Videos for Jessica Westhead

Students from 3a interview each other (and their teacher) about their thoughts on Jessica Westhead's stories, and the experience of  'meeting' the author.

Emilie, Emilie, Clara and Maria



Marie, Line, Anita and Josephine


Patrick, Jacob and Jesper

Jessica Westhead answers student questions

Here are two videos of Jessica Westhead answering the questions from the blog post of November 3rd.

Dear Jessica Westhead

We have read some of your short stories and if you don’t mind we would like to ask you some questions

1.       What do you like about writing?

2.       Why did you start to write in the first place?

3.       What is your intention with the book “And Also Sharks” and who is your target audience?

4.       How do you get inspiration for your short stories and the main characters?  Have you observed someone for inspiration?

5.       Why have you chosen this style of writing? Are there any specific reasons for that?

6.       Why have you chosen to focus on people with a lack of social competences and low self-esteem? Do you think it’s an overlooked problem?

7.       In your story “The Only One” you write about the relationship between Fofi and Gloria. Fofi seems to be submissive towards Gloria. Why and where did you get the idea to describe such a relationship?

8.       Who is your favorite author?

9.       What kind of stories did you read when you were 18-20 years old?

10.   How long did it take you to write “And also sharks”?

11.   What is your next project as an author?

12.   What inspired you to become a writer?

13.   Do any of your stories come from personal experiences?

Chapter Zero

Fofi had trouble falling asleep. This was because she was deeply aggravated by her husband. He had been away on a business trip for quite some time and didn’t even care to call Fofi and tell her that he was back in town. Instead he suddenly came crashing through the front door smelling like the worst drunk one could imagine. Fofi had been watching television but this was definitely out of the question now that her husband was so noisy that she couldn’t even make out what the news reporter said. This of course ended in a big fight between Fofi and her husband. Fofi’s husband raised his hand against her and Fofi called the police. Afterwards she had trouble falling asleep

The only one - chapter zero

Douglas didn’t see Fofi until the stab in the over back reached his mind and turned around. He saw into the eyes of a cold-hearted woman. Fofi saw the look and just thought about wild animals and squirrels jumping all around her. Douglas snuffled and with his last words he said “aren’t you supposed to be my best friend”? Fofi watched at her crinkled toes and wondered about giving Gloria the same treatment. After she washed the knife, she drove home. She had no reason to see Gloria ever again.

Summary of a class discussion.

Today we’ve talked about the short story “The Only One”. We’ve also discussed the writing style of Jessica Westhead. We’ve tried to pin-point her style by finding some of the things that WE think is the essentials.

For example, direct speech, almost like a manuscript, tip-of-iceberg-technique, realism, simple comparisons and also a simple language. You don’t need an advanced vocabulary to read her stories. It was very interesting to read this story, even though it is in the same genre and the themes are the same as in the other stories.

Response

Why does Gerald suddenly feel anger towards Sean in the end?
Because I think that Gerald are jealous because he feels attracted to him. It makes him mad when he sees Nedra in bed with Sean who is being nice to Gerald. It really makes him mad Sean not seeming that talented and nice that Gerald thinks he is. Sean is manipulating.

What does the kitten symbolize?

The kitten is a symbol of the life the cast and crewmembers live. Gerald says in the end “The play is our world”. It was in connection with the situation were the members are seeing a TV program with wild animals going crazy at each other.

Community.

What represent the woman who remains seated after the show?
Why does Gerald suddenly feel anger towards Sean in the end?
What do the three last sentences mean?

Thea og Marie

Wordfest Community

Does the flashback have any influence on his personality?

How does he overall feel about sean?

Do the narrator like his life?

Kasper

Community

Describe the course of events.

How is the relationship between the narrator and the cast and crew?

Why is the short story called Community?

Spm af Emilie B og Maria

Questions for "Community"

We've outlined a few questions for the short story "Community":

1. What symbolizes the kitten?

2. How is the relationsship between Gerald and Sean?

3. Why do you think the story is called "Community"?


//Julie S, Caroline and Clara.

Wordfest Community

Characterize the narrator?

Characterize Sean?

Describe the relationship between Sean and the narrator?

