Interview with Author Jarick Weldon

Jarick Weldon's compelling micro-fic "Reminiscent of Drogbel Babies" presents a brief moment inside the field notes of a mysterious archaeologist on a mission to discover and understand the culture they're unearthing. Humorous, thoughtful, and tight, this piece brought the WLM editors a lot of fun discussion. Read on to discover more about the author, including some recommended reading and who his favorite weirdo is!

What makes you keep writing, even when it's hard?

A deadline that can’t be broken. The potential of publication. Noodler’s Heart of Darkness ink.

Advice on creating that you’ve learned by trial and error.

Start with an unusual idea. No longer be you, be the character. 

What's your favorite obscure novel or short story (a work you never hear anyone else talking about)?

Night Train to the Stars by Kenji Miyazawa.

Do you have a favorite book on writing or creating that's been a helpful resource?

The Hidden Tools of Comedy by Steve Kaplan. Comedy is one step harder than tragedy, two steps harder than drama.

Where do you go when you need to work out a writing block? 

A public library. I wear red foam earphones but don’t play any sound.

What are your long-term writing goals? 

To accidentally write a story that gets made into a screen blockbuster.

If you were a cryptid, what would your name be and what strange habits would people whisper about?

Bigfoot playing the Leningrad Dutch defense badly.

If you could travel anywhere in the universe, where would it be?

Anywhere interesting and non-fatal with a teleport back home.

Have you ever had a supernatural encounter?

No, but I sometimes google people by chance on the day they die.

What is your favorite nostalgic film?

Casablanca if wanting to appear cultured. Logan’s Run if telling the truth.

Is there a book or film that significantly altered your perception of reality? 

Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chodron.

Do you have a favorite weirdo? (Could be famous, obscure, fictional, or a personal connection.) 

Kate Bush.

What’s the one mystery of the human condition you wish could be solved? 

Wildlife being treated as other.

Tell us a secret. 

I was created partially from the essences of Judy Garland and John Wyndham.

Jarick Weldon alternates between Yorkshire, England and Galloway, Scotland. He took up the art of creative writing three years ago after a long career in science and medicine. He was shortlisted for the HG Wells Short Story Competition in 2023 and won the Parracombe Prize in 2025. He is a sub-editor for Fiction on the Web and a reader for the Scottish Arts Trust. His published works can be found via: https://www.chillsubs.com/profile/jarickweldon