Daniel's story "Artolle Gets Three Wishes" stood out to us with its unique voice and consistently confident writing. It's a piece with lots of dialogue, which isn't easy to do well. We were happy to publish this piece, and enjoyed learning a little more about the author's inspiration and background in our interview below.
What other creative activities do you like to do?
I draw and I collage, creating images and assemblages that inspire my writing or that illustrate what I have already written.
What's your favorite thing to clean?
A casserole pan or the wok, because when they are clean, I know it—they shine.
If you could have a month of free billboard space on the side of a busy highway, what would you
put on it?
“Nobody's free until everybody's free" — Fannie Lou Hamer, addressing the National Women's Political Caucus in Washington in 1971.
Describe your workspace.
My wife, a professional woodcarver, made my writing desk, which I cherish.
Name at least one thing in your junk drawer that you're pretty sure no one else has in their junk drawer.
A small Norwegian flag.
What's your favorite tree?
The hawthorn.
What is your favorite banned book?
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy.
What's your favorite obscure novel or short story (a work you never hear anyone else talking
about)?
John Brunner's The Traveler in Black.
What's your least preferred afterlife scenario?
Any place lacking my wife.
Do you consider yourself an organized or chaotic writer?
Organized. "Organization," of course, may be defined in various, idiosyncratic ways.
What was your favorite children’s book?
Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire's Norse Gods and Giants.
If you could see two cryptids compete against one another in a friendly challenge, what would
they compete in and which one would win?
The NYC Sewer Alligator vs. the Jersey Devil. Would be a close fight, but NYC would prevail.
What's your editing process? Do you have a first or beta reader, or a workshop group? Furiously pour out a first draft, let cool and marinate for a while; send to my first and best reader, a.k.a., my wife, and let her comments guide necessary edits; let sit a bit more, then cull and edit again. "Kill your darlings" is a real thing.
Do you have a favorite book on writing or creating that's been a helpful resource?
Ursula K. Le Guin's Steering the Craft, The Wave in the Mind, and Words Are My Matter.
Where do you go when you need to work out a writing block?
Out for a long run, preferably along a river (I live next to NYC's East River, with easy access also to the Hudson).
If your story was a cocktail, what would it be?
I'm not a mixed drinks guy, but my story would be a Kriek lambic beer.
What are your long-term writing goals?
To improve my own writing, to read as much and widely as I can before I die, i.e., keep making dents on the infinite TBR mountain.
Unpopular opinion, go:
Superman ain't all that.
Advice on creating that you’ve learned by trial and error?
One's muse(s) are mercurial but do respond to regularly scheduled visiting hours at one's writing desk. In other words: just keep showing up, just keep grinding.
Daniel A. Rabuzzi (he/his) (http://www.danielarabuzzi.com/) has been published in, among others, Asimov's, Strange Horizons, and Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet. He is also a Pushcart nominee. He lives in New York City with his artistic partner and spouse, the woodcarver Deborah A. Mills (www.deborahmillswoodcarving.com).