Kasper and Martin, 3.a.

Some wife

The atmosphere at the office is kind of awkward and it’s a negative atmosphere. Frank and Graham aren’t very friendly towards Stu. Stu has a bad sense of occasion. Frank and Graham just want to do their own business and aren’t interested in conversations with Stu.
Graham is lonely and keeps to himself. Graham is always nagging at Stu, perhaps to make himself look better. He stands up for Frank, maybe because he wants to be his friend.
Stu and Faye’s relationship is superficial. Stu isn’t in love with Faye, and he is focusing on all the bad things about Faye. It seems like Stu is with Faye because he is afraid of being alone. Faye likes Stu and it could seem like she wants to marry him.
The relationship between Bonnie and Frank is also a superficial relationship. It is like Bonnie and Frank is bored. Frank knows Bonnie is cheating but he is ignoring it, because as long as the outside world doesn’t know it doesn’t matter. Frank likes the idea of being in a perfect relationship and he is trying to make it work.
Stu is fascinated by Bonnie because she is everything Faye isn’t. She is his idea of a perfect woman. Stu wants the relationship which he thinks Frank and Bonnie have.
When Stu goes to Frank’s house, it is because he wants to see the perfect relationship, so he can imagine himself in Frank’s place. When he looks at Bonnie he can see how his life would be with her. When he finds out that she is cheating on Frank it seems like he is getting more satisfied with his own situation. He asked Frank what he was doing the night Stu was at Frank’s home, although he already knew the answer.
The second time he visits Frank’s house he gets caught by Frank.
First Frank threatens to kill Stu but then he changes his mind and say: “see you tomorrow”. First Frank is very mad, not only at Stu but also at the guy/guys whom Bonnie is cheating on him with. He doesn’t want to confront Stu and he just wishes to forget about the episode. Frank is afraid that the outside world will know about his wife being unfaithful.
After this episode you can imagine that Stu and Faye’s relationship won’t change. Perhaps it will change to the better, because Stu has learned that no relationship is perfect. Frank and Bonnie’s relationship will also remain the same unless she leaves him.
At the office the atmosphere will be the same. Frank doesn’t want people to know that his wife is unfaithful, therefore he doesn’t change his way of acting. Stu doesn’t care or think more of the situation.

Thea, Maria og Marie

Some Wife.

I think that the atmosphere at the office is very mixed. I think that Frank is a bit annoyed about Stu, because he wants to look at his hot wife Bonnie a lot on his computer. I think that Stu sees Bonnie as an image of the perfect life, and I also think that Stu finds his own wife a bit borring, and she is also not very good looking like Bonnie. At the surface is seems like Frank and Bonnie has a good relationshp, but she is actually cheating on him, so the relationship is therefore not the perfect relationship.  Graham is like the funny man at the office and for an example he calls Stu for Stu-dog. I think that Stu went to Franks' house because he wanted to look a Bonnie, because he is very fascinated about her look.  At the first visit she was with another man, and at the second time she shows her breasts.  The ending end with a "See you tomorrow", that is because Frank really don't seems Stu as an threat to him and Bonnie.  I think that the relationship between Faye and Stu will end, maybe Stu and Bonnie will end up together with each other, and maybe Faye and Frank will end up together. I think that the atmosphere at the office the next day will be bad because, of all the problems between Stu and Frank.  

