Jennifer Chapman’s love of writing started with a haiku lesson in the second grade. After years of writing poetry there was a creative lull as she went to college and navigated adulthood. In her late twenties Jennifer read A Moveable Feast and was inspired to start writing again. Reading about Hemingway’s own struggles with self-doubt gave Jennifer the courage to not only write but to consider herself a writer.
Out of the blue a childhood friend contacted Jennifer and asked for her help with a screenplay. The collaboration was short-lived but it moved Jennifer’s creative life in a new direction. She learned how to write screenplays and moved from Boston to Los Angeles. Jennifer eventually realized that she didn’t have the hustle required, but through her experience with screenwriting Jennifer developed a passion for crafting good dialogue.
Jennifer later became a mom, and when her son was two she saw an article that became the seed of her first novel. Jennifer wrote most of the first draft over several sessions of NanoWriMo, but the novel needed a lot of work. She applied to two low-residency programs and was accepted into the Newport MFA in Creative Writing program at Salve Regina University.
And that’s where she is now. Jennifer is currently in her last semester at Salve Regina and will graduate in January. Not everyone needs an MFA to be a writer, but Jennifer did. Because of the program her first novel Cool Like Maverick is well underway and will be finished in 2026.
Out of the blue a childhood friend contacted Jennifer and asked for her help with a screenplay. The collaboration was short-lived but it moved Jennifer’s creative life in a new direction. She learned how to write screenplays and moved from Boston to Los Angeles. Jennifer eventually realized that she didn’t have the hustle required, but through her experience with screenwriting Jennifer developed a passion for crafting good dialogue.
Jennifer later became a mom, and when her son was two she saw an article that became the seed of her first novel. Jennifer wrote most of the first draft over several sessions of NanoWriMo, but the novel needed a lot of work. She applied to two low-residency programs and was accepted into the Newport MFA in Creative Writing program at Salve Regina University.
And that’s where she is now. Jennifer is currently in her last semester at Salve Regina and will graduate in January. Not everyone needs an MFA to be a writer, but Jennifer did. Because of the program her first novel Cool Like Maverick is well underway and will be finished in 2026.
Interview with Jennifer Chapman
about her story "Thar She Blows"
Honorable Mention for The Scribes Prize
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What inspired this piece?
“Thar She Blows” was inspired by my grandmother Soey who sadly passed away in 2020. She was as unique and special as her name, and I still miss her every day. This piece was an amalgamation of stories I’ve heard about her over the years, and not an accurate depiction of any particular memory. Grandma Soey was expressive and loud and in the most wonderful way and my story was a small tribute to the brightness that she brought to our lives.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
Micro-fiction is a great exercise in practicing economy. When you have to tell a story in such a small space every word counts. It can also be a great way to flex your creative muscles before working on something larger.
Who are some authors that inspire you?
Most of the authors that inspire me are from before my time: John Kennedy Toole, Hunter S. Thompson, and Charles Bukowski. And Hemingway of course! His writing is simple but potent. I bet he would have been great at writing flash fiction.
What's next on the horizon for you?
After I graduate in January I plan to finish my novel Cool Like Maverick by the end of the year, and after that I would love to explore some of the other stories that have been swimming around in my head!
“Thar She Blows” was inspired by my grandmother Soey who sadly passed away in 2020. She was as unique and special as her name, and I still miss her every day. This piece was an amalgamation of stories I’ve heard about her over the years, and not an accurate depiction of any particular memory. Grandma Soey was expressive and loud and in the most wonderful way and my story was a small tribute to the brightness that she brought to our lives.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
Micro-fiction is a great exercise in practicing economy. When you have to tell a story in such a small space every word counts. It can also be a great way to flex your creative muscles before working on something larger.
Who are some authors that inspire you?
Most of the authors that inspire me are from before my time: John Kennedy Toole, Hunter S. Thompson, and Charles Bukowski. And Hemingway of course! His writing is simple but potent. I bet he would have been great at writing flash fiction.
What's next on the horizon for you?
After I graduate in January I plan to finish my novel Cool Like Maverick by the end of the year, and after that I would love to explore some of the other stories that have been swimming around in my head!