1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I loved writing and journaling as a child, and I wrote my first short story when I was in the fourth grade. I began to take it seriously as something I would like to do with my life when I was in college. I then pursued an MFA in writing a few years later. From there I became a professional writer in high tech, which was a wonderful career but not very conducive to pursuing my passion for creative writing, especially since in addition to my very demanding career I also got married and raised a family. But the kids are pretty much out of the nest, and I’ve been writing fiction with purpose for about five years. 

2) What inspired you to write your book?

I love the art of the short story, and it has always been my primary focus for creative writing. For the past five years, I’ve been involved in a writing community called Write Club, and we write a story each month based on a prompt. Several of my stories have been published in literary magazines and anthologies, which has been thrilling. I decided the next step was to put my own collection together. Since I’m based in Minnesota, the lakes and harsh winter climate of this state are often the backdrop for my stories, and it seemed natural to shape them into a nice collection.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Life is challenging. We all know that. But what is so interesting and entertaining is how we all deal with the curve balls that come at us. That is first and foremost at the basis of my storytelling – an exploration of our quirky human ways of interacting with the people in our lives (with all of their own quirks), and how we face bizarre or difficult circumstances. In addition to that, I really try to leave readers with a feeling of hope. I just think we need more of that today than perhaps ever before. If we never lose hope, we can get through just about anything. 

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I love how satisfying a good short story can be, and how the best short story writers can take your breath away with the impact of their words. A few of the incredibly talented short story writers from the 20th and 21st centuries that have inspired me include John Cheever, Flannery O’Connor, Raymond Carver, J.D. Salinger, and Alice Munro. If you read Salinger’s Nine Stories collection, or Alice Munro’s collection, Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage, you’ll see what I mean when I talk about the power of a short story. It’s my mission to master that, and to have that kind of impact on readers. I think of it as a fine art. 

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I think it would be Frederick in The Usher. I would ask him how he’s going to go forward. In the story, we see him at a turning point, but we don’t know where his path will take him. I would love to know.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

It’s funny, because I have always kept my personal social media separate from professional. But a few weeks ago on the day I launched the book, I went ahead and put it out on LinkedIn in addition to Facebook, X and Instagram. It was the platform where I got the most people saying they were going to buy the book. I was so surprised. By contrast, X (formerly Twitter), where I have been working to build relationships with like-minded people, was on the other end of the spectrum.  

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

I believe it is really important to find a writing community where you can get feedback on your work. My involvement in writing communities has made all the difference for me in honing my writing craft. It also makes it a much less lonely endeavor!

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Yes, I’m working on another collection of short stories that take place in a fictional town in Minnesota. Whereas the stories in my first collection really would not be considered genre stories, the next collection will include ghost stories, thrillers and magical realism. I’ve got a contact form where people can let me know if they would like to hear about its release at https://bit.ly/ContactJayna.

About the Author

Jayna Locke is the author of Somewhere in Minnesota, a collection of short stories about characters experiencing life’s unexpected twists and turns, and about grit, hope and resilience.

She is a Minnesota writer who has had a lifelong love of fiction. She earned her MFA from the University of New Hampshire. Her work has appeared in various literary journals, as well as several anthologies — all available on Amazon. She is reachable through her website, jaynalocke dotcom, or on X at jaynatweets.