An Interview with Nic Bettauer

Nic Bettauer is a filmmaker who loves to witness, share, and advocate others’ stories, to photograph decisive moments, and to travel. She appreciates hearing tales as much as telling them, meeting characters as much as creating them. Nic seeks to be an experiential learner and a good conversationalist.

Nic volunteers as a crisis counselor and canine/equine facilitator. She holds an MFA from USC School of Cinematic Arts, MSW from USC School of Social Work, and BA from Stanford University, having pursued additional undergraduate studies at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

More of her work can be found at www.NicsPics.net.

---

---

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

DUCK redux is both allegory and memoir, peopled and storied by my work as a volunteer crisis counselor in Los Angeles, helping and holding others’ pain. Set in a world bereft of common sense or decency, social service or grace, this is the story of a duck who saves the life of a man.

DUCK redux revisits the feature film DUCK (2005) which I wrote and directed as a cautionary tale set in the near (but at that time, avertable) future. However, with society devolving and history repeating, DUCK redux takes place in present day. As such, the title of the book felt fitting, and I liked the rhythmic wordplay and duality of meaning. Plus, it’s really important for me to ‘get’ the title before writing the book.

duck2 (dŭk) v. 2. To seek cover
re·dux /ˈrēˌdəks/ adj. brought back; revived—used postpositively

DUCK redux is written in the hopes, still, of effecting change…

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

Simply awesome. Creating the cover and holding the book are two of my favorite parts.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I never really ‘want’ to write, just sayin’ …

But I’ve always loved novellas because I don’t like books with too many, or the wrong, words. I like room and space for the audience to evoke and imagine. To wit, I love The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Because I’m a filmmaker and photographer, I write and read aloud in my head, seeing and hearing all of the words.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The chance to connect with others.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Old school, singular, poet lyricist singer-songwriters such as Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, David Byrne, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Bill Withers. In life, and art, I’m drawn to, and aim to give voice to, a beautiful mix of sadness, humor, and joy.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

DUCK redux bodes the question, “If we are but six degrees of separation from one another, are we as few to being alone?” I hope that the book strikes both a chord and a bridge to loneliness.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently adapting my first book, Canary—the raucous, harrowing, deeply engaging tale of an irreverent investigator exploring a social ill, perhaps at her own expense—into a streaming series.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

It’s been a wonderful experience, working with Atmosphere Press, allowing my creative control together with their creative input throughout every part of the creative process. Much appreciation, as such collaboration exponentiates…

---

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.