One-on-one interview with comic writer J. Winters

Occasionally the LOP Team likes to pull some of our interviews from the vault for re-airing. These oldies but goodies were originally corralled during the days of LOP Magazine. They say that good wine and cheeses get better with age, and we say “why not interviews as well?!?!?” Be sure to also check out our new interviews and reviews that will be airing soon!

Original Publishing Date: 12-20-2007

Hatch – Jessica, what was the first step you took to become the comic writer you are today?

Winters – Learning the fundamentals of writing was my first step. I was eager to learn all I could about everything I could when it came to writing, and I realized that the best way to learn how to write was to write, and write, and write some more. I learned the tricks and techniques on how to be a better writer at a private university in Tulsa.

Hatch – Blue Water Productions is putting out a new line of titles, one in which is your book: Baneberry Creek Academy for Wayward Fairies. Tell me about this book and how it became.

Winters – Baneberry Creek Academy is about four teenage fairies who are freshmen in a boarding school for wayward fairies. They deal with everyday teenage drama, but also discover that they have to work together to try to defeat the evil fairy queen. Baneberry Creek Academy for Wayward Fairies is the brainchild of creator, Darren G. Davis. Darren contacted me to write this series because he really wanted a female writer to give the book that kind of insight and edge. He wanted something more than the typical “happy … fairyland,” and I knew I was the one that could give it to him!

Hatch – A very common thing occurs with all writers… Writers Block. Tell me, what do you do to get yourself out of Writers Block?

Winters – I don’t believe in writers block, well at least, that’s what I tell myself. Writers block is merely the fear that what you write might not be good enough. Well, I just write anyway, because I can always improve on it later. As long as you have the initial thought down that’s all that really matters, and if you are anything like me, your initial thought might change and evolve a thousand times before it even comes close to seeing print.

Hatch – Walk me through a typical day of J. Winters.

Winters – I like to sleep in – wait, I LOVE to sleep in. After getting my Starbucks and sunflower seeds (breakfast of champions!), I am ready to start my day. I’ll breeze through the boring part here – I work about 9 hours a day as a supervisor in a major television provider’s call center. But when I get home… that’s when the magic happens. I like to pop in a movie; Harry Potter is my current obsession. Then, the real work actually starts. I get on the laptop and check my email and MySpace. I pull up the current project I am working on and well, keep working! I take breaks to read comics and tell my cat, or boyfriend, to go away.

Hatch – Your new book “Baneberry Creek Academy for Wayward Fairies” has many things about it that I think will make it a huge success. What are some key points about this book that you think will help this to be a big seller?

Winters – This book is really meant for all ages. Eight-year-olds should be amused, while 35-year-olds should be intrigued. Like I’ve said, this isn’t your typical fairyland, and these aren’t your typical fairies. I think my readers will be able to make a personal connection with all of the main characters, and the twists and turns will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.

Hatch – Tell me about the chemistry that seems to work so well between you and the rest of the creative team behind Baneberry Creek Academy for Wayward Fairies.

Winters – Darren G. Davis is a really great person to work with. He is so down to earth and relaxed, but certainly understands this business and keeps me on my toes. Brian Hess works quickly, but produces excellent art in the process. In general, the creative team is relaxed, talented, and knows how to stay on schedule.

Hatch – What helps you best to get geared to write a script? In the same point what is your biggest distraction?

Winters – What helps me get geared to write is before I start my day, I sit around with my boyfriend whom is also a comic book geek, and we talk comics. I tell him about all of my crazy ideas and he listens. He gives me a lot of support. After that I sit in my studio, and go over my work. I’ll read what I had last written and start form there.

Coincidentally, my biggest distraction is my boyfriend, who is so excited about this new project that he gallops in and out of the office at all hours of the night. He is also hyperactive and is constantly eating candy, which I can’t have because I’m on a diet. He knows this, but insists on offering me some just to drive me crazy. He has a knack for catching me mid-thought while I am writing, and I have to chase him out of the room and lock the door sometimes to get some peace and quiet.

Hatch – Who inspired you growing up the most for you to become the talented writer you are today?

Winters – I wouldn’t say who, as much as I would say what. I was about five years old when I first became interested in the multi-verse of comics. I fell in love with DC Comics after watching an old episode of the Super Friends. I started buying comics at the age of 10 every time my mother went to the super market, I’d go just so I could sneak the latest newsstand paperbacks into the cart. If my memory serves me, comics only cost a $1.25 at the time, which allowed me to fill the cart with stories of my favorite heroes, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and what ever other DCU titles I could get my hands on.

Hatch – What message do you want to send to readers with Baneberry Creek Academy for Wayward Fairies, in your words?

Winters – Baneberry Creek Academy for Wayward Fairies is a book you will want to buy because you have never read anything like this before! With an abundance of heroes and villains, you will never know what’s going to happen next.

Hatch – The Time has come… Shameless Promotion time, the floor yours!

Winters – Awesome! Check me out on MySpace – www.myspace.com/house_of_imagination. Also, because I am a freelance writer, you can find me on iFreelance: www.ifreelance.com/pro/33346. Lastly, check out ACE COMICS, Inc. (www.myspace.com/ace_comics_inc ) for information my other project, Days of Justice.