Curiosity connects Esther Dowell’s work in assessment and fiction

By day, Esther Dowell helps University Libraries understand the impact of its services, spaces, and programs through data and assessment. Away from spreadsheets, surveys, and research projects, she is building fictional worlds and exploring the complexities of human experience through creative writing.

This summer, Dowell was accepted into a workshop at the McCormack Writing Center, a nationally recognized, competitive program that supports writers through intensive instruction, mentorship, and a creative community.

For Dowell, the opportunity represents another step in her commitment to both analytical and creative work. 

As a library assessment strategist, she combines analytical thinking and creative exploration. While her work at University Libraries focuses on gathering and interpreting evidence to inform decision-making, her fiction examines the complexities of human behavior and the stories people tell about themselves and others. 

That desire to understand people from multiple perspectives connects her creative and professional identities. 

“I try to approach things I don’t understand with a lot of cognitive empathy and curiosity,” said Dowell. “I genuinely want to understand the why and the how of things. I’m often in awe of the Virginia Tech community and really love that I get to work in an area that strives to better understand them, their perspectives, and their needs.”

Her current novel follows two sisters as they confront family trauma, public scrutiny, and questions of identity while navigating motherhood, loss, and redemption. The manuscript explores themes that are deeply personal to Dowell, including family, religion, and the ways people reclaim ownership of their own stories.

“I’m drawn towards flawed characters and exploring their reasons for the choices they make,” said Dowell. “Curiosity to understand others is a big part of my creative process.”

The workshop will provide dedicated time to continue developing the project, but Dowell says the value extends beyond the writing itself. She describes the opportunity to work alongside other writers as a source of inspiration and momentum for completing the novel.

“I’m looking forward to a creative recharge and new connections,” said Dowell. “An aspect of my job I really love is that I am often working with teams, bouncing ideas off of each other, and having one person’s ideas spark another idea. But with writing, it can be a lonelier endeavor, so I’m looking forward to being back in a community of writers and getting to be inspired by their work, and build connections with those who know how hard it is to prioritize making art with all of our other responsibilities.”