Non è successo niente… o forse sì – Una chiacchierata con Nicolò Targhetta

We interviewed Nicolò Targhetta, author, writer, and creator of the page "Non è succede niente" (Nothing Happened). In two intense, ironic, and sincere hours, we found ourselves laughing, reflecting, and even moved. Nicolò told us how his calling for writing was born, starting with solitude, the night, and a noisy keyboard without which he can't write. He spoke to us about the importance of method, the daily struggle of writing, but also the moment when you realize you can do that thing—and that no one can take it away from you. We talked about terrible jokes, fighter jet porn, awkward PowerPoint parties, and God in a tracksuit at the train station. But also about the fear of failure, bipolar self-esteem, the pressure of success, and the risk of becoming a character. Nicolò opened his world to us: that of someone who writes to tell truths he doesn't even know are inside him, and which he discovers only when he rereads them. He told us why his style is so dialogue-heavy—to blame Tolkien's descriptions—and why he prefers to write at night, when no one disturbs him. We talked about publishing, comfort zones, the beauty of hypocrisy, and the right to change. About the fact that the artist is not the masterpiece he creates. And that what you put on social media is no longer yours. We laughed so hard, even while talking about pain. Because humor, Nicolò told us, is a shield, but also a way to say true things. Perhaps the truest ones. And in the end, we asked ourselves: was life better with imperfect gods or with a perfect but unattainable God? An episode that begins with jokes and madness, but ends with important silences, sincere reflections, and questions that we took home with us. And perhaps you will too, listening to it. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction and awkward jokes 02:12 – The paradox of comedy that isn't funny 06:05 – Terrible jokes and the chilling effect 09:45 – Life in Milan and disastrous PowerPoint parties 15:30 – Airplane porn (and other online follies) 18:55 – If I were invisible and writing as a refuge 24:30 – Childhood, Fulci and the coffin in space 30:20 – The greatest fear: getting there and then failing 34:45 – Success, self-esteem and creative bipolarity 38:55 – Pride in things you don't like 42:05 – God in an acetate suit and the new book 47:15 – Humanizing God and the allure of imperfect divinity 52:40 – Changing the world with a parameter 56:10 – Why "Nothing happened" 59:30 – Book characters and the Fear of Adventure 1:02:00 – Writing Style and the Hatred of Description 1:05:35 – Theater, Geronimo Stilton Musicals, and Dialogues 1:09:10 – Writing at Night and Writer's Obsessions 1:12:25 – Writing Is a Job, Not Inspiration 1:15:40 – The Moment When Dreams Become Work 1:19:10 – Writing the Truth Has Consequences 1:22:10 – Silence, Solitude, and the Disappointment of the World 1:25:00 – Conclusion and Acknowledgements Nicolò's Ten Most Interesting Quotes “Writing is incredibly tiring. It's boring, it's a prison you've built yourself... but when it works, it's one of the most beautiful feelings you can experience.” “I'm not a genius. I do beautiful things, every now and then, but I'm a mess who manages to do something good.” “God in an acetate tracksuit waiting for a delayed train: that's how I like to imagine him. Human, tired, close.” “Comedy is a shield. But it's also a way to say the true things, the ones that hurt the most.” “The problem isn't failing. It's getting close and then watching it all slip away.” “Nothing happened was my cry for help. And then I discovered it was the cry of many others.” “Writing is a job. And if you want it to be a job, you have to start treating it like one.” “A religion that doesn't allow you to humanize God is a religion that wants to keep you away from Him.” “I am not what I write. But inside what I write, every now and then, I end up.” “Every now and then, while you write bullshit, you find yourself on the edge of a truth about yourself. And there you decide whether to say it or not.” You can find Nicolò on his IG page:   / nonesuccessoniente   Subscribe to the channel, like it, and share your thoughts on this chat. Giuseppe / actor: @speedofdoubt (IG account) Ernesto / artist, illustrator: @roby.il.pettirosso (IG) @robyilpettirosso105 (YT) Luca / filmmaker: @lucapischedda (IG) @Luca_Pischedda (YT)