Nick Gregorio Discusses His Debut Novel 'Good Grief' and Nostalgia of the Ninja Turtles

'Good Grief' explores themes of addiction and loss within a family coping with various struggles. Gregorio, who also teaches and runs the podcast book.record.beer and plays guitar in the punk band Scatterbrain, emphasized the importance of making time to write.

In discussing the novel's origins, Gregorio mentioned that it initially started as a graphic novel script in 2011. After several rejections, he turned to comics, but ultimately shifted back to novel writing while refining his skills at Arcadia University's Creative Writing program. The writing process took about a year and a half, during which the draft evolved fluidly, guided by a general direction rather than a strict outline.

His short story "He’s Doing Just Fine," which takes place in the same universe as 'Good Grief,' explores the character of Nate, who appears in flashbacks in the novel. Gregorio described it as a way to establish continuity and delve deeper into Nate's character.

The themes of addiction in 'Good Grief' stemmed from a personal loss Gregorio experienced seven years ago when a close relative died from substance abuse. This loss compelled him to write, and he aimed to portray the complexity of grief and addiction without falling into clichés.

To authentically depict the emotional toll on the D'Angelo family, he utilized both research on addiction and a personal imaginative process, focusing on how he would feel in their situation.

Gregorio described his writing style as minimalist, likening it to punk rock—fast, aggressive, and challenging. This approach, he believes, keeps the narrative fresh and engaging.

As the first novel published by Maudlin House, Gregorio praised the indie press for their supportive involvement in the book's creation. He chose an indie publisher due to the quirkiness of 'Good Grief' and the personalized attention that indie publishers provide.

Balancing teaching and personal life with writing required Gregorio to seize small windows of time to focus on his work. He emphasized that dedication to writing can lead one to find time, even amidst a busy schedule.

In terms of influences, Gregorio admires writers like Tom Spanbauer and is currently reading a variety of works, including poetry by Sabrina Benaim and novels by Jeanette Winterson and Stephen King.

Looking ahead, Gregorio is shopping a collection of short stories titled 'A Tinge of Shambles' while working on two new novels—one a gritty western and the other a blend of elements from 'Gilmore Girls' and 'Interstellar.' He mentioned that some characters from 'Good Grief' may return in these upcoming projects.