Fawzy Zablah 12/21/13 4:48
a.m.
The happiest day I had this
year was because of Ned Vizzini. I gained his online acquaintance somehow
through Facebook writer friends. He really liked a short story I published at
the Acentos Review that I had spammed my writer friends via FB message. He was
the only one to write back and post it on Facebook. I couldn't believe it. At
that time I wasn't too familiar with him. After looking him up and reading
one of his books, reality hit me. From then on he would post all my stories to
his Facebook whenever I sent him the link. I couldn't believe that here was a
successful, well known writer taking the time to help a nobody. And I wasn't
the only one, he helped a lot of young writers. If he believed in you, he was
there for you. That first story he posted by me was during a very difficult
family tragedy in 2011. Of course he had no idea what I was going through at
the time but it did help me out a lot. It gave me something to smile about for
a little bit. Despite almost constant rejection, I had a much loved popular
writer on my corner. It was a little victory for me that would help me continue
writing. We became email friends and he even did an interview on my lit blog. I
also reviewed his novel The Other Normals and he loved it so much he posted it
everywhere. When I got a contract from Tiny TOE Press for my upcoming novel, he
sent me a blurb with a really nice congratulatory note. He really didn't have
to do any of those things, he could have just ignored me but he didn't. Despite
his busy schedule he still reached out to me. I couldn't believe that there
were still, truly nice, genuine people like him left in the world. When my
writing "swag" had fallen off he came out of nowhere to restore
it.
The day he emailed my blurb I
was feeling really down about stupid, trivial things like most humans with over
active imaginations. I remember walking alone to my job's cafeteria which is a
quiet little stroll on the edge of an artificial lake and staring at the
water and the ducks. Writers like to multiply their feelings and I was
expanding on mine regarding "failure" in everything. After getting my
food I checked my cell phone and there was an email from Ned with a blurb about
me to use for my novel which he had already pre-ordered from the publisher. I
was floored. I went from extreme sad to extreme happy and I remember clearly my
"swag" returning and even hearing the Super Fly bass line running in
the background, trailing me all the way back to the office. I was a 'Bad Motherfucker'
once again. Thank you Ned for your generosity, support, and friendship. Even
though we never met in person, I will miss you dearly. May peace and love envelop
you wherever you may be.
