Interview with Jordan Drewitt Smith: WOW! Spring 2022 Flash Fiction Contest Third Place Winner

Jordan’s Bio: Jordan is a writer originally from Jamaica, who relocated to New Zealand when she was young before permanently moving to Australia. When she is not writing, she works as a highly caffeinated Audiologist who spends her breaks daydreaming about becoming a full-time author. Jordan currently lives in Brisbane with her husband and their puggle. If she isn’t spending time with her family, you can find her curled up with a good book, enjoying nature, or obsessing over Harry Potter. She is currently working on her debut novel. 

If you haven't done so already, check out Jordan's award-winning story "For Better or Worse" and then return here for a chat with the author. 

WOW: Congratulations on placing third in the Spring 2022 Flash Fiction Contest! What excited you most about writing this story? 

Jordan: Seeing how Robin would react when she discovered that her husband had murdered someone. It is always the best part of my writing to see how characters react in times of stress and what secrets come to the surface. 

WOW: I love that – it’s always exciting to find out what our characters will react undress stress. What did you learn about yourself or your writing while crafting this piece? 

Jordan: The beauty is in the edits. The first draft is simply getting the story on the page; it is only through editing that I discovered the depth of Robin’s story and what she was really trying to say. 

WOW: Please tell us more about your novel-in-progress. What’s it about and what prompted you to start writing it? 

Jordan: It is a multiple-perspective thriller that predominately follows a female protagonist as she explores the effects of social media and the lust for status. I was inspired by the rise of influencers and what happens when things fall apart. For me, that always involves a dead body and the subsequent ripple effects. 

WOW: What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it? 

Jordan: I’ve just started reading The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth. I recently discovered her and was drawn to her writing style and character development. I usually inhale her novels in a day because I’m invested in finding out how it ends! 

WOW: That’s the sign of a compelling story! If you could give your younger self one piece of writing advice, what would it be and why? 

Jordan: Writing is an option. When I was younger, I focused on “traditional” career paths for income stability. It caused me to become a lawyer and then eventually undergo a career change into audiology when law did not work out. I’m much happier in audiology but ultimately writing is what makes my heart sing and has done since I was old enough to hold a pen. 

WOW: Excellent advice. Thank you. Anything else you’d like to add? 

Jordan: Just a huge thank you to WOW! for this opportunity and to everyone that has taken the time to read my story. And to anyone that is thinking of submitting a story, go for it! There is a home for every story. 

WOW: Thank you for that encouragement, and thank you for your other thoughtful responses! Happy writing! 

Interviewed by Anne Greenawalt, founder and editor-in-chief of Sport Stories Press, which publishes sports books by, for, and about sportswomen and amateur athletes and offers developmental editing and ghostwriting services to partially fund the press. Connect on Twitter @greenmachine459.

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