Volunteer Spotlight: Zara Hoffman
The Mighty Pens would be nothing without our volunteers. We wanted to make sure everyone got the recognition they deserve. Each week, we’ll be spotlighting one or more of our volunteers and they can tell you in their own words a little bit about them and why they are a part of the Mighty Pens team.
Here is round two of our volunteer spotlights! If you missed Abigail’s interview, check it out here.
Next up is Zara Hoffman (she/her/hers). Zara is a self-published author with a lot going on! You can find out more about her, her work, and other fun things on her website, YouTube channel, Twitter, and Instagram.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I’m a self-published author, graduate student in the NYU MS in Publishing Program, a dog mom, and a musical theater enthusiast.
Q: Tell us about your pets! Or dream pet, if you don’t have one.
A: My dog is an 8-year-old Havanese who is a total diva but the sweetest girl ever. She acts like a puppy with humans and like an old lady who can’t be bothered around other dogs. She’s a cute mess of contradictions and I love her more than anything.
Q: What are you currently reading/watching? What was your last 5 star read?
A: I’ve been rewatching Enola Holmes a lot on Netflix and my last 5 star read was Well-Played by Jen DeLuca
Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A: If I have to choose one, I’m more of a pantser than a planner but I am definitely on the spectrum between the two and therefore consider myself a plantser
Q: What’s your favorite writing snack or beverage?
A: Favorite beverage: Peach Snapple. Favorite snack: Toblerone chocolate.
Q: What’s in your ears while you write?
A: Nothing—I write in silence
Q: What’s your favorite thing about writing? Least favorite?
A: Favorite: Creating worlds, stories and characters from my imagination. Least favorite: Blank page syndrome
Q: Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before? Have you won? Are you participating this year?
A: Yes, yes, and yes!
Q: What do you write? And if you can, tell us what you are working on now or will be working on for NaNo.
A: I write YA and NA fiction. So far, it’s been different subgenres of romance, and for this NaNo it will be a YA Dystopian Romance. I have non-romance stories planned for the future, too.
Q: Any advice for someone who is joining the Mighty Pens or NaNoWriMo for the first time this year?
A: Make a schedule but don’t stress yourself if you can’t meet it every day. Progress is progress and this should be fun for you—not another source of stress in this crazy world. Also, make friends with other writers during this time.
Q: Are you a Mighty Pens vet or a newcomer? Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
A: Vet. I wanted to be a volunteer because I knew that I could help with tasks.
Q: What’s your favorite part about the Mighty Pens?
A: The community
Q: Do you have a special connection to Every Mother Counts? Or just like raising money for a good cause?
A: I just like raising money for a good cause.
