Member Spotlight: Janice L. Airhart

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Our stories matter. Collectively, recognizing what we have in common helps us navigate life. Stories about people who share our struggles or joys helps us feel connected. On the other hand, stories about people whose lives are different from ours open up our worldview. I write to bring stories to light that help readers better understand the human condition.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Research. I have to be careful with it, because I can get caught up in following bread crumbs. But I will almost always find something that helps give me a fresh perspective on what I’m writing. That will get me back on track.

What is your favorite time to write? I prefer writing in the morning, after a walk and after my journaling. I usually write around 3 hours in the morning. When I have a deadline, though–as I do now–I write whenever I have a few minutes!

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? #1. Read extensively in the genre/medium you plan to write. #2. (Almost as important) Read your work out loud when revising.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? There are so many ways to share what I write, even if I don’t find a major publisher. I write a weekly Substack piece. I plan to self-publish a memoir this summer. I have a blog on my website. I start conversations on Facebook. I just love have conversations on topics I care about.

Janice Airhart’s What Teaching Teen Moms Taught Me: Lessons From a High School Classroom is out now with Lived Places Publishing.