Age: 24
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Education: Studied English at Humboldt State University
The Writer
Do you have a specific writing style? I’m so bad at writing. I just edit my crap until it’s good.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment as a writer?
I’ve read a few things I’ve written and thought, “damn, that’s pretty good”. Those moments are hard to come by.
What is your ultimate goal as a writer?
I really wish I had a humble and sophisticated answer like “I want to write what my heart would write had it a hand and a pen”. But I honestly want what writers daydream of. I want to go on book tours and talk about my stories in front of crowds of people who have actually read them.
The Work
Tell us about your work in Crack the Spine.
“She’s Great, Just Asleep” is a story about…love and all that other garbage that comes with the territory. Did I use that right? Comes with the territory? Eh.
Is there a main theme or message in this piece?
If there is, please tell me. I’ve learned nothing.
What inspired this work?
I lived up in the woods for a few years. My roommate shot arrows out of our kitchen window and we fed bread to the chickens in our backyard (I think I made them ducks in the story). All those little details helped shape this story.
Anything else you’d like to share about your work in Crack the Spine?
The first few drafts were 10,000 words opposed 2,800. My mom liked those earlier drafts better.
Tell us about another project you have published or are currently working on.
I’ve just finished a story titled, “The Old Man Whose Wife Stepped in front of the Train (And The Girl Who Wanted to be Wonderful)”
Where/When can we find this work?
My website! Darrennuzzo.com
The Methods
How many drafts do you generally go through before you consider a piece to be complete?
8-10
What is your usual starting point for a piece?
I just write. Anything. Dialogue, descriptions, jokes, whatever. But I know that until I write the sentence, “ (character’s name) wants (something)” I don’t have a story.
How do you react to editorial rejections of your work?
I write another story.
How do you react when one of your submissions is accepted for publication?
I write another story.
What is your best piece of advice on how to stay sane as a writer?
Write at your desk…then get up and do the things that people write about at their desks: drink a beer, kiss someone who wants to kiss you, walk somewhere you’ve never walked.
The Madness
What is your favorite book?
I pretty much only read short stories
Who is your favorite author?
Raymond Carver
What is your favorite word?
Poop
“No Thanks” or “I’ll have another”? “
I’ll have another”
Cats or Dogs?
Allergic
Beer or Wine?
“I’ll have another”
Additional Reading on Darren
Personal website/blog: darrennuzzo.com
INSTAGRAM @darrennuzzo
Great advice to stay sane! And really fascinating insight into the early drafts. Thanks for sharing
Sane ? Who are the judges? You find your own comfort zone with words and thoughts.
I find mine reading your words!