----------Interview by Renee Roberson
WOW: Congratulations, Jill, and welcome!"Recipe for Mom's KitchenAid Mixer" is a great example of a hermit crab essay. Did you always plan to structure this piece as a recipe and what is it you like about this particular format?
Jill: I only recently learned about hermit crab essays. Last year I took a short online course in creative nonfiction (a webinar by Nicole Breit) and that got me thinking about different forms and how you can address an emotionally difficult subject in a structured essay. I like the way that you can uncover some of your deep feelings and memories in this way. I tried several things that didn't work too well, and then one day when I got out my mom's Kitchenaid and all these feelings came flooding in, I wanted to sit and write immediately. But I needed to finish the recipe first.
WOW: I was envious when you shared that your mother's KitchenAid mixer was likely from the 1950s! Are there any other antiques or similar treasures you've chosen to write about over the years?
Jill: I'm grateful that you asked this question, because my first response was "no," but then I remembered that I wrote something years ago about a tiny family heirloom. Now I need to go back and find that essay, and improve it.
WOW: I love it! It's always a good idea to do a "spring cleaning" of our files because we often forget about buried treasures such as that one. You are hard at work on writing novels, and bravo to your latest work in progress! What genres would you categorize your work as? How long did it take you to complete the first manuscript?
Jill: My first novel took me 2-3 years to complete, and I'm still editing as I get further feedback. It's contemporary women's fiction (or "book club fiction" or "upmarket fiction"). My second novel is completely different; it's either YA or middle-grades, and it's about fairies, so it's in the fantasy genre. That's also something that's not recommended by agents; they want you to stick to one genre. But I'm doing what I want to do right now.
WOW: Follow your heart. I'm also one of those people that likes to write a variety of genres--I get bored when I stick to the same thing all the time! As someone who keeps waffling back and forth about whether I should start a Substack, how has your experience with it been? Do you have a regular publication schedule for it, and what other Substacks do you subscribe to?
Jill: I have surprised myself with how much I enjoy writing my Substack newsletter. When I first started it, the focus was just on my travels. But lately I've been throwing a lot of other stuff against the wall. I've posted a poem, a short story, and several essays. I heard from one friend who was upset because she wanted to read only my travel posts and nothing else. I should probably re-brand the newsletter because it's basically my writing platform now.
I don't have a regular schedule for posting my newsletter, although it's a recommended practice. Sometimes months go by between my posts, and then I'll post a bunch in a row (e.g., following a trip somewhere).
I subscribe to several Substacks by successful fiction writers, on the craft of writing. My favorite is George Saunders. I also subscribe to several by political writers, as well as the Substacks of writer friends whom I've met at workshops.
WOW: Our community here loves a good writing conference or residency! What types of conferences have you been to so far and what advice would you give to someone attending one for the first time?
Jill: I recommend attending as many conferences and workshops as your time and wallet permit. I've been to many different types: quick online workshops that are 1-3 hours; 2- or 3-day writing conferences that are open to all and focus on the craft of writing (e.g. the Women's Fiction Writers Ass'n conference); conferences that focus on pitching agents (I've done in-person as well as online ones); and conferences that include both pitching opportunities and talks on craft (Atlanta Writing Conference, Washington Writers Conference; TBR in Boston). The most helpful ones for my writing have been the competitive-entry workshops that are intensive, in-person, and include an instructor who gives feedback (e.g., the Yale Writers' Workshop).
My advice for someone attending a conference for the first time is to be social and meet other writers, even if that's not easy for you. Networking is quite helpful; I've learned a lot from other writers. You can also practice your pitches with them!
WOW: Thank you so much for all this great advice and a peek into your writing life! Congratulations again and we can't wait to read more from you.
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