Jillian Beane shares her path from high school writer to published author
Jillian Beane discusses her creative process, overcoming writing challenges, and balancing life with writing, while offering insights into her upcoming projects and the conclusion of The Elemental Series.
Jillian Beane is a remarkable voice in the world of fantasy literature, captivating readers with her vivid imagination and compelling storytelling. Her work, particularly The Elemental Series, has enchanted audiences with its rich world-building and dynamic characters. Jillian’s ability to weave magical and paranormal elements into her narratives is a testament to her creative prowess and deep passion for the genre. Her journey from a high school writer to a published author is an inspiring tale of perseverance and dedication, making her a standout figure in contemporary fantasy writing.
We at Reader’s House Magazine were eager to sit down with Jillian to delve deeper into her creative process and explore the inspirations behind her enchanting stories. Her unique approach to writing, characterized by a steadfast commitment to completing her drafts before editing, offers valuable insights for aspiring authors. In this interview, Jillian shares her experiences with overcoming challenges such as imposter syndrome and navigating the complexities of self-publishing. Her candid reflections and unwavering determination provide a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a writer who continues to push the boundaries of her craft.
Jillian Beane captivates readers with her imaginative storytelling, creating enchanting worlds that showcase her exceptional talent and dedication to fantasy.
What inspired you to start writing The Elemental Series, and how did you develop the world and characters within it?
My characters appear like imaginary friends in my head and start telling me their stories and about their world, so I can start writing. As a discovery writer, I know very little about what is going to happen, until it does.
Can you share more about your writing process? Do you have any specific routines or rituals that help you stay creative and productive?
I wrote the first chapter or two when I first started Elements & Flame somewhere around 2013. Then I had a long break from writing. When I returned to it, I read those two chapters, edited them, and repeated that process until November 2018. After 5 years, it was still just two chapters long. So, I made a change. I picked up those two chapters and read them, but refused to allow myself to edit them any further, and I kept plugging away, adding new words. For each new writing session, I’d allow myself to reread the last scene, but I couldn’t edit it before I started writing that day. Before I knew it, I typed “The End.” That has become my process since. Write to the end, no editing allowed. Fix everything after “The End.”
How do your interests in art, crafts, and other creative pursuits influence your writing, particularly in the fantasy genre?
I’ve always had an interest in dragons and werewolves and magic. Even before I started writing in the fantasy genre, magical and paranormal elements have crept into most of the things I have written. Those same themes can be seen in a lot of the pottery, paintings, and pictures I’ve created and surrounded myself with. The fantastical nature gives me the ability to let my mind free to create the creatures and worlds in my stories with no boundaries or restrictions.
What challenges did you face while writing Elements & Flame and Elements & the Fae, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I face while writing is imposter syndrome. My sheer stubbornness gets me through it. I’ve said I’m going to write it/finish it/publish it and come hell or high water, I’m going to do it. I’d love to say that as I continue to write and publish, my imposter syndrome will magically go away– I may have imaginary friends, but I’m not delusional—so, I know it doesn’t work like that.
Also, the overwhelming and often contradictory information on the internet about self-publishing was a daunting challenge to overcome. I was lucky enough to stumble upon Author Ever After, a community for romance writers, who helped me navigate all the bits and pieces needed to get a book self-published. Elements & Flame sat idle on my computer, a fully, professionally edited, complete document from 2021 until I joined Author Ever After. Within three months of joining, I was holding a paperback copy of Elements & Flame in my hands. It was a real eBook on my Kindle too, not just some document I uploaded to it.
Post-publishing, I thought I would have trouble with the negative comments and reviews. Surprisingly, I found that the most positive comments are the ones I’m struggling with more than anything. The reviews saying how much people have enjoyed Elements & the Fae, in some cases better than Elements & Flame, had me spiralling. How can I top that? Will book 3 be a disappointment? I found myself struggling to write new words for book 3. But, that stubbornness of mine comes in handy once again. I said I would have it published by early 2025, so I just need to suck it up and write. I know my team around me won’t let me publish anything not ready for a reader’s eyes. I need to write “The End” and fix it later.
As a self-proclaimed Jack of All Trades, Master of None, how do you balance your various interests and responsibilities with your writing career?
Writing is my career right now, so I make sure it takes priority over my hobbies. Oh, I want to go work on a remodelling project. Then, I need to get some words on the page first. Doing the fun stuff, like plumbing and electrical work, crafting, painting, and even reading or watching a movie, is all a reward for after I finish my “work.” And hanging out in a fantastical world with my imaginary friends—does it really work? Nah. I have just as much fun writing some days as getting my hands dirty on a construction site.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects or future books you are working on?
The current work in progress is Elements & a Key. If all goes well, I hope to have it released in early 2025, and it should be the conclusion of the Elemental Series, at least for now. The ideas for the next project need to wait until I complete this series or I’ll never get it finished.
