Issy Jinarmo: Three Writers as One, an Interview

The MockingOwl Roost family recently came across engaging short stories by Aussie author Issy Jinarmo. Much like Issy’s stories, the mystique of the author is founded in friendship and love.

Issy Jinarmo is the creative brain child of playwright and author Jill Baggett, author Narelle Noppert, and journalist and author Maureen Kelly OAM. The three long-distance friends, who have rarely met in person, found their passion and a similar writing style during online forums with the Fellowship of Australian Writers during the Covid shutdown.

What started as a fun writing activity quickly grew into a passion project. They combine not only their thoughts in Issy but also combine their names for the unique moniker. Issy Jinarmo has been published in numerous magazines, blogs, and online publications. And we are thrilled to have them as part of our regular contributor team at the MockingOwl Roost.

May you find inspiration in their story as we have!

KD: Every good story has a good beginning. How did you meet?

IJ: We were all working on a competition that the New South Wales Government has been running for the past decade-plus, collecting and publishing a book of stories written by seniors over the age of 60.

The Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc. (FAW) coordinates this competition on behalf of the New South Wales Government’s Seniors Card Department. Narelle is the competition secretary, Jill is a reader and workshop convenor, and Maureen is the Communication/Financial Manager as well as a reader.

During a phone conversation between Jill and Narelle, thoughts turned to our own writing and interests. Jill mentioned that the writing group she belongs to sometimes conducts an exercise writing “never ending” stories where each person adds to a story in turn. Narelle suggested we try one via email.

We wrote our first adventure – “Jane’s Story” and were quite excited with the result. Narelle sent it to Maureen and she enjoyed it so much she asked if could she join in. And so Issy was born.

In the next few weeks we wrote “Jenny’s Story,” “Arthur’s Story,” “Madeline’s Story,” “Rachel’s Story” before we decided we needed to be a bit more inventive with our titles.

KD: How has your relationship evolved from when you met through the birth of Issy until now? 

IJ: We have become the best of friends, even though we have only met briefly in person. We live thousands of kilometres apart but are in contact almost daily via voice and video chats on Messenger or phone, as well as emailing our current story to each other.

KD: What strength do each of you bring to the table?

IJ: We have each been writing for many years, we have run writing workshops, been published many times, and contributed to the writing of magazines. Narelle is the creator of our Facebook page and the editor and scribe of our detective stories anthology. Maureen is our publicity expert and liaison contact with the FAW. Jill is the one obsessively seeking publication opportunities.

KD: Though you have similar writing stories, you are still three different creative minds coming together. How do each of you approach a story when it is your turn?

IJ: Narelle reads the story right through a number of times to make sure she is on plot and then takes time to think about where she will direct it. She has learned to work out of her comfort zone to let go of any expectations as to where the story is heading.

Jill reads the story carefully and tries not to be upset if a character she likes turns out to be a crook or if Joe married Sarah instead of Mabel, etc., after the story leaves her computer and control. It is impossible to preplan which way a story will go so when it is her turn she “just starts writing” to where the adventure takes her, and where the characters lead.

Maureen writes similarly, it’s a “great challenge” which she loves.

KD: How do you work through creative differences?

IJ: We have very similar tastes and writing style, a coincidental stroke of luck. We colour code the first sentence of each section. Narelle is red, Maureen is blue and Jill is green. That way we know who started which section. We have such a similar writing style that once we take the colour coding out we can’t remember who wrote what.

Any time something needs discussion, we meet online and reach an amicable conclusion.

KD: Share with us your creative process for a story from conception to publication. Do you split the writing responsibilities in any particular way, if at all? If so, do the responsibilities rotate around depending on the story?

IJ: We take it in turns to start a new story and switch the order it is sent. For instance one story we were writing a while ago, Narelle sent it to Jill, and then she forwarded it on to Maureen. For the next story we write we will go the other way – Maureen will send it to Jill and she will send it to Narelle. That way it is very difficult to guess how the tale is going to unfold.

KD: Has your method of collaboration changed in life after Covid? If so, how? If not, why not?

IJ: No. It hasn’t changed because we live so far apart. One big advantage of being covid-free though was that Jill was able to travel to Narelle’s town to attend the book launch of our anthology of detective stories.

So, for the first time, she was able to spend time with Narelle on a person-to-person basis. Unfortunately Maureen lives too far away and was unable to join us. Narelle’s writing group launched our book as part of their 30th birthday celebrations.

KD: Who are each of your writing influences? How do they affect your work?

IJ: Jill has been influenced by Charles Dickens and Stephen King more than any other writers. She loves the chatty way they write and include personal observations and comments addressed directly to the reader throughout their tales. Jill tries to write in the style she would use writing a letter to a friend.

Maureen is a lover of Agatha Christie, and her newspaper background means she writes in a chronological way.

Narelle loves Bryce Courtney and Agatha Christie but is open to any author whose writing she finds enjoyable. She loves to observe the author’s writing technique.

