Blog Posts for Jess Wells

Why Disturb The Perfect Book Inside Your Head?

Jess Wells — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:04:09 -0800

I’m wondering why anyone would start to write when the book that lives inside your head before you start writing feels so perfect? At the stage before you write your characters are vivid and witty and they transition from one emotional moment to the next without awkward pause or stumble. You can see the whole book in your mind, all the unique insights (oh, don’t you love them!), layered ...

Join Us in Honoring Judy Grahn

Jess Wells — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:30:10 -0700

Join us in honoring one of the brilliant founding voices of new literature, Judy Grahn, in a special event Friday, October 30th at the Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th Street at Mission, in San Francisco. The Judy Grahn All Hallows' Eve ExtravaganzaAn evening of performances paying tribute to Judy, her work, and the release of her new book The Judy Grahn Reader. Date: Friday, October 30, 2009 ...

Historical Fiction Authenticity? Ride a Horse

Jess Wells — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:42:10 -0700

If you write historical fiction that’s based in a timeframe prior to the invention of the car (and most is), here’s a tip: learn to ride a horse. It was virtually the only mode of transportation for most of our characters and the experience of riding long distances and/or the relationship that one had with a horse can add to your historical fiction. The good news is that I’ve found a ...

Ramble Redhead is a Gem

Jess Wells — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:12:45 -0700

What a jewel: Ramble Redhead interviews authors for a 1-hour online radio show. How long has it been seen you've been able to be the center of attention and prattle on about yourself, your writing, what you love in the world, where you grew up and some of the wild times you've constructed for yourself? Here's a link to the show ...

You Can Now Get Bitten by Us...

Jess Wells — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:15:35 -0700

Thrilled to say that my story, "The Rookery" is included in the beautiful and terrifying new collection of 'dark erotic stories' edited by Susie Bright. Here's the opening: "The birds in the rookery know when royal sex is being had. They puff out their chests, molt violently and dig their talons into the perch posts. The dust and mites fill the air to choking. Even when hooded, if ...

A Dozen Muse Rules

Jess Wells — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:02:08 -0700

At the marvelous Saints and Sinners Conference in New Orleans, a young man asked me whether it was reasonable for his partner to rent an apartment separate from the house to remove him from distractions. And of course one always thinks up a better answer/better scenario after the questioner ducks back into the crowd and I’m left without their email address. So here’s my (improved) answer: ...

Six Word Memoir Contest at Smith Magazine

Jess Wells — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:23:24 -0700

Terrific, witty new contest at Smith Magazine: can you write your memoir as a mother in just 6 words. I imagine that it's inspired by the Hemingway challenge that he could write a complete story in six words ("Baby shoes for sale. Never used." Or was that "baby crib"? Either way, a heartbreak, briefly said.) Of course if you have teenagers they'll complain that you could ...

Report from the Key West Literary Conference on Historical Fiction

Jess Wells — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:36:24 -0800

I’d like to offer additional questions for discussion at the Key West Literary Conference: Historical Fiction and the Search for Truth. Much of the discussion has centered on two questions: a) why write historical novels and b) what are the requirements of accuracy? How about: Eras in the past are marked by more than just a difference in fashion or modes of transportation; there have been ...

Christmas Fear and Cheer

Jess Wells — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:07:34 -0800

My friend bemoans the fact that he feels blue at Christmas, his mood so at odds with the bright lights and cheer, but to me, his malaise seems entirely in keeping with the nature-based roots of the winter holidays.In northern countries until the very recent past, this was the season when we stared down death on the long nights and the deep cold. Everything that could be harvested had been ...

Setting as Distraction, Cordoned Research, and other Musings from the Beauty of St. Augustine

Jess Wells — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:55:54 -0800

Kevin Cantwell, a warmly gracious and insightful professor from Macon State College, says that when his first-year students choose to write historical fiction, he knows they’re in trouble. A week later he sees them on campus, laden down with books of research and when pressed, they can describe setting and historical objects, but not the plot, the key conflict, the character arc that builds a ...