Jan Saenz
Jan Saenz is a writer, educator, and freelance editor. Her short stories and poems have appeared in Hobart, Paper Darts, Jellyfish Review, and more. She resides in Northwest Houston where she works as a writing coach for Lone Star College and a creative writing consultant for Kinder High School of Performing and Visual Arts. For more information, visit www.jansaenz.com or follow Jan on social media.
Interview
Excerpt from “Free and Rebellious”: Jan Saenz on the Art of Flash Fiction and Collecting Weird Objects
Nancy: What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Jan: “Write the book you want to read.” It’s a common quote, but for good reason. I went through a miserable phase about two years ago. For some reason, I could not write anything without first considering what a reader would want. I would change certain details in my stories so they would be more “acceptable” to a wider audience. I cut curse words. Toned down sex scenes. Worried about female likability. That shit did nothing but kill my writing. Nowadays, I try to focus more on editing the execution, not the personal taste. Because the taste is mine.
Nancy: What piece of your own writing are you most proud of? Where can we read it?
Jan: Paper Darts recently published one of my pieces. It’s the weirdest, coolest feeling when editors you greatly admire come back and say, “Hey, I really liked this.” Like, wait what? You get so used to rejection, acceptance starts to feel foreign.
You can read "What an Asshole" here.
Recommended Books for Aspiring Writers
Student Testimonials
"Jan is thoroughly committed to helping you be the best writer you can be. She coaxes beautiful words, phrases, and ideas from your story the way a gardener coaxes her plants to produce new blooms. I've used her services several times and she has always given me a better understanding of my work and how I can elevate it to achieve the goals I've set, whether I'm entering the piece in a contest or just trying to capture a style. When you receive her feedback, you know that she truly cares about helping other writers.” -Kate Landers, writer
Teaching Philosophy
Be curious, not judgmental. Every writer is different, and all creative paths, genres, and levels of skill should be celebrated. I believe in fostering confidence in others, acting as a cheerleader for one’s vision while helping them realize the full reach of their work.
Interview
Excerpt from “Free and Rebellious”: Jan Saenz on the Art of Flash Fiction and Collecting Weird Objects
Nancy: What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
Jan: “Write the book you want to read.” It’s a common quote, but for good reason. I went through a miserable phase about two years ago. For some reason, I could not write anything without first considering what a reader would want. I would change certain details in my stories so they would be more “acceptable” to a wider audience. I cut curse words. Toned down sex scenes. Worried about female likability. That shit did nothing but kill my writing. Nowadays, I try to focus more on editing the execution, not the personal taste. Because the taste is mine.
Nancy: What piece of your own writing are you most proud of? Where can we read it?
Jan: Paper Darts recently published one of my pieces. It’s the weirdest, coolest feeling when editors you greatly admire come back and say, “Hey, I really liked this.” Like, wait what? You get so used to rejection, acceptance starts to feel foreign.
You can read "What an Asshole" here.
Recommended Books for Aspiring Writers
- The Poet’s Companion by Dorianne Laux & Kim Addonizio (Craft Book)
- What the Living Do by Marie Howe (Poetry)
- In the Cut by Susanna Moore (Fiction)
- Just Kids by Patti Smith (Memoir)
- Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk by Gillian Cain and Legs McNeil (Non-fiction)
Student Testimonials
"Jan is thoroughly committed to helping you be the best writer you can be. She coaxes beautiful words, phrases, and ideas from your story the way a gardener coaxes her plants to produce new blooms. I've used her services several times and she has always given me a better understanding of my work and how I can elevate it to achieve the goals I've set, whether I'm entering the piece in a contest or just trying to capture a style. When you receive her feedback, you know that she truly cares about helping other writers.” -Kate Landers, writer
Teaching Philosophy
Be curious, not judgmental. Every writer is different, and all creative paths, genres, and levels of skill should be celebrated. I believe in fostering confidence in others, acting as a cheerleader for one’s vision while helping them realize the full reach of their work.