"Crafting Narratives of Resilience: Catching Up with Scott Broker" by Rebecca Montanez

In the diverse landscape of the literary world, Scott Broker shines as a symbol of creativity, resilience, and inclusivity. Formerly an adjunct professor in the writing department of Woodbury University and the faculty editor of MORIA Literary Magazine for Issue Nine, he not only represents a dedication to nurturing emerging talent, but also a commitment to fostering diversity and community within greater Los Angeles. As a queer-identified author, Broker brings a distinctive perspective to his teaching, enriching it with personal experience and profound insight. Likewise, with his published narratives, Broker captivates readers, delving into the intricacies of the human experience. As we reconnect with Broker, we embark on a journey through his creativity and resilience, exploring the milestones, challenges, and triumphs that have defined his path as both a writer and an educator.
Broker's journey as a writer began in elementary school, finding both solace and agency in crafting stories amidst personal turmoil: “I started writing when I was in the 4th grade . . . writing, after all, is a way to explore conflict in a (relatively) controlled environment,” he reflects. Despite his young age and lack of publishing knowledge, he embraced writing for its intrinsic value, inspired by his surroundings and life experiences, Broker’s narratives mirror the complexities of family dynamics, loneliness, and, more recently, the realities of living in LA: “I love writing about complicated family dynamics because of my own . . . my writing feels like a funhouse mirror of my life, built from atoms big and small,” he remarks.
Broker’s writing process is disciplined, with dedicated sessions four days a week, typically from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. These sessions often take place at a coffee shop but occasionally at home. He describes himself as a “butt-in-the-seat” type of writer, appreciating the routine for its consistency but acknowledging its limitations. While his routine helps him avoid the dread of writing, he sometimes wishes he could be more flexible with his schedule. Despite the solitary nature of writing, Broker also finds solace in the community of fellow writers, valuing the exchange of ideas and feedback. Reflecting on this balance, he shares, “Writing is a very solitary pursuit, but being in a community of writers can help assuage that feeling a lot.”
Despite challenges — like parting ways with his first agent — Broker’s resilience shines through, shaping his recent life into a fully-realized writer’s world: “My post-Woodbury life is a nicely maintained literary ecosystem. . . . It gives me the space and time I need to work on my fiction, which is the most important thing.” Influenced by a myriad of authors, he believes literature bridges divides between people, offering diverse perspectives and challenging societal norms. Beyond writing, Broker dreams of new hobbies (“I'd love to do something crafty and completely unrelated to writing.”). His main focus remains on upcoming projects, which delve into themes of ambition, failure, and familial estrangement. His advice to inspiring authors? “Embrace rejection as a part of the process and persist despite setbacks.” He enjoys discussing works in progress, sharing insights, and receiving feedback. For him, teaching has also played a crucial role in fostering a sense of community, moving it away from a fixed independent endeavor.
As an author writing within and about the LGBTQIA+ community, Broker's work is imbued with richness and authenticity that resonate deeply with readers. Through his storytelling, Broker invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and empathy, reminding us of the transformative power of literature in fostering understanding and inclusivity. Influenced by a myriad of authors, Broker mentions finding inspiration particularly in the works of Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Rachel Cusk, Joy Williams, Anne Carson, Garth Greenwell, and Miranda July. He acknowledges their contribution to shaping his approach to storytelling, as all good “touchstone texts” should.
When asked about navigating how vulnerable it is to share work with readers, Broker emphasizes the importance of seeking feedback from trusted individuals first, who can offer constructive insights. He advises against allowing feedback to deter the pursuit of writing, reminding aspiring writers that critiques of your work are not reflections of your worth as individuals. Instead, he encourages embracing vulnerability as an integral part of the creative process, fostering growth and resilience in the face of inevitable criticism.
Broker’s upcoming novel, The Disappointment, promises to delve into themes of ambition, failure, grief, and the complexity of human ego, similar to the prose poem he published with MORIA in Issue Eight, called “The Testimonial.” His novel, set on the Oregon coast, features characters grappling with personal catastrophes that reflects Broker’s signature storytelling style. It is slated for release in late 2025 or early 2026. Additionally, Broker hints at a new novel in its early stages, which will focus on themes of familial estrangement, medically-assisted suicide, and abandonment — a testament to his ongoing commitment to crafting narratives that challenge and provoke thought.
In navigating the challenges of the writing life, Broker offers invaluable advice to aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of rejection. Drawing from his own experiences, he encourages writers to persevere despite setbacks, recognizing rejection as an inherent part of the creative process. With a steadfast determination to overcome obstacles, Broker inspires others to pursue their literary ambitions, which is the gift of a true teacher.

Rebecca Montanez

Rebecca Montanez is the fiction editor for MORIA’s Issue 13 and an Architecture major at Woodbury University. Her favorite hobbies are reading, playing video games, and visiting coffee shops. She also loves to travel — Rome was the last place that she visited!