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FACTS

  • Was born in New York,NY on April 4 1981
  • Attended college at Hunter College in New York City from 2000-2003 with a bacehlors in computer science.
  • Has a brother named Danielle and a sister named Nora.

MORE FACTS

  • Type of writing style in Young Adult humor
  • Most his works are Inspired by guilt and death.
  • Currently writes for shows like Last Resort and Teen Wolf
  • Also writes reviews for NYT and the L Magazine.
  • Has four books out currently and will have a fifth out this summer.

MORE FACTS

  • Wrote his first book in High school and was a collection of stories he submitted to the New York Times
  • Lived with his very supportive funny parents
  • At a young age was obsessed with Nintendo and Magic: The Gathering
  • Wrote his first book at the age of 19
  • At 23 he wrote his second book BE MORE CHILL, a story of a kid who swallows a mini computer that teaches him how to be cool.
  • Six months later he was battling depression and dealt with the pressure of his contract both of which almost made him take his life.

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION:

  • Late November 2004, Vizzini called the suicide hotline but was connected to a good Samaritan group because the suicide hotline was overflowing that evening.
  • The good Samaritan told Vizzini to check into the nearest hospital, so Vizzini checked into Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn.

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION CTD.

  • He spent 5 days at the hospital in the adult Psychiatric unit and his time there and the people he met is what inspired his third story IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY
  • And a few years after Paramount Pictures bought the rights to it.
  • To this day Ned speaks at schools and libraries around the world about writing, mental health, and how writing can help your mental health

INTERVIEW!!

Zach: Besides being a writer do you have another job?

Ned: Being a writer has been my only job since 2009.

Z: Since you have lived in New York most of your life and are currently living in LA, do you feel more comfortable in a big city setting?

N:I lived for a few months in New Hampshire and I have spent time in rural areas, but I guess it's safe to say that I prefer the big-city life. I think about moving to the country but I always seem to be caught up in responsibilities.

INTERVIEW CTD

Z:What is your favorite thing about being a writer and how do you feel when someone tells you they loved your book?

N:My favorite thing about being a writer is that I get to make my own hours. It always feels great to hear that someone loves my work, even if I don't have time to respond to them.

Z:How and when did you start writing?

N:I started writing professionally when I was 15, in 1996, by sending essays about my personal life to NEW YORK PRESS, a weekly alternative newspaper.

Z:What was the most useful thing you learned throughout school and who do you thank most for getting you through school?

N:

The most useful thing I learned in school was to second-guess myself. I used to be more impulsive and get into trouble. Health class taught me that actions have consequences. The person who got me through high school most was the New York Press writer Jim Knipfel, whose work really inspired me.

INTERVIEW CTD

Z:Youve said that parts of It's KInd Of A Funny Story is based on you dealing with your own depression and your time spent at Methodist Hospital in your neighborhood, what was the hardest obstacle in fighting your depression?

N:The hardest thing is personal strength. Resolve. Forcing yourself never to waste a second in depression because a second becomes a day.

Z:What would you say to a parent of a child with depression who says their kids depression is all in their head?

N:

A parent who doesn't believe that their kid is actually depressed should look for physical symptoms. Clinical depression is a physical illness that manifests in difficulties with eating, sleeping, and concentrating. Reading 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' or another book about depression, such as 'The Noonday Demon,' wouldn't hurt either!

INTERVIEW CTD

Z:What is the one topic you refuse to write a book about?

N:I refuse to write another book about Craig Gilner! Well, I guess never say never...

Z:What do you do to get rid of the worst cases of writers block?

N:To get rid of writers' block, I get a deadline.

Z:In my class majority of the students aren't the hugest fans of reading, is there any tips you can give them to start reading more often and even tips to help my teacher to get the students into reading?

N:If you want to get people into reading, give them books that are impossible to put down. I say start with 'Jurassic Park' and 'It.' See how many people aren't reading fans after those two.

WORKS CITED

"Ned Vizzini | Home." Ned Vizzini | Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. <http://nedvizzini.com/>.

"Gotham Artists - Ned Vizzini, Author, It's Kind of a Funny Story." Gotham Artists - Hire a Speaker, Leadership Speakers, Keynote Speakers, Entertainment & Talent Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2013. <http://www.gotham-artists.com/ned_vizzini.html>.

Vizzini, Ned. Teen angst? Naaah-- a quasi-autobiography. New York: Delacorte Press, 20102000. Print.

Soloski, Alexis. "Too Hot to Handle - Page 1 - Art - New York - Village Voice." New York News and Events | Village Voice. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2013. <http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-11-07/art/too-hot-to-handle/>.

Vizzini, Ned. Personal interview. 27. Mar. 2013

NED VIZZINI

Zach Rourke

Six

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