typography and peace: an interview with laura scalzo

by Ellen Pasquale

As a soon-to-be college graduate, I often find myself panicking over the feasibility of my writing dreams and seemingly too-optimistic goals. There seems to be constant pressure to submit to that journal now, become published now, have something to write in your bio now. I recently had the pleasure of talking to author Laura Scalzo who unknowingly calmed my nerves, assuring me that it is never too late to write and inspiration can be found anywhere.

Laura Scalzo is a graduate of Syracuse University, and had her first work of fiction published in 2017 on literary journal Hobart’s website. Her short story “War & Peace in Sans Serif” is soon to be anthologized within the next edition of the "Grace and Gravity" series, Grace in Darkness. Neither she nor I had been interviewed for or had conducted an author interview before, and we began our communication eager to ask questions and give answers. We arranged a phone call around undergraduate studies and work to discuss typography, her love of literature, and finding time to write.

In “War & Peace in Sans Serif”, Elise works making signs and selling booze among Washington DC landmarks at a store called Freeman’s. Dan Przybylek reports the news from the TV station across the street, trekking over twice a day to buy vodka in the morning and Tanqueray in the evening. He is lost in the trajectory of his own life and finds temporary solace in Elise, though not without a cost. It is a story about mistakes, empowerment, and a sleeveless dress decorated with hot pink starfish. It is a story about longing, and the power of an apology.

The emotions in your story are so raw and real. Is there anything in particular that inspired “War & Peace in Sans Serif”? 

I actually saw a brother and sister very similar to the siblings in the story--college-aged, athletic, attractive, moneyed. They were speaking to a young woman behind a counter in a condescending way. It was terrible. That’s what inspired this story. I'm sure this won't surprise you, but War & Peace is my favorite book. Elise's name was originally Lise, but her character ended up being nothing like Tolstoy’s Lise, so I changed her name so readers wouldn’t be lost trying to find a parallel.

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The main character, Elise, is a typography major, and typography is a centerpiece of the story. Typography seems like a niche thing to be knowledgeable about-- how did you become knowledgeable about it, and what does it mean to you? 

The story actually had a different title originally and adding the focus on typography came after it was critiqued. I needed to improve the story and add depth. I always knew Elise would react the way she did, (being vague to avoid spoilers!), but there had to be a reason for her to have a fat black marker in her purse.

How did “War & Peace in Sans Serif” evolve over the drafting process? Did you originally have any of the characters making different choices than they do in the published version? If so, why did you change it? 

When I sent it to Melissa, she did what great editors do—she asked questions. Why would Dan take Elise to the Chevy Chase Club? Why would Elise react this way, at this moment? When I was able to answer those questions, the story improved dramatically. 

Is there any meaning behind Elise's favorite font, Liberation Sans Regular? 

I chose Liberation Sans Regular because of the name—I liked using the word liberation. It's fitting. 

How long have you been writing creatively? Did you start at a young age? 

I've wanted to be a writer since I was young, as young as I can remember. I graduated from college as an English major and started working in advertising, but I knew I wanted to write fiction. I quit and worked as a waitress for a year and then ended up working on Wall Street.

Throughout my adult life, I wanted desperately to write but I couldn't figure out how to work it in. When I left my job to start a family, I thought by the time my first child turned one I'd have a book!  It wasn't until my kids were older that I found the time. I got a side job as a ghostwriter. The work wasn’t under my name, so I felt free to do anything, to write anything. It was well received and that got the ball rolling. Looking back, it was probably as much a confidence issue as a time issue.

I’m sure you were still reading throughout this time-- is there an anthology of works or any short story in particular that inspired your writing of literary fiction? 

My favorite contemporary author is Tom McGuane, who’s been writing novels and short stories since the 1960s. I discovered him right after college. I was enthralled by his combination of humor and pathos and how every sentence is a masterpiece. I still am. I also discovered Mary Gaitskill around that time. Her writing is visceral. I just recently started reading Joan Didion, which sounds crazy, I don’t know what I was waiting for.

What do you find most fulfilling about literature? 

Literature is storytelling and storytelling is as deep and old as our existence. For me, fiction has always been a source of happiness, comfort, and a way to understand the world.

Is there any piece of writing advice that you've heard that has stuck with you? 

Stephen King’s book, ON WRITING, has everything a writer needs to know. He basically says, "Sit down and write. That's writing."
 
Are you working on anything now, and what's next in your writing life? 

I just finished my second manuscript, LOOSESTRIFE. It’s a YA novel. I’m really excited about it. The first book I wrote is called THESE DAYS OF BRIGHTNESS. It hasn’t been picked up for publication but I still really believe in it. It sits in an awkward non-category between Middle Grade and YA. That was my intention, but it’s hard selling a manuscript that’s not easily categorized. Now I know.

Do you have a website, or are your other works (if any) published in any other anthologies? Is there anywhere for people to access your other works, if they wanted to? 

I don't have a website-- I should! I'm on twitter, @Laura_Scalzo. If something gets published, I put it on my feed. This is my first time being anthologized, so that's really exciting. Recently my story, "The Power Game," placed in the Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition, so that will be anthologized as well. 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with your readers?  

It's so easy to feel powerless in these difficult times. For me, truth is power. And like Elise, my pen is my power; it’s my way of seeking and telling the truth.