Why not Elf yourself for Christmas’ and will post a link when I finish elfing. My teens are looking forward to this.
Also love your avatar. Those red lips are simply gorgeous!
I love knowing you’re a NERD. That’s fantastic! Congrats!
By: Pink Biz on December 13, 2007
at 10:00 pm
Hi Pink Biz, welcome!
I’m glad you’d liked “Why not elf yourself for Christmas?” – it’s such fun! Make sure you post a link when you elf yourself and daughters so I can see it – please!
And being a NERD is just great – long may I be one!
By: Author on December 14, 2007
at 8:09 am
Hey Jan. I love the song your blog plays when I click onto it. Who sings it?
By: abarclay12 on January 5, 2008
at 6:17 pm
Hi abarclay,
I presume you’re referring to the current Sonific SongSpot jazz tune I’ve got playing: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by Pete Jacobs and his Wartime Revue.
It’s great isn’t it? I picked it to represent Billy Bad Boy (since he is a jazz musician) in my post: A Champagne Lifestyle. I often try to match the music to a specific post. It’s just a personal foible!
If you click on the Sonific SongSpot (scroll down, it’s on the right hand of the blog) it will take you onto its site and give you more information about the particular song playing.
By: Author on January 5, 2008
at 6:41 pm
Hi Jan
I love Sidmouth during the Folk Festival which I go to each year to join in making a racket on my various instruments.
However, somebody I know moved there recently but then moved back to Minehead saying it was only bohemian for the week of the Folk Festival and then became very quiet.
My mum lost the battle with cancer. It’s good to hear you are a successful NERD.
Long may it continue
By: Rob Hopcott on February 1, 2008
at 2:17 pm
Glad to meet you, Author.
Thanks for posting your sweet comment at mysteryoriley. It’s not all that odd that we stumble on each other’s blogs. It’s meant to be. I was meant to visit your blog, so I could find out about our commonalities.
One: I was born in Birmingham, Alabama, (USA), and you graduated from University of Birmingham (UK). Two: We’ve both lived lives of amazing challenges (physical and emotional). Three: We both seem to love literature, psychology, and research. That’s enough for an introduction, yes?
I love to find people who are making the jump from the work-a-day world to the world of writing. You have done so, or at the minimum, are on your way.
I’ll keep an eye out for your work.
Linda
By: Linda on February 13, 2008
at 4:48 am
Hi Linda, welcome to my blog!
Your own blog is inspirational.
It’s just sich a pity that we have to go through such life traumas and then somehow survive them in the first place – but as Paramahansa Yogananda says in “Autobiography of a Yogi”:
“Do you not see how necessary is a world of pain and suffering, in order to school an intelligence and make it a soul.”
Blessings and Peace to you.
By: Author on February 13, 2008
at 8:17 am
God works in mysterious ways, but you already know that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to not only read my crazy ramblings, but for sharing insight and good advice.
Most of all, thanks for taking the time to be kind in all sincerity and thoughtfulness. I’ll appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
His Best to you now and always!
By: zeroa on February 14, 2008
at 4:48 am
Hello Author,
I have read your story about your Grandfather with interest and sadness. The measure of a country IS how it treats it’s old people and here in Australia we are no different than the UK !
I am getting older 64, I also have custody of my 9 year old grandson, drug abuse being the reason. Anything slightly different i.e. being 99 , parenting again is viewed by the Govt as just too hard to cope with so you get on these incredible “lists” ( like 5 years for a hearing aid for a person who is 99) The lists of course are just a polite way of telling you to get lost they can’t cope with you as you do not fit their criteria …I am not looking forward to my increasing old age as we have a housing problem that can not be solved as people my grandson’s age and I should not live together and we have to sell my home, as we will,there will be nowhere for us to go as I will not have enough money to buy another.
Hanging on by your fingernails does make life very worrying at an age where relaxing should be the primary object . Good luck to you and your Grand….
By: Julienne Thursby on March 9, 2008
at 11:38 pm
Hello Julienne,
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments.
I agree, there is little joy to look forward to in old age, unless you are rich and can afford to pay for all the help and care you need.
The good news is that I did (by dint of complaining) manage to get Grandad moved up the list for a new hearing aid – it should have been fitted last week but sadly Grandad was rushed to hospital, ill. Like the old trooper he is, he rallied and came home at the weekend – so the new hearing aid should be fitted in two weeks time (that was the next appointment available).
After an awful long struggle and several disappointments i did manage to get him into a nursing home that is affordable – where he is looked after well (although it is taking everly last penny of any savings he had). Still, my view is, as long as he is well cared for and comfortable until he meets God – that’s alright by me!
I’m sorry to hear about your own family – it must be very hard for you. Do you have a blog? Would you leave me the link? Best wishes.
By: Author on March 10, 2008
at 8:11 am
Jan, I just wanted to let you know that I did not take the picture at my site (the shadow faces at the beach) feel free to use for whatever you like, have fun and cannot wait to see what you come up with! Peace to you and yours
By: lumpylumps on April 21, 2008
at 12:58 pm
Thanks Lumpy – I’ll enjoy using the idea if not the actual image. I might use both!
By: Author on April 21, 2008
at 1:32 pm
I found your blog a few weeks ago whilst doing some research on Sidmouth.
As a student I spent several holidays there and absolutely loved the place but then life went on and I never had the chance to come back. Now my younger son is 12 and when we thought it would be nice to spend some time in England next summer for him to practice his English, Sidmouth was obviously chosen !
I have become a keen reader of this blog and beyond the beautiful photos and useful information, I have also found a wonderful person and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with your readers.
