"Hi Taylor , welcome to Writer’s Block.
CB: Let’s begin with a little background. Tell us briefly about young Taylor DiVico, growing up in Syracuse , New York .
TD: I wouldn’t trade growing up in Syracuse for anything. I had lots at my fingertips- Syracuse University intellect, a prominent hipster subculture, sporting events at the Carrier Dome, the best Italian food this side of Italy (my dad’s), amazing friends, and a really sick music scene. Lots of awesome bands came through Syracuse and the surrounding areas during my formative listening years and I saw them all, Phish multiple times, the Rolling Stones, Moe, Medeski, Martin, and Wood, to name a few. Not to mention there were always local Dead cover bands playing in underground spots. I was a wild-child enjoying the splendors of youth and still am. In the end it’s all been great material and Syracuse laid the foundation for many fine adventures. I’m forever indebted.
CB: What was your motivation in writing "Existing the Moments"? And what do you hope your readers will experience when reading this novel?
TD: I believe the world and all the people in it to be one big paradoxical dichotomy of comedic and tragic irony, idealism and cynicism sharing a stage, happiness and sadness looming overhead, subjectivity and objectivity dancing in the same space. The world is illogical. Life itself is a path of inconsistencies that we can’t plan for, so people find ways to cope, to hide, to hope, even. In the end it’s our intricate stories that keep us perpetuating as individuals, which I find most beautiful in its uniqueness and self-affirming quality.
Existing the Moments is a story of dichotomies. I would like my readers to experience a journey, not only of the characters, but of themselves. I want them to feel and then to wake up the next day only to dance in the rain, or to wish upon a star, to squeeze their child, to grasp hands with their spouse in the grocery store. Find or redefine the love and live it until your last days. If my book could do that for just one person, I would be thrilled.
CB: You began writing it in California and finished it in Florida. Once finished, tell us how you went about publishing it and what obstacles you may have had to overcome in getting it published?
TD: Actually, I did complete the novel in California, but finished up on some editing work in addition to making my publishing decision while in Florida. It was a difficult move for me so staying attached to my book and seeing it through kept me grounded, also bringing forth the end of one journey and beginning of another. It was all very fateful.
Like many unknown authors, I came across obstacles in finding an agent to represent me. I wrote query after query to no avail for a couple years and then one day I just didn’t care anymore. Right around the pique of my disgruntlement, my ingenious brother gave me this pep talk about being my own business and making something out of my talents. I came from the conversation with a new attitude thinking, I had to affect my own destiny. Shortly after, I was approached by my publishing company a second time, at which point I signed with them. It all felt right, so I just went with my gut.
CB: You also have a musical background, as well. Tell us a little about that and your goals in combining the writing and musical talents you have.
TD: I held my first quarter-size violin at age five, a few years later learning piano, and taking up guitar in my early twenties. By the time I reached twelve, I had attended two music institutions- Hartwick College Music Institution in Oneonta, NY and Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY- both for extended periods of time. In high school, I played violin with the Syracuse Symphony, and in California I played piano for a rock band. Now, I leisurely play my own instruments in my spare time, I teach violin and piano to children, and write music reviews of bands for various publications. Mainly, music has been an awesome outlet, but also a lifestyle for me. I fully believe I would not be a writer if not a musician- there’s a sort of mutual dependency and logic in being both.
CB: Any other talents we aren’t aware of?
TD: Poetry. I have published quite a few poems in various anthologies and have received some Editor’s Choice Awards, which has been cool. Mainly, I’m really excited to put together my own book of poetry in the near future.
CB: Your parents have been a good influence and support system for your creative side. How has that helped you so far?
TD: Well, they have continually nurtured my ideas and my drive, urging me to follow my dreams. They let me spread my wings and because of their foresight, I’ve seen the world! I have an infinite amount of appreciation for their hard work and selflessness in raising both my brother and myself.
On another level, I’m definitely a product of their influences, which is something I hold close to my heart. My mom has a love of literature and actually named me after author, Taylor Caldwell, of whom she was reading while pregnant with me. Ironically, or maybe not, I became a writer. My father is an avid music appreciator exposing me to a plethora of bands such as; The Who, C.C.R, Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Fleetwood Mac, and the list goes on… Memories I have include my mom reading with me every night before bed and my dad and I belting out lyrics to Meatloaf or The Doors on road trips.
CB: Where is your book, "Existing the Moments" available for purchase and do you offer signed copies?
TD: I do offer signed copies for those interested. Existing the Moments is newly released and currently available at the following places:
Barnes and Noble
Borders Bookstore
Dorrance Bookstore
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Ecampus.com
BookRenter.com
taylordivico.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Ecampus.com
BookRenter.com
taylordivico.com
CB: What are your plans next? More writing, music, or both?
TD: More of everything! I plan to continue going to live shows and writing reviews of bands I enjoy listening to for different publications. In addition, I have three novels in the works and hope to be publishing each of them within a three year timeline, but first I think a book of poetry is to come, as I’m ready to compile some cool photos from my travels along with my poems, at the request of my only living grandparent, who loves poetry.
CB: Any advice for authors and/or musicians as far as reaching their goals?
TD: My best advice would be to stay idealistic and to push away the cynicism that can come along with rejection. Stay in touch with your goals and know that progress takes time and lots of it. Be willing to put your all into your art because if you don’t believe in yourself and hold tight to an unfettered passion for what you’re doing, nobody else will either.
CB: What websites or blogs might we visit to find out more about you?
TD: www.taylordivico.com -official author site
www.myspace.com/taylordivico - networking site
http://taylordivico.wordpress.com -music review site
CB: Thank you, Taylor , for allowing me to interview you for Writer’s Block, a Cindy Bauer Books newsletter. Any parting words I may not have touched base on today?
TD: Thank you so much for the opportunity! Parting Words…hmmm…I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from a story I’ve loved for as long as I can remember, thanks to my mom’s sharing of it.
"…nothing in the universe can be the same if somewhere, we do not know where, a sheep that we never saw has--yes or no?--eaten a rose…
Look up at the sky. Ask yourselves: Is it yes or no? Has the sheep eaten the flower? And you will see how everything changes.
And no grown up will ever understand that this is a matter of so much importance!"
-Antoine de Saint Exupery
From: Le Petit Prince
Taylor DiVico
http://www.taylordivico.com
http://www.myspace.com/taylordivico
http://taylordivico.wordpress.com/
Taylor's book:
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