Award-winning author and Milltown mom Jennifer Salvato Doktorski has always loved the Jersey Shore. Her memories there inspired a series of young adult novels set at the beach. In her new book (out January 21st) Finding Normal, Doktorski focuses on a more serious issue—eating disorders. We asked her about the biggest misconceptions surrounding eating disorders, the lessons teens can take away from the main character’s journey, how she got her start as a writer and more.
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New Jersey Family: What inspired you to write Finding Normal?
Jennifer Salvato Doktorski: There are five towns in the U.S. named Normal and I liked the idea of putting two teens, who’ve been told they’re anything but normal, in an old Chevy Impala and sending them on a road trip to find those towns. I also wanted to put a face on eating disorders, one of the deadliest and most misunderstood mental illnesses. It was my hope that by spending time on the road with Gemma and Lucas—and the baby raccoon they find along the way—readers would come to understand that they didn’t choose to suffer from anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and that their diseases do not define them. They want what so many of us want, to feel normal, accepted, and worthy of love.
NJF: What was one of the biggest lessons you learned about eating disorders while writing the book?
JD: That in addition to being a complex and deadly mental illness, the path to recovery for those suffering from eating disorders in all their forms (Anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia, ARFID) is a complicated treatment process that involves a team of medical, psychological, and nutritional experts and the unwavering support of family. It’s fraught with many ups and downs and detours and everyone’s journey is different.
NJF: What do you think is the biggest misconception about eating disorders?
JD: That eating disorders only affect a certain type of person—white women and girls who are middle or upper class. This stereotype is dangerous and can lead to BIPOC individuals, males, and members of the LBGTQ+ community not being properly screened or diagnosed. Eating disorders affect people of every age, race, gender, sex, body type and sexual orientation. The other big misconception is that people develop this deadly mental illness by choice, which is unfair to those battling a very serious disease.
NJF: Research shows the number of eating disorders jumped after the pandemic due to social isolation, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, disruption of routines and an increase in social media use. And more recent research shows excessive time spent on social media increases children’s and teens’ risk of developing an eating disorder. What do you think parents should be aware of in terms of warning signs and best supporting their kids?
JD: First and foremost, seek professional help if you suspect your child is struggling in any way with food. There are organizations that can help (see list below.) If you’re unsure, start with your child’s doctor. Also, be aware of all the factors that can negatively affect your child’s confidence and perception of their body including, the way food is talked about at home, the unrealistic BMI standards, the bathroom scale, physicians, school nurses, coaches, teachers, peers, teammates, family members, influencers, diet culture, gym culture, and the endless stream of strangers who pop up in their social media feeds daily. Kids are being bombarded with unrealistic, dangerous, and false images of the “ideal” body type.
NJF: You’ve also written Young Adult novels set at the Jersey Shore. Tell us about those and the inspiration behind them.
JD: These books are my love letters to the Jersey Shore. I’m realizing now that battling misconceptions must be a theme with me because I was inspired to write these books because outsiders don’t understand how truly spectacular the 130 miles of coastline comprising the Jersey Shore is. “The Summer After You & Me” is a story of love, acceptance, and rebuilding in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. “August and Everything After,” which borrows its name from one of my all-time favorite albums, is about the healing power of music and how two people, both reeling from loss, come together one August to form a band and reset their lives.
NJF: How did you first get into writing and when did you know you wanted to write fiction?
JD: I’ve always loved books and reading but growing up it never occurred to me that I could be an author, although after reading Little Women I did want to be Jo March! In college, I majored in English with a concentration in non-fiction writing—a major I called “pre-law” so people would stop asking what I was going to do with my degree. I started as a journalist and my first paid gig was writing obituaries for the Herald & News in Passaic, New Jersey. From there I went on to several other jobs in communications. It wasn’t until I became a full-time mom that I had the courage to write fiction.
NJF: What do you love most about living in New Jersey?
JD: The people. Jersey people are my kind of people.
NJF: What’s your favorite thing to do in NJ with your family?
JD: Spend time down the Shore, where everything’s always alright!
For help and information about eating disorders look to these experts:
—Project HEAL
—Equip Health 855-387-4378
—National Eating Disorders Association
–Call 911 or go directly to the hospital emergency room if you’re experiencing a life-threatening
emergency.
–Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you are in crisis. Available 24/7.
–Chat at 988lifeline.org
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