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Jane Tara is the author of Tilda is Visible, which is available now.
Jane Tara is the author of five novels, many children’s books, and four plays. A passionate traveler, Jane is a certified bookworm, lover of coffee and wine, but most of all, a front-row cheerleader for her two sons.
Tilda is Visible, which published on February 25, follows Tilda Finch on her journey to become visible after she wakes up to discover she is literally disappearing. This witty, feel-good novel is for any woman who has ever felt invisible and is a must-read reflection on aging and finding beauty within our flaws.
Get to know Jane as she talks favorite novels, the inspiration behind Tilda is Visible, her TBR and more!
What are some of your favorite novels?
My all-time favourite book is The Pillowbook of Sei Shonagon, written by Sei Shonagon, a court lady during the Heian-period in Japan. I also love A Scandalous Life: The Biography of Jane Digby by Mary S. Lovell. Choosing a favourite novel is more difficult. I have so many. The House of Spirits by Isabelle Allende, The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Some childhood favourites are The Secret Garden, Little Women, The Narnia series… the list goes on.
When did you know you wanted to become an author?
I’ve always written; however, no one ever told me that I could be a writer. I grew up in a small beach town in Australia and was the weird kid, heavily involved in local theatre. After high school I studied theatre. It was there that I began writing plays and performance pieces. I realised I was way more interested in writing for the stage than performing on it. I worked as a freelance travel writer while I travelled the world and wrote plays, and then one of my plays won an award that got me my first agent, and first book deal.
Can you talk about the inspiration behind Tilda is Visible?
The inspiration for Tilda came to me ten years ago, when I was misdiagnosed with a degenerative eye condition and was told I was going blind. I was referred for further testing, but the first available appointment was nearly three months away. After a few days of completely freaking out, I began to question what it really means to see. I also realised just how hard I was on myself. Like many women in their forties, I’d been critical of the signs of ageing on my face. I’d also started feeling invisible. But suddenly I could see myself clearly. I loved every line, every wrinkle. I saw myself more clearly than I had in years. I realised I really wanted to see myself age. And if I wanted to see that happen, why would I ever criticize it. Or erase it. This period inspired Tilda, although it still took a few years for me to sit down and write the novel.
What was your favorite part or chapter to write?
I enjoyed writing the support group meetings that Tilda attends. I’m a very visual thinker, so these chapters were vivid in my mind, and a lot of fun to write.
Why do you think so many women start to feel invisible as they enter their mid-40s? What is it about the 40s that start this shift?
Societal factors aside, women in their forties juggle way too much, and generally put everyone’s needs before their own. It’s a cortisol-fest of family, career and social responsibilities that coincide with perimenopause, a time when unaddressed trauma can surface. We’re talking about perimenopause more openly now, but when I was going through it ten years ago, I just thought there was something wrong with me. I was exhausted and begging for help, but no one could see me. I felt invisible. I call the forties The Vortex. There are a lot of valuable lessons there for women, but it can be tough emotionally.
What are you currently reading and what’s on your TBR (to be read) list?
I’m working on a new novel so I’m reading a lot of non-fiction for research. However, some recent novels that I’ve read and loved are The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston and The Last Love Note by Emma Grey. Her new novel, Pictures of You, is fabulous as well. I really enjoyed How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris – a very timely read – and Dust by Josh Plasse. I’ve also recently read The Last Illusion of Paige White by Vanessa McCausland which will be released in the US in June. It’s amazing!! On my TBR pile are The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Jojo Moyes latest, We All Live Here.
