How did you become a writer?

I was enamored by language and storytelling at a young age and went on to major in English as an undergraduate. After college, I worked briefly in journalism, then pursued graduate school for fiction. It feels important to note that it took over 15 years from MFA to published book, but I just kept doing this thing I loved to do. Which means I’m either obstinate or nuts.

Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.).

Early influences were authors who showed me that you could tell propulsive stories in beautiful prose: Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston. I think I’ve learned from nearly every book I’ve read since, even if a text is just revealing a technique I may not wish to use.

When and where do you write?

I don’t adhere to a set schedule, in part because the nature of my life doesn’t permit it. I have a full-time job and two young kids, one of whom wakes before 6 AM. That said, I squeeze in writing time every week, where I can: during slow office hours or on my commute or, sometimes, after the kids are in bed. I’m most productive in the summer.

What are you working on now?

I’m back to writing fiction, my first literary language. I’m still not sure yet what shape the project will take…

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?

I used to, especially when I was a much younger writer and overeager to be in the world. That kind of desperation was paralyzing. These days my challenge is finding time in my schedule to tend to various ideas.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

I appreciate every teacher and mentor and writer-friend who said some variation of “don’t give up.” Who promised that the stick-with-it-ness would pay off.  

What’s your advice to new writers?

See above?

Courtney Zoffness is the author of the critically acclaimed Spilt Milk (McSweeney’s), named a best debut memoir of 2021 by BookPage. She won the 2018 Sunday Times Short Story Award, the largest international prize for fiction, as well as fellowships from The Center for Fiction and MacDowell. She directs the creative writing program at Drew University.