When he’s not tinkering with Booktopia’s social media channels and producing all of our video and audio content, Nick Wasiliev is tinkering with words. His debut novel is When Men Cry – a story of mateship, despair and redemption told in a Sydney not too far from our own.
When Men Cry is out today, so Nick Wasiliev is on the blog today to answer our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …
Nick Wasiliev
1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
I was born in Sydney, but grew up in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. I went to Oxley College and happily admit I was a weird kid! Socially awkward, terrified to face people every day, and yet I loved my time at school. To this day, despite moving to Sydney in 2013, I remain a proud country bumpkin!
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
When I was twelve I was determined to be a rugby player, as that was my first time getting into sport. When I was eighteen was when I first began taking the idea of being a writer seriously. I grew up in a family of journalists and authors, and had always used writing as a way to relax and creatively express myself. Now, as I’m approaching thirty, that desire to make it a career is only getting stronger.
3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you do not have now?
That avocadoes and tomatoes tasted terrible. Fortunately I have now seen the error of my ways!
4. What were three works of art – book or painting or piece of music, etc – you can now say, had a great effect on you and influenced your own development as a writer?
The first time I listened to the Paul Simon album ‘Graceland’, I remember diving into an amazing record filled with choirs, incredible soundscapes and genre jumps, and some of the best lyrics ever put to paper (in my opinion). I had this realisation that not only did someone write, but you could tell they had a really fun time in the studio putting it together.
As I was growing up, I was (and still am) a massive Doctor Who fan, especially during the first seasons of the revival series. The episode ‘The Parting of The Ways’ I still remember watching. It blew my mind as a kid. The elevation of the stakes, the feeling of hopelessness, the fact that the danger felt real as main characters and side characters were dying left, right and centre. It was incredible writing, and really showed me the capabilities of storytelling.
Lastly, the John Steinbeck novel Of Mice And Men remains a favourite book of mine. Steinbeck’s incredible attention to detail, with seemingly simple premises yet utterly enthralling characters that really sell you the story, was something I remember being shook by long after the final page. From the moment I finished that book, I knew that was it. This was what I wanted to do: be a writer and tell stories.
5. Considering the innumerable artistic avenues open to you, why did you choose to write a novel?
Many artistic expressions allow for empathy and understanding, but there are few that can achieve the depth that books can. The entire point of a successful book is to hold the reader’s attention, and if you can create an experience so immersive, compelling and relatable to the reader’s own experience, they will be willing to trust and follow you for hundreds, or even thousands of pages. Few artistic expressions come close to achieving that depth.
6. Please tell us about your novel!
When Men Cry tells the story of four men in early 2020s Sydney reuniting for a night out. However, as the night progresses it becomes clear that one of them is hiding something very personal, and the inability of the others to be able to speak to him about his issues creates ripple effects that spread beyond the context of their own lives. It’s a story of mateship, despair and redemption.
7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?
A bigger appreciation of the need for honesty and kindness, especially when you’re talking with people who might be going through a darker period in their lives. Connection and understanding is more important than ever in these times, and the need to allow yourself to not only be prepared to listen to others, but above all be vulnerable yourself, is a vital part of this story.
8 Who do you most admire in the realm of writing and why?
John Steinbeck and James Joyce are two writers for whom I hold a special fondness. Steinbeck’s command of voice and setting is incredible, and his writing of character, whether it be ranch workers George and Lennie travelling across America during the Great Depression looking for work, or his simpler, more morally driven Kino in The Pearl, his command of voice makes you feel their pain and breathe in every moment.
Joyce’s use of the stream of consciousness style is something I especially connect with (and was a big inspiration in my own book), as it is allows the reader to be at their most empathetic. Ulysses is a great example of this, and its ability to make the story flow with such ease makes it personal favourite of mine.
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
To be a writer. I don’t like to think about specific goals, as you’ll often find yourself falling into being driven by your ego. You set your goal of what you want to be and work towards it, and not worry about how it comes to pass.
10. What advice do you give aspiring writers?
Never use the phrase ‘aspiring writer.’ You either are a writer or you’re not. You become a writer by writing. I spent close to five years putting my book together and really, many of those years were spent talking about writing instead of writing.
Put it simply, write. Sit down and set yourself a goal every day. Even if you are not feeling it, even if you don’t want to, even if you think what you’re writing is total garbage, write. You will fail often. You will fail repeatedly. You will wonder why the hell you thought this was a good idea. Be prepared to kill your darlings, because you will have to at some point. But at the end of the journey, it is worth it. Trust me.
Thank you for playing!
—When Men Cry by Nick Wasiliev (Booktopia Editions) is out now.
When Men Cry
The anticipation is building in the air, and Chris can feel it. It’s been over a year since him and his uni mates Noah, Logan and Jock had been together, in the same place. Finally, the gang will be back together. Finally, the beers can start flowing!
However, as the night begins it becomes clear that one of them is hiding something. Little does Chris know, this night will take them down a dark path into the depths of each other’s lives and the gambling dens of the Sydney underworld: to places that will test their friendship to its very limit...
What do we know about the Boy Swallows Universe Netflix show? 
Booktopia’s top thrilling fiction picks for Crime Month 
Booktopia’s Top First Nations Book Recommendations for 2023
Comments
No comments