Member Spotlight: Delise Torres

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? I’d never considered becoming a writer until my late thirties, and now, I can’t imagine my life without writing. I’m so happy that I found my passion. Writing lets us express our feelings, whether for our eyes only or for sharing with others. I actually started out by writing daily on my journal, a practice I recommend to everyone. It helps me to verbalize my thoughts and clear my head so I can focus on what’s really important in life.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I think writer’s block comes from a sense of fear, so I like to meditate, which helps me to relax. I also like to talk aloud to myself about any plot problem I have. It helps me figure out what’s wrong. Sometimes I write on a notebook, jotting down everything that pops into my head until I can pinpoint the main idea I’m trying to convey. And if all else fails, it’s better to walk away and take some space away from writing. Usually inspiration sparks when I’m doing something else and not thinking about it.

What is your favorite time to write? I love writing early in the mornings while everyone is asleep.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? The best advice I ever received is to seek feedback from other writers. I think we need to have a second (or third or fourth or more) pair of eyes to see the story from a different perspective. I’ve gotten so many ideas from simple observations someone else made that I would’ve never come up with on my own!

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I’m most excited about the diversity in books and authors that are being published right now. I love how the industry is becoming much more inclusive. I love reading from other perspectives different from my own. It makes my life richer.

Delise Torres’s One Tough Cookie is out now with‎ Alcove Press.