“My biggest challenge has been being able to think of myself as a writer. I mean: who am I to write a book? I’ve met that challenge simply by writing and getting my work out there and stopped thinking I’m writing for lots of people. Now I think about connecting with one person. Can I move just one person?”
After a long career in the corporate world, Don Tassone has returned to his creative writing roots. He is the author of two novels and nine short story collections. He lives in Loveland, Ohio.
To begin, I’d like to ask as an aspiring writer, I’m deeply curious about what drives your storytelling process. How do you find inspiration for the characters and themes in your novels and short stories, and what advice would you give to someone starting out?
My story ideas usually come from observing and reflecting on real life — things that have happened to me or are happening in the world. From these events, larger ideas emerge. Themes are revealed in the small things of everyday life, like the moon in a dew drop.
I would advise anyone starting out to allow themselves to fall in love with writing because writing can be hard, and you have to love it to keep going. If you can, write every day. Make writing a practice. Don’t worry about form or grammar or even if your writing is any good. Just write. Over time, your writing will improve and take shape, and you’ll find your voice. Finally, be clear on why you’re writing. I’m not writing to sell a lot of books or make money or become famous. Writing brings me joy. I write as an invitation to think more deeply. I write to move people. I write to connect with others.
I often struggle during the challenging phases of writing, especially when a story doesn’t flow as I envisioned. As someone I deeply admire, how do you stay motivated during these moments, and what keeps you going when the writing gets tough?
Hemingway said, “The only kind of writing is rewriting.” I always think of whatever I’m writing as a draft, something I know I can and should continue to improve until it is the very best version I can create. If I get stuck, I put my writing aside and go for a run — to get out of my head. When I come back, I am refreshed, and the words flow again.
You mentioned you didn’t start writing creatively until after retirement. What motivated you to take that leap, and how did your corporate background influence your initial approach to creative writing?
I’ve always loved to write. During my career, I wanted to write creatively, but I was busy and didn’t have, or make, time for it.
After I retired and began to write short stories, I was pleasantly surprised that my business experience came into play in positive ways — from being able to write simply to the discipline required to develop and stick to a writing regimen and manage a writing project through to publication and marketing. Also, a fair number of my stories reflect my experience in the business world. My first novel, Drive, is steeped in it.
Looking back at your ten-year journey as a writer, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how have they contributed to your growth as a writer?
My biggest challenge has been being able to think of myself as a writer. I mean: who am I to write a book? I’ve met that challenge simply by writing and getting my work out there. I’ve also stopped thinking I’m writing for lots of people. Now I think about connecting with one person. Can I move just one person?
I’m curious about your future writing plans. With your first children’s book and novella coming out soon, what are your future writing plans? Are there any other genres or topics you’re excited to explore next?
I’m working on a new story collection, which I expect will be published in 2026. After writing so many short stories, though, I find myself longing for a big, long-form writing project. I think my next big writing project will be a novel, possibly about the rather dark time we’re living in today.
Your novel, Francesca, has resonated with many readers. What inspired you to write Francesca, and what message do you hope readers take away from it?
Francesca is a futuristic story about the first female pope. She’s a wife, a mother and an American. As pope, she’s taken the name Francesca. She believes the Church must return to its original purpose and renew itself.
I wrote this novel to open hearts and minds and show what’s possible. I hope it’s a reminder that we all need to reexamine our purpose from time to time and make sure what we’re doing lines up.
My publisher for this 2021 novel is closing. So I had to either find a way to publish a new edition or risk the book simply vanishing. I decided to self publish a second edition with a new preface and cover and an epilogue. This new edition will be published in March. It’ll be available on Amazon.
Lastly, what are your top three book recommendations for aspiring writers, and how have these books helped shape your writing journey?
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, On Writing Well by William Zinsser and On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. All these books are a wonderful mix of writing philosophy and practical writing advice, with lots of good examples.
I particularly like Goldberg’s philosophy. “Play around. Dive into absurdity and write. Take chances. You will succeed if you are fearless of failure.”
Flash 50: Stories
by Don Tassone
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Read Don’s Rekindled in Culterate’s Issue II.
Culterate Blog 
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