Get to know Jackie, our new Writing Wizard!

We’re excited to introduce our newest team member, Jackie Bell. We’ve been planning on adding a digital marketing coordinator for quite a while. Our search lasted a couple of months, and Jackie stood out as the best candidate. She’s been here for a couple of weeks now, so I recently took some time to ask her a few questions.

Q: Where did you go to college, and what did you study?

A: I went to a small university called Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In high school, I was somehow really great at math, so I decided to major in Accounting. After my first semester, my Comp professor pulled me aside and told me she enjoyed my writing and that I should be an English major. Once I switched over and started taking the classes, I realized how much happier writing and editing made me.

Q: That’s a big change! It’s good that you found your passion. You did an editing internship, right? Will you tell me a little more about that?

A: My editing professor, who is also the Editor in Chief of Westview journal, mentioned that she would be needing an editorial assistant for the next semester. I needed a 4-credit class that final semester, so Dr. Smith-Chesley basically created a class for me as her editorial assistant. It was a win-win for the both of us!

I learned so much from her and even picked up her pet peeves as my own. I got to copyedit, process submissions, and assign readers. There was a lot more to finish that I was unable to complete due to COVID-19. It cut my internship short, but I did do a little work from home. Around that time, my dad had also passed away, and she avoided overloading me with a bunch of work. She basically told me that I needed to take more time, which I ended up appreciating very much, though I wish I could have helped her more.

Q: I’m so sorry for your loss. Did you and your dad share the same interests in writing or editing?

A: He actually really enjoyed writing, but not editing. My dad was more of a science guy, and he was extremely smart. I swear, his brain was like a textbook. I remember going through his childhood stuff and finding letters he would write, including his speech when he ran for class president. He also loved music and played guitar really well. I definitely get my creativity from him!

Q: Awe, that is really sweet. What is something you’re passionate about besides writing and editing?

A: I am very passionate about spending time with my friends and family. It’s impossible to know what’s going to happen next, so I always try to make time for them. They are all so much fun, and it’s hard to be in a bad mood when I am around them. Honestly, they are all incredible, and I couldn’t do life without them.

Also, I am very empathetic, so I am extremely passionate when it comes to animals, feminism, human rights, and more. I care a lot about people and the world we live in. I wish I could help and save everyone—change the world for the better.

Q: How nice! I’m passionate about my friends and family, too. Outside of the office, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A: Besides my cats, my best friends are Netflix, YouTube, and TikTok. I could bundle up in bed and watch them all day, but my brain would be fried. I like to hike, and I wish I didn’t have to travel far just to do it. I also like to write poetry, draw, and color. Now that I live in a bigger city, I am sure I will add a few more things to my list!

Q: Awesome! Okay, one last question. In your job interview, you mentioned that on a scale of 1-10 of being weird, you are a 12. What do people think is weird about you?

A: Ha, probably lots of things. I inspect dishes and silverware before using it, and I will refuse to use it if it has even the smallest speck. I also have a phobia when it comes to blood and veins. My ankles get really weak when people talk about that stuff. I’m VERY picky when it comes to water. I almost always have a Fiji water bottle with me. I am also cold all the time. It will be 100 degrees outside, and I will still be wearing a sweater and shivering.