Meet Jeri Weems

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeri Weems. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jeri, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

Writer’s block, for me, is more mindset than mystery. It creeps in when I chase perfection on the first pass—spending hours hunting for the exact word, twisting a sentence one way, then back again, only to delete it all and start over. I’ll rebuild entire paragraphs, rework dialogue until it finds its pulse, reread the same lines so many times they blur. When I find myself staring at the blinking cursor with a mind gone quiet, that’s my cue to step away. A walk, a chore, a shift in scenery—anything to break the loop. And when I return with a fresh-eyed and a new perspective, the words usually follow.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am an author who writes heartfelt stories with rich character development and emotional depth. I weave tales that are as unpredictable as they are moving and resonate long after the final page. A former teacher, I am passionate about storytelling and spent a decade honing my craft with experts in the field of creative writing. When not writing, I volunteer at farm sanctuaries helping animals who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected thrive. I recently published my debut novel, Safe Haven – Where Hope Lives, under my pen name Elizabeth Stiles. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble Press, IngramSpark, and at a local bookstore in the Knoxville area. You can find me at local fairs and festivals, sharing my passion for reading, writing, and animals. I am currently working on a collection of short stories and a sequel to Safe Haven.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I carry a few qualities that have shaped my path as a writer—traits that have kept me steady through the hard times and honest in the work.
– I’m persistent. When something challenges me, I don’t walk away. I dig in, wrestle with it, and keep going until I understand what’s holding me back—and how to move through it.
– I’m insatiably curious. When a topic grabs me, I dive deep. I read everything I can find, seek out experts, take classes, and ask questions until the pieces start to fit.
– I’m empathic to the bone. I feel the emotions of others—humans and animals alike—with a depth that can be overwhelming. Their pain, their joy, their quiet suffering—it all reaches me. In a world that often numbs itself, this sensitivity can feel more like a curse than a gift. But it’s also what allows me to see the world through a different lens and write from a place of truth and vulnerability.
Whatever you’re chasing in life, chase it with grit. Stay true to yourself and those around you. Celebrate your wins and let your failures teach you something worth knowing. The best advice I ever received? Fail forward.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Many people have shaped the course of my life.
My dad taught me the value of hard work and resilience; my mom, empathy and unconditional love. Growing up with five sisters and a brother, I learned how to stand my ground, laugh at my mistakes, and embrace my imperfections. And my husband—he’s been my steady rock, always believing in me without hesitation. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
When it comes to my writing journey, I’ve been equally blessed. Lisa, my mentor, helped me sharpen my skills and trust my instincts. Dana, my critique partner, stood by me through every high and low. And Doug, my writing partner, challenged me to dig deeper, refine my craft, and find my voice. Without their support, Safe Haven would still be a dream on the shelf.
Gratitude is one of those virtues that deepens with time. You don’t always realize its weight until later in life—but it’s never too late to honor the people who’ve made a difference.
So to each of you: thank you. I appreciate you more than words can say.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Elizabeth-Stiles.com
• Instagram: elizabethstiles-author
• Facebook: elizabethstiles-author
• Other: Bluesky – Elizabethstiles-Author