Alison Ashley Formento

BIW Member Interview

Alison Ashley Formento lives in New Jersey with her husband and kids, who constantly give her more ideas than she has time to write. Alison’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, Parenting Magazine, The New Jersey Monthly and several other publications, including several celebrity interviews. Her one-act plays have been produced in New York and her short stories published in Common Ties and Sinner+Saint Press.

Moe: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Alison Ashley Formento: I’ve always written, so there was never an “aha, this is my career!” moment. Even when I’m not working on a story or magazine article, I keep a journal, write poetry—fairly bad stuff—whatever, just to keep writing.

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Alison Ashley Formento: I’ve learned that I must keep a writing schedule for myself or it’s too easy to procrastinate and that it’s important to take a walk, bike ride or swim–just get away from my desk–to work out new ideas before sitting at the keyboard. And I’ve learned that seeing my by-line inspires me to write more. That little ego-thrill can be a real incentive to pitch new ideas.

Moe: What are you working on now?

Alison Ashley Formento: I’m working on a third draft of a middle grade novel, preparing it for agent submissions and I’m four chapters in on a new young adult novel. And I’m working on two magazine articles, too.

Moe: Do you have a favorite writing related book?

Alison Ashley Formento: My favorite writing related book changes, but at the moment, it’s Writing The Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass. It’s been a great boost, especially on my new work-in-progress.

Moe: What is your favorite writing website?

Alison Ashley Formento: One of my favorite writing websites is agent Kristen Nelson‘s. Having pitched my work to her at a writer’s conference and receiving really valuable feedback, I have a great deal of respect for her and this informative site.
Moe: Do you have an important BIW tip you’d like to pass along?

Alison Ashley Formento: A BIW tip? The more you write, the more you write.

Visit Alison Ashley Formento’s blog.