Novelist Joy Castro to host writing workshop

Joy Castro takes on everything — she's a novelist, college professor, creative writing workshop instructor and a mother. 

Last night, Castro read aloud several short stories and nonfiction works in Greenlaw Hall. Today, she will teach a creative writing workshop in Greenlaw from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Castro said she truly loves what she does.

“It’s wonderful," she said. "It’s the best job in the world.”

Castro also said she tries to negotiate a balance of the comfortable and the risky in her writing workshops.

“I rely on the classic workshop model, but I also do a lot of generative work with students to push writers away from what’s comfortable," she said. "I work hard to create an atmosphere of trust, and part of that involves ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.” 

Castro's agent, Mitchell Waters, said he enjoyed how writers could learn from each other at the workshop — an opportunity that doesn't happen often for many writers. 

“The primary benefit of a writing workshop is that writers can get together with each other and exchange feedback — because most of the time writers work in an isolated vacuum,” Waters said.

Waters also said he's impressed with Castro's wide range of works, which includes crime fiction, nonfiction and essay compilations.

“Joy can bite anything, and she has already proven it,” Waters said.

Castro said she is always trying to reach new audiences, particularly with her personal essay, “Grip.” 

“My goal was to write a decolonial, eco-feminist essay in three pages or less,” Castro said.

Despite writing about complex topics, Castro has a simple view on how she writes. 

“I write until I’m done, and then I know how long it is,” she said.

Castro does not shy away from tackling difficult topics in her literature, ranging from motherhood to sexual assault. She draws on her experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, and leaving that, home, and most communication with her mother behind at the young age of 14. 

Ethnicity and Latina culture also play a major role in Castro’s works — Castro is a professor not only of English, but also ethnic studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Sarah-Gray Lesley, a sophomore English and music performance major, said she found the advice section for aspiring writers particularly interesting. 

“I thought that her writing process in particular was fascinating.” 

@LeahMoore1

arts@dailytarheel.com