Author Interview - Dorothy Stille

What inspires you to write? In his book, The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, Jonathan Gottschall writes that storytelling is “central to the human condition.” I think we all have an innate desire to tell stories, but we are predisposed to different forms of expression. I know people who tell stories through their music, people who tell stories through their art, people who tell stories through theater and dance. I have friends who can captivate you just by telling you about their day. Storytelling is part of being human– and writing is the way in which I enjoy telling stories. 

Could you share some of your challenges as a writer? I’m a perfectionist, so I have a hard time with the first draft of anything because obviously, whatever I produce is not going to be perfect. A good friend of mine told me to think of my first draft as a “zero draft” instead– to just start by jotting down the very basic ideas, and to not fret over the prose– and that mindset really helped me. 

Tell me about your protagonist. What's your favorite trait and/or weakness?  Jane is perhaps the most complex narrator I have written. She surprised me as I wrote. What I love about Jane is her internal snark. She’s very funny, in a dry sort of way, despite the horrors unfolding around her. Jane is also selfish, and I think that makes her very human. Many protagonists of novels are extremely virtuous, and they involve themselves in the story out of the goodness of their heart. Jane, on the other hand, feels trapped in her situation and that makes her very interesting to write about. I would say Jane’s most interesting traits are ones I can’t spoil…

What are your current/future projects? I’ve just completed IN THE HOLLOW, a horror manuscript with thriller elements set in small-town Appalachia. I’m currently working on another horror/thriller manuscript set in the Outer Banks. I love North Carolina. Its geography is so rich, and I’m excited to explore another setting in the state!

Do you have a routine you follow when writing? When I’m working on a new manuscript, I set a daily goal of 2,000 words a day. The words do not have to be perfect, and they do not even have to be good: but I hold myself to that expectation regardless. I think setting a daily goal helps keep me accountable, and helps me make progress. Also– and I don’t necessarily recommend this, but it works for me– I actually write my chapters by hand first, then type them up later. Something about scrawling ideas down in a notebook, without any screens or distractions, helps me stay focused. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? Read, read, read! Read in your favorite genres, but also read outside those genres. I love science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers, but every time I step outside those genres I’m always pleasantly surprised. You learn so much by reading the work of a variety of writers. I think the post-college burnout is real, and I know for myself, even though (and perhaps because) I majored in English, it took me a long time to take up reading for pleasure again. If you are experiencing that burnout, I would say start by reading something that you know will be fast-paced and fun. 

What is your preferred method for readers to get in touch with you? You can find me on Twitter: @DorothyStille