{: Jenn Crowell is welcomed to Jorie Loves A Story :}
{: revealing insights into “Etched On Me” via an Author Q&A :}
Jenn Crowell’s debut, Necessary Madness, was released when she was just 19; her second novel, Letting the Body Lead, when she was only 24. Both were critically acclaimed and reviewers marveled at the wisdom, maturity, and depth of feeling expressed by so young a writer. Over the next ten years, Jenn earned her MFA, but also underwent treatment for depression and self-harm—issues that she writes about so vividly in her latest novel, ETCHED ON ME. Jenn is a compelling writer, and she has a talent for creating sympathetic and relatable characters.
With ETCHED ON ME, Jenn Crowell takes her storytelling to new heights as she beautifully unpacks the legacy of sexual abuse, examines the complexities of the relationships we form when our blood families fail us, and raises fascinating questions about the nature of social services and health care in a bureaucratic system. As thought-provoking as it is riveting, ETCHED ON ME is an ultimately life-affirming story that will deepen readers’ understanding and compassion, and perhaps make them reevaluate preconceptions they might have about women who suffer from mental illness and mothers who, for whatever reason, must fight for custody of their children.
Jenn Crowell holds an MFA in Creative Writing, and lives near Portland, Oregon with her husband and young daughter.
When Etched On Me first arrived by Post, the very first thing that I had noticed was the Phoenix etched into the background of the title and set as a bit of a raised watermark. At first glance, this signaled to me the story inside was going to be about a woman who rises out of the ashes of one chapter of her life as she boldly goes forward into a new chapter emblazoned by the one she’s left.
She’s an honest portrayal of a young girl who started out as a victim but championed her own cause by becoming the survivor who was as close to being an activist as you can be without crossing the line. Lesley starts out as an a teen of sixteen and transforms into a loving Mum with a University degree in her early twenties, on the verge of marriage. You rally for her each step of her journey, because she is truly walking through hell one footstep at a time — seeking her own truth and leading with her heart. Part of her living truth was accepting that she wasn’t straight and that it was okay to be a lesbian and love differently than she expected herself too. After all, each of us in walking our own path towards love and the greatest gift each of us has is love in full acceptance of each other.
– quoted from my book review of Etched On Me
I am thankful to be welcoming Ms. Crowell to my blog today, to sit for a spell and discuss the harder hitting components of “Etched On Me”, the provocative story about how one young woman endeavoured to rise out of the ashes like a Phoenix freeing herself and winning the right to raise her daughter. Brutally honest, achingly real in its depth, this is not a tale for the sensitive heart but for the open-minded reader willing to go along with Crowell as she gives honour to a real-life woman’s story of whom the novel is based upon. From page one to the ending of the last chapter, you will find yourself rallying behind Lesley Holloway, willing her to seek out the inner strength Miss & Mr. Miss know she has the ability to resurrect. They become her family at a moment in her life where she never felt she deserved the comfort of a loving home. Love and family are not necessarily bonded through conventional means, sometimes family walks in the door when your feeling broken-hearted and downtrodden with utter despair.
Let me yield to the conversation which emerged out of the Questions I gave:
I feel full of gratitude for stepping into the #LitChat conversation that fateful day when we interacted about “Etched On Me”! As I am always appreciative of serendipitous moments which allow paths to cross. Do you feel that the impetus for the story arc contained with the novel, was also a bit serendipitous as to how it led you to the young woman in the UK?
Crowell responds: Yes, I definitely do. A random Google search turned into a heartwrenching discovery, and a book-in-progress that couldn’t quite decide what it wanted to be when it grew up; found its direction.
I find it quite remarkable how in each of our lives a measure of serendipity alights in the most unexpected moments and hours; giving us the impetus to pursue something we had not first realised would tug itself into our heart. You were seeking the heart of the novel and your own heart was the divining rod which sought out the news article which knitted it together.
As you were eluding to in the #LitChat conversation, there is a disconnect between overcoming mental illness and society’s belief that recovery is not conclusive. What do you feel would change the overall mind-set towards repairing the distance that has encroached between families and social services? Do you feel it can be repaired?
Crowell responds: That’s a wonderful question, and one that the social work profession would be wise to ask itself and reflect upon! I think it’s critical for all parties to truly work in collaboration for the best outcome, but to often parents feel (justifiably) threatened and workers feel the incredible weight of their obligation to protect children at all costs. I really wish parents were given the support and resources they need to parent through crisis, without the threat or reality of loss of custody hanging over their heads at such an already vulnerable and difficult time.
