Crystal Jackson Interview Published on: 09, Jul 2021

I grew up in Tennessee but moved to Georgia as an adult. Tennessee is beautiful, but I prefer Georgia now simply because I found a town that feels like home. I love the small community where I live.

I have two young children who are enthusiastic supporters of my work even though they're too young to read any of it. I have a children's book in the works, and I think they'll be far more impressed with that than with anything else I've done to date.

I had the starring role in a high school play. The stage was fun, but I prefer writing stories.

When I was a child, I wanted to be an author, but I was told quite emphatically by everyone that it wasn't possible to make a living as an author. I became a therapist instead. When I decided to transition to being a full-time writer, I knew that it might be challenging, but I was determined to make it work. And I did.

Safety is important, but mindfulness is at the heart of hiking. When I'm out in nature, I'm completely in tune with my surroundings. I carry water and other supplies with me, but mindfulness and gratitude are just as essential.

I relocated to Madison following a divorce. I wanted to tell a story of a woman who starts her life over again and finds her place. I didn't actually intend to write a novel at all. What started as an intriguing scene idea (chapter 2 of Left on Main) became the basis of an entire series.

I've written poetry since I was a child. In a way, I feel like it's the most accessible form of writing. My early attempts were awful, but I still learned to connect with emotion and imagination. When COVID-19 hit and schools closed, I lost my concentration working on my novel and decided to take years of poetry and turn them into books. It inspired a wave of new poetry, too. I don't intend to stick to any one genre. With every genre I write, I hone my overall craft. Being able to write poetry feeds into both fiction and non-fiction, and--I believe--makes me a better writer.

I credit time management and a solid budget. It's not easy to single parent and write full-time, but it's completely worth it to do what I love every day. The puppy is wonderful company while I work, and I've crafted a schedule that allows me to be fully present with my children outside of my working hours. I stick to a schedule, and it helps keep me focused.

Authenticity is the most important element, in my opinion. It comes through in the writing. If we're not self-aware or not being authentic to ourselves, our characters, or our stories, it shows. I don't think good writing can be forced. It doesn't mean that everything we write will be good or that we don't sometimes force ourselves to sit down and write something. It just means that there's a certain amount of talent that plays into the craft of writing.

A used one! I have a YOLO board, which I love, but I definitely recommend trying to find a used board when starting out.

I went scuba diving in Cozumel and loved it! I also truly enjoyed my time in Northern Ireland. The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge was one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited.

I think therapists have a wider perspective of situations than non-therapists realize. It's more than perspective; it's an understanding that no matter how self-aware the client might be, the side of the story they tell is just that: their side. There are other sides. The job of a therapist isn't to try to get the whole story but to help the client heal and take responsibility for their choices moving forward.

I would prefer reading books. Very few film adaptations have done the book justice.

I have an idea for continuing the Heart of Madison series at a later date, but I am currently working on poetry, a children's book, a family drama, and a new stand-alone romance. The book of poetry will be out next.

I have truly enjoyed it. I love seeing the tweets come out, and the graphics are just gorgeous. I highly recommend AllAuthor!