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Amenia, NY-based author Jorge Sanchez shares the thought process behind writing stories from his past. Not only does he highlight what initially inspired him to publish these works and how he approaches his writing, but he unpacks the importance of exploring one’s own life through written themes!

What is your background in writing? Has it been a lifelong passion or did your interest in writing develop more recently? In other words, how would you say it fits into your life?

I have always wanted to write for years, which means it has been a lifelong passion that I recently decided to dive into. The difference was in the past, I could not wrap my head around creating and structuring a whole book, but that changed when I decided to just write the stories of my life. This was early summer of last year. This approach has allowed me to enjoy my passion but not be locked in a room for a year while I try to hash out the next great American novel.

What sort of writing would you say you specialize in? Has the focus of your writing changed at all over time? Do you have a favorite genre or style?

I usually write short stories or short personal essays. Someone once told me they feel like I’m writing the pieces of a memoir with each story I write. I try to think of my style as “getting to the joke.” What that means is that I’m trying to get to the punchline, so I add enough context to make the punchline work but not so much that it bogs the reader down. When I first started, it was like my brain needed to get the story out and onto the screen, so my focus was to keep it tight. Now, while I am still trying to “get to the point,” I do take a little more time and space to explore the story. Interestingly, I love sci-fi in terms of what I like to read (think Old Man’s War) but in terms of writing, I try to stay away from that genre since it’s already crowded with so many amazing authors.

Tell me about the inspiration and themes you’ve woven throughout the stories in Sanchez 5 Inbound. How has writing about these events shed light on them, or brought forth a new understanding of them?

While I try to keep my writing light, there is a theme just under the surface. Growing up we had our fair share of hardships, but we always managed to find joy. There is also the theme that life can be absurd, and yet we all just plow forward trying to make the best of it. In terms of shedding new light on these events, it has been an unexpected joy asking my brothers about some event, which starts off a 20-minute shared chat about that event. For example, in the first story, I did not know my mom was swinging her cane like a crazy person.

What does your writing process typically look like when writing about your own life? Did anything about your process stand out or change when writing these four stories in particular?

Right now, my process is that I keep a list of stories or ideas I want to write about. Most of the time I look over the idea and think if it makes sense to write about…meaning will it be funny or interesting (I’m not naive enough to think my every idea will appeal to everybody)? Does it make sense when compared to a story I have just finished? I usually think of the title first. This helps to guide me to where the writing will go and the general theme of what I’m writing. The only thing that changes with each new story is whether it connects with a previous story. If I think it does, then I will try to connect the two.

It can be an extremely vulnerable process sharing your writing with the world, especially when writing about your own life. What has it been like publishing this book and sharing your work with the public? 

I will admit I did not give it much thought before I published. The reason is that I have told these stories to many people over many years. By publishing them, I’m just reaching out to a wider group of people. I was more worried about people I know not liking being in the story. I think for every author there is a piece of themselves they are exposing (whether they know it or not) with everything they write.

What do you hope readers will take away from this collection of stories?

I want people to read and think about their own experiences and their own crazy stories. I want them to realize that every family and every friend circle has a certain level of crazy, and that’s okay. This is why, in the first story, I don’t describe what anyone looks like, at least not in any great detail. I want the reader to place their own family members in the situation.

Do you have any other stories or collections planned for release in the future?

I just released the second collection (Sanchez 5 Inbound Collection Number 2), and it’s available on Amazon. I’m also working on my first “fiction” story that I hope to have out late spring/early summer.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that hasn’t already been covered in the above questions?

I want to tell everyone: go write!! You would be surprised at how enjoyable it can be. You don’t have to be the next Stephen King, but that does not mean someone will not love to read what you wrote. It can be crappy, or it can be really good, but until you put your hands on the keyboard you don’t know. So, go write!!

To learn more about Jorge and read his stories and collections, please visit his author page at amazon.com/stores/author/B0D816W7VC.