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Jillian Hewitt is twenty-two and is a full time university student living in Newfoundland, Canada. She is nearly completed her Bachelor's degree in international business. She is also the published author of her first novel, Knickles and Dimes. More information about her book can be found at eloquentbooks.com.

Thank you Jillian for answering some questions for us! Please tell us about your latest project.
 
My latest project is my recently released book, titled Knickles and Dimes . It's my first published novel so I'm very excited about getting the word out and experiencing all the great things that go along with being published. It has really been a whirlwind of activity and excitement so far. I’m looking forward to finding out what’s in store for me and my first book.
 
To find out more about Knickles and Dimes, readers can check it out at eloquentbooks.com/KnicklesAndDimes.html

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?

I come from a relatively small community with a flourishing writing community so I'm honoured to be a part of that now. The encouragement offered by a small community, by fellow Newfoundland writers and by my (big!) family really motivates me to strive for success when it comes to my writing.
 
Some people think it’s strange that I’m attending a university to get a Bachelor’s degree in business, of all things. It seems so far removed from the creative fiction-writing world, but it really isn’t. In truth, my business degree has helped me see the other side of writing; the side where understanding marketing, selling and advertising is important. The process doesn’t end when the book is written; in fact, it’s just barely begun. When the creative process ends for me, my business knowledge begins to kick in.
 
I think my university business degree will also help me immeasurably with certain personal characteristics that many people have trouble with, such as public speaking. In a business faculty, public speaking among your peers is a must, along with being assertive, meeting new people on a regular basis, and other public relations. I feel that this has prepared me well for the future events that go along with having a newly published book.

What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

I have another completed manuscript that I am currently polishing up with editing and rereads. I hope to have it ready for publication in a few months.

As well, I have had two poems published in a local literary journal called Paragon II. I don’t necessarily consider myself a poet, but it is something that I like to try my hand at every now and then.

What will your next project be?

It’s difficult to say. As I said before, I hope to have my second manuscript ready for publication in the next few months. However, I am also planning a follow-up book to Knickles and Dimes, but that is in the early stages right now.

I’ve also tried to make it a goal of mine to write more fiction in the form of short stories, poems and flash fiction. It’s an area of writing that I haven’t fully explored up to now but am very interested in delving into.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

I’m fairly new to the public writing scene myself but perhaps that qualifies me even more to offer advice to other new writers, I’m not sure. I do know, however, that it takes a lot of persistence. It’s fairly easy to start feeling down about yourself and your work when you’ve received a rejection letter for the fifth time. Trust me; I’ve had my share of rejections, so I know what it feels like.

I think it’s just important to keep in mind that there is a place for your work. There are so many different magazines, journals, writing libraries, publishers and so on that are looking for so many different things; you’re bound to find the place that’s perfect for you and your work.

My best advice would just be to keep it up. Keep submitting pieces and keep writing. If it’s something you love to do, don’t ever let yourself give up on it.
 
If anyone is interested in finding out more about my story and my journey to publication, take a look at this guest blog post I wrote for an online fiction-writing community called Protagonize:
protagonize.com

How did you get started as a writer?

Writing has always been something that I loved doing but I had never considered it as anything more than a hobby, up until a few years ago. I didn’t set out telling myself I was going to write a novel. In fact, the thought didn’t really cross my mind. I had a great paragraph swimming around in my head, just one scene and I just wanted to write it down before I forgot it, so I did. Then I added a few more paragraphs and before I knew it, a story was beginning to develop. It was then that I thought to myself, I might actually be able to do this. So I did it.

Once I had a finished manuscript, I thought, “What now?” I began taking steps to find how I could get it published. That’s how it all started for me, an accident really. Some accidents can be really, really great.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Most of the time, I’m a busy bee. I’m a full time student in university, which takes up a big chunk of my time during the year. I also keep a part time job (got to pay that tuition!) which I work at mostly on the weekends or on weeknights. As well, these days, I spend as much time as I can promoting my book and trying to get the word out. Of course, I save time to spend with family and friends as well.
The last six months were particularly hectic, as I was spending a semester in Europe, studying for my degree. So, among traveling, studying, and meeting new friends, I was also occupied with the release of Knickles and Dimes while I was there. It was an amazing time that I will never forget.

Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

As far as I can remember, I’ve always loved to write so I think it’s always been a part of me. Over the years, however, I’ve read so many great books that just inspire me to write, to become better at it and to keep doing it. Other chick-lit/women’s fiction writers that really helped with that are Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes. These women write books and create characters that are loved the world over. Reading their books make me think that, if I can aspire to be as great as anyone with my writing, it would be them.

Who is your favorite writer/author?

Oh, this is a tough question! Of course, there are many. Two of my favourite satirical writers are Christopher Moore and David Sedaris. I think that they are both just brilliant, hilarious writers.
For the classics, I’d have to go with Jane Austen. She was really ahead of her time and wrote meaningful stories that still hold importance in literature today. Her insight and expression just astound me.

However, perhaps my all time favourite is Neil Gaiman. His stories are magical, twisted and always captivating.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Hmm, I think it must have been “I’ve Got the World on a String”, sung by Michael Bublé, although I believe the original was sung by Frank Sinatra.  My sister is getting married next week so I’ve been helping her pick out songs. But besides that, I’m just a sucker for the oldies anyway  : )

Thank you Jillian and congratulations on your first published novel!