Kasper's analysis of Some Wife

The atmosphere at the office is jolly, Stu looks at Frank’s wife, and he is impressed. The atmosphere then turns into a bit tense, and Frank feels a bit offended.
Stu’s and Faye’s relationship is bad, you can feel on the story, that Stu is a bit disappointed with his wife’s looks, and he would rather have somebody else. They don’t really communicate.
Bonnie and Frank’s relationship is also a bit tense, though Frank really loves Bonnie. You get the feeling that he is very aware that Stu doesn’t look too much at the picture, because he knows she already is cheating on him.
Stu is fascinated by Bonnie because she is very hot. He is used to looking at Faye, and that is not satisfying enough, so bonnie turns him on.
Graham is the funny guy at the office; he is like the one who makes all the jokes. He doesn’t really know what is happening between Frank and Stu.
I think Stu is going to Frank’s house to look at Bonnie, he is getting turned on, when he sees her, and that is why. His intention was never to talk to Frank, due to the fact that they aren’t the best pals after all.
The thing that changes is, that the first time he sees Bonnie with a man, and the second time she is alone in the house, and then he meets Frank, who threatens him.
I think that Frank is aware that Stu might know Bonnie is cheating on him, that is why he starts out being angry, but then realizes that he needs to be friendly to Stu so he doesn’t tell everybody about Bonnie and the affair she is having.
Stu and Faye will probably stay together because I got the feeling that Stu is the kind of guy, that can’t find another woman, and he is a bit sick as well. Frank and Bonnie will also stay together, because Frank loves Bonnie so much that he is willing to do everything to be with her, and he is accepting her romance with another man.
I think there will be an awkward silence, Stu and Frank won’t talk to each other for some time, but after a bit they will talk to each other again, so the others at the office don’t get to see the tense between them, so they can ask questions. I think in the future, that Frank will kill Stu, because Stu can’t stop looking at Bonnie.

Stalking Stu :)

A story about a stalker at work? Classic!

Frank and Stu seem to have some sort of friendship, without being friends. It's the bro-code. No one sleeps or hit on another bro's wife/girl, so of cause Frank freaks out. When Frank finds out that Stu stalks Bonnie, he threatens to kill him, but he decides not to. Frank might not see Stu as a ladies-man so he is just like: "I don't care". I'm not sure that Frank knows that Bonnie is cheating on him. I also think that she's cheating because she miss the intimacy in the relationship. I think that Stu is very disrespectful towards Faye, because he lets her down and betrays her love.

When Frank said: "See you tomorrow", i think that he either didn't see him as a threat or he knew that he had lost the battle of Bonnie's love.

Frank's hot wife

Pictures please? Just kidding.

The atmosphere at the office is kinda mixed. The same thing can be said about the relationship between Stu and Faye. He doesn't really like her food.
The relationship between Bonnie and Frank looks to be good on the outer, but Bonnie is actually cheating on Frank.
Stu think that Franks wife, Bonnie, is very attractive with her body. Graham is the "funny-guy" at work, calling Stu for Stu-dog f.i.
I think that Stu goes back to Frank's house, because he is attracted to Bonnie. The first visit, Bonnie is with another guy, and the other visit he sees her breasts.
When Frank threatens to kill Stu, I don't think that Frank sees him as an 'opponent', and therefore lets it go.
I just think they will work like they used to do, and put everything behind them.

Polk and Mads' view on "Some Wife"

By Mads Rygaard And Jakob Polk

First of all, it's a pleasure to invite you to this hopefully interesting and learning view on the story "Some Wife". The atmosphere at the office is quite awkward and there are various reasons for that. One of those are the relationship between Stu and Faye, since the former is seemingly growing "bored" of being together with Faye. She isn't quite up to his standards, especially her looks and Stu thinks that Frank's wife Bonnie is much more beautiful and sexy. Those attributes are something that Stu really admire and he actually grows obsessed with her. Bonnie and Frank are also having problems, since Bonnie doesn't seem to care much about their relationship unlike Frank who wants to save it. Bonnie is even cheating on Frank, something Stu is aware of but Frank isn't... While all this is taking place is Graham, their office mate, observing and perhaps advising both his friends (Frank and Stu). He is pretty lonely and that's might the reason why he spends time on helping both fellas. This isn't exactly happening since Stu get's more and more obsessed with Bonnie, and that makes him goes to her and Franks house. The second time he arrives is the tone different. Frank threaten him, and says he will kill Stu, if he returns to their house. While it ends up with a quite surprising "See you tomorrow" from both of them, then it's simply because they are going to meet each other at the office. No harm done.. Honestly do we believe that Stu and Faye won't be together, since Stu obviously don't want to continue. Frank and Bonnie will have to sort out their marriage too, and it's hard to say what will happen if Frank finally gets to know about how Bonnie is cheating on him. Though it will probably end with lots of dirty jokes at the office and probably more intrigues in the future.

