Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlyn Jensen.
Hi Ashlyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was a kid, stories were my comfort. I’d spend hours imagining beautiful worlds that I could fill with people and places beyond my circumstances. Places where I felt empowered and safe. Naturally, story became the language I used to interpret everything around me. When I decided to go to college for creative writing, no one was surprised.
College was one of my favorite parts of the journey. It allowed me to explore my artistic sensibilities outside a vacuum. It connected me with brilliant mentors. And it showed me what a capable writer I was. But college was only my first step on the path. As it turned out, higher education was a vacuum all its own.
I’d left the safety of the classroom for the real world. And the real world kind of sucked. In that first year or two, I spent a lot of time scrounging for any writing experience I could find. I ended up juggling a part-time tutoring gig with unpaid internships, freelance V.O. scripts for YouTube, and screenplay coverage to name a few. Eventually, I had enough experience to land a cushy gig as an in-house copywriter for an international brand. I know it sounds super fancy.
In a lot of ways it was. I got to work from home. I finally had money. I got to travel. And the benefits package was unmatched. But years of personal upheaval and the world shifting under my feet made it crystal clear. That cushy gig took way more from me than it ever gave. So in April, I was privileged enough to quit my job, strike out on my own and get back to my roots as a storyteller. That’s where I’m at now. It’s still early in the process.
But I’ve gotten farther in my creative projects in the last few months than I have in years. I’m currently looking into getting an editor’s certification, which I will undoubtedly use to perfect my first poetry collection and fictional serial. Of course, the journey continues. But these days, I’m finding myself more excited about what the road looks like down the line.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve been extremely privileged in my journey as a writer. I’ve had many teachers and mentors take an interest in my talent. I’ve had a versatile range of opportunities. And for the last decade or so, my life has completely revolved around writing. But I would be lying if I said any of that came without its struggles. I don’t know how productive it would be for me to detail all of the roadblocks and hardships I’ve experienced in my fight to be the writer (and person) I am.
But I will say, for every challenge that’s created resistance in my journey, writing has been the force pushing me forward. Whether it was moving 2,300 miles across the country, quitting my job, struggling with mental illness, or finding strength to act in the midst of global turmoil, writing has always been there to help me deal with the things happening in and around me.
Instead of getting super specific about my struggles, I’d like to encourage budding artists to use their gifts to overcome their own. Leaning into your creativity will help you in ways you’d never expect. It’ll give you direction when you feel lost. It’ll create opportunities to connect. And when you’re ready to share your art, it’ll do those things for other people too.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My true north has always been storytelling. It doesn’t matter if I’m doing that through poetry, short stories, long form fiction, or screenplays. I live for stories. Recently, I’ve had more time to dust off my old story ideas and create some new ones. I’m looking forward to exploring those ideas in more depth this year.
At this point, though, most people in my writing community know me by my poetry, as that’s what I tend to share. I’ve often been told my work is lucid and vivid, multifaceted, and emotionally visceral. As far as what I’m most proud of right now? Getting to the copyediting stage of my first poetry collection, Point of No Return, feels like a huge achievement.
I’ve also started work on my first short serial fiction, Teeth: a folk horror inspired by my southern upbringing. I’ll be releasing both of these projects on Wrizzit for those with any interest. (find the link to my profile in this interview).
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice is to put yourself out there. Volunteer with creative organizations in your city. Figure out where the creatives in your community get together and get involved. Go to open mic nights at your local coffee shop. Join artsy groups (there’s tons on Meetup). Go to in-person and online events. Get on Substack or Instagram and chat with artists you look up to. Some of the best mentorship I’ve gotten is from people I’ve never met in person. Your community is out there. But you have to be confident and very diligent about putting yourself in the way of opportunity.
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