Wolf Interviews: N. M. Scuri
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You've worked as an editor and professor. What is the most common writing advice that people need?
There are a few, depending on the situation. One is get started! Perfection can absolutely be the enemy of getting anything done. People have this idea that writing needs to be perfect at the first pass, and that's not realistic.
Another thing I advise, especially to my writers (fiction and non-fiction) is think about what you trying to say and to whom. I love Frances Ford Coppola's advice to choose a one or two-word theme for the project being worked on. I discussed this on my Substack.
For those who struggle to sit down and do the work, do you have any strategies that you've found work for lots of different people? Every writer often highlights how their process is different, but how much are they often the same?
Ultimately, the way you get writing done is by sitting down and writing. I've personally found Writer's Hour from the London Writer's Salon to be great for this. It's a daily Zoom meeting where people gather to write in silence (I'm in a Writer's Hour as I am writing this.) It may not be for everyone, but getting some sort of regular schedule and sticking to it, either with or without others for accountability, is a great step. Think of it this way. You get up, you have your morning routine, walk the dog, brush your teeth, whatever. You want to have a writing routine that's as part of your day as that. It doesn't even have to be every day. You can block off an hour on Saturday and Sunday, but it has to be sacred and not up for negotiation. This is where having supportive family/housemates comes in. The story of Stephen King and his wife, Tabitha, is my favorite example of this. King talks about it in his book On Writing. We never would have heard of him if it were not for her. If your friends and family are willing to take up slack and give the space needed (both physical and temporal), this is great. If not, the writer may need to get more creative. Having said this, I find it funny when I read about the daily routines of well-known writers and artists. They never had to empty a dishwasher or take out trash! Everyone is in a different place, but ultimately, if you're going to get work done, you need to line up time and space. It may be four hours. It may be 15 minutes. Work with what you have until you can do more. And don't beat yourself up over taking that time for your work.
What made you decide to start a substack? How does your substack relate to your professional work?
I had tried using other platforms, but I enjoy the community at Substack. And I like that people can certainly subscribe and comment, or not. Students are notorious for not wanting to announce that they need help. I get a lot of questions through a secondary email: aboutthosecommas@gmail.com.
Many writers on substack often talk about the community aspect here. In what ways has the growing substack community influenced your own writing?
If someone were to join substack today, how would you recommend they get involved with communities here?
When I started, I was admittedly a bit of an echo chamber. I answered student questions and talked about the stuff I'd go over in my literature classes. As I'd read comments and other substack articles, I found myself opening up more. I think this is a very good thing. My latest changes to my Substack is that my Tuesday posts are still free answers to questions, but going forward, I will have a deeper dive essay on writing and literature for paid subscribers on Sundays. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes. A great place for writers new to Substack to start is the Shoutout Thread. In general, the On Substack account is a great resource, and I find myself going back to things I've read for new ideas. Another is to poke around and look at writers that are posting things similar to you. See who they recommend and who comments on their posts. Relentless curiosity is a great thing.
Could you speak a bit about your editorial process.
It depends on the project! Right now, I'm working with an artist who is publishing a web comic through the Philly Art Blog. We've been working on multiple ongoing story arcs, as well as design of the individual art panels, lettering and placement, and much more. It's a different animal from a prose project, for example. I want to help the writer get the best version of story out their way. No two projects are the same.
What is the most important aspect in determining what kind of process or advice is best suited to a specific person or project?
Well, the thing that works is the thing that works. Some people are plotters who must figure out every twist and turn of the story. Others are pantsers who sit down with half a song title and produce a 100,000 word novel. Is one better than the other? Maybe not overall, but for writers A and B, yes, one does work better. Does this mean you have to start from scratch every day? No. Try things out and see what works. Be willing to adjust as needed, but find out what your non-negotiables are. I've written in the common room of my dorm, libraries, and a million different coffee shops. Currently, I've carved out space in my living room, which can be a bit hectic when company comes during the holidays. I make it work until the sweet day arrives where I can have a dedicated office with room for my desk, my books, and me. The non-negotiable is space and time for my writing. Preferably every day. I get up early and before I have to get to my other responsibilities, I pull out my notebook and my laptop and write. Some work in the middle of the night. Some type on their phones in their car before they head into the house.
So, my advice? Start where you are, see what works. Adjust as needed. Keep going. I would also tell them "You've got this."
Despite having a paid tier, you've chosen to keep all answers to student questions free. I'd be curious to hear more about this decision.
I've worked with students who told me they couldn't finish their paper because the homeless shelter they lived in shut their lights off at 9pm. I've had students in out-patient drug rehab. I've had students who had to use the school's emergency pantry.
I'm always grateful for my subscribers, on About Those Commas and Sunday Reads, my weekly dark fiction Substack, but I'm not going to let a few dollars a month get between a student and the help they need.
Final thoughts?
I am truly enjoying your interview series, and I'm honored to be included with these amazing people. We all try to recreate what we have in our heads through the written word, music, painting, dance, and so on. We don't know if it moves anyone, or if the even notice. Then, one day, we see the waves on the sea where we've been casting our stones. And even if we do not see them, they are still there.
My novels:
Glossolalia - A Le Guinian fantasy novel about an anarchic community dealing with a disaster
Sing, Behemoth, Sing - Deadwood meets Neon Genesis Evangelion
Howl - Vampire Hunter D meets The Book of the New Sun in this lofi cyberpunk/solarpunk monster hunting adventure
Colony Collapse - Star Trek meets Firefly in the opening episode of this space opera
The Blood Dancers - The standalone sequel to Colony Collapse.
Iron Wolf - Sequel to Howl.
Sleeping Giants - Standalone sequel to Colony Collapse and The Blood Dancers
Some free books for your trouble:
Thank you for your kindness and generosity! I've joined a great group of Substackers.