Impressions and Expectations

Jessica Westhead: "And Also Sharks" - I’m looking forward to find out about what the exciting cover of the book is about. There are cut out dolls in different suits regarding people with all sorts of functions from within the public service. My expectations are mixed but with a positive view on the narrators intentions and ideas. The trailer for the presentation of book told me some things about the narrator, which makes me curious and want to read her stories.

We have looked at the cover of the book “And also sharks” and we have seen the trailer which

is a presentation of the book.

Based on this we think that this book deals with thoughts about life and how to create an

identity.

First we looked at the cover. The first thoughts going through our heads were muddled. The

cover shows a lot of different people who are dressed in different clothes but they all have a

face that express sadness and fear. The title makes us think that something is missing, because

it is a subordinate clause.

The trailer was pretty much as we had expected. It was about a woman who was telling about

herself. She was talking to a person, perhaps a blogger, and we got the impression that the

speaker has a low self-esteem and that she is searching for a meaning with her life.

We think that the book will deal with a lot of different people who are lost in life, and searching

for a meaning. We think it will deal with themes like low self-esteem, loneliness and dreams.

FRA MARIE OG THEA!

what about the sharks? *derp*

At first it seems like an "out of context" collection of short stories. We've only seen the trailer for the book, and it appeared to be an interesting collection of stories about avalanches and sharks. I really can’t tell you what I expect, because honestly, I think that these stories’ possibilities are massive. I think we are going to read a wide variety of short stories, and the only thing that we can assume is the repetition of the theme. We’ve been discussing several themes in the class and we have come up with themes like life/death, miracles, accidents and sunshine stories etc. I’m a big fan of “Jaws”, so the title >and also sharks< makes me kind of excited.

First impression of”And also sharks”

Expectations: I think the short stories could be about figuring out how to live the ideal life. Figuring out what the dream is, and how to make it come true. I think the main characters are vulnerable unsecure people, who need help figuring out how to improve their lives. When we first meet them, they probably have messed up lives and do not know who they really are. The cut-out-dolls remind me of people with lots of appearances.

I expect short stories with lots of hidden points and figurative language, like the collage could symbolize putting the pieces of life’s puzzle together.

SHARKS!?!?

My first impression of the short stories, ”And altso sharks” is that the collections seems very weird. For me it doesn’t make much sense, but of course I haven’t read anything from the collections yet or the author. I’ve just looked at the book cover and heard a very small piece of the first story, I think it was the trailer for the book, and that didn’t make much sense. Therefore I really can’t tell you that much about the themes in the collection. But, I do think that the short stories are going to be very exciting and controversial, that I base on the title “And also sharks”. I mean, why such a cryptic title - that must be very exciting and I really do look forward to read some more, from the collection. Because a title with the word sharks in it, can only means drama and excitement!

Great expectations

Our first impression of the book was that it looked like a very modern book, with a creative and detailed book cover. The dusty red and yellow colors make you think of the 50s, it looks retro.

We expect that the short stories will deal with themes as; searching for the meaning of life, loneliness, identity crisis and making dreams come true. The title gives us an impression of a modern language, but it seems like something is missing in the title and that makes it kind of avant-garde and abstract. The simplified title makes you think that the stories hides a lot of hidden meanings – the reader have to be aware and look between the lines.

// Clara and Line out

Our first impression

We have seen the cover of “And Also Sharks” and seen the trailer for the book. Our expectations for the short stories are that we will read about people with low self-esteem, people who are lonely and people who are trapped in a life that they don’t want. Maybe people who dream about a different life. We base this on the trailer for the book. In the trailer we hear about a woman talking to someone, who we think wrote a blog. She is talking about how she made a simple recipe and was surprised that she actually could do it, it was as simple as she was told it would be.

// Josephine and Caroline

Jessica Westhead: And Also Sharks.

My first impression of the story: And Also Sharks, was that I found the story quite strange.
The speaker was talking to an unknown person about a casserole and a collage, without the unknown person answers. The speaker finds help and inspiration in the unknown persons recipes and proposals, like making a collage how the speaker sees her life, what she dreams of or about her idea of a perfect life. It's only the imagination who sets limits.

I expect stories about unhappy and lonely people, witch will make some interesting stories where you will see a other side of different stories. See the inside of persons that you normally don't see.

