Self-Interview #001
In which the author introduces himself and establishes the basis for this website's existence
Why are you here?
As John Cleese puts it, why are we all here in a larger sense?
No, I mean why is the website here?
Why didn't you say so? This is my personal website where I post my stories, essays, an annotation of Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter stories and book reviews.
So are you a storyteller, an essayist or a book reviewer?
Yes.
. . . Oh, did you want to know more?
That would be nice. You are the writer, after all.
Right, and an editor. I've been in the newspaper field since 1990 as a writer and copy editor, and am still serving an apprenticeship on the fiction side.
Here's what I'm working on, as of the first half of 2007:
- Perfect Union: A thriller about the breakup of the United States, set in a post-peak oil future. First draft is scheduled to be finished by June.
- Book Reviews: I've been reviewing books for about 15 years for a number of small and medium-sized newspapers. My focus now has been on mysteries and thrillers, but I have expressed opinions on just about every fiction genre and non-fiction subject except children's literature.
- The Reader's Almanac: A pop culture book about the funny, tragic and weird events in the lives of authors. Each day's entry would list notable births and deaths, a quote of the day, and a story such as the ones found on this list.
Are you ever going to finish the Wimsey Annotations?
I want to. The Annotations was launched in 1997 and I have box full of e-mails from kind readers correcting my entries and filling in the blank spaces. I also have sheafs of notes for the other books and short stories. Unfortunately, it takes time to write and put them up. I try to amend entries whenever I can, but it's not very high up on my list right now (see above).
What's this Museum of Modern Kitsch? Are you trying to ape Lileks?
That's right, only with 50% less content and 75% less humor! Lileks' site was a direct inspiration for mine. I even had a version of the Bleat going for a few years (which continues now and then under the "Rough Draft" category). Since then, I've pursued my own interests, so the similarities have become much less obvious. But I love commenting on the excesses of popular culture, so that part of the site will continue to grow. I have folders of material as yet unprocessed, but as usual, it'll take time.
Why don't you have the time? Isn't this your job?
I wish. This is all being done in addition to holding down a full-time newspaper job and helping to raise a family. As I get older, it seems that the second hand is speeding faster.
What makes you think you can do all this?
I don't. Still, it seem to be getting done, so I must be doing something right. And I enjoy the writing, so I'll push it along. That's the best anyone can expect from life, to be able to do what we love. And I love doing this.
