Jennifer Collins is a walking, talking, writing contradiction.
She's the daughter of an accountant and a banker who majored in English and a former resident of Milwaukee who can't stand most of the city's beer.
After receiving her undergraduate and master's degrees in English, Collins received her Ph.D. in creative writing.
The coffee-drinking, baby sloth-loving novelist said she loves what she does.
"What gets me up in the morning? Teaching and writing," Collins said. "I'm teaching introduction to creative writing, which is awesome."
Collins has recently published a book with an independent press in London titled "Homegirl!"
"I'd say it's more neo-noir," Collins said. "It's about a woman named Homegirl and she's dating two guys. One is named Punkboy, and one is named Richboy."
As well as being an examination of gender, the novel is a glimpse of how love inspires and affects decisions.
"I like to say it's not safe for work--there's a lot of profanity and sexuality," Collins said. "I believe in gender equality. There are ideas about gender in there, but I try not to hit the reader over the head."
Collins said she enjoyed growing up in Milwaukee, describing it as a small town in a big city.
"It's not Chicago; it's not New York; it's not London," Collins said. "Auburn is a small-town small town. I like the academic community and the closeness of everyone, but I kind of miss restaurants. I'm a vegetarian, and it's really hard to find vegetarian food here."
Collins said being from Milwaukee ruins the appeal of some of their beers, like Milwaukee's Best.
"We call it 'The Beast,'" Collins said. "Pabst we were very proud of, but then it left Milwaukee."
Sheyda Mehrara, undeclared sophomore in the College of Science and Math, was a student in Collins' creative writing and English composition courses.
"She's quirky and not afraid to show it," Mehrara said. "It's refreshing. Teachers like her make classes enjoyable instead of a hassle."
Kenneth Novak, junior in English literature, shares Mehrara's opinion of Collins' personality.
He said she is a quirky, funny, helpful professor. Collins teaches an "extremely enjoyable class, structured by freedom of thinking, positive energy and attitude, coolness and creativity," Novak said.
Mehrara said some of her favorite writing was for her classes with Collins, adding that she was an influence.
"She makes me feel confident in my writing skill and promotes my creativity," Mehrara said. "She likes to focus her classes around identity and how different cultures recognize that, whether it's through gender, race or class."
Collins said she had some preconceived notions about the South.
"I've heard things about the South," Collins said. "I know people up North think racist things, too, they just don't say them. But I've heard people say racist things down here."
She said the only major thing she doesn't like about Auburn is she doesn't have the opportunity to teach more creative writing classes. However, she said the talent in Auburn is surprising.
"I'm so impressed," Collins said. "We talk the entire class, and then at the end I'm like, 'Oh, it's time to go.' Then someone said, 'I wish this class lasted all morning.'"
Collins said of everything she's accomplished, her writing, which can be found at www.amazon.com, is what she wants people to know about.
"I'm pretty damn proud of my novel," Collins said.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