By: Roselyne on April 28, 2008
at 1:52 pm
Roselyne,
Thank you so much for your kind words.
I’m glad you enjoyed Sidmouth so much and how marvelous that your son is to visit here this summer! Will he be at the Sidmouth School of English? Where do you live?
Have you visited my photographic blog? It is dedicated to photos of Sidmouth – you might like to make a visit:
http://sidmouthdevon.wordpress.com/
Best wishes, Jan.
By: Author on May 1, 2008
at 5:45 pm
Hi Jan
Of course I should have said I am French ! I live near Paris but far enough to enjoy the countryside (about 40 kms).
I have indeed had a look at your photos of Sidmouth, they are beautiful. Sidmouth does not seem to have changed much from what I can remember. I am absolutely thrilled at the thought of seeing all those places again for real next July !
By: Roselyne on May 4, 2008
at 6:34 pm
Hi Jan
Mark here (Romach) Thank you for leaving a lovely comment on my blog. I was very sad to hear of your struggle with Chondrosarcoma. I have never actually hear of that type of cancer but I have had many people die in my family with various forms of cancer and I know of first hand just how brave those people were as are you. I have never been to Devon but your banner alone is one of the best reasons to go although my other have has been a few times. Congratulations on the publishing of your fist book also. That is fantastic! Since I was unable to work from Last year I was thinking about trying something like that too. Although blogging for now gives me something to do. I noticed the “photo Friday” on your blog. My other half, Eiain, http://www.eiain.co.uk, is a keen photographer also and used to do photo Friday also. He has started getting me into photography too. As for the picture of the Queen on my blog, I like silly humor too like that as it makes me giggle for hours. I always have the attituded now that life is too short so make the most of it and to enjoy every minute. I am really going to enjoy reading your blog.
By: romach on May 11, 2008
at 9:09 am
Hi Mark,
Good to see you over here!
You said: “I always have the attitude now that life is too short, so make the most of it and enjoy every minute” – that is my attitude too, and a great one to have!
Re the chondrosarcoma: I am fit and well now which is why I like to write about it sometimes and show others that you can survive cancer and live a full life.
Anyway, all the best people limp sometimes!
By: Author on May 11, 2008
at 9:26 am
beautiful picture (the one of the beach) and the top of your page. strangely enough I had a dream about this place. where is it?
By: stacey sumpter on June 5, 2008
at 3:21 am
Hi Stacey,
The beach picture at the top is Sidmouth (in Devon, UK) the town where I live! I took this photo myself.
What was your dream? How fascinating!
By: Author on June 5, 2008
at 9:36 pm
Hi there
Just came across your site as I was surfing and lingered long enough to say hello.
Good work on the photo-front and it’s great to see Primo Levi being highlighted.
All the best
By: Cptn on June 17, 2008
at 10:48 pm
Hi Cptn,
Thanks for dropping in! Glad you liked the photos – you might like to investigate my Sidmouth photo blog as well.
I’ll be over to visit your blog soon.
By: Author on June 18, 2008
at 5:48 pm
Hi, you made a suggestion on my blog to make a scrapbook on my uncle who recently passed away…I made the scrapbook and gave it to his kids and they loved it…anyway I just wanted you to know that I did it. I even posted the quotes and poems that I used in the scrapbook on my blog.
Have a great day!
By: spatulahandle on June 22, 2008
at 7:56 am
Hi Spatulahandle,
I’ve popped over to your blog to read the quotes and the poems for your uncle OK and they are quite lovely. I’m sure this memorial scrapbook will be passed down the generations as a family heirloom.
RIP OK.
By: Author on June 22, 2008
at 8:07 am
Hey jan, my grampa’s read your book so many times.
By: triforce624 on July 9, 2008
at 7:16 pm
Psst!
Guess what I did yesterday?
I ordered your book!
By: CuriousC on July 27, 2008
at 1:48 pm
CuriousC,
Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think!
By: Author on July 27, 2008
at 1:53 pm
I simply love your header!
It’s incredibly beautiful.
All the pics on your site are amazing to me.
Thanks for sharing so many pictures.
I adore viewing them.
By: Pink Biz on July 28, 2008
at 8:17 am
Thanks Pink Biz, I’m blushing.
I just snap them with a Coolpix digital camera – no special lighting, or fancy lenses these days. I’ve still got my Minolta SLR with all the fancy lenses but because it’s not digital I don’t tend to use it. I’m saving up for a digital SLR – but they’re not cheap – so it could be a while ….
By: Author on July 31, 2008
at 4:51 pm
Your book looks great Jan ….good reviews too! We have just put in an order to Amazon.com so shall see if it is available anywhere in the city here [Sydney]
By: Magik Quilter on September 8, 2008
at 3:52 pm
Hi Jan – i stumbled upon your site quite by accident. It felt like visiting a friend and discussing random things….
i loved the verttriano.. very poignant….
By: Mamts on October 13, 2008
at 7:51 am
Hi Mamts,
Welcome! I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your visit. And you’re a fan of Vettriano too? In that case we’d definitely get along. Do you have a blog?
By: Author on October 16, 2008
at 5:14 pm
I lived in the UK for six years and NEVER got to Devon… was on my list. Loved the picture.
By: size 10 on March 29, 2009
at 4:52 pm
Jan, lovely posts, photographs and sentiments. I tried to travel to your author page but the link isn’t working. Is it me, or is this internet link broken?
What do you know about Chapel House? By the way, have you seen this? (Maybe you wrote it?) http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A6092480
I visited Sidmouth with my wife yesterday and took some photos, but I prefer yours!
By: devonseaglass on September 18, 2009
at 3:41 pm