Nate's Post

Writing is such a fickle thing that I often have a hard time articulating what it is I do or why I do it. If you’re looking for some sage-like wisdom about writing and publication, I’m not the keg to tap, so to speak. A lot of writers seem to have a lot to say about writing—as evidenced in the numerous articles and interviews and books on craft. I, however, do not. I operate according to the old Hemingway dictum: Writers write. When I try to be clever and witty and wise, I usually end up sounding like a dogmatic douche bag. So for this blog post I’m going to try to avoid any douche-baggery and try to keep it simple.

To begin, I’m not one of those people who knew from childhood that I was born to write. I didn’t start writing until late-adolescence when—and this should come as no surprise—I started to become a serious reader. In fact, I tend to agree with TC Boyle when he said in an interview, and I’m paraphrasing: The only reason we’re writers is because we’re not in rock and roll bands.

I mention this with two-fold intent. First, I think it’s of the utmost importance, as writers, to not take ourselves too seriously. I take my writing very seriously, but if I couldn’t laugh at myself and my words, I can’t imagine why I’d continue to do it. One of my pet-peeves is writers who come across as superior and supercilious. If you really want to make a change in the world, volunteer to help in Dafur. Being a writer or an artist does not absolve us from being decent human beings.

Secondly, I think Boyle’s rock star quote speaks to the need to be read. Musicians typically don’t play music in isolation or solely for themselves. They play with an audience in mind. When we write, we write to an imagined audience. If not, you’re journaling, and there’s nothing wrong with journaling; however, if you’re writing with the intent of being read by a larger audience then you’re writing for publication.

A discussion of publication is always dicey because the purists, and most teachers in MFA programs, want you to ignore it and concentrate solely on the craft. And I agree, you need to constantly work toward honing the craft, but at some point, egos factor into things, and let’s face it: we want to be in print.

Listen, I am not a literary superstar or a rising star or even a star of the small presses. I’m a high school teacher, first and foremost, and then a writer. I have been fortunate enough to have three books of poetry published (my latest came out in September from sunnyoutside press and is titled After the Honeymoon), a collection of short fiction—which, honestly, was not ready for publication—and seven or eight chapbooks of poetry and fiction. I say “fortunate” because I am really am lucky to have had these books published by various small presses. I truly believe that publication involves a good deal of luck and timing. Reading is subjective, so any time you have a piece published you made a connection with one or more editors. The best writing is not always the writing that is published: it’s the writing that found its way into the hands of the right editor or struck a chord at a specific time.

In that case, the best advice I can give people aspiring to publish books is, as the MFA programs tell you, first hone your craft, as reader and a writer; make connections with other writers and people in the industry; and finally, develop a tough skin and bombproof belief in what you’re writing and what you have to say.

And, for God’s sake, please don’t take yourself too seriously.

Thanks for listening, folks. If you have any questions, feel free to fire away.

If you’re interested in learning more about my books, you can visit my website:
http://www.nathangraziano.com, or my publisher's website: http://www.sunnyoutside.com.


(Robin here- I will try to get Nate's links to actually, you know, be LINKS, when I get in to the office today...)