Meet the First Recipient of a New Indie Memphis Accolade
Jamey Hatley credits the attacks of 9/11 with being the turning point in her life that led her to finally pursue a writing career. Find out more about this award-winning writer, get her best advice and more.
While working as a librarian, Jamey Hatley would anticipate the arrival of new books from seasoned and budding authors; but her anticipation was oftentimes met with a wave of frustration. Intrinsically, she knew that she too was supposed to be penning short stories and novels. Β
Jamey credits the unfortunate events of 9/11 for forcing her to rethink her life and her writing ambitions. Deciding not to lead a life filled with fear, she began to pursue her long-standing interest in writing. She enrolled in workshops that catered to writers of color, including the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshop, a premier literary organization. She then took it one step further and pursued a Masters of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University. After graduating, Jamey remained in Louisiana for nearly a decade working in the literary circuit. She eventually βwrote her way back to Memphisβ in 2014, and thatβs when the accolades started rolling in.Β
In 2016 she was chosen as Prose Fellow for the National Endowment for the Arts and was a Rona Jaffe Foundation Award winner. Most recently, the award-winning writer was announced as the recipient of the inaugural Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Fellowship, handpicked by renowned film director, Barry Jenkins. Through the fellowship, funds are allocated to assist Jamey in the development of her upcoming screenplay, The Eureka Hotel. The inspiration behind the play is a now-demolished house in Memphis that was once situated near the National Civil Rights Museum.Β
Jamey spoke candidly with us about lessons sheβs learned since becoming a full-time writer and what she loves most about the city that inspires most of her literary work. Welcome our newest FACE of Memphis, Jamey Hatley.
When do you fall in love with writing?
Iβm a nervous, anxious writer. I have some friends who write, and thatβs their safe space, but when Iβm writing Iβm usually writing nervously. So much so, that when Iβm in my zone people will ask me if Iβm okay. Writing is very satisfying and I enjoy it, but in love with it? Iβm not sure. I just donβt want to romanticize it because itβs really hard work. Iβm a perfectionist and have really high goals for myself as a writer so that plays a lot into my anxiety while writing.
When did you decide to pursue writing as a professional career?
I had a lot of jobs before deciding to pursue writing full-time. I worked in the music industry and nonprofits, but I couldnβt stop writing the stories. I was working as a librarian and realized that I had to do something else with my career because I wasnβt even a full librarian. And although I was good at it, I knew that I was supposed to be doing something else.
Everything changed when the 9/11 attacks happened. I was in Memphis at the time and had an online writing community. When 9/11 happened, I realized that the world is really fragile and you may not have the time you think you have. It snapped me out of this kind of youthful way of thinking. So, knowing that it could all be taken away from me and knowing that I had some serious ambitions, I knew that I was going to have to begin actually writing some things.
Although Iβd been writing a little β I had a raggedy novel I was working on β I hadnβt fully pursued it until after 9/11.
Youβve written dozens of stories and received some pretty amazing accolades, including Prose Fellow for the National Endowment for the Arts and recipient of the Rona Jaffe Foundation Award, but when did you become comfortable calling yourself a writer?
When I began going to these writing workshops and saw my work alongside these writers who had been doing it for a long time, I stopped being so hard on myself and realized, βoh my stuff is actually good.β When I got in community with other writers, I began considering myself a writer. And thatβs why I think itβs important to build community.
I studied with so many other amazing writers that have helped and coached me along the way. That gave me the confidence and the community to embrace myself as a writer.
How would you describe yourself as a writer, or your writing style?
A lot of understanding of who I am as a writer comes after a piece is made. I think you have to do a lot of work to understand what kind of writer you are. Iβm always learning the things that are important to me. Black people are important to me. Memphis is important to me. I also recently realized Iβm obsessed with ruins and things that hold a lot of history. There are usually only some questions that I can answer only through writing. As a writer Iβm interrogating myself, my city, and the world that I live in, and as a storyteller, the story that we take for granted.
Most recently, you were announced as the recipient of the inaugural Indie Memphis Black Filmmaker Fellowship in Screenwriting, where you secured a grant to help you develop your screenplay, The Eureka Hotel. Why did you decide to shift to screenwriting?
My writing life is not according to plan. It still startles me when people consider me a screenwriter because Iβm a literary artist. I have never taken a single screenwriting class even while I was getting my MFA at Louisiana State University because I couldnβt imagine myself doing it. I knew that you give your work to a director and they could do what they wanted with it. And I didnβt like the idea of that.
Youβve said that you βwrote your way home to Memphis.β How does the city inspire you and your writing?
Well Iβm from here β¦ Iβm of here, and itβs my city. There are stories of people here that havenβt been told. There is so much rich history. I think that there has been so much shame surrounding Dr. Kingβs assassination, but I think without truth and exposing all of those stories that there canβt be justice. And Memphis still hasnβt seen justice. I think itβs my mission to tell those stories.
What are some of your favorite places to go in Memphis?
The Stax Museum and The Civil Rights Museum are my top go-to places. Itβs important to not just go to the museums but see the neighborhoods. Iβm also a foodie. I love The Four Way grill and Miss Girleeβs. And if I want to be in a beautiful room, I love Restaurant Iris. I also love The Second Line. Those restaurants have become like family to me.
I also do most of my writing in the window of Otherlands Coffee Bar.
Whatβs the best piece of advice youβve received?
My mentor, Memphis native Arthur Flowers, always tells the story of telling a friend he wanted to be the greatest novelist who ever lived. She said, βNo, Art, thatβs not what you want. You want to sing your song the best you can sing it. That way you can appreciate other folks singing theirs.β
I think thatβs why I can truly celebrate other artists. There is always enough room. My shortened version is, βKeep your eyes on your own paper.β You canβt measure your success with somebody elseβs ruler.
Aside from faith, family and friends, what are three things you canβt live without?
I cannot live without excellent writing instruments, perfume, and beautiful art.
Thank you, Jamey. Learn more about Jameyβs work at jameyhatley.com. And thanks to the talented Elizabeth Looney for the fantastic photos of Jamey.
**********
Want insider tips from financial experts? Check out our expert series with Reliant Investment Management. In our latest installment, they share the six steps that will put you firmly on the path to financial security. ClickΒ HERE!
