Daniel Wartham

My name is Daniel, I'm from the great state of North Carolina, and I love gardening, baking, cooking, and writing (of course).

Question 1: What inspired you to start writing?

My grandmother was a librarian. Which naturally led to my reading anything and everything. And my mother read to me as much as she could. Nearly every single day. And my father always laughed at my antics and stories, so I finally wrote them down. Then at the turn of the social media age, I posted them online and was met with around 1.2k followers. Now, I don't write for anyone else.

Question 2: How have your past experiences influenced you as a writer?

What can I say other that I'm a romantic? Life and everything in it from the sunset to the walks with friends should be memorialized in something. That being said, while I hate writing dialogue, I've found myself drawn to writing about people in my life. There is nothing sadder than thinking of not being etched into black and white.

Question 3: What have you written that you're the most proud of?

I'm particularly fond of The Beach Rental in issue 1 of Livina Press. I'm also fond of "Sputtered and Died" in SCHUYLKILL VALLEY JOURNAL ONLINE.

Question 4: What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?

It means not touching anything for weeks and then writing for a week straight in isolation. Then touching nothing for weeks again. It's a particularly vicious cycle that I haven't tamed.

Question 5: When did you first call yourself a writer?

I can't say I ever do. Unless I want to impress someone who asks what I can do with an English degree.

Question 6: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

Panster all the way. If you plan it out, it loses it's charm. You must sit down and write it all in one shot. If I return, it all crumbles and everything is lost. You must ask yourself, will the center hold if poked?

Question 7: If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?

Living or dead? Living: Brooks Shropshire.

Dead: Kerouac. Or Ginsberg. Or Wolfe. Or O'Connor. Or Faulkner. Or Yeats. Or Pynchon. Or...

Question 8: What is your kryptonite as a writer?

Writing consistently. Which ironically, is my best way to write. I tend to fall in and out of love with it all.

Question 9: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?

I used to listen to quite a lot of jazz and still do. In recency, sea shanties. Something low and deep and that can reverberate through the skull. Not a lot of words.

Question 10: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

One day. One week. One year. One life. It all adds up.