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

Friendships, especially between women, people falling in love, the big emotions of small moments, the pleasures of being seen and seeing others. Finding yourself and your values in larger systems. The joy of play and absurdity of being a person.

As far as literary influences, I still have so much I want to read. But a few books I’ve been returning to as inspiration and guidance for my current writing projects: Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, and A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders.

Outside of literature, I’m also frequently inspired by the storytelling in comedy, in film, in theater and — my current obsession — tabletop gaming.

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

In a stroke of luck, I came across the fellowship announcement at the bottom of a Romance Writers of America newsletter. Jennifer Weiner’s name caught my eye, and the more I looked into the requirements, the more accessible and “for me” it seemed. Not going to lie, I cried when I got the acceptance! This wave of validation and gratitude and excitement for what was to come just crashed through me.

How does your identity shape your work?

I write characters who, like me, are women navigating the world in bigger bodies. There are simply not enough fat main characters, especially Black women. I want to see them fall in love, to take on the Big Bad, to be good and bad friends, and to give them stakes I know they can handle, even if they aren’t sure.

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 year, I plan to finish the first draft of my novel project! Hear that, me?? In the meantime, you can find my romance flash fiction substack, Frisson, at torilee1.substack.com.

Do you have any dream collaborators? Publishing houses? Credits? Blurbs?

Rainbow Rowell! I started reading her books as a teen and never stopped. I love the way she builds emotions and intimacy like tiny brushstrokes. The queen of slow burn.

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

I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid, so in a way I’ve always known. I unearthed a hand-drawn, dragon-themed story suspiciously around when the Game of Thrones final season aired. Around 4th grade, I placed in the Illinois Young Author’s competition for an epic poem about a kid raised by wolves. In college, I started getting more serious about writing. I took a non-fiction course (shout out to Dan Raeburn) where I wrote a short story about my first hoopty — a 1992 Ford Taurus. I felt this magic and energy in that class that wasn’t like anything else I’d felt in college. Then I got self-conscious and stopped. I pivoted to another, adjacent career: writing for, and in and about, museums. Similarly to many people, the pandemic caused me to reassess what I wanted to spend my life doing. So I started writing creatively again and don’t plan to stop any time soon.

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

Oh, big hesitations. I’m a walking ball of hesitation (working on it). I think the word “emerging” really helped allay anxieties that sprung up around worthiness/good enough feelings. There’s so much room in the word “emerging.” Room to grow, room to not know, to experiment. The language of the fellowship also felt very inclusive and perfect for where I’m at in my writing journey. Also, I kept thinking of advice I’ve gotten from various friends and mentors: Put yourself and your work out there before you feel ready. You may never feel ready!

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on my first novel, a coming-of-age story set on a college campus in Chicago. A mysterious game theory class! Friendship pitted against the push and pull of exceptionalism! The agony of “doing good!” Math?