Visiting with Jane Hertenstein
by Claire Guyton, Art + Life Editor
What inspired “Cloud of Witnesses“?
I was a substitute teacher in Athens County while finishing up my last year in college (Ohio University) so I was able to see firsthand the potential and the poverty of the rural area. In 1980 conditions were much like a developing country. I kept imagining what it must be like for these kids—especially the ones who longed for something more.
Tell us about your writing process—either generally or specifically with regard to the birth and development of this piece.
I usually vomit my ideas or story out onto the page and then fill it in with constant revisions. Sorry if that sounds disgusting.
Do you remember when you decided you wanted to be a writer?
Yeah. When I read Flip the Horse in first grade. I said “I want to do this” to my mom, who immediately said “That’s ridiculous.”
What’s the best title you didn’t use?
“Cloud of Witnesses or How I Lost my Virginity.” Not really, but titles like this always seem to get attention.
*Contact Claire with any questions or suggestions for Hunger Mountain’s Art + Life section at hungermtnal@gmail.com.
