Meet Jillian Beane: The Fantasy Author Who Talks to Imaginary Friends (and Writes About Werewolves)

What do you get when you mix elemental magic, a slow-burn romance, dragon shifters, and a mom of two with a vivid imagination? You get Jillian Beane, the rising indie fantasy author whose characters quite literally speak to her.

“I am a self-proclaimed jack of all trades, master of none,” Jillian told us during our interview, “but most recently, I’ve tried my hat at being an author. And that one stuck!”

From a quirky classroom writing assignment to filling three entire notebooks with story ideas in high school, Jillian’s journey to authorship is as magical as her characters.

The Elemental Series: Magic, Werewolves & Found Family

At the heart of Jillian’s debut fantasy trilogy is Selima, an elemental shaman with earth magic vibes and a mentor-murder mystery to solve.

"She finds herself in the mountains near a werewolf pack," Jillian explains. “She and the Alpha have to go on an epic quest to get the last ingredient needed to level the playing field against the Big Bad.”

Sound like your kind of fantasy? Oh, it gets better: there’s a dragon shifter BFF, a ragtag magical crew, and a full embrace of the found family trope — because, as Jillian says, “everyone’s weaknesses and strengths working together is stronger than anything.”

Writing from the Chaos

Let's be honest: writers are a weird bunch. But Jillian? She's delightfully weird in the best way.

"My characters pop into my head almost fully formed. I just have to discover their secrets," she says.

Jillian describes her process as linear and intuitive - the classic pantser style (no plotting allowed). She writes her stories from beginning to end like she's watching a movie unfold in her mind, and if she tries to skip ahead? The scene vanishes like smoke.

But that doesn't mean it's all sunshine and dragon scales.

"I write from start to finish. I figure out the story exactly the same way the reader does."

There are school runs to do, imaginary friends that go silent mid-scene, and the occasional emotional standoff with her characters when they don't like what she's made them do.

Still, Jillian finds joy in the chaos. Whether she's writing late into the night or snatching hours between parenting, she stays immersed in the wild, magical world inside her head.

More Than Magic: Why Jillian Writes

Fantasy might be the genre, but Jillian's mission runs deeper than dragons and fireballs. She writes with purpose; to offer the reader a breath of peace, a moment of escape, a chance to get lost in something beautiful.

"I try to write so that they're fun and lighthearted, even with the heavier themes. I hope [readers] take away a moment of peace away from the craziness of the current world."

In a time when reality feels more dystopian than ever, stories lik Jillian's give readers a reason to keep turning the page.

From Fantasy Realms to Urban Grit: What's Next?

With her Elemental trilogy nearly complete, Jillian is gearing up for her next literary adventure; one that promises a darker twist.

Think Dark Angel meets Resident Evill. A gritty urban fantasy mashup featuring shadowy secrets, survival, and a whole new cast of characters whispering in her ear.

"It's very different from my current series," she admits, "but my new imaginary friends are ready to go."

Fantasy lovers, prepare yourselves. The world is changing, but Jillian's magic is only getting stronger.

Follow Jillian's Magical Journey

Don't miss a spell! Stay connected with Jillian Beane and dive deeper into her enchanting stories here: jillianbeane.com

Final Thoughts: For Readers Who Believe in Magic

Whether you're a writer who pantses your way through every scene or a reader looking for a series to devour over the weekend, Jillian Beane's Elemental trilogy is a gem in the indie fantasy world.

With heart, humor, and just enoough chaos, Jillian's stories remind us that magic doesn't just belong to the chosen ones, it lives in found families, everyday courage, and authors who dare to follow their characters into the wild unknown.