Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nick Alimonos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nick, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I can’t say imposter syndrome ever truly goes away. It’s a feeling that changes daily, like a pendulum; there are days when I feel very confident, like I am destined for greatness, and days when I fear I am deluding myself, that nobody will ever consider me a genuine author, at least, not an author whose books can be placed on the shelf with the greats of the past. Immersing myself in the work helps me get through these moments of doubt. It reminds me that it’s not about who I am per se but what I do. The more I read and write, the more I see the flaws in other people’s works. It reminds me that even the best writers who’ve ever lived were just people and likely wrestled with the same feelings of doubt.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Since I was six years old, I have wanted nothing but to be a storyteller. When I turned nine, I dragged my father to DC Comics HQ in New York City to solicit my comic book series. While that didn’t pan out—the receptionist couldn’t take me seriously—I continued to hone my craft for the next thirty years, learning how to type on a typewriter, mind you, which my father begrudgingly bought for my twelfth birthday.
Nowadays, when Amazon publishes anything and everything, including your grocery list, it’s important for aspiring writers to know that writing is a skill you develop over time, like music and painting. Story is the most important thing we have as a species. It defines us as a culture, teaches our values, and inspires us to endure when life becomes a struggle. I am honored to be part of that tradition, a literary tradition dating back to the time our hunter-gatherer ancestors sat around the fire sharing their creation myths. Even if my voice is little more than a single straw in the tapestry of human experience, I am proud to be part of it.
On a down to Earth note, I am the author of three books, which include Ages of Aenya, The Princess of Aenya, and The Feral Girl. Currently, I am in the process of writing my fourth novel, a young adult story tentatively titled, The Magiq of Aenya.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the matter most, which skills or qualities would you focus on?
The advice I give aspiring authors who write to me is simply this: read as much as you can and write as much as you can. Don’t expect your first story to be any good, and if you’re writing your first book, be prepared to chuck it into your desk drawer. Mastering the craft takes enormous dedication, and there are no shortcuts around that, no easy guidelines to follow. While this may sound harsh, think of it as a challenge, and remember why you chose to do this in the first place. Writing is a lonely process with often very little reward. Do it for the love of language. Do it because you love the process.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Probably “On Writing” by Stephen King. His track record proves he knows what he’s talking about, and his no-BS advice was the kick in the pants I needed to push myself further. If I had to pick one line from his book that most helped me, it would be this: “Write without fear.” Newer writers tend to doubt themselves, and as a result, their prose is often dry, static, and formulaic. With experience, you learn to trust yourself and take risks.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nickalimonos.com
- Other: https://writersdisease.net/
