Jill K. Sayre shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Jill K., it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
In 2021. I retired from teaching middle school English, or so I thought, but an opportunity arose for me in late August. I now spend my days with four- and five-year-olds in a PreK classroom, assisting in math, language arts, crafts, and play. My students are a lot of fun, and they keep me on my toes.
Once I get home, usually before 4:00 p.m., I sit down to write and promote my new book, which is coming out in October. Aside from giving my two dogs lots of love and a few treats, my afternoons are busy at my computer.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an educator, writer, writing coach, and artist. I hold an Art degree from UCLA and have recently received my MLS, with a focus on Creative Writing and Cultures. Having spent most of my career as an English teacher, I love books written for that age group. I found many of them to be either too young, in vocabulary and story concept, or too mature. It has been my goal to bridge the gap with my own books, particularly in the realm of reality-based fantasy.
In 2013, “The Fairies of Turtle Creek” was released, which is a book about a 13-year-old Claire who only believes in what science can explain. Her brother is away in the Iraq War, so her life has been turned upside down. Then her eccentric grandmother comes to live with her and her parents, showing her that some of the best things in life are inexplicable, and many are only felt and never seen.
My new book, “On Wings of Stone and Light,” is scheduled for release on October 6, 2025. This is written for older readers, with the main characters being 16 years old. It is loosely based on the old French play, “Cyrano de Bergerac,” but in this adaptation, Cyrano and his comrades are gargoyles that have come to life. This story features adventure, unlikely friendships, and heroes, as well as romance between the main gargoyle character and a human girl who can communicate with angels.
Aside from teaching and writing, I enjoy helping other writers bring their stories to life. My current client and friend and I have collaborated on her book, which is based on her life as a high-fashion model in Chicago during the 1960s and ’70s. Many people have remarkable stories to tell, but don’t know where to begin.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As children, we rely on adults to tell us what we are good at, and for me, it was drawing. That’s what I received the most praise for, and so I ended up majoring in art once I got to college. I wasn’t great at expressing my big imagination any other way, although looking back, I tried. While going through old boxes of keepsakes, I have discovered many books I wrote as a child, including the picture book I drew and illustrated in 5th grade, called “Scratch and Chirp,” about a cat and a bird that were friends, to my autobiography, which I began writing when I reached the wise old age of ten. I laugh now, but that longing to write stayed with me well into my 40s, but I had never been taught how to write a book, lacking confidence. I joined the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I learned the craft by attending conferences and seminars, while piecing together ideas I had collected in a box, which included about a hundred scraps of paper, for my first book. Although I still love to paint and draw, most of my creativity now comes out as words on the page.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, I’d say, “You are doing so much good for others just by being nice.” Being nice sometimes has a bad reputation, and it can lead a person to be perceived as a pushover, which isn’t beneficial in life. I was never one to push back, and I still dislike confrontation; those are the memories that haunt me —those times when I think I should have stood up for myself more, especially in relationships with others. But really, now that I’m 58, I love being known as a nice person, and I surround myself with others who are too. I raised three really gracious adult children, caring more about the thoughtfulness they have for others than their career successes, of which they also have. However, I think the power of kindness is underrated these days. Sure, there are times when we need to stand up for our convictions, but we always have a choice about how we present them: we can be harsh about it or choose kind words and still express what we need to.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
Smart people today sometimes forget to put themselves in others’ shoes to see both sides of an issue. Being right becomes too important to them, and although they may have earned a high degree from a well-regarded institution, they overlook the need to be open to understanding an opposing view. Whether it’s political, cultural, or something else subjective, there should be flexibility in what is considered ‘worthy’ in this world. Everyone and every idea is worthy in some way. For example, Brother Mockingbird is the publisher of my latest book, “On Wings of Stone and Light.” They strive to find “creative voices often overlooked by others…” After receiving numerous rejections from other mainstream publishers, it’s wonderful to find a place that appreciates my unique perspective, as showcased in my writing. Things that are different aren’t wrong– they are just unique.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I will regret not traveling more. Seeing other countries, including U.S. states, always gives me a deeper understanding of myself and the world. Standing outside of a looming ancient walled city or landing in an airport where plumeria flowers are the first thing I smell are firsthand experiences I can’t have any other way besides being there. There are many places I want to see, even though I have been fortunate enough to visit many already. Australia, Scotland, and Tahiti are among them. Yes, I can look at pictures and guidebooks, but there are always surprises when actually present, sometimes from the people, the smells, the sounds, and the way it makes me feel. I grow as a human after traveling and feel more a part of the vast universe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jillksayre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjillksayre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillKSayre
Image Credits
None– they are all mine.
