Self-Help Author & Communications Professional Jen Williams

This week’s Writer Wednesday features Jen Williams of Southfield, Michigan! Jen is a writer with a love for fiction and a passion for wellness. In 2017, she self-published a self-help book about her college experience with depression. She is currently working on her first novel and other short story projects. Outside of writing, she works as an employee communications manager for a top academic medical center and has published several non-fiction wellness-focused articles in various outlets. Read more about her below!

What was it like to self-publish your self-help book? 

It was exciting, scary and necessary for my own healing. While the topic became therapeutic, the process taught me more about outlining, research and completing a full book project. As I seek traditional publishing for other works, I’m grateful for my experience in the self-publishing space. There is something to be said about transferring an idea from your mind to the physical form. It’s something to be proud of. 

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

I will always love the adrenaline of outlining a fresh idea! However, I have developed a love for revising. When I step away from my work for a little while or receive feedback, I have a fresh perspective to see things I didn’t see before. 

What does your writing workspace look like?

I can write anywhere. Airport. Plane. Starbucks. Car. In bed. Bathtub. As long as it’s quiet. If it’s not, I have a writing music playlist to drown out the extra noise and help me focus. I spend most of my writing sessions in the dining room/multifunctional working space or my bedroom. For our next home, my husband already knows that a ‘Zen Jen Writing Space’ is non-neogotable.

What is your favorite non-writing hobby?

Most of my time is spent with my family and working as a communications professional. Now that my son is a preschooler (I’m so proud of him!) I have found a few hours during the week where I can explore my deep love for wine and/or graphic design.

What is your favorite piece of writing advice?

I have two. :-) 

“One of the reasons I write is to find meaning and to understand myself. That comes from a feeling in childhood when I wanted others to understand me.” — Amy Tan, author of “The Joy Luck Club”

“If you really do want to write, and you’re struggling to get started, you’re afraid of something. What is that fear?” — Margaret Atwood, author of “The Handmaid's Tale” 

What writing projects are you currently working on?

I’m finalizing a young adult manuscript as I prepare to start the querying process. Next, I will finish another short story before starting on my next novel.

Follow Jen on Instagram and Twitter at @writerjenwill.