Author Interview: Jess Wilkinson
"You have to enjoy it. If you're not enjoying it, there is always something you can do to change that."
Happy Monday!
Today, I’m interviewing author (and esteemed social media marketer) Jess Wilkinson!
So Jess, tell me a little about yourself.
I'm a 21 year old writer from West Yorkshire. I graduated from The University of York this year, and I weirdly miss it a lot already. I currently do bar work and freelance writing, as well as social media marketing for WIPpitch!
In my free time I like to paint, read, do yoga and rock climbing, watch films, take pictures for my bookstagram and go for long walks. I have an 11-year-old ginger cat called Alan who is the love of my life, a ridiculous collection of earrings, and a TBR list that is almost in the 100s.
When did your writing journey begin?
I was the biggest reader as a kid. I know it's cliche, but my mum genuinely says I always had a book in hand. I loved Jaqueline Wilson; the first book I remember reading of hers was Double Act. I think I had read almost everything she had ever written by the age of 12.
I remember writing a very short superhero story in about Year 6 - it was rubbish of course, but I wish I still had access to it, it would be a good laugh. That progressed to, in maybe Year 9-10, I started writing fanfiction, specifically Star Wars, Sherlock and Marvel fanfiction.
It was all very meticulous; I would spend hours creating new characters and intricate plots - but I've read most of my old stuff, and it wasn't as visionary as I thought at the time. Then, from Year 11-13, when my tastes matured a bit, I was still writing fanfiction, but about Peaky Blinders, mostly. It's always embarrassing to admit, but I'm so glad I did it for so long, because when I read my old work compared to what I'm writing now, I can see how I've improved! And not to toot my own horn, but I've improved a lot.
A weird hobby of mine is going back and reading my very first fanfics and just cringing. I thought I was hot shit.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Pretty much! I went through a phase in about Year 7-8 where I thought reading and writing wasn't cool, so I just stopped entirely, but I was back at it a few years later, with the fanfic.
I remember going to see Star Wars The Force Awakens and it just sparked something in me, and I became a little nerd again. I went into uni knowing what I wanted to do for a living, but not entirely knowing how to make money from it, and I came out knowing about copywriting and digital marketing.
That's how I know I can pay my bills, while writing for pleasure and hopefully getting published on the side.
And what have you written so far?
I have written 4 horror short stories, mostly based on prompts from a creative writing module I took at uni. I have written a 200-page YA novel called The Bus Stop, which is about being young and mentally ill, and trying to navigate the pressure to be in a relationship. I started writing it when I was 15-16, and have now completed a second draft of it at the age of 21. It still needs a lot of work; although I am very proud of it, it is based on an idea I had when I was quite a bit younger, so there is a lot of polishing to be done!
What are you working on right now?
Alongside working on a third and hopefully final draft of The Bus Stop, I am researching for a new soft horror novel called Lover Lover, which is about how university changes you.
What's been your biggest challenge as a writer?
Balancing writing with everything else in my life. Being at uni didn't really leave much time for writing. I got most of my second draft done over the holidays when I stayed in York to work at my part time job, and I was the only one in the house.
I'd go to a cafe all day and just bang it all out. But in term time, I just didn't have any space for writing, mentally or time-wise. Plus, having a long-term mental illness and being neurodivergent, I often don't have the motivation to write. So I have to find ways around it - taking breaks when I need to, but still pushing on.
I have about 5 writing mode playlists saved, which I often have to shuffle through to see which one will help me focus at the time: white noise, chill jazz, lo-fi, rain sounds and classical piano. When I find the one that tickles my brain in the moment, I can suddenly write.
Which online platforms help support your journey?
I LIVE on bookstagram. I have my own booksta, @robinreadss. It is such a lovely community, which gives me the motivation to both read and write. Of course, WIPpitch is a great tool for finding support with your writing (I'm not biased, promise!).
Where can people find you online?
I’m @jmwilkinson_ on Twitter/X, @robinreadss and @jesswilkin.son on Instagram, and on LinkedIn.
Do you have any big plans for the future?
Absolutely! Within the next few years, 5 at the most, I want to be a published author, and/or working in a publishing house as a marketer/editor. I would also love to have my own house/flat with a cat called Toast, with a friggin giant bookcase. I'm talking floor to ceiling.
Finally, can you share a golden nugget of advice for aspiring authors?
You have to enjoy it. If you're not enjoying it, there is always something you can do to change that. Also, read as much as you possibly can! And download Storygraph - Goodreads is great, but it's owned by Amazon, and we don't want to give Bezos any more money!
I like this writing style. Thanks to share.
What a great read. York is a fascinating place to set the scene to a fantastic novel.