Jade Driscoll
My name is Jade (she/her), and I'm a writer based in Michigan's Upper Peninsula! I love writing both poetry and fiction, and I'm currently working on drafting my first novel. When I'm not writing, I love reading, listening to music, and learning Korean!
Question 1: How have your past experiences influenced you as a writer?
My past directly inspires many of my poems. I'm passionate about breaking the stigma(s) surrounding mental health, so a lot of my poems are about my experiences with mental illness, recovery, negative interactions/stereotypes I've faced, etc. I think it's important to be open and honest about mental illness so that it's easier to seek treatment and discuss experiences in the future.
Question 2: When did you first call yourself a writer?
I think I've always called myself a writer, because I write! You don't need to have a certain number of drafts, publications, or awards to be a "real" writer. If you write, then you're a writer!
Question 3: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
My writing process is drastically different between poetry and fiction. For poetry, I tend to have a difficult time drafting anything unless I start with a specific direction or form in mind; usually, a single line will come to me suddenly, and I'll work from there. It's hard for me to sit down and draft poems without that first burst of inspiration, because I feel like any poem I draft needs to already be rather substantial. For fiction, I'm much more comfortable with drafting steadily and chipping away at a piece. I usually start with a general outline that I'm working toward, although I allow myself freedom to veer off path when it feels right. Unlike with poetry, I focus more on getting words on the page and revising later, rather than hoping for a "polished" draft from the start.
Question 4: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
I am ALWAYS playing music when I write! I can write to almost anything, so I don't have a dedicated writing playlist. However, one of my favorite songs for writing is "Wallowa Lake Monster" by Sufjan Stevens because I feel like the music is constantly "moving."
Question 5: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A draft doesn't need to be perfect—that's why it's called a draft. You can revise something a million times if you need to, but there won't be anything to revise if the words don't get on the page in the first place. I've heard variations of this advice from so many people, ranging from authors I admire to creative writing instructors. I just need to get better at listening to this advice, because it's true!
Question 6: What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?
Read! I think reading as much as possible helps you identify what you like or don't like in a piece, which can than help you identify or emulate those elements in your own work.
Question 7: Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
My mom! She's my biggest supporter in general, but she's especially encouraging with my writing. I'm most proud of a poem when my mom says she loves it :)