I loved reading Tim’s self-interview that he snagged from an interview with Jennifer Weiner. Longtime readers of my LJ may remember that I was introduced to this concept by Shawn Lea at Everything and Nothing. The ones I’ve done have been fun or made me think and explore things I wouldn’t routinely think about. And as well as I know Tim, as long as we’ve been friends, and as closely as we’ve worked together, I still find out new things about him all the time. I’m not a big fan of surprises, but sometimes even I have to admit that surprises can be good.
I figured I’d do just the “sidebar” portion of Tim’s/Jennifer’s interview for fun.
SIDEBAR QUESTIONS
Age: Haven’t we covered this fiction in the past?
Birthplace: Germany (though I’m not German and have no German ancestors)
Education: B.S. from the University of Alabama, and enough graduate work to make me a big loser for not having finished my Masters
Favorite song, piece of music: When I write, I love to listen to R.E.M., Fleetwood Mac, the Beatles, U2, and George Michael. I’m always wanting songs that have a yearning tone when I write, but are so comfortably familiar that they don’t distract me from my work.
Biggest literary inspiration, book: Robert Ferro, Second Son. This actually probably changes depending on my mood on any given day, because as soon as I answered it, I thought of ten others.
Book re-read most often: Like Tim, the books from the “Buddies” cycle by Ethan Mordden, and also the seven “Williamsburg novels” by Elswyth Thane.
If I could only retain one book on a desert island, it would be: A collection of poems from every age. I think if I had enough poetry, I would always be able to create stories in my head.
Book I’ve read lately I’d recommend most: What I Did Wrong by John Weir. I’m really not just imitating Tim with some of these answers. It was the books we loved in common that helped us become friends in the first place.
Most meaningful line from any book or poem: There’s a poem by Erica Jong. I don’t remember the title or the rest of the poem, but one line has always stayed with me: No one could ever love her enough.
Germany?!? Really?
I’m a woman of mystery.
Bah ha.
i was kinda hung up on germany the whole time, so i had to go back and read the rest of the answers.
oh so intersting! i’d tell people i was german.
Here’s hoping you always have enough poetry. : )
I had a hard time deciding between a book of poetry and a book of paintings. Optimal would be a book of poetry illustrated with paintings by Rothko and Pollock.
Dear Becky Cochrane, I’m an internet dummy, so it took me a while to figure out how to send you a comment. Anyway, I’m John Weir, the guy who wrote *What I Did Wrong*, and I just wanted to say, thanks for giving a shout out to my book. Can you give shout outs to books? I liked your self-interview, and I liked Timothy Lambert’s self-interview, and I think writers should self-interview themselves more. If Norman Mailer does it, why can’t we? Did you ever read Truman Capote’s self-interview? It’s the famous one where he says he’s a genius and a homosexual, which, when it was published in like the early ’70s (I think), was, you know, “shocking.” These days you’d have to admit to being a Christian evangelical who does crystal meth and sleeps with hustlers in Denver in order to shock anybody. I’ve never slept with a hustler in Denver, but I *do* know a guy named Mike Jones. Not the same guy! Sorry for the long comment. Hope you’re doing well. John Weir.
Dear John Weir who is in Houston until the end of the month–at least the city is finally offering you some more moderate weather. I am glad to give your novel a shout-out. I’m not sure if you saw that I actually reviewed it
“>here, and then almost immediately had to post a mea culpa because of my faulty memory.
Your novel is wonderful.
Speaking of John Weir, I was standing outside his office at Queens College this week while waiting to meet with my adviser, whose office is next door. Unfortunately it looks like I am going to graduate from QC this spring without ever having taken one of Prof. Weir’s classes. I only have two classes left to take in order to finish my BA and neither are being taught by J.W. (Becky, do you have a “Life Stinks” button that I could borrow?) But now that I know where his office is I think I’ll stop by and introduce myself next semester. If I can’t take a class with him at least I can still ask him to sign my book.
Okay, first of all, congratulations because you are THAT CLOSE to graduating! Yay, you!
As for the button thing, here you go.
Mare-See-Bow-Coupe! 🙂
You’re so continental!