Our next post in our ‘Meet The Members’ series we have one of our staff members, Alex Loucel! Alex is the Writers’ League webmaster and social media maven. She graduated from the University of Texas in 2011 with degrees in both Journalism and English. Alex started as an intern back in January and plans to stick around until they kick her out.
In what genres do you write?
Alex Loucel: I like to write YA fiction typically. It’s a lot more fun to play with the melodrama of your teenage years when you’re finally out of them. I like to experiment with different genres but YA is where I feel happiest.
What authors would you like to have coffee or beer with?
AL: Now that’s a hard question. I should be super literary and pick a historic symbolic author but I have to say Jennifer Donnelly. She writes YA historical fiction and ever since I picked up ‘The Tea Rose’ by her in high school, I’ve been following her religiously. I really admire her writing style and I think she’d be a fun person to have a beer with and pick her brain.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to keep you sane?
AL: A book that has edible pages? That’s a tough one. I think I’d have to take ‘The Princess Bride’. Every single time I read the book, it’s like I’m reading the book for the first time and watching the movie in my head. There’s action, romance, and comedy. What better way to spend your time on a deserted island?
What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?
AL: I’ve learned to be more comfortable with myself as a writer knowing that I am not the only one who struggles with plot holes or having a character disappear from me. I’ve been lucky enough to take classes and I get more out of them than I did when I took a creative writing class in college. If anyone has a chance to sign up, then they definitely should.
Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
AL: I write for myself so I don’t see it taking me too far in the future. I love to read more than I write and I’m hoping that takes me into the publishing world where I can read all the different stories people have to share.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
AL: I’m a huge race fan so if anyone ever wants to talk MotoGP or Formula 1, I’m always up for a great discussion! Race weekends will always see me saying goodbye to any semblance of my social life to keep up with lap times and race results.
Make sure you stay tuned as we bring you another member each week!