Interview with short story writer Jolene Stockman

Short story writer Jolene Stockman is here today to chat about her new YA illustrated motivational collection, Total Blueprint for World Domination.

During her virtual book tour, Jolene will be awarding a $75 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too.

Bio:

Jolene Stockman is a multi-award winning author, speaker, and business owner. She is also tangata whaitakiwātanga; an autistic person. Since her adult diagnosis, she has gone public with her experience - its challenges and superpowers as a TEDx Talk. Her books let you uncover your superpowers to design (and dominate!) your dream world.

Please tell us a little bit about Total Blueprint for World Domination.

Total Blueprint for World Domination is a motivational non-fiction book for young adults. Design your dream world and make it happen! Bursting with full-color superheroes, boosted with online learning, the new edition of Total Blueprint for World Domination - illustrated takes you from this very second to your greatest dreams. So, are you ready?

What do you enjoy most about writing short stories?

Time is a precious commodity! When I write non-fiction, I go straight for the juicy stuff. I hate it when people bury the jewels in a heap of fluffy text. I believe that words can change the world, and those words can be very few, especially if they’re right on target! I love it when people describe my work as concise: sometimes it only takes a few words to change the way you feel about something. Like instead of saying “I have to tidy my desk” you can say; “I choose to tidy my desk” to feel more empowered. Or instead of seeing yourself as “oversensitive”, you can see yourself as “super sensitive”. A little twist, a big difference!

Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?

My books are super-short. They’re designed to be jam-packed with inspiring, actionable content so people feel excited to jump into their life. My favorite book is always the one in front of me! It really is like children really; you love them all completely for the things that make them them.

What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?

Motivational non-fiction is my go-to. Even if I start out with blood, conflict, and drama, it always ends up in the same place: a new world where anything is possible! I think it’s because personally I’ve worked hard to  

What exciting story are you working on next?

Ooh, I have another book in the blueprint series, a screenplay, and a heap of autism presentations. One of the reasons being a writer is so cool, is that you can do it online with a computer, or in the library on scraps of paper.

How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?

Keep in mind the real reason you want to be a writer: is it to be famous? To be rich? To connect with readers? To tell a story? Writing is a calling, but it is also work – and knowing your reason for doing it, your powerful why, will keep you working when it gets hard. When selling my writing, I look for markets that relate to subjects I’m excited about. Publishing can be an achingly slow process, so my advice is to be excited, but try not to care too much! Keep writing. Submit work. Forget about it. Write more. Post it. Write more. Blog it. Write more. Edit it, publish it, critique it. Write more and let it go. It’s not about writing one perfect thing, it’s about keeping your flow going and loving what you do.  

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

The media that I consume is very different to the work that I create. I love crime fiction, heavy metal, Supernatural, Tarantino movies. But when I write? It’s all fizzy sunshine! I think of myself as being dark and twisty. But when I write, rainbows and cupcakes come out! I used to find it frustrating, but now I just go with it. Sometimes it’s the dark makes the light possible.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a child, I couldn’t have dreamed of the incredible world we live in now. We can connect with each other across time and space at the click of a button. I always knew that my ultimate plan was to write books. My until-I-was-a-grown-up plan was to find a way to write for a job, and I’ve been lucky to work in many different industries: I’ve been a copywriter, a scriptwriter, a technical writer, an educational writer. I love all the different ways that you can use words to express ideas or support people and business. Imagine what children now will grow up to be!  

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I so appreciate your support! When you start writing, you picture holding your book in your hands, seeing it at the library, and on shelves in bookstores. You imagine all the things you’re excited about and when it happens it’s like magic. But then it becomes clear: the best, most amazing part of being a writer is the readers. It’s the connections, it’s knowing that your words are being read and you’re making a difference. I live my dreams because of you and I so appreciate everyone who reads and reviews my books, who host me on their blog, and who remind me how powerful words are.

Links:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Goodreads | Amazon

Thank you for being here today!

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