Meet Jessica Wilber
Published Author at 14!
Imagine yourself writing and publishing your first book and you're only
fourteen years old! Wouldn't that be wild? Well, Jessica Wilber of
Wisconsin has done exactly that! 
And there's only one word that describes her
book, "Totally Private and Personal: Journaling Ideas For Girls and Young
Women." That word is awesome!
We saw Jessica's home page one day when we were cruising the Internet. The AGW girlcrew read all about Jessica's new book. Jessica kindly sent us a copy. We all took turns reading it - and we couldn't put it down! Jessica knows what it's like to be a teenager and a girl because she is one. She uses diaries and journals to explore what she's thinking and feeling. Jessica feels the way we do - that it's important for girl's opinions and voices to be heard. So, meet an incredible new young writer -- Jessica Wilber.
Amy:Jessica,how would you describe yourself?
Jessica:I would describe myself as creative, smart, funny, friendly, and self-confident. I like wild clothing, makeup, and jewelry that lets me express myself; I like computers; I like getting letters from people; I like music. I dislike censorship, drugs, sexism, and olives!
Amy:What do you like to do for fun?
Jessica: I like surfing the 'Net, singing, playing guitar and piano, riding my bike, and writing my 'zine. One of the things I do just for fun is put on music and dance around my room. I also like to hang out with friends and watch movies--especially ones that make me laugh.
Amy:What do you do when you feel blue?
Jessica: When I'm in a bad mood, some of the things that help me feel better are listening to music, taking a hot shower or bath, writing in my journal, or buying something new for myself--because I love to shop!
Amy:When did you write your first journal?
Jessica: When I wrote my first journal I was 7 and in the second grade. It's actually better than I think it should be. You might think there aren't that many things for a second grader to worry about, but there are! I wrote reviews of books I liked, fantasy stories about princesses and witches, my feelings about fights with friends and my
upcoming move to another state, and my crush on Joe McIntire of the 'New Kids on the Block.' I also drew pictures.
Amy:What are your journals like now?
Jessica: My journals now are somewhat different, although in some ways they are the same. I actually like what I wrote in second grade a lot, and I'm kind of going back to that now. I wrote about everything in second grade, then in 4th, 5th, and part of 6th grade I went through a period of time when practically all I wrote about was boys. I got sick of it, so I started writing about other stuff, too.
Amy:Why did you decide to write a book?
Jessica: Because I wish someone had written it for me.
I've had very supportive
friends and family, but in some ways I've felt stifled. I think my book
has an important message. It lets girls know that what they have to say is
important, and then it goes on and gives them a way in which to say it. I
like that fact.
Amy: What was the biggest challenge you faced writing a book?
Jessica: A bunch of guys coming up to me (not all at once) and saying things like: "Why didn't you write a book for boys? Do you think women should take over the world or something?!" Then I had to explain to them that the reason I didn't write a book for boys is because I am not a boy
and I can't relate as easily to them.
Amy: Who are your role models? Who inspired you
to write?
Jessica: I have many role models, that are from all different careers. Some of them include Ani DiFranco (a singer), Jody Foster (an actress), Judy Blume (author), and Francesca Lia Block (author). I admire all of them, because they have stood up for what they believed in and not backed down. For instance: Ani DiFranco started her own record label at age 18, and has refused to sign with a major label. Judy Blume has continued writing inspiring books even though so many of her books have been banned from so many libraries and schools. I think both of those things take guts.
Amy:Why do you think it's important for girls to keep a journal?
Jessica: Keeping a journal helps you discover who you are. You are more than just the sum of your parts. You are more than just agnostic or Jewish or Catholic or Buddhist. You are more than just the daughter of your parents. You are more than just your age or race. You are your thoughts, feelings, dreams, hopes, aspirations, ideas...all mixed together to make you YOU!
Amy:What do you think are the top five things a girl should think about putting into her journal?
Jessica: Wow, that's hard! There are so many things you can put in your journal, and I don't want anyone to feel limited to what I suggest. Just put yourself down on paper...don't censor your thoughts because you think some of them might be "inappropriate." Write whatever YOU feel the need to write! Journal writing really helps me when I am angry or sad or scared. When I am angry, if I write down my feelings I cool off a little before I do anything I would regret later. When I'm sad or scared, somehow writing things down makes the feelings seem not as overwhelming anymore.
Amy:Do you ever worry that someone else might read it? How do you keep your journals private?
Jessica: Sometimes I worry that my parents will read it, but for the most part I trust them. Still, I am a very private person, so I keep my journals and other private things locked up in a trunk--on the off chance that someone will want to take a peek.
Amy: Do you ever want to change what you've written down?
Jessica: Sometimes I disagree with what I wrote before, but I read somewhere that you should never erase things or cross things out, because they may be very important and then you would have only a partial record. If I am reading through my journals and I disagree with something I wrote before, I just add a little note next to it in a different color of ink.
Amy:Do you ever write stories into your journal -- ghost stories or science fiction or anything?
Jessica: I've never written whole pieces of fiction in my journal, but sometimes I will be writing an entry and think to myself: "Hey, that would make a good poem!" or "That would make a good story!" Sometimes, also, I will write down ideas for stories or a paragraph that I might possibly put in a story in there.
Amy: In your book, you write about girls joining journaling groups. Do you have a journaling group? Do you think they help girls who want to write?
Jessica: I am not currently in a group, but I have been in some in the past--all of which have been online. I love online journaling groups! It is very easy to share things with people you don't know in person, and will probably never meet, because you know they won't judge you or start any rumors about you. In all of the groups, we
have talked about techniques for journal writing and many other things--some not even related to journaling! We have also posted entries from our journals for the others to see.
Amy: Have you ever experienced prejudice against women? What were the circumstances and how did you handle it?
Jessica: Many of the comments I have gotten
have been from these two boys in particular, who would tell me I was a militant feminist. They would say things like: "Only guys can wear camouflage," if I happened to be wearing my army surplus clothing that day. They also put me down for being a riot grrrl. The way I handled it was to ignore it, and it usually worked. One time, though, they went too
far, and I told them in no uncertain terms to never do it again. They basically left me alone after that.
Amy: What are some of your goals, dreams and hopes
for the future?
Jessica: One of my goals is to learn how to skateboard, and another is to be in a band. I'd also like to sing--maybe even come out with an album. In the future, I would like to start a magazine for girls--but it will be a while until I can do that. For now I just have my 'zines. In the future, I'd like to write novels and poetry.
Amy: Do you think writing has changed you?
Jessica: Writing has changed me in a positive way. It makes me more aware of the world around me, and it helps me to feel better about myself.
Amy:Do you have any advice for other girls who would like to be writers?
Jessica: Observe everything and write it all down. Open yourself up to new experiences and ideas. Read everything you can get your hands on, and never give up. Believe in yourself and the power of your words.
Amy:So, what do you think is cool about being
a girl today?
Jessica: I like being a girl today because we have many more options than we have ever had before. You can take ballet AND skateboard, play piano AND drums, wear dresses AND baggy clothes...and still be simply a girl!
Girls rule!
This article was written by the AGW girlcrew and edited by: Kaycee (11) and Marlena (11) and Sara (11)
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Copyright © 2006 A Girl's World Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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