Featured Interview With Nicole D’Settēmi
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Niagara Falls, a small town that borders Canada. I currently live in the Hudson Valley, but have lived in 5 regions, with about 10 relocations, numerous cities and towns, including NYC and South Florida.
I do not have pets at the moment, but ADORE animals, especially dogs. I am looking into fostering dogs. I also run ‘Drawing4Doggies,’ which is a charity that donates 35% of proceeds to dog rescue teams, from sales of artwork.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was always comprehensive to the extreme in learning, but especially with reading and writing. My grandmother instilled the importance of reading in all of us from a young age, I remember getting my first library card with her. I joined a summer challenge at around 7, and won by accomplishing the perusal of about 30 novels that Summer. Around the same time, I was part of the young author’s club at 6, and already showed signs of becoming a writer. I wrote my first lyrical poems by 7 or 8, and had my first poem published which was penned at 12.
My father told me I’d be a writer, and was so excited that I’d started a newsletter for my childhood hero at only–again, 12–he would sneak and photo copy all of the issues for me to send out to members, at his place of employment. I also penned letters to 30 pen-pals internationally at that time! By my early twenties after many years of writing poetry, I moved in novel writing.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’m a huge fan of the greats, especially Anais Nin. She has had the biggest influence on my writing. Contemporary favorites include Janet Fitch and my bizarro literate hero–Chuck Palahniuk.
My favorite genres are literary fiction–especially Diaries and old-fashioned memoirs, and poetry. I love lyrical, philosophical AND confessional pieces the most.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Addictarium was penned when I spent two years in a therapeutic community for mentally-ill drug addicts, and would-be felons, as well as many homeless patrons. I learned so much in that invaluable environment! The book shines a very stark light on recovery from heroin addiction, but is interlaced with MANY themes. It’s a poetic, candid, and real account of suffering from many addictions. I had to recuperate from being addicted to pain, and torment, self-destruction, and despair. I was on an emotional roller-coaster, and had to patch myself up. The central theme may be addiction, but it touches on other matters as well. Toxic love, depression, suicide, and so much more really. The book exudes a raw but philosophical quality, and I poured my soul into every sentence in it.
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