February Member of the Month, Jennifer Gasner. Q & A with Susan J. Farese
SJF: How did you discover SDMWA?
JG: I was taking Marni’s Certificate in Memoir and she promoted it.
SJF: Have you been taking writing classes/workshops or are in any writing groups? If so, where? Which made the most impact?
JG: Back in 2014 I took Marni’s Intro to Memoir at UCSD and continued with her Saturday Read and Critique at SDWI. I took a few years off then did the Certificate program. That gave me tools for creating scenes, structure, and so much more. I am currently in Tracy Jones’ Read and Critique at SDWI. It has motivated and pushed me to go deeper into scenes and made me more comfortable having people read my writing and telling parts of my story I am uncomfortable with.
SJF: Describe how writing has led to your finding your way to self-help and inspiring others.
JG: When I came back to writing after 3 years, I had recently lost my father and was dealing with health issues. I tended to stay in bed and mindlessly play games on my kindle. Writing has pulled me out of that cycle and allowed me to express myself and open communication up a little with my family.
SJF: Please tell us a little about your upcoming memoir
JG: It’s about coming of age with a progressive disability-going from walking independently to using a walker, then a wheelchair.
SJF: What are some of your favorite memoirs (or movies based on memoirs)?
JG: Not my Father’s Son by Alan Cumming, The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner, Boy Erased by Garrard Conley, Maid by Stephanie Laird
SJF: Any advice for new writers?
JG: Just keep writing even if you think it doesn’t seem important. Good things can come from confusion. Don’t be afraid to revisit things that you feel you’ve edited a lot—there is always more to say.
SJF: Many thanks, Jennifer!
Visit Jennifer on facebook
Learn more about Susan J. Farese