Jennica Harper, MFA ’00
Jennica Harper is a Vancouver-based TV writer and poet. She’s the showrunner and co-creator of the comedy series JANN, starring Jann Arden (CTV/Crave), which just filmed its third season and recently premiered on Hulu in the U.S. Jennica also wrote on The Order, Cardinal, Fortunate Son, Somewhere Between, Motive, Some Assembly Required and Mr. Young. She has won two WGC Awards and been nominated for multiple Canadian Screen Awards.
Jennica’s most recent book of poetry is Bounce House (Anvil Press, 2019). Previous books include Wood, What It Feels Like for a Girl, and The Octopus and Other Poems. Jennica has been shortlisted for the Dorothy Livesay Prize, and her poem “Liner Notes” (originally published in PRISM International) won a Silver National Magazine Award.
A Q & A with Jennica Harper
Why did you pursue a career in writing?
I was raised by an English teacher in a house full of books, so I became an avid reader. But my English teacher mom also loved to watch sitcoms and L.A. Law, and let me join her. I loved stories, and I loved language. I think that’s the answer to why I started writing… In terms of pursuing it as a career? I don’t know there was ever a specific moment I decided I was doing that. I just wanted to write. It was at UBC that I realized it might be a viable career path.
Can you tell us what it’s like being a professional writer of poetry and writing for television? How does your writing craft vary between the two genres and how do you balance the two pursuits?
I think of TV writing as my job – I hustle for work, I need to be collaborative, I have deadlines, and I have people I need to answer to. Poetry is what I write purely because I want to. I take my time with it. If a poem or series of poems isn’t working, I try not to stress about it. Poetry is a haven, where I can experiment.
“I learned to give and receive feedback, and to be comfortable rewriting. And maybe most importantly, I came away with great friends who have become my trusted readers and collaborators. I think this is the real gift of studying creative writing: your peers. They become your support system and cheerleaders throughout the rest of your career.”
Why did you get a degree from the Creative Writing program?
I wanted to spend two years writing and talking about writing with other writers. It was completely selfish.
How did the Creative Writing program help your writing practice?
I learned to give and receive feedback, and to be comfortable rewriting. And maybe most importantly, I came away with great friends who have become my trusted readers and collaborators. I think this is the real gift of studying creative writing: your peers. They become your support system and cheerleaders throughout the rest of your career.
Your recent book of poetry, Bounce House, explores the cyclical nature of grief, imperfect parenting and our willingness to jump without promise of a safe landing. What do you want readers to take away from this collection of poems?
I hope readers who’ve experienced deep grief find something relatable and authentic in it. And on some level it’s a portrait of my late mother, so I hope people got to know her a little.
“Write the thing you want to write – the thing you’re passionate about, and can really get inside – instead of the thing you think you “should” write. I feel I learned this the hard way. When you write what excites you, the reader can tell. Also, writing is hard… why make it harder?”
You’ve written on numerous TV drama series, yet your current TV project is Jann, a comedy which featuresJann Arden as a fictionalized version of herself on a quest for renewed fame. Which do you prefer, drama or comedy?
I love them both, and think they have more in common than not: both are about flawed characters being put through the wringer. I also happen to like drama/heart in my comedy, and comedy in my drama. That helps!
What do you enjoy most about the process of writing for television?
Probably breaking stories. In TV, you develop episodes as a group, pitching out ideas for the building blocks of the story. You’re constantly testing the story, poking at it, improving it. I love the collaborative aspect, when you’re really in the flow together.
Do you have any forthcoming writing or projects that you’d like to share with us?
We just wrapped filming of JANN Season 3 – I don’t have airdates yet, but I’m hoping it’ll be on in Fall 2021.
Do you have any suggestions for students or new graduates pursuing a writing career?
Write the thing you want to write – the thing you’re passionate about, and can really get inside – instead of the thing you think you “should” write. I feel I learned this the hard way. When you write what excites you, the reader can tell. Also, writing is hard… why make it harder?
