How to Support the Writer in Your Life (as demonstrated on Jane the Virgin)
I recently rewatched one of my favorite shows to come out in the last decade: Jane the Virgin (JTV). There are many reasons to love JTV (dynamic Latinas, bilingual household, the drama and humor of an epic telenovela, phenomenal redemption arcs, and a well-plotted narrative with excellent foreshadowing to name just a few), but one of my favorite reasons is what JTV teaches us about supporting writers.
Virginia Woolf told us that “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write.” Gloria Anzaldúa said, “Forget the room of one’s own - write in the kitchen, lock yourself up in the bathroom. Write on the bus or on the welfare line, on the job or during meals, between sleeping and waking...write while sitting on the john.” Anzaldúa’s framing was inspired by the needs of other “mujeres de color” who may not have the luxury of a room of their own or the patronage necessary to support a writer. She was speaking to women who had to negotiate emotional, physical, and financial care work responsibilities, none of which were optional or easily alleviated.
JTV exemplifies the type of mujer de color Anzaldúa is speaking to: Jane financially supports her family, holds down multiple jobs while attending school, and raises a family as a (mostly) single mom. She also writes. She writes on buses, on napkins at the Marbella where she works as a server, on the porch swing of her abuela’s house, and of course, in a room of her own. And this is made possible by the people around her.
Jane’s family, friends, lovers, and even employers, are supportive of her dreams. Rafael, Jane’s baby daddy and love interest, tells her to “be brave” and pursue an artist’s life. Her mother Xiomara and her grandmother Alba cheer her on when she decides to go back to school to pursue a graduate degree in writing. This storyline alone is enough to subvert stereotypical narratives of families of color or immigrant families pressuring their children to pursue stable careers that yield a regular income. Her father Rogelio helps her find her way back to writing when she doubts her ability to succeed as a writer. No one ever tells her that her dreams are unrealistic or impractical. No one pressures her to choose the safer path; in fact, Jane is the most pragmatic of all the characters on the show and chooses to exercise caution and be a teacher while writing on the side.
When Jane does write, she receives immense support from the people around her. They read her work and positively affirm her. After Jane’s first book is published, she receives a negative review and struggles with writer’s block. Rafael helps her process the criticism and receive the feedback so that she is able to move past both inner and outer critics. The way her family rallies around her endlessly uplifts and motivates her.
People in Jane’s life make it logistically possible for her to write. When inspiration strikes, her family excuses her from parties or social engagements. Jane often hears, “Go, write,” from her mother, grandmother, or love interest. And Jane can go and write, even when she has a son, Mateo, to look after because along with the permission to excuse herself from events like her and Rafael’s rehearsal dinner, her family offers to take care of Mateo. In one memorable scene, Jane is in her room writing furiously and Rafael is heard offscreen distracting and guiding Mateo away, keeping Jane free of interruptions. They all seem to understand that muses can be fickle and if not followed when inspiration strikes, they will disappear.
The people around Jane do other things to help Jane prioritize writing. Alba makes her grilled cheese sandwiches and brings it into her room so she can keep working. When Jane is writing her second book, her employer Petra gives her the flexibility to change her work schedule so that Jane can write. When Jane’s pragmatism gets in the way of prioritizing writing, her family runs through her options with her and encourages her to pursue writing full time. Rafael even sets aside his ambitions of being a real estate tycoon and hotelier for a steady income that’ll provide financial security for their entire family. His actions provide Jane with the security necessary to take risks.
Writers also require access to networks, mentors, and sponsors. Jane’s family doesn’t hesitate to take on this role as well. Alba tells anyone remotely connected to publishing (including a Barnes & Nobles bookseller) that her granddaughter is a phenomenal writer and sets up meeting after meeting for Jane. Petra, too, connects Jane to people in publishing, and in one particular instance Jane lands a ghost writing gig as a result of Petra’s efforts. Jane’s father Rogelio, a telenovela star, funds her education and gives her the chance to write for his telenovelas. He even goes as far as to underwrite the publication of her first book. Over and over, the people in Jane’s life connect her to the resources necessary to make it as a writer.
It’s not hard to imagine what Jane’s career as a writer would’ve been without the support of her family: a dream unfulfilled. She would’ve never attended grad school, even if she’d gotten in, because the costs were prohibitive. She wouldn’t have finished her first book, much less her second, if she had to work multiple jobs while raising a child and navigating the ups and downs of life. And even if she had finished, she might not have gotten it published because she didn’t have access to the right networks. The people in Jane’s life made it possible for her to make it as a writer. They fast tracked her success. Every time I watch this show, I think: this is how we should support the writers and creatives in our life.