What Inspired Me To Write The Start of Something Wonderful

What Inspired Me To Write The Start of Something Wonderful by Jane Lambert

Today I am delighted to welcome Jane Lambert on to the blog with a brilliant guest post about her inspiration to write The Start of Something Wonderful!

What Inspired Me To Write The Start of Something Wonderfu

While on tour in the play, “Lettice & Lovage”, I was invited to give a talk to a class of final year Drama students about the life of a jobbing actor. I told them in a no-frills, yet humorous way how it is for the majority of performers: working at mind-numbing day jobs, toe-curling auditions, struggling to pay the bills, and yet all the while holding on to self-belief. I was concerned that I may have been a little too honest, but the Principal told me in these days of instant celebrity, it was good for the students to know that success comes from hard work and sacrifice. As I left he said, “You really should write a book.” And so the seed was sown.
While sitting in the wings waiting to go on, in draughty dressing rooms and grim B&B’s on tour, I began to write the novel I had been carrying around in my head for years.

Then, just like in a Hollywood romcom, I was swept off my feet by a dark, handsome Italian, got married and the idea was shelved. Fast forward a few years, and it was this half-written manuscript that saved my sanity when my happy-ever-after ended. Through my writing I re-discovered my sense of humour and my self-esteem.

When not acting I’ve had to do all sorts of odd jobs to pay the bills – from cleaning, waitressing and office work to handing out free bags of crisps dressed as an aubergine.
I have met so many people along the way who feel trapped in jobs they don’t like, but are stuck because of financial commitments or fear of the unknown. These conversations inspired the underlying theme of the book; how success is not necessarily a financial thing and doing what gives you fulfilment is healthier than focusing on your Christmas bonus.
My main protagonist is an ordinary woman starting over on her own at a time of life when most people are settled and secure.

I’m a great believer in some things happening for a reason. At the start of the book, like me, Emily’s seemingly perfect life is falling apart, but eventually she realises that this had to happen to pave the way for something better.

About the Book

It’s never too late to follow your dreams…
Forty-year-old air stewardess, Emily Forsyth, thought she had everything a woman could wish for: a glamorous, jet-set lifestyle, a designer wardrobe and a dishy pilot boyfriend. Until he breaks up with her…

Catapulted into a mid-life crisis she wishes she’d had earlier, she decides to turn her life upside-down, quitting her job and instead beginning to chase her long-held dreams of becoming an actress!

Leaving the skies behind her, Emily heads for the bright lights of London’s West End – but is it too late to reach for the stars?

About the Author

Jane was born in Yorkshire and brought up on the west coast of Scotland. She studied French and German at Stirling University, taught English in Vienna and travelled the world as cabin crew before making the life-changing (and slightly mad) decision to become an actress in her mid-thirties.
She has appeared in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”, “Calendar Girls” and “Deathtrap” in London’s West End.
While hanging around as an understudy in draughty theatre dressing rooms, she completed her first novel, “The Start of Something Wonderful” and has now discovered her true path in life. Jane is currently writing her second book and a 6-part comedy drama for TV.

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What inspires you?