A Conversation with Jill Jepson, Author of Writing as a Sacred Path

Jill Jepson is a writer, writing coach, college professor, and linguistic anthropologist. She is the author of Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose, published by Ten Speed Press. She also runs Writing the Whirlwind, a business that offers workshops and coaching for writers, activists, caretakers, and others. She can be reached at www.jilljepson.com and www.writingthewhirlwind.net.

Thank you for this interview, Jill. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book, Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose, is all about?

Jill: Writing as a Sacred Path delves into the practices of four great spiritual vocations—that of the shaman, warrior, mystic and monk—to provide a new approach for writers. It is for all writers who wish to write with purpose and direction and to develop a deep connection to their writing. It contains more than eighty exercises—although I prefer the term "sacred tools"—designed to help writers use myth, meditation, ritual, dreams, crafts, nature experiences, and other means to deepen and expand their writing practice. Writing as a Sacred Path offers readers a way to approach writing itself as a life-changing spiritual practice.

Can you tell us who or what was the inspiration behind your book?

Jill: Writing as a Sacred Path was born out of the coming together of two threads in my life. On the one hand, I have been a writer my entire life. I started writing as a young child—I dictated stories to my mother when I was just three—and it has always been central to who I am. At the same time, I was engaged for many years on a spiritual search that took me all over the world, everywhere from India to Central America and Siberia to Syria. Every place I went, I explored the religious traditions, read the sacred texts, and spoke with monks, priests, shamans, healers, and all kinds of spiritual practitioners. My journeys taught me many things, but I didn´t find a spiritual practice that felt right for me. I finally realized that I was searching for what I had all along, that writing was—and had always been—my spiritual path. That led me to interview many writers, and eventually to my book.

Is this your first published book and if so, can you tell us your experiences in finding a publisher for it?

Jill: Writing as a Sacred Path is not my first published book.

How has Ten Speed Press been to work with?

Jill: They have been terrific. I found them very supportive, helpful, and generous with their time. It´s been a wonderful partnership.

Do you have an agent?

Jill: Yes, Winifred Golden of the Julia Castiglia agency.

Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time Ten Speed Press sent the contract and the time it was released?

Jill: It was about six years from the time I started Writing as a Sacred Path to the time I finished, but there were gaps in that six years. I was writing a number of other things at the same time, and often took weeks, even months, off to complete some other project. Once I had a contract, the book was released in about a year.

Do you have any words of inspiration from other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?

Jill: Keep writing. I know that sounds simplistic, but I really feel persistence is the key to success at writing. It is at least as important as talent and luck, and more essential than connections. Many writers fall by the wayside because they can´t deal with the rejection—or with the many hours of hard work writing requires. It´s vital to learn how to deal with frustration and disappointment and get back to your keyboard or paper. Every writer´s mantra should be "keep writing, keep writing, keep writing."

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in August via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

Jill: Not so long ago, writers used to travel from town to town giving talks to small groups of readers. I understand that a few still do. But these days, almost everyone will tell you this is not worth the effort—or the money. Readers are all online, and that is where you can reach the broadest audience most effectively. Unless you´re already internationally known, a reading might bring in twenty people, often less. A blog can reach thousands of readers in a few seconds.

What´s next for you?

Jill: I´m working on a book about mythic archetypes that guide the writing life, and I´m writing a novel.

Thank you for this interview, Jill. Can you tell us how we can find out more about you and your new book?

Jill: At my personal website www.jilljepson.com and the site for my coaching business www.writingthewhirlwind.net.