Member Spotlight: Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? For me, writing is all about sharing my stories, insights, and observations and hoping readers connect with my words in a way that helps them understand something about themselves and the world and/or makes them feel less alone.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Whenever I get stuck either starting a writing project or finishing one, I’ve come to realize it’s because I don’t know what to say, and I don’t know what to say because I haven’t “filled the well.” Authors write about their experiences both directly and indirectly. The people we meet, the places we’ve been, the things we’ve done — all are threads of the tapestries we weave into stories. Sometimes the cure is as simple as reading a book, taking a walk, or listening to music. (Creating playlists for my characters is a big help.) Other times overcoming writer’s block means I need to do more research or get away from my desk for a day or two to visit someplace new or try something that’s been on my bucket list.

What is your favorite time to write? Mornings are my favorite time to write when I’m ready to commit to a long writing session. But even when I’m not at my desk, I’m always writing. I jot down notes on my phone, run through scenes and dialogue in my head, and think about details and plot points I want to add.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Writing is hard. It’s daunting and sometimes overwhelming. One of the best pieces of writing advice I received didn’t come from a writer, it came from a painter. I began my writing career as a journalist. During my first year as a reporter, I was assigned to write a feature story about an artist who painted these beautiful cityscapes. The canvases that she worked on were enormous, closer to mural size than a painting you’d see in a gallery, and the paintings were very detailed. I asked her how she decided where to begin with a piece that large. She shrugged and said, “I start with what I love and the rest seems to fall into place.” Over the years her sage advice has come back to me many times.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? The ability to connect with readers. Growing up, I don’t remember authors doing book tours and signings, and of course they didn’t have websites. But I think it’s wonderful that I can love a book and discover more about the author and book in seconds. Better yet, it’s possible to meet authors at signings, appearances, and conferences, or email them. I’m still amazed that I can follow the social media accounts of the authors who influenced me as a young reader and made me dream about writing books someday. I once posted a sunset and a quote from The Outsiders on one of my social media accounts, and S.E. Hinton (or the person in charge of her account) reposted it. On a personal level, I will never get tired of walking into a library or bookstore and seeing a book I wrote on the shelves. It’s an honor and privilege that I don’t take lightly.

Jennifer Salvato Doktorski’s Finding Normal is out now with Fitzroy Books.