Volunteer Spotlight: Fer de Ávila
Welcome to the Mighty Pens 2021! This year we have so many wonderful volunteers standing behind us and we want to make sure everyone gets 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.
Today’s celebration is for Fer de Ávila (she/her)! You can follow along with her writing journey on Instagram and Twitter.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I’m a TA for author Nina LaCour and an ad rater for Telus International
Q: Tell us about your pets!
A: I have two dogs! Their names are Lucian and Zena because my partner is obsessed with League of Legends 🙃
Q: What are you currently reading/watching? What was your last 5 star read?
A: I’m rewatching Gilmore Girls for the thousandth time, reading How Moon Fuentez Fell In Love With The Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, and my last 5 star read was The Anthropocene Reviewed, by John Green.
Q: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A: I’m mostly a pantser with some headlights tendencies
Q: What’s your favorite writing snack or beverage?
A: I love tea for writing in the afternoons, especially chai and English Breakfast
Q: What’s in your ears while you write?
A: Right now I’m a fan of the Autumn Cozy channel on YT. So soothing!
Q: Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before? Have you won? Are you participating this year?
A: I’ve participated three times now, and won every time! I’m not participating this year ’cause I’m in the midst of revision.
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 contemporary. Currently making my way through a sisters story set in Guadalajara that I drafted last year during NaNo
Q: Any advice for someone who is joining the Mighty Pens or NaNoWriMo for the first time this year?
A: Make it nice for yourself! There’s plenty of delight and pleasure to be had when you set aside some time for writing this month. Make a warm drink, put on your favorite playlist and your softest pajamas, and remember that you’re just telling a story. You tell stories every day! You can do this! 💪🏽
Q: Are you a Mighty Pens vet or a newcomer? Why did you decide to become a volunteer?
A: Newcomer! I knew the Mighty Pens existed but thought it was just for people participating in NaNo. Turns out, you can also help from behind the scenes!
Q: What’s your favorite part about the Mighty Pens?
A: I love that your writing is impacting the world in a positive way RIGHT NOW. No matter the shape of your story or if anyone ever reads it, your words are making a difference.
Q: Do you have a special connection to WeForest? Or just like raising money for a good cause?
A: Not WeForest specifically, but I want to help the Earth cool down in any way I can, even if it’s small.
Thanks, Fer! We’re so happy you decided to join us this year! 🙂
