We chat with author Jennifer Dutton about her debut novel Jiu-Jitsu Girl, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi Nerd Daily! Thanks for taking the time to interview me. I’d love to tell your readers a bit about myself. I’m a wearer of many hats. I started as a journalism graduate and worked in corporate communication, then switched gears after several years and earned a master’s degree in education. In addition to teaching elementary and middle school, I’ve spent years practicing martial arts. Writing fiction manuscripts has always been a constant.
Fun facts: Much of Jiu-Jitsu Girl was written while waiting in my car for my kids. As an adult, I became a black belt in taekwondo and stopped just shy of earning my second degree to become a practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu. My scariest moment wasn’t sparring a third degree black belt in a tournament, it was singing the national anthem beforehand!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I can’t remember not having a love for writing! I was always a bookworm. It just felt natural after reading so many books to want to write them. I’d get a spark—an idea for a plot or character—and I couldn’t rest until I’d given that spark a home. I wrote my first manuscript when I was seven. It was about a girl who was sleeping and a tree fell on her house. Pretty dark!
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book that really made me stop and say…yes! I want to do that!…was Are You There God, It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Her writing style had a way or resonating and connecting with tweens and teens on such a personal level. The book didn’t feel like an adult was writing the book from what they felt like a tween’s perspective was…it read like an actual tween was the protagonist. It was very relatable and immersive…I couldn’t put it down.
Your debut novel, Jiu-Jitsu Girl, is out January 24th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Witty, Angst, Fierce, Resilience, Grit
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect to experience highs and lows along with our protagonist Angie, and some serious second-hand adrenaline rushes!
Where did the inspiration for Jiu-Jitsu Girl come from?
The inspiration for Jiu-Jitsu Girl came from the swift change from taekwondo to Jiu-Jitsu. I had been practicing taekwondo for five years and then immediately started this very different martial art. The contrast between these sports made the nuances of Jiu-Jitsu more evident to me. Jiu-Jitsu is fierce and amazing, but can also have quirky and funny moments as would be the case anytime you’re wrestling around with someone. I would also be lying if I didn’t admit I knew someone who was reluctant to start Jiu-Jitsu but wound up loving it.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing about the character, Carter. He lives with type 1 diabetes, and is anything but controlled by it. Despite having additional responsibilities that many other kids don’t have, he manages his condition like a boss. From teaching and experience with friends I had a general knowledge of type 1 diabetes, but learned so much more through the research needed to complete this character’s experience. While so many advances have been made, I have the utmost respect for kids that manage this condition because it requires an incredible amount of discipline and consideration.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey of getting Jiu-Jitsu Girl published?
Absolutely. I wrote my initial manuscript, which was the easy part…lol! Then, I began the querying process to find an agent. I feel so lucky to have connected with my agent, Ann Rose of The Tobias Literary Agency. We both have a personal connection to Jiu-Jitsu and partnering with her has been a dream. I’ve had a similar connection with my editor, Meg Gaertner with Jolly Fish Press. I’ve been very lucky with that regard.
But really, if I could summarize the process…it would be editing, editing, and more editing.
Do you have any advice for those who may have set some writing resolutions for the new year?
Absolutely! Don’t allow yourself to feel overwhelmed by the task. Do what you can, when you can. Like I said, the early draft of Jiu-Jitsu Girl was completed almost entirely while waiting in a school carpool line over the course of a year. Be disciplined, but reasonable about what you can accomplish based on other commitments.
What’s next for you?
Great question! Right now, only the Universe knows what’s in store for me …but I’d love to write more middle grade fiction books about strong female athletes, and if I had my way, I’d write a sequel with more from Angie.
Lastly, are there any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?
Definitely. 2023 is going to be a wonderful year for new releases. I’ve already pre-ordered It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap, which is being released February 21st. It’s a compelling and sensitively written middle grade book about human trafficking. Another one I’m waiting for is the sequel to The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves by Tom Phillips being released August 1st, called S.O.S. The first book was great so can’t wait to read the follow up.
Thanks again for having me—it’s been a blast!
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