Writer's Relay - A Writing Collab

Meet the Team: Jinnis

Writer's Relay:
Dear Jinn, the Writers' Relay event is a success! The story, The Bird of the Gods is getting published on each author's profile at the moment, and we are enjoying it.
You have been working double shift, if we can say, writing chapters and coordinating the group of authors. That sure may have an interesting combination! So we would like to get a moment to know more about you, your writing journey, and your thoughts on Wattpad and the Writer's Relay event.

So, let's start with some warm up...

What prompted you to start writing on Wattpad, and what do you like most about the platform?

Jinn:
I have been making up stories for a very long time, and sometimes wrote them down. When I stumbled over Wattpad some ten years ago, I thought I might give it a try. And here I am... what I like most is that the platform offers the opportunity to meet so many other authors and connect with them. We can learn from each other, support each other, and have a lot of fun together.

WR:
Tell us one thing about your writing process that has helped you the most.

Jinn:
Hm. That's hard to say. I have always been an avid reader, and I think this is a very important part of becoming a writer. While reading, we learn a lot about the craft and also discover which tales and styles suit us best.

WR:
Which author has influenced your writing the most?

Jinn:
Can't put it down to one author. I have to start with two masters of the classic adventure literature, Jules Verne and Jack London. They both took my younger self onto amazing journeys that I'm sure are still reflected in my own writing. Then there are Roger Zelazny and C. J. Cherryh, whom I both admire for their world building. Douglas Adams for breaking every rule and delivering some of the most hilarious tales and most loveable characters. Neil Gaiman as a great storyteller who doesn't mind to dance his way through the whole spectrum from kidsfic to horror. And I certainly can't neglect the influence of Tim Powers, who wrote some of the best genre-bending stories I've ever read—not to mention his talent for creating relatable anti heroes.

WR:
Where, would you say, do you stand in your writing journey?

Jinn:
At the beginning... or, perhaps, somewhere between an enthusiastic beginning and losing my way in the jungle of writing rules, must-dos, and publishing requirements. Perhaps I'll just follow my heart here and hide away in the forest.

WR:
Which of your own stories is closest to your heart?

Jinn:
They are all my babies... I think the children's story "Teri & Siva" might classify, it's in German, though, and tells the story of a tiny bat and his swallow friend. I wrote it for the first graders my sis was teaching and it was wonderful to see them relate with my characters.

From my English works, I guess Raven's Curse, a paranormal mystery based on my personal background and local history. It has a rather tragic story unfolding in Roman times and a funnier part playing out in the present—and of course Sir Guillaume, the ghost of a medieval knight involved in some ghost hunting.

WR:
Share two Wattpad story recommendations. Include the usernames of the authors and why you enjoyed the stories.

Jinn:
Dark Places by JonEvans. At a time when I was about to give up on Wattpad, I found this story. It's a gripping thriller, suspense at its best.

Lessoc Fountain by LeighWStuart - a dark fairy tale based on local Swiss mythology. This was the story that gave me the courage to pick up local motives for my own writing.

WR:
There is one question that many authors may have asked themselves, you included... But could there be one simple single answer? Let's hear from your thoughts...

What would be the perfect recipe for the next greatest novel of all time? One you would write or read.

Jinn:
I'm not a believer in writing with a recipe. Which means I'll never get a publishing contract, of course. But if all the great writers I admire would have followed a recipe or written what everyone else did, their work wouldn't stand out in the way it does, right? So, I guess I'll just see what others turn up with and for my own writing, I'll follow my guts and let my imagination carry me wherever it wants.

WR:
Now that we know more about you, we are curious about your involvement in the Writer's Relay adventure.

What was your first thought when seeing the Writer's Relay call for participants?

Jinn:
My thought? "We did it. We actually did the most crazy thing my mind could come up with and launched this baby." And the next thoughts probably were "Are you mad? Do you know how much work this will be?"

WR:
What do you hope this initiative will bring to the Wattpad community and the authors who participated as well as for future similar events?

Jinn:
For the community, I hoped to create an event that goes beyond the classic contests. We have that competitive element in so many activities, from aim2engage to the ONC and ultimately the Wattys. My vision was to have the participants working together to a common goal and learning from each other on the way instead of competing. In addition, the writers involved should get the opportunity to meet new and interesting friends, and share a good time together working on the novel.

For future events, well, I think next time I'll have a better understanding of what this involves. I hope it won't keep me from pushing further Writer's Relay projects.

WR:
Now that you are well into this relay race, what do you think of your role in the collaboration?

Writing as a group is a bit like musicians performing in an orchestra. And who says orchestra, says musicians and conductor... but also lots of people working in the background. What is your role in this philharmonic? And what kind of symphony will come out?

Jinn:
I guess in this orchestra, I took up the baton. Usually, that's not my style, as I'm more one for staying in the background, hiding away behind the double bass or the broad back of a fellow musician. But each orchestra needs a conductor, and that's where I ended. So, if the symphony turns into a cacophony, I might be the one to blame. But honestly, given the chance, I think we would do John Williams proud.