I completely agree with you on this as I would hope that even though their job is rooted in protection, part of that needs to be a pro-active approach to aiding those fathers & Mums who are in a position to voluntarily opt for support. If the parents can contribute to their well-being and be as pro-active as Lesley in the novel, then I do see where the system needs to change. No one should have to suffer through what Lesley did at the time of birth of her daughter!
I am always fully supportive of social change and for stories which effectively deal with issues where social change is necessary in order to move forward towards a better future. As you first started to compose the story, did you feel it moving you towards making as large of an impact as it has now?
Crowell responds: I hadn’t intended the book to be quite so bold in its engagement with social justice, but I’ve got a lifelong habit of speaking out against injustice and I guess this novel is one more item to add to my activist resume! I will say that I wanted to be quite judicious in not making the book a partisan political statement about “The Evil Nanny State” or national healthcare or any other number of entities represented in the drama – the most explicit example being when Lesley goes on television about her plight and is then courted by a variety of interest groups wanting to make her story fit their agenda. (Lesley being Lesley, she of course sees through this and refuses!) The abolition of stigma and discrimination requires political advocacy and engagement, but it isn’t a political agenda in the traditional sense; it’s a basic human right.
I had to smile. Generally, that is the exact moment you find yourself emerging into a stronger role than you forethought you’d take on; on the level of social justice activist. I always lament that for the causes that I feel just as strongly about myself (i.e. adoption specifically) are currently in the advocate stage but I might turn into an activist as well down the road! None us knows when we will find a calling for a cause which needs a positive light shined on it. You’ve championed the need for an honest voice in fiction for the LGBT community & for pro-active social change which leads to a turning of social mindset.
Nor do I believe that your story sought out to put a bad name on the social welfare system, but rather to examine its flaws and find a way to stitch in a more positive direction it could take whilst instilling the civil rights & liberties that were always meant to be there. None of which are political in origin but as you said ‘basic human rights’.
What was the hardest part of writing “Etched On Me”?
Crowell responds: It took me a long time to reach a point where I was comfortable writing the most intense, explicit, and disturbing scenes (and there are quite a few in the book!). Eventually I just had to get over myself and write what needed to be written.
Yes, I had a feeling you might walk away feeling this way, because as a reader, I still stand by my declaration if I had not spent most of my twenties wrapped up in Law & Order, I would not have had the heart to read Etched On Me. I would still have spoken about the book, but as far as being able to process the content and be able to emerge out of it without an aftereffect of despair out of empathy for Lesley,… I think the book arrived into my hands at just the right hour to be read. I oft feel this about novels. There are times I wonder why I read certain books at certain hours/seasons throughout my life. And, then, a startling realisation emerges: it was meant to be read when it alighted in my hands and settled into my heart. There is a season for everything and this includes our reading choices!
I can say you did push the reader into startling provocative narratives, but as I went through them with Lesley it was a way of giving an honest portrayal of her life. In many ways it felt closer to a non-fiction memoir than mere fiction! Almost as though you took key scenes and situations out of the pages of a real diary written by Lesley Holloway!
And, what do you hope will be the overall outcome of readers who pick up the story and feel empathic towards your character Lesley?
Crowell responds: I hope they love her as much as I do, and come to see her as a human and relatable face of mental illness, which is so often reduced to statistics and newspaper headline hyperbole.
I do not see how anyone who reads her story can feel anything but empathy, compassion, and a lift of spirits by the time they conclude reading Etched On Me. Yet, I agree there is too much of an empathsis on statistics (which are always proven to be too limiting of a measure) and print / tv media portals. There are stories behind all of those pooled resources that have far more depth than the blurbs of mention they are given. I think the best takeaway is that everyone has to remember that no one deserves to be ‘sorted and carparmentalised’. We are greater than the sum of our parts.
When did you first realise that telling stories through ink and pen was your heart’s motivating dream?
Crowell responds: As soon as I learned to read at the age of 3, I knew I wanted to write. And I naturally found that novels were my preferred literary vehicle – I was writing everything in chapters even in grade school.
My goodness! And, here I thought I was an early starter with writing when I used to play with the computer game “Once Upon A Time” filling in missing gaps of stories which became the earliest time I can recollect of stringing together ideas for proper story-lines. I never can remember how old I was but it was surely between six and eight! Yes, by the time grade school hit, I was already working on short stories which ironically is the last time I found the format working for me! Laughs. My methodology goes between novel and epic lengths these days!