KD: Describe each of your favorite writing spots.

IJ: Jill used to write everything on pen and paper before typing it up but since Issy has been so prolific she now just types straight onto the computer. Maureen is strictly a computer person. Narelle loves sitting outside to write or in bed at night when her mind is clear.

KD: Who are you reading when you pick up a book?

IJ: Stephen King and Dean Koontz are Jill’s favourites. Maureen appreciates Nevil Shute’s writing as well as Agatha Christie. Narrelle Likes Bryce Courtney and Agatha Christie and is open to others recommended by her book club.

KD: What are you working on collectively at the moment? 

IJ: we are working on now we are currently working on our 96th story and enjoying the ride!

KD: Are any of you working on individual stories right now? Anything you’d like to share about these?

IJ: Jill still enjoys writing individual stories if an idea comes to mind. She particularly enjoys play writing and has had 17 plays produced on stage. There is a special thrill in seeing the words you have written come to life.

Narelle is working on numerous stories. She spends hours researching the topic to get clear details for her story. She likes social fiction connected around historical events.

Maureen’s writing, other than short stories, is writing monthly magazines for organizations she is a member of.

Our hope is that Issy can become successful enough to fund a get together to allow the three of us to finally meet up again. We are planning to do this when we have written our 100th story. We are currently writing number 96.

KD: Now, in full disclosure, did you pass these questions around like a story or did you visit together online to answer as one?

IJ: We wrote individual notes and then had a voice call on Messenger to finalise this reply.

KD: Let’s learn a little more about each member of Issy Jinarmo as individuals.

Narelle: I have always dabbled in writing, beginning in high school where I wrote poems about the boys I was sweet on. My real passion for writing began around 15 years of age and I have used every opportunity to hone my skills since then.

I have had success in numerous competitions, one of which was one which Jill’s writing group ran where two of my stories were published in their anthology. All three of us participated. That was the first and only time that the three of us have been together in-person.

Since Issy, my writing skills have improved greatly, especially after Jill advised me that I needed to toughen up with my characters, so I am now able to “do in” a character or two.

I am a member of my local branch of The Fellowship of Australian Writers and I have been a member since 2011, consistently holding committee positions including four years as president. 

I am the editor of our branch’s monthly magazine, Scribblings, and won an award two years in a row through FAW NSW. I have also been involved with FAW on a state level and Competition Secretary for the last four years for the joint NSW Seniors Card/FAW annual writing Competition.  

I have also designed and set up Issy’s first publication, The Eye of the D.I., as well the anthologies for my branch – Wollondilly – of FAW for the last 4 issues. I have recently set up a Facebook account for Issy and work to keep it up to date with our on-going and successes.

I am eternally grateful to my virtual friends, Jill and Mo, for the wonderful friendship, inspiration, and mentoring they have shown me. I can spend hours researching for my own and Issy’s stories so I can be fully informed of the place and history of my characters.

Maureen: I have loved the written word since I learnt to read. Born in England, it was a joy to go to the local library and borrow Enid Blyton and Malcolm Saville books. I also had an amazing English teacher who encouraged me in my writing.

For 12 years in New South Wales, I worked for a local newspaper and, although not a trained
journalist, my editor encouraged me by sending me out to do some investigative journalism. This led me to take over a community newsletter which I edited and published for 25 years.

During this time I also co-founded a branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc., which existed for 22 years. I was elected to the State body of this organisation which celebrates its centenary in 2028.

I am the serving State Secretary which takes up a vast amount of my time, but thanks to Jill and Narelle inviting me to be part of ‘Issy Jinarmo’ I now write short stories very regularly. I also edit and publish two magazines for organisations I am involved in here in South Australia.

I relish receiving each story from Jill or Narelle for me to continue – it certainly gets my brain working overtime as you never know where the story will go!

Jill: I have always been fascinated with the written word and enjoy creative writing in all its forms.

Many of my 150+ published stories, articles, and poems are based on real life experiences.
I also enjoy playwriting and seeing my words come to life on the stage. Seventeen of my plays have been produced on stage.

I have written manuals on diabetes and newsletters used by the Health Department for adults and children. And I’m currently presenting workshops on creative writing, editing manuscripts for friends, judging competitions, have hosted for 17 years the Krazy Korner page in FreeXpresSion magazine and for 11 years The Ink Spot column in the Mudgee Guardian newspaper.

I am secretary/treasurer of Mudgee Valley Writers.

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Find more from Issy Jinarmo in their lovely books and anthologies.

• The Village Observer – April 2024
• It’s a Kind of Magic: Anthology of Flash Fiction
• Haunted Haus – from Culture Cult

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Research shows the bonds of female friendship result in improved health, wellness, and professional success. The three women behind Issy Jinarmo are evidence of the success strong women can achieve when they support one another in careers, creativity, and life.

Keep an eye out for Issy Jinarmo/s recently published collection of detective stories entitled The Eye of the D.I., which follows the success of their prior collection of ghost stories and anthologies.

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