Writerly Wednesday with Jennifer Worrell!

I’m really excited to feature another writer friend of mine on AZ Pascoe today: Jennifer Worrell! Like Claudia, Jennifer is an online writing friend and is also published in the awesome Scribes Divided anthology, Dread Naught But Time.

Please send through a warm virtual welcome for the one, the only, Jennifer Worrell!

1. Hi Jennifer and thanks for joining us! We’d love to know a little bit more about you before we get down to the nitty gritty of writing-type things… So, give us the goss on you! Where are you from, what do you do for work, and what are some of your interests (outside of writing, of course!)? 

Hello and thanks for hosting me! I’m from Chicago, Illinois (USA), and I work as an assistant to the dean in a private university library. 

When my husband can tear me away from writing’s addictive teat, we’re usually at the movies. When I’m on my own, I might be tucked into a dark corner of a blues club or our local medical museum. It’s impossible to visit all the restaurants and bars in this city, but I’m determined to try. As long as it’s not moving, offal, or olives, I will eat it. 

2. Oh, I’m so with you–I hate olives! It’s always nice to know I’m not alone in that. And I love medical museums! But we’d love to know more about you as a reader, too, since that’s an important part (we think!) of being a writer… What’s your first, strongest memory of a book that influenced you as a child/young adult? 

I spent way more time reading and writing than I did playing with kids. The first ones that come to mind are: The Girl in the Boxby Ouida Sebestyen; This Stranger, My Father by Robert Hawks; and Homecomingby Cynthia Voigt. The idea of children being totally dependant on themselves was greatly appealing. I guess that explains a lot.

3. How do you think your early reading habits might have influenced your writing? 

I wanted to emulate my favorite authors, so I wrote out way of my league!  But discovering my preferences helped me develop voice.

4. This question cropped up as a firm favourite in earlier interviews, so we’ve made it a staple around here: Pick one book that you think is seriously underrated—why? 

This is the hardest question! I don’t keep up with reviews much, so I’m not sure what books people are talking about. But I will use this chance to plug Albert of Adelaideby Howard Anderson. It’s about a platypus who escapes the zoo in search of “Old Australia” and a home where he belongs. Definitely not for kids, and loaded with beautiful self-reflection, rich relationships, and dry humor. There are few books about humans with this much heart.  

5. Oh man, I’m an Aussie & I haven’t heard of that one… but it sounds amazing! I’m off to the library to look for it–oh, shit! Wait, let’s finish the interview first. Books are amazing, but we want to know about what you write! How long have you been writing and at what point did you start to consider yourself a ‘writer’?

It took my second publication to a literary journal, thirty years after writing my first story in kindergarten, to earn the title. The first acceptance could have just been a fluke. But I somehow convinced two different people to print my work? Maybe I can say the word without looking over my shoulder.

6. What’s your major WIP (work in progress) currently? Can you give us a bit of insight into it and where it came from & why you’re passionate about it?

Certainly! At our annual Halloween shindig two years ago, a friend was talking about his days in radio. He used some industry lingo that sparked an idea for a sci-fi novel about a man who can manipulate time. I’m jazzed about the different paths this could take. 

My first manuscript, about a conspiracy theorist trapped in an extremist plot, was completed last year. I recently received a revise and resubmit request, so I’m reflecting on the publisher’s comments and figuring out where to go from here.

7. That is so exciting! Fingers crossed you figure out your revision path soon and get that manuscript back where it belongs: on the publishers desk. It sounds like we could be seeing the first of many Jennifer Worrell novels out in the world sometime soon! Finishing a manuscript is always an impressive feat that takes a lot of grit; what do you find the hardest aspect of writing?

Knowing how and when to apply feedback.  You’ll never please everybody, but how can you tell if a single critique might be the one that elevates your story above all others?  

8. I struggle with that same challenge; some critiques you feel you can safely discard, others it’s less clear. But being able to get feedback on your writing is always an incredible boon. With that in mind, tell us whether you feel other writers/authors and your interaction with a writing or literary community has shaped you as a writer?

My favorite group of writers taught me a valuable perspective through their honest but encouraging style of critique: they don’t point out what I did wrong as much as discuss ways how to improve. They analyze rather than criticize. They helped me see that angle with others who have sharper tongues, so I can move forward with revisions after only one slice of condolence pie. They’re godsends.

9. What does your ideal hero/heroine (or just main character!) look like… and are they running free in any of your books? (Bonus question: do you see much, or any, of Jennifer Worrell in your characters?)

The alpha type is starting to exhaust me.  Ditto the other extreme, the mouse who gains a sudden burst of courage and overcomes the villain just in time. Give me a person who puts their head down and charges forward without making a big show of it, one whose strength doesn’t come from the volume of their voice or the size of their muscles.

I try not write myself, but I need something to empathize with. It’s somewhat like the way actors remain in character while bringing themselves to the role. Only I don’t have to be on stage. My sigh of relief just knocked my laptop over.

10. Ooooh, I really like your thoughts on characters, and I agree that Alpha-types can be exhausting (and annoying!). Is there anything you’d love to do in your work but haven’t managed to find the courage or the right spot for just yet?

Oh boy. So much.  I’ve only made one person cry, so that’s a goal.  I’m desperate to learn more about surrealism. I love it but my talents are minimal. Playing with form excites me. Basically anything the big dogs do, I want to try.  

There are also some pretty dark thoughts rolling around in the ol’ noggin, but how to get them down without looking like a psycho is the test.

11. I know you’re a cat lover (hellloooo, me too!). I’m currently pinned down by one cuddly kitten… How does your cat help or hinder your writing? Can you share a photo with us?

Definitely! This is my little marshmallow Tallulah, who tends to hang out when I write (though not in my lap, despite my best efforts).  Until it gets near dinnertime.  Then she stands on her tiptoes and pats me on the arm, and if I don’t get the picture, she meows at top volume.  She’s usually a squeaker, but when the tummy clock dings, she’s all business.

12. Tallulah is so cute! I just want to give her a big tummy kiss, but I’ll try not to get distracted. To finish off our chat, what’s the onepiece of advice you would give to other writers that has served you well in your journey so far?

Read a lot. Like… a LOT.  And not just in your chosen genre, but everything that represents the facets of fiction writing. A typical novel has suspense, romance, mystery, humor… so read all that. Even smut, because eventually your story might demand a sex scene. Essays help with emotional resonance and perspective, especially regarding diversity. Flash and shorts help with concision. Plus, it’s an excuse to piss off to a corner and ignore people. “Sorry, research, improving my craft, call me when dinner’s on.”

I’m SO glad you mentioned that! I’ll be releasing a blog post on the importance of reading in the next few days, so that feels like a very timely cue. Thank you so much for sharing a bit about the fantastic Jennifer Worrell with us today… but now we’ve had a peep, we’d love to know more! Where can we find your published work and your social media profiles/webpage/blog? 

Thanks for the opportunity! Two of my latest stories will be read on the podcast, The Stories We Tell, coming soon!  

You can read more about me and find some stories at: www.jenniferworrellwrites.comand on Facebook and Twitter (updated with a smidge more regularity) at @JWorrellWrites.

I’m so grateful to the creative and wonderful Jennifer Worrell for joining us for Writerly Wednesday. If you’d like to leave any questions or thoughts for Jennifer, please comment below!

I’ll see you next week for the next run of Writerly Wednesday.

— Ana.