Wordsmith Interview – George Dila

Age: a proud 75 (the new 50)

Ludington, MI, but a born and raised Detroiter

BA Wayne State University, plus a little of this (Law) and a little of that (Theatre) 

I’ve been writing all my adult life. I was in the ad business for forty years, so I’ve written millions of words. I began writing fiction about 25 years ago. I began writing it competently about 15 years ago. Yep, ten years to write a decent story. I’m amazed by people who can do it on their first attempt.

I guess you could call my fiction contemporary realism, and I write in the traditional forms, which give me all the freedom and space I need.

Actually, writing my first competent story was probably my greatest accomplishment as a writer. I wrote dozens of bad stories before I finally had enough control over my craft to be able to write a decent one. 

My ultimate goal is simply to keep getting better. It’s all about the writing, about the process. I love to write. The process is my payoff – putting the words down and making them work, sometimes better than other times. Publication is gravy.

“My American Dream” –  I’ve never had to define my work before, so let me give this a try – this story is about a man trying to understand his world. But then, isn’t every story?

If I want to send a message, I use Western Union. I thank the legendary movie producer Sam Goldwyn for that great line.

The story was not really inspired by any specific thing. It got written like so many of my stories get written (and many abandoned). I started to write in the voice of this man I heard in my head, saying something he felt compelled to say, and the rest of the story taught me how to write itself, taught me what it was about, as I went along. I have gotten to know this guy, and I’ve written a few stories about him. I seldom, if ever, have a full-blown story in mind when I begin to write. Some writers do, I know, and I envy them.

How long did it take you to complete this piece?  

I wrote this story in blinding speed, for me. I took about a month. 

I write every day, even if is not on a major project I’m working on. I might just tinker with a story, or write a poem or two. I am not a poet, but writing poems is great exercise for prose writers. Or I may write my weekly newspaper column, or even work hard on my current project. I try to deal with words on a daily basis. 

I write wherever. Being an ad guy teaches you to write wherever and whenever and under whatever circumstances you find yourself – in your office, interrupted by meetings, in airports. Once in a while I’ll find a nice uninterrupted couple of hours, but many times a snatch here and a snatch there. Most of my writing now is done in my study, on my laptop. Any time of the day or night works fine for me. 

I don’t write drafts. I know the current wisdom is to just pour a  whole story out, without too much thought, without self-criticism or second-guessing, just get it on paper, and then deal with the mess you have created. Hence the term “shitty first draft”, a term I dislike. Why build a crappy house, and then spend months rebuilding it to make it OK? So I revise as I write. Today I might rework the page I wrote yesterday and write another page. The next day, I’ll rework the first two pages, and write a third, and so forth, so by the time I’m finished, the story has been revised hundreds of times. There are always final revisions, thickenings, clarifications, but usually nothing major. If a story needs major renovation, I’ve probably lost my way with it, and it’s better off in the circular file. I chalk it up to “practice”. But every person has their own method. What ever works.

My writing brain does not work unless there is a keyboard of some kind under my fingers. Back when, it was a big, black Royal manual. But when you’re writing for your supper, as I did, you use the best, newest possible tools. One day I will write an essay about my writing life defined by the progression of better writing instruments I’ve used through the years. The IBM Selectric was sent from heaven. When the first primitive word processor became available, I jumped at it. Now it’s my laptop. I admire the fiction writer who insists on banging out  novels on their old Royal because they love the sound of the keys striking the paper, the ding of the bell at the end of the line, but not for me, thank you. I’ve found that people who write for their living – in advertising, journalism – don’t see their writing implement in romantic terms, but rather as a tool.  

I usually begin with a voice. Or, often with a situation. But it’s usually fleeting, it may develop into a story, and it may be a dead end. 

I cry. Just kidding. Being in a advertising business gives you a very thick skin. It helps now.

With glee. Finally, an editor with some taste!

Write because you love the process of writing, not for what it might get you.

“Dr. Zhivago” got me through Army basic training. Not my favorite, maybe, but certain most thankful for. 

I read mostly contemporary fiction. Lee K. Abbott is a beast of a short story writer. Bernard Malamud’s short stories are favorites. I’ve recently read all of Jess Walter.  Denis Johnson’s Tree of Smoke has stayed with me, as has Phillip Roth’s American Pastoral. 

Don Quixote

My favorite word in “Mercy”. It resonates for me. I guess I hope I deserve it. 

Sid Caesar was a comic genius. Thank God for YouTube. Caesar’s “This is Your Story” skit puts me on the floor every time. Contemporary comics make me cringe. 

Nick Cage’s monologue at the end of “Raising Arizona,” in which he describes a dream he had about his future, always chokes me up.

Besides the faces of my family? Venice took my breath away. The city itself is a work of art, that you can live in, walk around in, and of course, water-taxi around in.