We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenn Windrow a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jenn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
As a writer, I want to leave behind books that will help people find a way to decompress from their daily lives. I want to leave behind worlds and stories and characters that make people laugh and cry and find joy in my words.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Since I was a little girl, I have been obsessed with books. Reading was my way to escape into another world. When I grew up, I started to take in an interest in writing, wanting nothing more than to create worlds of my own. Flash forward to becoming a stay at home mom and leaving my career as a graphic designer, and I saw an opportunity to write. I dabbled for years, stealing away time when my kids were napping to put words on the page.
It wasn’t until I realized that I was losing myself, my identity, as someone other than a mom and a wife, that I decided I needed something that was all my own. Don’t get me wrong, being a my mom, raising my kids, is the singe greatest thing I have ever done in my life. But I needed something that was all mine. So, I searched out a local writers group, left the kids with my husband for a few hours every other week, and started attending.
It was one of the best things I could have done for myself.
That writers group led to taking writing classes. Which led to me finishing not one, but two books. I made friends and grew and found the self confidence to start entering contests with my writing. And winning a lot of those contests. Which gave even more confidence to start querying agents and editors. Which eventually led to a book deal. Now seven published books later, I can say I am happy with my career and with the person I have become.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The best part of being a writer is knowing that there are readers out there who love my worlds and characters as much as I do. Having readers reach out and tell me how a certain character or passage in my books touched them, made them laugh, heck, even. made them angry, is one of the greatest feelings.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Right now my personal mantra for 2024 is Be Brave. Be Bold.
Not just in writing, but in every aspect of my life. I want to take risks, try new things, better myself, and grow. And none of that can happen if I don’t step outside of my comfort zones. So, I have to be brave and be bold.
I even placed a vinyl sticker on my monitor stand to remind myself everyday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jennwindrow.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennwindrow
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jennwindrow