What writers and stories inspired you whilst you were growing up? What stood out inside them to endear them through time?
Crowell responds: I first read Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale when I was 14, and it blew me away, both in terms of sobering subject matter and gorgeous style. I saw her speak in Chicago a few years back, and when she gave a shout-out to all her “Twitter pals,” I screamed from the top balcony like a fangirl. No joke.
What a wicked sweet memory you have of Ms. Atwood! I love hearing stories like these because I have several of my own! You shouldn’t feel anything but pride for letting her know vocally you were one of her ‘pals’ online! I still remember trying to get Train’s attention from the nosebleed section by holding up my glow stick when everyone else had put theirs down and waving quite madly to get into their sights! I was told by ‘neighbours’ who had proper binoculars that it appeared that I had succeeded! So, never say never! And, never feel you cannot make a bold statement & let those you appreciate know you sincerely care!
I am always curious about a writer’s tools of the trade. What do you use to write as much as where do you find solace to write whilst being infused with the muse?
Crowell responds: Music is huge for me. If you asked me what career I’d love to have other than writing, I’d put clinical psychologist and musician in a dead heat for second place. The musicians that Lesley adores are my favorites, too!
Interesting you mentioned this as a response because whilst I was reading Lesley taking a keen interest in guitar & music I felt at the time that those could be reflective of you! You wrote her inklings towards music and the way in which she connected with the headphones & guitar pick in a way that bespoke of someone who in real life could relate to those moments herself. Of course, I could relate to listening to music through headphones myself as I always have had a walkman with me (yes, tapes & good ole radio still rock my world! although, I do have a discman but the batteries die so quickly!) for inspirations on the go! Music is something I spoke about quite a heap on Ms. Patterson’s Guest Post! I love finding other writers who draw a connection between their muse & music! Rock on!
What is your greatest joy in life?
Crowell responds: My beautiful daughter, and my capacity to bear witness and provide solace to others.
Congratulations on having such a beautiful family as family to me is one of the best gifts we are given! And, children! Oh, children are what light our joy as we walk through life! I think you are a master in mindfulness and empathy towards others. Others will see this too, as they read Lesley’s story; albeit giving her an allowance for her brash way of speaking! I had to get used to it, but then, for some odd reason felt it fit her? Quite odd. I am never an advocate for strong language but in this one instance I think your ability to understand people from a sociological and psychological point of view allowed you to paint her in a startling slice of realism which simply ‘worked’.
What do you love about being a writer?
Crowell responds: I feel very close to my characters, and find it such a privilege and a joy to get to know them and tell their stories.
Ah, yes!! I believe this is rather apt to describe my own love for writing! Wicked sweet, Ms. Crowell!
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Converse via: #EtchedOnMe
Genres: Contemporary Fiction | Mental Illness | LGBT fiction | Realistic Fiction
This author interview is courtesy of:
the author Jenn Crowell & her publicist @ Atria Ms. Valarie Vennix
Previously I had the honour to read & review Etched On Me.
check out my upcoming bookish events and mark your calendars!
Again, I wish to give full gratitude and blessings of thankfulness to Ms. Crowell & Ms. Vennix who entrusted me with Lesley’s story & gave me such a beautiful secondary feature that I know will compliment the book review for readers who want to know a bit more about its genesis. I appreciate the humbling honesty Ms. Crowell gave in her responses and for being willing to answer the questions which came into my own mind as the conversation began. There is one aspect of the novel I did not share in my review as I did not want it to spoilt it for the reader. I am not going to completely reveal it now, except to say, stay keen on the the book cover’s Phoenix and the symbolism of how the fullness of the book cover stitches together from tip to stern. IF you read the book and sort out my museful hint, drop back and we can talk about it! Otherwise, I hope as you walk with Lesley throughout all her adversity and struggles to emerge back into the light of love, I hope when you read the full culmination of the ‘cover’ you will smile inwardly like I did and simply ‘pause’ with your fingers on the last page in full reflection.
{NOTE: Similar to blog tours, when I feature a showcase for an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog.}
{SOURCES: “Etched On Me” Book Cover, Jenn Crowell author photograph, author biography were provided by Ms. Vennix and were used by permission. The author biography was pulled together from the Press Release given to me. Author Interview badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2014.
