I am a Freelance Writer, Copywriter, Editor and Artist. I have lived in various places in the UK and Scandinavia and currently live in the beautiful Brecon Beacons in Wales. I have four children, Kristian - who tragically passed away on 1 November 2002, aged 20, Anneliese (born 1986) and Carsten (born 1987) and Lauren (born 1999). I also have a large bunch of gorgeous grandchildren.
Following Lauren's birth in November 1999, I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a full-time writer. Throughout my marketing and PR career, my efforts had been concentrated on writing commercial copy for a broad spectrum of audiences. I also wrote satirical articles for my own pleasure and had numerous poems and features published in books, but was temporarily put off the idea after an attempt to publish a humorous column a national women's magazine resulted in my work being plagiarised by another journalist. Thankfully, however, it did not put me off for life.
My cupboards are full of ring binders crammed with article and book ideas, together with recordings of amusing personal moments and hilarious anecdotes and witticisms that have been collected over the years, all with a view to being crafted into future masterpieces.
My expression has always been through artistic pursuits, with the emphasis on creative writing and portrait drawings. My talent for caricatures and satirical verse has been called upon many times to honour birthdays of work colleagues, anniversaries, leaving presentations and other celebrations that call for something a bit more personal and original. With that in mind, I knew that I had the potential to make the move from hobby to profession and map out a writing career for myself. All that was needed was enthusiasm, dedication and a refusal to be fazed by setbacks or rejection.
With twenty years' marketing, PR and copywriting experience under my belt and numerous commercial and poetry publishing successes, I decided it was time to devote my working day to the two professions that I loved most - writing and mothering and since November 1999, that is exactly what I have done.
In addition to commercial copywriting for a diverse spectrum of industries, I am a book editor and marketer for Perfect Publishers Ltd and also specialise in magazine articles, features and columns on diverse lifestyle topics and social issues. I have written dissertations for university students and ghostwritten articles for other writers, including regular features for the Guardian and Independent newspapers.
I have also taken part in and contributed to various lifestyle discussions on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio Birmingham, Radio Cork, Talksport Radio, BBC Radio Belfast. LBC Radio London, BBC Southern Counties Radio, ABC South Coast and Great Southern Radio, Australia, BBC Radio West Midlands, BBC TV, BBC Radio Swindon, Channel 4, Sky One, GWR, Central News, BBC Radio Wales, City Talk, Liverpool, BBC TV, HTV West, London Bangla TV and various other radio stations in Norway, Sweden and Europe.
When I was expecting Lauren, I wrote a humorous book about my experiences, which I aim to publish at some point in the future. My book, Chasing Death: Losing a Child to Suicide, was published in October 2009 and attempts to put honest, but heartrending words to the often incommunicable pain that suicide survivors endure, not only through the telling of Kristian's story, but through the stories of other parents mourning the loss of children who have taken their own lives.
Midlife parenting is a very positive experience. I am far healthier now than I was when I gave birth to my first three children in my twenties and I have found the transition from career woman to work-at-home mother an absolutely delightful experience. It can be difficult at times effectively juggling two full-time jobs of childcare and writing, but it is also extremely fulfilling and I love being able to manage my own time.
I breastfed Lauren for four years and refused to bow to social pressures to try and wean her off the breast, since it is only the Western culture that tends to have a negative attitude towards extended breastfeeding.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, or if there is anything specific that you would like to see included on this site.
If you are interested in seeking the expertise of a professional writer, I can offer a variety of services, including the editing of personal creative writing pieces, critiquing, commercial copywriting, business writing, technical writing, proofreading and marketing advice. For further details, or a free quotation please email me at jandersen8888 at live dot com or visit my business site at Jan Andersen Writing Services.
I also accept artwork commissions and particularly enjoy drawing lifelike portraits.
I hope you enjoy your visit and return often.
Jan Andersen
My books:
I have also written a handful of humorous books for gifts, which some people might regard as politically incorrect, hence the decision not to make them available to the wider public because I don't want to go to prison. I just say what most other people are thinking. What's the difference?
