Young Brooklyn author on how to ‘make it’ as a writer
“In this day and age, big dreams are the first step down a long, lonely path to disappointment,” jokes Alida Nugent in the first chapter of her new book “Don’t Worry, It Gets Worse: One Twentysomething’s (Mostly Failed) Attempts at Adulthood.” Nugent is a recent college graduate living in Brooklyn, and like many twentysomethings, she is struggling to navigate life as “a living, breathing, job-having, bill-paying responsible adult.”
In her new humorous and deeply sarcastic collection of essays, Nugent presents a raw illustration of post-college life in the recession – recalling her experiences moving back in with her parents, job searching (or trying to make it as a writer), online dating, and desperately trying to pay bills on time while simultaneously mustering the cash for some cocktails. She intersperses her recent memoirs with comedic lists, such as “How the 1980s Screwed Over This Generation” and “Tips for Saving” (which includes such tactful advice as ‘Don’t get a manicure, bite your nails VERY CAREFULLY.’)
Nugent is not afraid to tell the truth, no matter how ugly it sometimes gets, and her stories resonate not only with twentysomethings, but also with the parents who’ve helped them (or are still helping them) find their way in the world. Nugent, who will appear for a book launch party at powerHouse Arena on Friday, May 10, recently spoke to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle about her career as a young, emerging writer. She speaks about how Brooklyn has shaped and inspired her work, and offers advice to recent graduates who hope to pursue a career in writing.