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All of this. I discovered Dennard here on Substack about a year ago and I'm a huge Stan. I try to sing his praises as much as possible without getting too thirsty and creepy, but he's the real deal.

Easily my favorite writer going and, as long as he doesn't kill himself on his skateboard, has a legit chance to have his name immortalized.

Thanks for an awesome interview. There's so much wisdom here from such a young man, none more so than to always keep learning, and to always stay hungry.

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He is the real deal! Yes, let's keep him safe! And, yes, so much wisdom! I've read it countless times now and keep learning!

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All of this mean's a great deal. Straightforward, earnest, snark-free thanks.

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Enchanting interview!

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That's the perfect word! I love Dennard's responses so so much!

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Glad you enjoyed it! It was a blast to write.

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"indoor flips" ???!^^$#??^%!!! im freakin 66 years old and what "in THESE shoes???!!" no wayyyyy jose great interview btw love this guy

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Same! And, thanks, I love his answers, too!

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You're making the right choice.

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Fabulous interview! You had me at 'a cat called Therapy' 😻❤️

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I love-love Therapy!! That had me simultaneously laughing out loud and touching my heart.

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Honestly, a stroke of brilliance on my sister's part.

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I haven't had the good fortune of making Dennard Dayle's acquaintance, but from what I just read in your interview, he seems a well-round character. Much oblige for the interview.

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Glad I left a good impression. Thanks for taking the time.

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He does seem well-rounded! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview!

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Aug 1, 2023Liked by Jane Ratcliffe

A charming and delightful interview!

1) Catch-22 such an influence on so many writers who read it in high school including me. I remember thinking, “If this is writing then I’m for sure going to a writer.” I never read it again and now I’m afraid to bc I’m concerned it won’t hold up. Anyone have thoughts on this?

2) Love the display of unambiguous ambition! No one ever says this except that guy who started Uber and that guy who started WeWork. We need more of this in the literary world bc it is just fun.

3) “Internally, the closer you can get to stillness, the better your responses to chaos will be.” This is just true. The solution or way forward in every situation is to just calm down. There are simply no exceptions to this rule. Zero.

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I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It is charming and delightful, I agree!!

I hear you on books that you loved and were influenced by in your younger years and are now afraid to revisit. I have quite a list. If I had more time, I might reread a couple and see how they hold up but...

And, yes, on ambition! I'm actually about to interview Kemi Nekvapil and she speaks to unambiguous ambition in her book. I didn't have a question for her around that but that may now change!

Truth.

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I was relieved coming back to it. Catch-22 still fires on all cylinders, unlike my CD collection.

I'd love to get that rule in schools.

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Loved this, particularly: Stay centered, or you’ll end up explaining yourself to a Vice employee.

Re. flips — for some reason I used to somersault into rooms, including the kitchen.

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I know, that's such a great line!!

Oh, wow, that's impressive!! Glad you survived!

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I can't think of a better way to get around.

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Jane!!! Sharing a simultaneously unbridled Dennard Dayle while he economizes and concentrates his answers is genius. "..titrate energy drinks at 4 AM, editing one joke thirty times for two syllables" captures some of it in a nutshell -- thanks for a joyful interlude to my morning.

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I'm glad you enjoyed it! I loved this one. Dennard's answers are brilliant. Funny yet also so smart and often quite tender! Love the quote you picked!

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Re: #7, if my brother had been forewarned as to when he would pass, he would have taken care of all three for us, tragically he wasn't.

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Hah. Truth.

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