The Writer's Shelf with Jacque Aye
The "How To Escape Death" author on blending mental health with magic and the importance of staying in your own lane
Welcome back to The Writer’s Shelf, a series where I chat with my favorite authors about their creative process, the moments that shaped their work, and, of course, the books they recommend reading.
I became familiar with Jacque Aye years ago when I stumbled upon her lifestyle brand Adorned By Chi. It was 2018, and Black Panther was about to hit theaters. Like every Marvel fan with a love of graphic tees, I was on the hunt for a good one to wear on opening night. Long story short: I ended up with a “T’Challa Makes Me Holla” tee (yes, really) from Jacque’s brand.
Fast forward to a few months ago, when I randomly pulled that same tee out of my drawer and began sleuthing on the internet to find out what happened to said brand. (And to see if the Killmonger shirt I didn’t grab was still available.) From there, I learned that Jacque had since written a few books!
One of them, How to Be a Better Adult, was described as “‘Sorry to Bother You’ meets the surrealism of ‘Atlanta,’ plus some ‘Awkward Black Girl’ mixed in for good measure.” Instantly sold. And after reading it, I knew I needed to interview Jacque for this newsletter. Read on to learn more about her books and writing process.
Jacque, tell us about yourself! What types of stories do you write?
As a woman who suffers from depression and social anxiety, I’ve made it my mission to candidly share my experiences with the hopes of helping others dealing with the same. This extends into my fiction work, where I pen tales about woeful women trying their best, with a surrealist, magical touch. Inspired by authors like Haruki Murakami, Sayaka Murata, and Lemony Snicket, my stories are dark and humorous with a hint…well, a bunch…of absurdity.
Describe your latest book in three words.
How to Escape Death: Absurd, Cosmic, Corporate
What was the 'aha!' moment or little seed that planted this story idea in your mind?
I introduced Mona, the main character of How to Escape Death, in my first novel, How to be a Better Adult. As soon as I came up with her backstory, I just knew there had to be a second book that followed her journey. A weed-addicted Corporate Futurist who becomes so good at her job that she literally becomes psychic? It was so perfectly strange and surreal. She needed her time to shine.
If your latest book had a theme song, what would it be?
I love this question because I actually made a playlist for the book! I think Death Roll by Doechii is the perfect theme song for Mona’s misfortune.
Your books explore everything from mental health and self-worth to monsters and magic, with humor, surrealism, and heart. What keeps drawing you to blend the fantastical with deeply human themes?
I watched a video once that described the experience of living as a Black person in America as inherently surreal, and they were so right. We genuinely live in a different existence from others. Followed around stores, profiled for no reason, stares and strange posturing from people who don’t even know why they’re uncomfortable around us. Now, add being queer, a child of immigrants, and a neurodivergent woman. My life is a series of bizarre happenings that no one would believe if I told them, so I weave them into my fiction work. It’s how I process the (strange) world around me.
Are you more of a plotter or a pantser when it comes to writing?
I’m more of a pantser! My novels, How to Be a Better Adult and How to Escape Death, were both written by the seat of my pants. I write intuitively, and it makes it more fun for me to see the world come to life as I type. However, with I Live to Serve the Witch, there were so many twists and turns and reveals that I had to plot it out in advance.
What’s the most interesting or unexpectedly delightful thing you’ve ever researched for one of your books?
For I Live to Serve the Witch, I researched herbs for spells and potions! As a woo-woo girly who’s always looking up natural health remedies, it was insightful to find out what kinds of plants help with certain ailments.
Do you have any writing rituals or habits that help you get in the zone?
No, I just become suddenly autistically focused and write and write for days on end from sun up to sun down, ha. I can’t drink coffee anymore, and my ADHD is unmedicated, so it all comes from my natural hyper-focus, and then when I don’t feel like writing, I don’t force it.
What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Dialogue! I have so much fun with witty dialogue. Especially while writing How to Escape Death. It was a blast stepping into the shoes of a constantly cursing corporate ladder-climber.
How do you celebrate finishing a draft, especially when your stories hold so much emotion and vulnerability?
I usually sleep the whole next day. 😅
What’s a piece of writing advice you wish you had earlier, especially as someone carving out your own lane in the indie space?
Keep doing your thing! Everyone has their own lane, and while it’s tempting to merge into others’, it’s okay to stay in yours and keep building.
You just finished crowdfunding your next book, Tuesday's Blues. What are some other impactful ways readers can support authors like you?
Yes, we successfully raised over $14,000 to bring my monstrous dating tale to life! Readers can support by leaving reviews, buying books directly from the author, supporting crowdfunding efforts, and sending encouraging messages!
Your shelves—organized by color, genre, or author? Height and color!
A book on your shelf that means the most to you: The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
A book you believe everyone should have on their shelf: How to Be a Better Adult by Jacque Aye
A book on your shelf you wish you could read for the first time again: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
A book on your shelf that you’d be excited to see adapted into a movie: I Hate Fairyland by Skottie Young
Quirky or unusual items on your shelf alongside your books: Fashion dolls!
Here’s where to find and support Jacque’s work:
Check out Jacque’s website: www.jacqueaye.com
Subscribe to her newsletter: Diary of a Sad Black Woman
Follow Jacque on Instagram: @JacqueAye
This brought tears to my eyes thank you so much for featuring me!