Behind the Bylines
Jennifer Marino
Meet... Jennifer Marino
Birthdate: September 8th
What was your favorite school subject?
Creative writing and journalism
When/how did you first know you wanted to write?
I think I always knew. As soon as I learned how to write, I kept diaries, wrote countless stories, and sent tons of letters to pen pals. I’d get top grades on all my writing assignments, and my teachers would always tell me to keep writing, no matter what I did.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I get to do really cool things every day, like interview movie stars and wonderful kids who do amazing things. I adore kids, and helping to put together a magazine they love so much is extremely rewarding. My co-workers are the greatest. And of course, I love the writing!
How did you develop a nose for the news?
I am an extremely curious—okay, NOSY—person! When something interests me, I will try my hardest to find out everything I can about it.
How do you overcome writer's block?
I walk around the office and visit my coworkers. I call people I know. I grab some food or a cup of coffee. I do anything but sit and stare at the computer. And then, just when I’ve about given up, ta-da! The creative juices start flowing and I become a writing machine!
What do you write best with or on?
My computer! I write stories in pieces, and I switch things around a lot. I’ll add things and delete things over and over again. You just can’t do that very easily on paper.
Who do you look up to?
My Grandma Vivian. She went through so much in her life, including the deaths of two husbands, the death of a baby daughter, cancer, and a brain tumor. Despite all of this, she always had a smile on her face, and never let things bring her down. She is the strongest person I’ve ever known. She has inspired me to make the best out of what life hands me. No matter how bad things may seem sometimes, they’ll always get better!
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