A Conversation with Jan Lloyd on: The Story Behind the Story

Jan Lloyd published her first novel at 72, but the story had been waiting for decades. Rediscovered manuscripts, wartime romance, and a quiet but powerful reminder that it’s never too late to tell the stories that matter.

Featured Book: War Torn

The Conversation

What first sparked the idea for this book ... was it a moment, a feeling, or something that stayed with you over time?

Many years ago when my daughter was bout 4, there was a fantastic German anti war film made into a series by BBC. This was the original Das Boot. It was shocking and beautifully acted and it didn't matter that you found yourself on the side of these brave German young men. The fact that I found Jurgen Prochnow gorgeous (he played the U-boat captain) was a bonus.

Watching an episode with a dear friend sparked my idea when she said, referring to Jurgen, "I wouldn't mind being on a U-boat with him." It was the spark I needed. How would life on a U-boat change if a woman was on board. Answer? It couldn't. 50 young men living in a small space, there was no room for change. The female had to change if she was to survive.

It must have stayed with me as it was about 35 years ago.

Is there something about the story that readers might not immediately see, but that matters deeply to you?

What matters is the bravery of these young men. It doesn't matter that they were German, they were still young boys thrown into a situation that they had not asked for. Out of 40000 U-boat men 30000 died and 5000 were captured, they took tremendous risks. Many were not hardened Nazis, just young men fighting for their country, in fact many lads joined the U-boat arm because there was much more freedom.

Did the story change as you were writing it? If so, how?

The story changed tremendously due to the two main characters writing themselves and taking me on a dark journey that I really hadn't planned. I thought I would write a romance which was a bit far fetched and fun. I ended up writing a trilogy based round these characters which is anything but fun, but hopefully realistic. It certainly is a very different WW2 novel.

I did actually write books 1 and 2 33 years before they were published. They lived in my wardrobe. When they were written it was too close to the end of WW2 and people were still feeling the effects of it. There was no interest. I put it in my wardrobe and resurrected it in 2022 and completed the third book just over a year ago.

Was there a part of the book that felt especially difficult or personal to write?

The most difficult part was the end of Book 1 and the beginning of Book 2. Frances finds herself in Auschwitz. The research I had to do was difficult at times. Then the beginning of Book 2 is very much about forgiveness. Are there times when someone has suffered so much, they are incapable of forgiveness?

Looking back now, what does this story represent for you?

I think the entire story is about hope, love and forgiveness and the human soul.

Some stories wait quietly. Not because they are unfinished, but because the world isn’t ready to receive them yet.

If something in this conversation stayed with you, pass it on. Stories like this don’t ask for attention, but they deserve to be found.

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