Jen Shieff wishes she’d started writing sooner. She has just released her first book, The Gentlemen’s Club, and found the process of writing a novel compelling. “It’s the only work I done where I haven’t noticed time go by,” she says. “The characters and the story just came trotting along, there was never any head banging.”
Jen is an experienced researcher and it was important for her to create a strong independent outsider as a central character. Her love of the history of Auckland gave her an ideal setting. “I wanted to look at the history through the eyes of crime,” she says. “Some of the subject matter – prostitution, paedophilia and abortion is difficult,” she says, “But it is interesting to see what people tolerate or find reprehensible.
“Respectability can be a veneer.”
Jen was interested in Auckland’s famous brothel keeper, Flora McKenzie – her stories and the impact she had on the city at the time. “There were lots of stories about her around St Mary’s Bay. My character Rita is similar; loveable, independent and has an unfailing belief in the work she does – a hairdresser by day and brothel keeper by night.
“One story of Flora tells how she left her landmark home to the man who delivered her whiskey. I couldn’t find out much about him, so I created the character of Istvan for Rita.”
However, Rita’s ‘clients’ are often far more morally questionable, and in some cases downright criminal, than Istvan and the girls who live on the fringes of the law.
The Gentlemen’s Club is a fast paced, easy and enjoyable read, and those with a knowledge of Auckland will enjoy seeing their favourite places described in the context of another era. The controversial subject matter is useful for examining one’s beliefs, and is entirely in context within the story.
Jen has always loved writing and penned her first work largely under the radar from friends and family after retiring from her career as a Government analyst. Her partner Heather McDonald was a great sounding board, and made endless pots of green tea for her, but now that the book is complete, feedback from her friends has made Jen feel courageous. “The support and admiration is wonderful – it’s almost worth doing it for the cheering!” she jokes.
She envisages a series of crime novels. “The Gentlemen’s Club is set over a three week period in 1957,” she says. “I have ideas for another five – one for each decade since.”
Her advice to budding writers is just to start. “It shouldn’t be a chore,” she says. “If you feel you have an ability and a story to tell, then do. Books and reading are so good for keeping you intellectually alive.” Jen credits her mother’s continued sharp intellect (now in her 90s) to her love of books.
The Gentlemen’s Club by Jen Shieff is available now. Mary Egan Publishing, RRP $30.
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Carol - 8 years ago
It was to be the holiday of a lifetime would be my first line, but I haven’t a clue where it would go next but I know the holiday would turn out to not as expected.