Interview with Nannette Croce [nannette] on Whohub

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What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

Like just about every writer I ever interviewed, I started writing as a child. I collected finely crafted marionettes, and I used to re-write fairy tales that my sister, cousin, and I performed for other kids in the neighborhood. In high school and college I wrote stories, but it took me until about the age of 40 to finally start showing my work to anyone else, and, eventually, submitting.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

I write only short fiction. I just don't have the patience for a long-term project like a novel. I suppose the genre would be literary/mainstream. My website ttp://nannettecroce.blogspot.com includes samples of my work. I also give writing tips for online publishing on my blog, zine writer http://zinewriter.blogspot.com/

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

I don't force myself to write every day. I think that's just impossible when you write short fiction, because you don't always have an idea for a story all the time. I do try to write at least three times per week. Like Hemingway (and that is the only part of my writing that resembles Hem, sadly to say), I start by re-reading what I wrote the previous day, and I usually revise quite a bit. This jump-starts my mind to write on. I used to write entire stories in a fever, then revise and revise. Now I stop when I'm satisfied with the way things are going and leave it completely. Another thing I used to do was continue the story in my head when I'd left my desk, but then when I'd go to write it, it no longer felt fresh. So now I put it out of my mind until I'm ready to start again.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

This may sound odd since I am not American Indian, but American Indian writers inspire me because painting words with pictures is part of that heritage. So the writing of many American Indians like Sherman Alexie, Joy Harjo, the late Paula Gunn Allen, and many many more really inspires me to better word choices and similes.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

The beginning and the end. I review/edit for literary publications as well as write, and I find the stories I reject most often start in the wrong place or have a weak ending or non-existing ending.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

Like most writers these days I usually fall into first person or third person limited, but sometimes I'll experiment with others. I think the main thing is for the POV to be right for the story. Recently I tried something in second person for the first time. It just felt right. I haven't published that one yet so others may not feel the same, but I honestly can't think of that particular story working any other way.

What well known writers do you admire most?

The first writer who ever enthralled me was Hemingway, though I long ago gave up on trying to write in his objective style, because it limits you to fairly current themes. Can you imagine writing historical fiction about Henry VIII in that style? I like Thomas Hardy for his characters, though I skim the overly long, brick-by-brick descriptions of buildings. I love Edith Wharton, and, of course, I've mentioned American Indian writers.

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

A character must have depth. Too many new writers create a story and have the character simply go through the required motions to get through to the end. When I start a story I usually have a general idea in mind, but not the whole thing. As I start writing, the character develops and begins to dictate the twists and turns of the plot. Sometimes I don't know my character until about half-way through. Then I have to go back and re-write the parts that seem "out of character." One criticism I often get is that I don't describe my character's physical characteristics. That's because I don't find that important. If my reader sees Jill with red hair, so be it. Who am I to tell her she has black hair. As long as she doesn't see Jill as an angel when I meant her to be a bitch.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

I write for myself. There's no two ways about it. I hit a time when I tried to write for editors. Not just editors, but editors of certain journals. It was a fiasco and ruined me for writing for over a year.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

Actually, I find that if I try to write something too personal, it's never any good. We all tend to be whiney when writing about our relationships with Mom or Dad or siblings or spouses. I require a certain amount of objectivity.

Does reader feed-back help you?

I have a couple of people I turn to for input, because I know they respect my style and don't have a tendency to re-write. At the risk of committing the major writing sin of cliche, too many cooks really do spoil the soup. In fact, they make it into a watery, tasteless mush. As an editor I can always spot a piece that's been workshopped to death. Having said that, there are times when a major flaw in a piece isn't obvious to me until one of my special readers points it out.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

I don't share my work unless I feel it's 90% finished. Otherwise the other person's opinion might take it over.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

I'm not searching for a voice. When I attended the Kenyon Review Summer Workshop in '08, my fellow participants pointed out that every piece I submitted was in a different voice. That's because every piece requires a different voice, and, as I mentioned with Hemingway, limiting your voice can limit your subject matter. It's like a writer who makes a name writing mysteries and then can't break out and write something literary.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

Unlike some, I believe the word processor is the greatest invention that ever came along. Next is the Internet. I know many writers feel nostalgia for the old typewriters and some prefer writing in long hand. For me the physical act of writing has always been unpleasant. My mind moves faster than my hand. Same with typing. When I had to get my manuscripts in shape on a typewriter, well, I simply didn't. I love the idea of being able to correct as I go along. For me, it's shear magic.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

I enjoy the Poets & Writers site. The magazine contains a wealth of information and fascinating articles. It took me a while to get comfortable in the forums, because some posters have credits with houses like Knopf or Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (are they still around?), but as a writer who also edits, I found I could not only learn but also add a thing or two.

What has been your experience with publishers?

I began publishing in print, but now I publish mostly online. I find that online publications (even those that are counterparts to print) often publish more exciting work that breaks the old molds. You also have far more readers and often receive feedback. Still, there are far more stories being submitted each month than slots to publish them. You can't take it too seriously.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

First read them over. If you are pleasantly surprised, then others will be too. Then go over them and see if they can be improved, and especially, updated. Writers differ on this, but if you don't know anyone else who writes (or whose writing you admire), I think it can be helpful to find someone who will professionally critique your work for a fee. Make sure it is someone who is willing to read an excerpt for a nominal fee so you can find the right match. It only takes one or two pieces. After that you'll know if you are on the right track.

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