Nic Marna's story "Alone with You" kept us guessing as we read, utilizing some classic horror elements and still managing a fun reveal at the end. We're suckers for a snappy ending, and know from our own writing experiences how hard it can be to get it right. Read on to learn a bit more about Nic and the environment that leads him to create.
What compels you to write or create, even when it's hard?
There is no prescription-strength cream that can relieve the itch to write, so I keep doing it.
Does where you were born affect your writing?
Yes!! In so many ways, some of which I have yet to discover. I was born, raised, and still live in Montreal. It’s the weirdest little-big city with so much duality. It’s a bilingual city, which means that from a young age I’ve had to navigate language very intentionally. I’m also affected by the people that are drawn to this place, the energy in the different neighborhoods, and all of its contradictions. It’s a very inspiring city to know this well.
What is your favorite word?
Facetious. I love the spirit of the word and the absolutely ridiculous spelling (FACE?!). I read a lot of Big Books when I was young so I spent a good twenty years pronouncing it wrong.
What is your favorite banned book?
It has to be In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. I first read it years ago, and have returned to certain passages a bunch of times. It’s definitely one of my all-time favorites. The unfiltered queerness and mind-bending execution of this book gave me a lot of permission in my own writing.
What's a movie you return to again and again?
98% of the movies I watch and come back to are horror. The other 2% are Charlie’s Angels and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle… I am gay after all!
Have you ever gone on a literary pilgrimage—to see an author's birthplace or setting of a favorite novel, etc.?
Every time I am in New York City, I find myself looking up at a fire escape on Lispenard Street thinking of Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life. To be clear: I don’t do this on purpose, it sort of just happens. What a mystical little strip of street.
What's your process for naming characters?
This is one of the hardest parts of writing for me. I hate so many names, they never feel right, it’s such a pain. When I start any project now, I pick names of kids that were in my elementary school class. This makes them feel less made-up, while also not being really specifically inspired by a person—I don’t remember what Paula from fourth grade was like, but her name sure does sound good. Some of them end up sticking around and some don’t!
What is your ideal writing environment (busy coffee shop, silent home office, the train, dark pub, etc.)?
I’m drinking an iced coffee beverage, I had a great night’s sleep, I don’t have pressing unread texts or emails, I’m wearing a fun pant and a sweater (but also something cute under it, so I can remove the sweater and it still works), and I’m not hungry. I guess my only requirements are more personal than environmental, though I can never write a single word if someone is looking over my shoulder.
What’s your biggest fear (body-horror edition)?
I’m really terrified of the sea and sea life at the moment (the orcas are really out to get us!!!). So in that vein, there’s a fish called candiru in the Amazon that is said to be attracted to urine and known to swim up the urethra. Even just writing that gave me full body chills.
Advice on creating that you’ve learned by trial and error?
There is no blueprint, we are all different! When I first started writing I thought, well, I’m definitely a pantser (someone who “wings it” and writes without a plan), and then I would get stuck on things and realize I needed an outline to move forward. So then I thought, okay, I’m obviously a planner. Then, on my next project, I had an outline and felt constrained, so I started pantsing again. Now, I’m a bit of both and the scales tip depending on the project.
What I’m saying is: There is no one way to do anything, there’s just your way.
Read the full issue here!
Nic Marna (he/him) is a queer writer and fast walker based in Montreal. He can be found anywhere online talking about books @bookbinch. His writing appears in Paloma Magazine, InParentheses, MicroZine, and more. He is currently finishing his debut novel, a queer coming of age that explores how sometimes gay does not mean happy.