We recently connected with Jill Sayre and have shared our conversation below.
Jill, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I graduated with an art degree from U.C.L.A. and thought I’d become an art teacher. However, I have always been decent at math and writing as well. So, once I graduated, I decided to get a multiple-subject teaching credential instead of just in art, thinking it would give me more flexibility. I also figured I could integrate art into the lessons I taught to offer creative ways of approaching all academic areas, which I did. I loved finding books to recommend to my fifth graders at the time as a young teacher, and I read out loud to them nearly every day. However, many of the stories were either too young and basic for ten- to eleven-year-olds, or the young adult books were too mature. It seemed to me the gap needed to be bridged at the time, and a new passion surfaced in me–to write books for middle grade level students that were age-appropriate, with higher level vocabulary, and with a small twist of fantasy to make the story engaging. This was before Harry Potter waved his wand; I saw a need and wanted to help meet it.
I began writing notes and ideas for stories on scraps of paper. I wasn’t sure what story I wanted to tell, so it was my way of exploring ideas. I kept these thoughts in a shoebox for several years until it became clear that I wanted to write about fairy lore from the 1920s during the boom of belief in spirituality, and I wanted it to be middle grade fiction. The first time I sat in front of my computer and started to write, I had no idea where to begin. I used the note scraps to guide me as I pieced together my tale of a 13-year-old girl who only trusted in what science could prove until her grandmother, who believed in fairies, came to live with her, turning the girl’s view of the world upside down, thus “The Fairies of Turtle Creek” came to be. As I plotted and typed, I realized I had very little knowledge of the publishing industry, what my manuscript should be like, or even how to format it properly. I had to do a lot of research to find legitimate advice on the publishing world, and that’s when I discovered S.C.B.W.I., The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where I could sign up for classes on craft, attend conferences, speak to other writers in the same boat and form an online critique group with some of them, and even meet some of my children’s book heroes like Bruce Coville, Judy Blume, and Gary Paulsen.
Not only did I eventually get that first book published, but I also honed my writing skills during that time. So, when we moved to a different state, I got a new job and was hired as a middle school English teacher. At night, I took an extension course on creative writing at a local college, and it was from that class that a wonderful writing group emerged. We got together every two weeks at someone’s home and shared poetry and short stories, even doing writing exercises, and I continued to grow my skills. We were together for six years until the group separated, but then I formed a new one with other people I’d met who had published a book and were writing a new one, the critique group I’m in now. We meet every three weeks and share ten pages via email just before, then give each other feedback. These four women have become my touchstones.
My journey was long and winding, but I met so many people and learned so much that I wanted to share that with others. I have coached a dozen different writers along the way, on publishing, writing, etc., and once I retired from teaching, I made my writing coach business official by becoming “The Scribe Fairy.” Even though writing can be a very solitary process, my advice is to find a network of trusted compadres to bounce ideas off of because there is only growth that will come from that. Writing organizations are key, so find one and join it. No matter what your passion may be, there are groups of people out there who share it, and learning is something we do for our entire lives.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have been writing and teaching writing for over a decade. A retired English teacher, I have one published book and one that is almost ready to be sent out. I have seen the publishing industry change, with publishing houses merging, small presses growing, and self-publishing becoming a popular option. Getting my first book written and published taught me a lot. I am here to help lower the learning curve for others as a personal writing coach.
As “The Scribe Fairy,” I take a personalized approach to helping people write their book. Whether someone needs help developing an idea or something already written, I will collaborate with my client to ensure they will reach their writing goal. As a writing coach, I assist with creating a compelling version of the story that engages readers, and I help to make sure it resonates with its target audience. With a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence, I am dedicated to delivering high-quality work. I specialize in substantive editing, proofreading, and developmental editing. I can also help with synopses and query letters. However, sometimes a client just needs someone to cheer them on or are newbies and just need help getting started. I’m here for that too. Together, we can create deadlines to combat procrastination, and I’m a call away when the writer gets stuck or needs support. I believe in working closely with my clients to bring their vision to life.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
When we are young, there’s a lot of pressure to decide exactly what your career will be. Adults try to guide you based on your interests and skills, but I learned that often life itself may lead you down new paths due to new experiences and interests– and it’s never too late to refine that skill. I know many people who ignore the chance to do something new, but I found my passion as a writer and coach later in life. Being an art major in my 20s, I knew that I’d have to figure out how to turn that into a career, especially since numerous people asked, “What are you going to do with that?” Teaching worked well for me, but it wasn’t the final answer; I started writing books and published the first one at age 47. Then, after seeking out workshops and conferences to help me, I also decided to apply to grad school at the age of 50 and ended up with a Master’s degree in creative writing from S.M.U. at age 55. Yes, it took me five-plus years to complete it since I took one class a semester while I taught full-time, but it taught me to keep growing, learning, and moving forward. Having a purpose, even if it’s a new one, adds richness to life.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
For me, the best source of new clients has been staying active in everything related to writing. From attending conferences, joining writing societies, and taking courses, to volunteering at literary festivals, attending author talks, and participating in book festivals, I have never left an event without having learned something or met someone new. This has brought me into groups where people share my passion for writing, and since I am always excited to share what I have learned during my journey and help them wherever they feel stuck, I have gained many clients that way. Word of mouth goes hand-in-hand with that, so I get recommended.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jillksayre.com
- Instagram: @authorjillksayre
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillksayre/
Image Credits
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