How long have you been frequenting The Phoenix Jessica, how did you find us, and why have you stayed with us?

I can't remember how i got to this Short Story Workshop but it was ages ago and I just bookmarked it and haven't stopped reading since.

When did you get bit by the writing bug, and what is your continued inspiration to do so?

I started after learning to spell 'jessica' in kindergarten. I'm one of those self-therapists, when i'm upset i have to write or draw something before i can think rationally, and there's always going to be something that makes me cry so I'll just keep writing!

What do you feel your strengths as a writer are, and why?

My strengths??? People seem to like my style... gee don't ask me that!

What are your biggest challenges as a writer?

Editing. I never put things away to rest, I am impatient. Also, I hate the idea that I'm patronizing the reader so I tend to assume too much, so I can be hard to understand.

Can you tell us about how you like to relax, your hobbies and other interests?

Well I love The Simpsons, Machine Gun Fellatio and anything by the good people at Cadbury. When I need to relax I just have a hot shower and a few sleep-easy tablets! Does buying really high shoes and boots count as a hobby?

To date what has been your favorite piece of writing that you have authored, and why?

My favorite piece was an assignment I did in high school, for Tourism, and it is my alltime favorite because it was so sarcastic and cynical and smart alecky that I thought I'd get suspended for handing it in!

Do you feel that gender influences our writing? Why or why not?

I tend to undervalue anything written by a woman. I don't know why. Sometimes I wish I had been born a man (usually about the same time each month) but then I talk to one and come to my senses.

It depends what you're writing about, I guess.

Which authors do you feel have influenced your writing style the most?

Douglas Adams, Ben Elton, Margaret Atwood, Colin Roberts, and Tom Lehrer.

What elements of a story do you find the most challenging, and why?

Definitely a coherent plot! My plots tend to go nowhere. Also,I find sticking with an idea very difficult. I change my mind a lot.

If you could be any character in Fiction or non-fiction, who would that be.... and why?

That's easy, I would be God.

What are your thoughts on the old saying, "Writers should write what they know"?

Well sure, how can they write about anything else?

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our writers?

Yeah, my praise to thesaurus on Microsoft Word.