Jeran Jongema is a writer and educator who will be published in Volume 22: Revolution, available in print and digital versions on October 29th, 2024. WR editors were pleased to interview Jongema this past Spring about his inspiration, journey, and upcoming novel. Here is a transcript of that interview which has been revised for clarity:
"I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and I grew up and graduated in Aransas Pass, Texas. I will soon be entering the realm of teaching as a certified educator for English in secondary (grades 7-12th specifically) education. Literature has always been a predominant entity in my life; I owe my appreciation of writing to my family and the marvelous English teachers present during my years in high school.
My favorite genre to write is fiction, specifically fantasy or science fiction. Fiction has many routes and offers a lot of creativity in world-building while, additionally, allowing the exploration of ideas or concepts without the same limitations should it be set in reality. Being able to talk about reality while not having to set the story in reality is quite the benefit.
I adore storytelling and entertaining others. In any piece I write, be it a poem or novel, my goal is to entertain those who come across it and connect to readers through the story I intend to tell. That is why I write.
If I am not writing, I am reading. If I am not reading, I play video games or watch anime. I find a lot of pleasure in simple hobbies.
Currently, I have a novel in progress. It is still in the first draft phase; however, I plan to complete and publish the work. It is about a deity who hides and serves as a butler, having saved people who do not know they were saved because the event and history were warped and construed throughout centuries. So far, as of writing this, I have completed twelve chapters (174 pages). While this is not the final draft of the novel and it will undoubtedly change during the revising and editing stages, this story is a testament to how much I genuinely enjoy writing. It is my triumph. Simply doing it is my huge success."
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Being able to publish and support local writers is highly gratifying for Windward Review editors. Though he is local, Jongema's submission was accepted via the same blind review process that every submission goes through. His poems "Echo" and "The Mess We Made" stood out because of their rhythm, end rhymes, and perceptive speaking style.
We are happy to share "The Mess We Made" below. The poem can be read again in Volume 22: Revolutions (October 2024 release date).
The Mess We Made
Lay down the pieces
that broke away long ago.
I sleep in this mess.
You have made this war yourself,
one you cannot simply shelf.
And yet, in this fight,
I
lost
before
I
could
try
So, what is the point?
In life, more than one day comes,
with more to add to your sum.
So, days will sour?
Mornings and nights shall pass by?
How can I change that?
Life will not wait for sweetness.
Thus, revolution greets us.
