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The first interview of 2012! And waxing nostalgic, with Gabriel Schicchi.

Welcome to 2012! We've been around for 3 years this month. that in itself is INCREDIBLE. So here's to another good year at the UC!


To kick off things right, I'm posting an interview with my friend Gabriel Schicchi. 2011 was a big year for him, as he published his debut collection of short stories, Unremembered Thoughts In A Passenger Car. I have to say, it's a pretty impressive and inspiring debut. 2012 seems to only beckon more good things for him!


UC:  How will you remember 2011 when you look back on it?


Gabriel:   It was a year of biting off more than could be chewed, from worldwide would-be revolt to taking twice the permitted number of Harvard classes, sheer panic on the streets of my love life, and a migraine masquerading as career success.


UC:   What was it like, in the process of preparing your book?


Gabriel:  After keeping what would become "the book" in the fridge for almost a year after writing most of the stories, out of the blue appears a publishing deal like Gibreel to the virgin mother (me), who then has to convince her husband that she's not a floozy (at least, only for God), and find a good book cover. So, April-August were hectic on that front, but then the child was born and Joseph and I are now leisurely trying to sell him to the Jews.




UC:  What has the reception been like, thus far?


Gabriel:  Positive. I see it as an introduction and show of potential, because the things I'm working on now are more ambitious. So I think that's how the people who know me are looking at it: it's a good read, sort of like perusing my soul in 10 pt font, but it hints at more.




UC:  What are your aspirations for 2012?


Gabriel:   Definitely finish my play. It's called Palais and is based on Hubert Robert's "Imaginary View of the Grande Galerie of the Louvre in Ruins." Most importantly, though, I need to relax, and focus some more of my focus on my namorada, Ani, lest I forget what inspires me.


UC:  Are you writing at the moment?


Gabriel:   I'm in Paris right now doing just that! After taking notes for two years and writing two drafts, I'm devoting the next few months to writing the final draft of Palais. I'm also finalizing a couple of stories that have been long in the works, and if all goes well, I'll have also written by 2013 a very new kind of book and a very old kind of screenplay.


UC:  Who (or what) are your biggest literary influences?


Gabriel:  Myself at six years old, James Joyce, and Chopin.


UC: What themes do you place the most value in? 

Gabriel:   I heard once that to support wings, a man would need to have four-foot wide chest. I think it's only human of us to try and grow one


Gabriel's short story collection is available at Amazon and also Peace River Publishing. 

Comments

  1. Hi Gabriel I'm so proud of you... I first saw you when you were a baby....your motheris my best friend and I have always known she would have raised a talented kid.....and so you are...congratulation!

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