Hello Beautiful People,
First of all, Happy Valentine’s to you ALL from all of us here at The Write Teacher(s)! As you know, our School Time Author Q&A Series puts out an inteview with one of our favorite authors on the fourteenth of everymonth.
Because her stories are so rich with love, & we beleive the landscape of the Deep South provides us with so many stories of love & passion & inspiration, we’re pleased to bring you an EXCLUSIVE Q&A with the Southern Writer who stole our hearts a long time ago…Joshilyn Jackson.
Joshilyn and I chatted for a bit about life, teaching, writing…and of course, love. She’s a gem of person, an amazingly talented writer, and we’re so happy to have her on The Write Teacher(s)!
TWT: Did you always have dreams of being a writer?
JJ: Yes, this is what I always wanted to do. I was unusual in that I have parents who thought that my siblings and I could do anything. My dad was in the military, so we moved around a lot, but my mom really encouraged reading and writing. Whenever we moved, she knew where the library was before the grocery store! I was always writing.
TWT: The south, especially the Deep South, lends itself to such rich stories. In your opinion, why do you think the landscape lends itself to such wonderful creativity?
JJ: There are a lot of reasons why it’s true. We’re one of the few places in this country that has a culture of oral tradition. You don’t have to tell your story in the most pragmatically expedient way possible. Our stories are about the words, the richness of storytelling. We also have a uniquely ugly and bloody history, which makes most mindful people ambivalent about our home. There’s this internal conflict that makes a rich backdrop for all kinds of stories.
TWT: What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given in regards to your education? Career? Love?
JJ: I had a hard time my freshman year of high school, but I had a great teacher who came my sophomore year. I would do anything for her because I loved her, and she told me that just because you don’t like a teacher, doesn’t mean that they do not have anything to offer you. You can always learn something. As a teacher, you have to get the temperature of the class very quickly. You need to find the range your working with, and try to hit the top and the bottom. Incorporate and engage everyone. That’s been especially true for me when teaching literature. As far as career advice to fellow writers, I would say put your heart in the writing. I shopped a couple of books before gods in Alabama that didn’t sell, and it was heartbreaking. People think that becoming an author is mysterious – it’s not. You just have to complete the steps. Approach the publishing as a really hard the job, and approach the writing as if it was a piece of art. The best piece of advice in terms of relationships came from my mother. There was a boy for many years that my mother thought was the perfect husband and person for me. He almost married someone else, and she told me that that’s a shame that your friendship would be over. I fought for our friendship. Fast forward to the present day – we’re married with two kids!
TWT: Of all the characters you’ve created, do you have a favorite?
JJ: I like the ones that most people don’t. I like Bernice from Between, Georgia. She’s like the worst version of myself. But, I really love her. Grown Up Kind of Pretty – Patti Duckens, she comes out of nothing, but she has a hopeful heart. In the new book I’m writing, Paula, she’s a vicious lawyer but she’s fantastic – absolutely, positively, loyal.
TWT: You’re a former actor. Would you ever get back on the stage again?
JJ: Sure! I love it. I do little things sometimes locally, and both of my kids are in involved theatre. I wanted to be a playwright, but I wasn’t very good!
TWT: We think your stories would make amazing films. Would you want to have a part in writing the screenplays?
JJ: It’s quite the process! Imagine trying to get 87 mortgages approved at once. My instinct would be to let other people do it; IF someone wanted me to take a crack at it, then I would, but it is not where my interest lies.
TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
JJ: I think that the pragmatic uses of arts programs are hugely undervalued. A kid who understands music will do better in math. A kid who understands literature will be a writer, reader, for communications. To say it’s not necessary on a pragmatic level is just crap. There are practical applications to a music and literature class that will just stay with you for forever. It’s part of a well-rounded education, and people with the well-rounded educations are gong to be the most successful and functioning members of society.
TWT: Who is/was greatest teacher?
JJ: My mom.
Live, Love, Learn,