High School English Teacher and Instructional Coach Julie Martinez

This week’s Writer Wednesday features DWR member Julie Martinez!

Julie is a high school English teacher and instructional coach from Warren! When she’s not working on her memoir or brainstorming in her notebook, she enjoys cooking and crocheting. Learn more about her below!

What writing projects are you currently working on? 

I am currently writing a memoir about the effect my father’s addiction had on our family. I’ve written three episodes of a sitcom set in a high school about a union president who just wants to teach her classes. I am trying to write a poem about gun violence in schools. It’s not going well. 

What is your favorite part of the writing process? 

Everything I write starts out written by hand in a notebook. That is my favorite part of the process because I never know where it might take me! I like going back and comparing how a piece started and where it ends up.  I teach a college level writing class to high school juniors, and being able to show them that process is probably the most important thing I do as a teacher. 

What does your writing workspace look like? 

It’s cluttered with pens, highlighters, Post-its, notebooks and shitty rough drafts.  But I write everywhere, my home, my classroom, on the beach; yesterday I wrote during my son’s orchestra performance.

When did you first discover your love for writing? Were there any key moments or influences that sparked your passion? 

When I was in second grade, I wrote a story about a magic pair of scissors that was published in the paper. I’ve been filling notebooks with words since I was a little girl. 

What is your favorite non-writing hobby? 

Cooking, crocheting, playing video games

What is your favorite piece of writing advice?

 “Just make it exist. You can make it good later.” and “Trust the process…”

Follow Julie on Instagram at @juliemartinez7124

— Interview by Olivia Han