Unscripted: An Interview with author Jay Word
To celebrate the release of “Mummy’s Boy,” I had the chance to talk to Jay Word about her latest novel. Here, she shares the inspirations and ideas behind this gripping thriller.
Mana:
Congratulations on your 4th new book, Mummy’s Boy! As we celebrate the release of Mummy’s Boy, let’s look back at the beginning of your writing journey. What was the main catalyst that helped you overcome the hurdles of finishing your first manuscript back in 2022?
Jay Word:
Great question, nobody has asked me that yet. I often have a few WIPS in progress but I don’t work on them at the same time. If I have an idea for a book, I will start writing but the full story isn’t always formulated in my head. Apart from an outline, most of my writing is straight from brain to manuscript, naturally, without a lot of planning. Sometimes, I simply don’t know exactly where the story will end up. It’s a case of just letting it flow. I think I was just unsure how to proceed with Mummy’s Boy once I’d written 20k words. I went onto something else — and I wasn’t inspired to go back to Mummy’s Boy until something happened to both my Mother and son last summer. My mum had a stroke and my son went to prison. Both are significant people in my life and the relationships I had with them are loosely similar to the relationships that Melanie has with Mary-Anne & Craig. I made Mary-Anne’s character despicable, so that she’d make my own mother seem like a saint. My son & I are very close, and I felt responsible for him being taken away, but I can’t say more about that because his court case is still pending. Mummy’s Boy ended up being the therapy I needed to get through our separation. My mother died on 1st November 2024. Writing Mummy’s Boy was cathartic, and was a part of my healing journey. It began as a story and became so much more for me. It was definitely the hardest book I’ve written to date.
Mana:
Unfortunately your childhood was marked by turmoil, which can deeply affect one’s outlook. How did this upbringing shape your worldview and writing?
Jay Word:
I’m an empath — I have always felt things deeply, and not just my own feelings. I’ve been a counsellor to many over the years. I actually have a level 2 certificate in counselling, because I was considering it as a career prior to the pandemic. I think I have a pretty realistic view of the world, but I’ve seen more pain than love and I have an attraction for darkness. That’s probably why I married the kind of man that I did, but I'm not a victim anymore, and I can write about darkness and live in the light. I can be entertained by darkness without being in the dark. I couldn’t have done that five years ago, but now three years into my healing journey, it’s relatively easy for me to do.
Mana:
How has your diagnosis with Functional Neurological Disorder impacted your daily life, and what adaptations have you made to cope as a author?
Jay Word:
Extremely. I was diagnosed in 2023 but had symptoms since 2017. I’ve needed to use a wheelchair since February 2023 — almost 2 years now. It’s a condition that effect my brain & body. Late diagnosis and delayed treatment means I may never walk again. My independence has been robbed. I depend on my twenty-year-old daughter to care for me. There’s so much I can’t do for myself. I was always independent, I raised two children alone. I used to travel abroad solo, just get up and go whenever I pleased as my children became adults. I can’t do that now. My memory is atrocious. My proofreader has had to change my character’s names on more than one occasion. I have so many WIPS because I’m afraid that I’ll forget my ideas so I write them down straight away. I can close one app and immediately forget what app I was meant to be opening. Poor memory as a writer isn’t good at all. I also have to factor in that I may have days/weeks when I can’t write. Sometimes I just can’t function normally and the symptoms are constantly changing in intensity. FND is unpredictable. My bodily functioning changes many times through the day. It’s a nightmare. As a last resort, I may need 12 weeks residential rehab later this year. It’s a good thing that as a writer, I can work anywhere. I’m dreading 12 weeks away from home, but I’ll try anything to try and walk again.
Mana:
Who are some of your favourite authors or influences, and how have they shaped your writing style?
Jay Word:
Martina Cole was the first author I fell in love with. I met her once. I showed her something I’d written and she said ‘keep it up.’ I’m a crime thriller fan; I write what I love to read: Michael Connelly, James Patterson,Harlan Coben, Linda La Plante, Stewart McBride, Simon Kernick, Peter Robinson and Mark Billingham have all influenced me somewhat. Their stories were my saviour when I was lonely and depressed.
Mana:
Can you share more about your plans for a podcast, this is very interesting.
Jay Word:
I love True Crime podcasts, I want to maybe compare my books to real life crimes. I am a natural entertainer, I’m funny, even though my books don’t reflect that. Podcasts are informative and far reaching. Doesn’t everyone want to be a YouTuber these days?
Mana:
What topics do you hope to tackle in your future podcast, and who/what inspired this idea?
Jay Word:
Unpopular crimes. Reality is stranger than fiction: my stories aren’t real but there are real people out there, experiencing the things I write about. We should know about them if there story is out there. We shouldn’t avoid learning about other people’s suffering. I try to understand it.
Mana:
If one of your books were adapted for television, who would you cast as the main characters? It can be one or many actors/actresses of your choice and why?
Jay Word:
Brilliant question and one I haven’t thought about: Cillian Murphy would be a great pick for my character Tony Lovell in my debut novel, Caught In The Crossfire. I will have to think about this question deeper in the future: I really would love my books to be dramatized. I write with that in mind.
Mana:
What’s one of your favourite book genre to read, and why do you enjoy it?
Jay Word:
Psychological thrillers. The mind is a wonderful thing; it fascinates me. I like to know what makes people tick. I psychoanalyze everyone, reading for me is an extension of real life. I like my books wild, full of action and a little f’d up.
Mana:
If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Jay Word:
Mickey Haller from Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer. I think he’s the only fictional character I’ve ever crushed on.
I’m very grateful for Jay Word’s willingness to share her insights and experiences with me. To learn more about Jay Word’s work please · Sign up to Jay Word’s newsletter · Visit website and follow @Jay.word.author on other social channels.
This interview is a collaborative effort between myself, Mana W Rothstein, author Jay Word, and the supportive staff at CHU Sainte-Justine. I would like to thank everyone involved for their invaluable support and assistance in making this interview a reality.