First impression of the story ”And Also Sharks”

Expectations: The short story could be about how people try to live the ideal life, how they always strive for the perfect. Maybe it will be about unsecure people figuring out, what their dreams are, and how they can make them come true. I expect that the themes of the shortstory might be hidden behind things that seem insignificant. The cut-out dolls on the frontpage of the shortstory collection might be a symbol on, how people of modern society are able to create their own personality exactly the way they want it to be.

My first blog.

It is about a woman, who tells about a cassarole and a cancelled dinner with her brother and his wife. The narrator is very impressed about the his brother's wife and it is also like she wants to be like her. 

I think that the stories we are going to read, is about different everyday life stories. I also think that many of the stories would deal with the issue about self-esteem,  and relationships with families.

My first assignment

A middle aged woman is inspired by another woman and her life. The narrator is impressed of braveness and letting some private stuff out in public.

I think that the story we are about to read, is about self-esteem, inspiration and to reflect one life in another. Family problems can also be a big issue in the stories.

Troublesome Expectations

I thought it seemed like an irregular book. I was afraid it wouldn't have a clear or obvious way of telling the stories, so that you would have to figure things out yourself because everything would be either poetic or seen from a twisted persons point of view.

When I saw the trailer I was even more afraid it would be difficult to read. To me, stuff like this is difficult. I'm not a good reader, so I prefer stories told in a simple and standard way. We've already had a course about Twisted Minds for a while now, and to be honest, I hate it. I didn't hate it at first, but we've honestly had it for way too long. It really takes me down to read all those sad stories.

A expert reflects on a great story

I believe it's an very intriguing story since this "mrs. unknown" surely has a lot of things kept inside her, and she might come up with a few surprises too... It'll be incredible interesting to see what exactly the narrator wants to do with her life and more importantly, why is she so obsessed with this sort of lifestyle expert? Damn, my weekend went there... will have to over-analyse everything, to finally reveal the truth about this spectacular story.

Mads Rygaard... out

Something about those sharks

I expect the short stories to start in "Media res" - meaning the reader gets thrown into story. This is from my point of view a good tool as an author, because stories can easily become boring if you get too much information in the beginning.

The title “and also sharks” leads up to something, and this “something” is completely unknown. Readers (such as me) would be thrilled while reading, to find out what this “something” is.

I am far from being a fast reader, and I easily lose interest in books. Hopefully this could be the exception to my former reading experiences. I have already seen a short trailer of the title story and from what I have seen so far this could be a book with exciting turns making it an exciting “page turner”.

My First Assignment:Expectations

My first impression of And Also Sharks is good I suppose. The story seems to be about other people who might have issues with their self-esteem or people who are just trying to reflect their own life with others. I expect that the stories are about these things, and that they are going to be about other people who are blogging. (y)

what about the sharks? *derp*

At first it seems like an "out of context" collection of short stories. We've only seen the trailer for the book, and it appeared to be an interesting collection of stories about avalanches and sharks. I really can’t tell you what I expect of this book, because honestly, I think that the possibilities of these stories are massive. I think we are going to read a wide variety of short stories, and the only thing that we can assume is the repetition of the theme. We’ve been discussing several themes in the class and we have come up with themes like life/death, miracles, accidents and sunshine stories etc. I’m a big fan of “Jaws”, so the title >and also sharks< makes me kind of excited.

My impression?

My first impression was a bit odd. The title did sound a little weird to be honest, and the trailer on youtube was too.
The narrator in the trailer is a woman. She writes to a magazine writer maybe, and where is the sharks in this?

Looking forward to more, Pors! (wonder)
Over and out!

Your first assignment

Please blog about your first impression of And Also Sharks: What do you think the texts will be about (and based on what)? What do you expect from this collection of short stories?

Welcome to your blog

So this is the plan: In the following sessions you are going to blog your about your meeting with literature, your thoughts about the texts we read, questions that the texts raise, creative assignments connected to the texts, and anything else you feel like sharing on this blog.
Let's work together on creating a collage of interesting aspects and topics for discussion connected to the stories we read, and let's work together on making literature come alive.
Have fun with it!