Dylan Taylor
Age: 26
Ontario/Virginia
The Writer
Last year, as a whole, I experienced my greatest accomplishment as a writer. Everything I penned was published.
I write as a way to work through the preoccupations in my mind. My ultimate goal as a writer is to use my prose as a lightning rod, raised up waiting for connection.
Challenge: I’d say time management is my biggest challenge as a writer. I work a job regularly. I’m also a father. Writing will always come second to my family. I’ll know it’s time to pick up the pen again when my four-year-old tells me to finish the bedtime story already.
The Work
Tell us about your work in Crack the Spine.
“Dues and Don’ts” is a very short piece of flash that examines the dualities and double standards that exist in day-to-day life. I’d say the main theme of this work is perspective. It looks at pulling away and examining common reactions that, when the chips are down, should not be common at all.
The Methods
What time of day makes you most productive?
I find my peak of productivity in the small hours. Night or morning. Quiet and solitude are essential for me, although I’ve been known to write on park benches.
Do you write longhand or at a computer?
I always write my first drafts longhand. It’s a pace thing. My brain and my hand’s ability to capture thought are suited for one another. The computer is too fast, and there is too much temptation to edit within the sentence. I sincerely wish I could work well on a screen simply because of the number of words lost due to terrible handwriting.
Any advice on how to stay sane as a writer?
Embrace the madness. If you’re a writer these days, you have to be a little crazy, and full of love. I would like to tell you that I don’t check my submitted stories at 3 AM, but I can’t. I’ll check it at 3 AM, 4 AM, and 4:05 AM. Research will consume you; let it. There is nothing quite like writing to be published. It is kind of like tightrope walking on barbed wire. Nothing is normal. Everything is all right.
The Madness
Favorite Book: Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston
Favorite Author: James Salter
Favorite Word: Tintinnabulation
What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
My fiancé and son walking to the car hand in hand on his first day of school. Stunning, seriously, I have a picture. Let me know if you want to see it.
Rain or Sunshine?
Rain
Pencil or Pen?
Pen
Beatles or the Rolling Stones?
The Stones
Additional Dylan Reading
Congratulations Dylan.
Writing is a special talent, I am so happy that you have got all your writings published.
Dreams do come true. You are a prime example of that.