What is the biggest source of inspiration for your writing? Who would you say are your influences?

I love writing that examines the darker aspects of womanhood and motherhood. Big influences are Karen Russell, Lauren Groff, Carmen Maria Machado, Shirley Jackson. Anyone who manages to dredge up the dark, but still do it with a bit of humor.

How did you find out about the fellowship? What did it feel like to get that acceptance?

A dear friend forwarded the fellowship information to me and encouraged me to apply. I've been following Blue Stoop for a bit and had heard of the fellowship, but when these opportunities come up, I sort of assume they're meant for everyone else. It took a friend's encouragement for me to give it a shot. So, it was a real surprise when I got the email acceptance! It was such a gift to have one friend believe in me, and then another enormous gift to have that belief validated.

How does your identity shape your work?

Some of the most profound writing I've read has reflected my experience of womanhood back to me. That near-universality, it makes you feel like you're not alone in these feelings, like there exists this broad community knit together by reading and writing. I hope to write in that way, to articulate a feeling someone else may also have. So many of these deeply held, unexpressed feelings for me are related to ideas of beauty, love, care-giving, mortality, and ultimately womanhood.

What is the ideal next step in your writing journey? When/where can we expect to see you sharing your work with the world?

This fellowship (and all the great people through Blue Stoop who gave us their time and insight) really gave me the kick in the pants to start putting a novel onto paper. Wouldn't it be great if something came of that? Until then, I'm dropping occasional bits on Substack at lizmoorhead.substack.com.

When did you know you were meant to be on your writing journey?

My mom reminds me all the time of my fifth grade teacher who said, "Her writing makes me laugh and cry." This was a teacher who hated me, so you know she must have meant it. As I've had less and less time for writing, it's begun to feel like a need. I feel like I HAVE to write, like something is missing if I don't.

Did you have any hesitation when applying for the fellowship? What helped you decide to pursue the opportunity?

Wow, yes! I deeply respect many of the folks affiliated with Blue Stoop, so I was convinced I was going to embarrass myself in front of all these cool literary people. I was sitting there in my bed trying to come up with something (anything!) to say in my bio on the deadline of the application, and thought: okay, this rejection will help me get used to more rejection. Cool literary people also know what rejection is like.

What are you working on right now?

I'm playing with a little collection of short horror stories, but also working on an idea for a novel (that will forever be the Blue Stoop/Jennifer Weiner novel to me!). Also, two children's books and a handful of essays. Too many ideas and not enough time!