We spoke to the Jenny co-founder about writing a Modern Love piece that led to so much: an essay with us, an agent (two even!) and the beginnings of a book idea …
I loved when you said that you're not supposed to submit an essay about your friend who died but you did it anyway and look what happened! Last year I read some advice that said no editors want to read about your dead parent, but when I talked to a mentor he said, it depends on how you write about it. The essay about my dead dad is in progress! :-)
This was bugging me so I had to come back and add a footnote—
Just after the 25 minute mark, when I talked about taking Megan Falley's poetry class, I couldn't remember the terms she used. I just looked up the class notes and Megan was actually quoting Kurt Vonnegut, who coined the terms "swooper" and "basher" to describe, essentially, those who swoop in, write fast, and fix it later, versus those who write slowly and painstakingly, bashing out each sentence before they can move on.
Since taking Megan's class, I've gotten better at swooping, but in my heart, I'm a basher. It's just my way. Two routes that get you to the same place, eventually; whichever works best for you is the best way, I say!
Love this! I think I'm *mostly* a swooper. I like to get it all out in the right order, but messy with some TKs, and then go back and do what I call "deblobbing," aka transforming it from a "blob" to something readable. Love all the terms …
I loved when you said that you're not supposed to submit an essay about your friend who died but you did it anyway and look what happened! Last year I read some advice that said no editors want to read about your dead parent, but when I talked to a mentor he said, it depends on how you write about it. The essay about my dead dad is in progress! :-)
Yes! Write it! Never listen to advice; that's my best advice.
By the way, I had an essay published by Jenny last summer! The experience was great and I was just delighted to have it there.
https://jennymag.com/2024/07/25/hysterectomy-olympics/
I remember it well! Perfect tie-in with current events of the time!
This was bugging me so I had to come back and add a footnote—
Just after the 25 minute mark, when I talked about taking Megan Falley's poetry class, I couldn't remember the terms she used. I just looked up the class notes and Megan was actually quoting Kurt Vonnegut, who coined the terms "swooper" and "basher" to describe, essentially, those who swoop in, write fast, and fix it later, versus those who write slowly and painstakingly, bashing out each sentence before they can move on.
Since taking Megan's class, I've gotten better at swooping, but in my heart, I'm a basher. It's just my way. Two routes that get you to the same place, eventually; whichever works best for you is the best way, I say!
Love this! I think I'm *mostly* a swooper. I like to get it all out in the right order, but messy with some TKs, and then go back and do what I call "deblobbing," aka transforming it from a "blob" to something readable. Love all the terms …
Good one.
Thank you for watching!