Interview Questions by Claire Tang
Interview Answers by Yoyo Dou
Yoyo Dou is an avid reader and aspiring writer from Toronto, Canada. A current senior in high school, she is constantly falling deeper in love with storytelling through endless hours of reading and writing. As the Editor-in-Chief of Cathartic Lit, she is excited to connect with other writers and make a difference in the world, one word at a time. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Taylor Swift songs and finding books to add to her never-ending TBR.
Claire Tang (CT): Tell us about one of the first pieces you've ever written! Then on the flip side: what are you working on right now?
Yoyo Dou (YD): I have been writing for as long as I can remember. Tucked away in my basement are countless boxes overflowing with handwritten storybooks, some dating all the way back to first grade! However, it wasn't until middle school that I truly fell in love with storytelling. In history class, I learned about the Halifax explosion, a devastating incident that took over 1000 lives. Deeply moved, I wrote a historical fiction piece about a young girl who loses her family in the tragedy. The overwhelming support from my classmates opened my eyes to the transformative power of words. I haven’t looked back since.
At the moment, I'm pushing myself creatively by working on a science fiction project. Reflecting on the chaotic state of our world, I felt inspired to take a step back and view things from an alien perspective—quite literally. Through this angle, I'm exploring our impact on the planet and questioning what it really means to be human. And, in the spirit of multitasking, I’m also trying to write my Common App essay. To any fellow high school seniors out there, I feel for you. The college application process has not been easy at all!
CT: I absolutely love reading Cathartic Lit. All the pieces published there have such a mature, introspective tone. What’s your reading process? At what point, while considering submissions, do you realize that a piece is fit for Cathartic Lit?
YD: Thank you for your kind words about Cathartic Lit! I am delighted to hear that so many of our pieces resonate with you. Our reading process is designed to ensure that every submission receives the thoughtful and thorough consideration they deserve. To begin, our General Editors provide general and line-by-line feedback, then make a recommendation for acceptance or rejection. Subsequently, our Executive Editors revise this feedback and endorse or challenge the General Editors' recommendation. Lastly, I carefully review both the submission and the editorial comments to make the final decision. If a piece is accepted, it gets passed on to our Managing Editors for publication.
It's important to note that nothing is definitive until I have personally read it and considered our editors' opinions. There have been instances where a piece was published despite initial recommendations for rejection, and vice versa. In general, we are committed to publishing anything that tells a compelling and emotional story. We encourage all young writers to share their voices with the world!
CT: How does the work of the writers you interact with and publish inspire your own literary ventures?
YD: I believe that reading is the key to becoming a good writer. During my time with Cathartic Lit, I've had the pleasure of encountering absolutely remarkable pieces. I am consistently moved by the profound honesty and emotional depth of these pieces—qualities I strive to master as I push my creative boundaries.
Moreover, the creativity and diversity within these pieces continually inspire new approaches in my writing. For example, after we published several pieces with innovative formats, I began experimenting with the structure of my own poetry.
Additionally, I am incredibly grateful for the support of our writing community. Their encouragement has opened doors to amazing opportunities, from book recommendations to writing programs. I owe much of my growth as a writer to my fantastic team.
CT: Being a fellow high schooler, I know you’re probably very busy; how do you balance it all - school, writing, running your own lit mag, other activities, and life as a whole?
YD: Honestly, I don't even know half the time! But to keep things on track, I rely on to-do lists. Breaking my schedule down into words and checkboxes helps me tackle each task with clear goals. I prioritize my schoolwork, but I always find time to check in on the magazine at least once or twice a day. Unfortunately, my commitments limit the amount of time I can spend on writing, but I make sure to step away from my routine now and then to indulge in my passions.
