It’s a while since I wrote about writers who inspire me, but I thought it was time I added another person to my list.

When you’re starting out as a writer, you’re likely to have an aim in mind. Whether that’s finishing a novel and seeing it published, or creating short stories, you need to know where you’re going. And one of the best ways to do that is to find someone who is emulating the career that you want to have. For me, one of those people is crime writer Jane Isaac.

I’ve known Jane for a while now, having met her at several writers’ events and book launches and we’ve become good Twitter buddies. Jane is no flash in the pan. She’s been writing consistently for a number of years and her fifth book, the third in the DI Will Jackman series, will be published next month. That’s five books in almost as many years. And they’re not just thrown together – you can tell she spends a lot of time and energy on her work, making it as good as it can possibly be.

She’s also very generous, both with her time and her advice. Not unsolicited advice, I hasten to add, only when it’s asked for. When you’re a relatively new writer like me, learning from those who are more experienced is vital. Most recently Jane helped me with producing a synopsis for my book, taking the time to not only feedback on the synopsis but also to read the chapters I’d sent to show what I’d be sending to agents. Having someone give up their precious time to look at your writing and respond is invaluable. And the fact she bought me a delicious slab of cake in Patisserie Valerie last time I saw her has no reflection on this blog post, apart to demonstrate her generosity.

Perhaps most important is that Jane is now where I want to be – able to stop the day job and write full time. Knowing that it will probably take me at least five books to get there provides a big incentive to get cracking on my own projects. This has happened for Jane through hard work and dedication, giving up free time at all hours of the day and night to get those books written. Alongside, of course, there’s social media to interact with writers and readers, blog tours to promote books and speaking at events.

The fact that Jane manages to balance her work life, writing and family time is something to be celebrated. I only hope that in five books time I can be where she is and using my experience to benefit other writers.

You can find Jane on her website or on Twitter @JaneIsaacAuthor.