Ask the Author: John Haggerty
[admin / December 20th, 2009 / Interviews ]John Haggerty spins a delightful yarn about The Incredible Teeth of Bobby Mcgraw in the December issue. He offers us a brief tutorial on California geography, an update on the state of his teeth and more in today’s interview with Guy Brookshire.
Heading north from Los Angeles, where does Northern California begin?
Also, Los Banos means “the toilets” in Spanish, and it amuses me to imagine a long line of blue porta-potties stretching off to the horizons, marking the border between the states. The fact the Los Banos could also be translated as “the baths,” and that this, in fact, is probably the original meaning, is not nearly as entertaining, and I suppress the thought, when it arises, by mentally enumerating Tiger’s mistresses.
Are there times when you try to write, but stop because you don’t like something you have written? Have you ever frightened yourself by something you’ve written?
I don’t remember ever being frightened by anything I’ve written, though I often get the feeling that when people read something particularly weird of mine, they will shake their heads in disgust and back slowly away. I continually impress myself with the disturbing nature of the stuff in my head. To paraphrase Anne Lamott, “My mind is like a bad neighborhood. It’s best not to go there alone.”
Now, having been requested by the cosmos to cut back on the drinking considerably, it might be too late for me to actually develop an appreciation.
Have you ever realized you were making a mistake in the midst of making the mistake?
Have you ever been inspired to write a story by a tattoo you have seen on a stranger?
What is longest it has taken you to read a book?
What was in the last package you mailed?
Sadly, predictably, it was a manuscript. It sits, even now, in a slush pile somewhere, waiting to be pawed at by some hungover undergraduate with idiosyncratic facial hair. The result of this will almost certainly be a form rejection, the whole process having served only to annoy everybody involved. Good lord, I’m wasting my life.
[No Comments]Ask the Author: Janet Freeman
[admin / December 19th, 2009 / Interviews ]In the December issue, Janet covers Gabriel Garcia Marquez and in today’s interview she reveals that marriage is the worst injury she has ever committed unto herself, among other lovely tidbits.
Have you ever been to Taos, New Mexico? What did you do there? Did you see the earthships?
Oh, man, the earthships! Haven’t been inside but slinking past in a car on a dusty road with a bottle of vodka is a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon. Taos is beautiful, home of my favorite toy store, Twirl. They sell those old fashioned doctor kits, you know, with the plastic blood-pressure thingy you can never remember how to pronounce.
Have you ever, do you regularly, attend Zozobra? Could you briefly explain what it is?
I’m sad to say I don’t know what Zozobra is, but damn if I’m not going to find out now.
Is there any painter whose work you feel a special affinity for? Has it affected your writing?
I’m a huge fan of Matt Sesow, to the point where I wrote him in as a fictional character in the first novel I ever wrote. I was honored when he agreed to provide the cover art for the first issue of Rough Copy. I’m also in love with Arthur Tress and Nan Goldin, both of whom are amazing photographers. Come to think of it, I’ve written them into my own stuff, too. Damn, I’m such a poser!
What is the hardest part of being an editor?
The hardest part of being an editor is writing rejections! I hate it, probably because I know all too well what it’s like to be on the receiving end of that particular stinkbomb. I try to be as nice as possible, but I’m not always as timely as I should be…definitely working on it.
Which of your favorite songs or pieces of music are cover versions?
My daughter, singing the alphabet song. Really! You should hear her – she skips the “T-U-V” part but I never correct her. What’s the point?
Do you often wear sunglasses?
When I lived in Portland my sunglasses vanished in October and I could never find them come July, when it was time to wear them again. Now that we’re in New Mexico, they’re pretty much a staple. That, and shit-kickers, for you know, kicking at all that coyote scat.
Not that these oppositions are necessarily analogous or opposed, but do you generally prefer radio to television, movies to plays, or opera to ballet?
Radio, movies, any live show where March 4th is playing—in a pinch they can count as opera and ballet both, but really they’re more burlesque.
Have you ever been happy to get a piece of spam email?
Nope. Never.
Do you know anyone who lives “off the grid?” Would you like to live “off the grid?”
I haven’t met any off-griders just yet, but my partner Chris would love to do just that. My psyche’s too fragile for such a thing, though the other day I did see an ad for a composting toilet and was admittedly intrigued.
What is the worst injury you have inflicted on yourself?
Marriage.
[No Comments]Ask the Author: Sheldon Lee Compton
[admin / December 16th, 2009 / Interviews ]Sheldon Lee Compton writes about drugs, sex and rock and roll in the December issue, then answers questions in today’s interview about drugs, sex and rock and roll.
What do you find sexy?
Other than the basics, I’d say a sense of humor, intelligence, and the curve of a woman’s foot. There, I said it. More specifically, Beckie Rose.
What is your favorite drug?
Nicotine. I’ve even had people mail me packs of smokes. Thanks again, Mel B. And though I live in Eastern Kentucky, I’ve had surprisingly very little exposure to anything else.
What is your favorite Rock n’ Roll track?
Goin’ Out West by Tom Waits.
Do people have to understand a work of piece of literature before they can truly enjoy it?
On a certain level I’d be tempted to say I believe so. The whole point is to communicate a way of seeing the world. But then there is also the simple enjoyment that can come from something abstract but lyrical and beautiful. Skirted the question a bit, I suppose. But in the end I think getting across the story is pretty important and has to be kept in mind.
Name three authors that live or lived the rock n’ roll lifestyle as you conceive of it.
Hunter S. Thompson, Bret Easton Ellis and Breece Pancake. Thompson for the obvious reasons, Ellis for the excess factor alone and Pancake, perhaps a less popular choice, because he checked out shotgun style at the very moment he was beginning to achieve success, a familiar story for many hard rockers.
What is worse: French Rap or New Age Music?
I’ve not listened to much of either, but I would guess that French Rap is less enjoyable than a sledgehammer to the skull. No offense to the French or whatever. Well, maybe a little offense, like a misdemeanor.
Is it possible to write well while abusing drugs? Or do writers we usually associate with drug abuse write their best work in periods of sobriety?
People often pose the question what this writer or that might have written if not high. They wonder how much better the work could have been. I’ve never, but I think writing while abusing drugs could only dull a writer. The writer worth anything is an open wound, a raw nerve, picking up what others might miss. I think drugs would constrict that high sense of awareness, not expand it.
When was the last time you had déjà vu?
About two months ago. It always furthers my suspicion that the world is fake. I usually spend the day afterwards searching for more proof of this theory.
What branch of science are you most interested it? How has it influenced your writing?
Astronomy. I’ve had the stratosphere crop up a few times as a character in my work. I like the whole viewing the scene from above and so there it’s been, the Stratosphere, helping me out with that and being generally awesome.
What is your least favorite trend in current fashion?
Vintage t-shirts, I think. I actually have no problem with them. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. I’ve always liked them. I liked them when they were not called vintage. I liked them when they were just cool shirts. Now it seems I’ve jumped on the band wagon or that I’m a thirty-something guy trying to look hip without a record contract when I wear them.
[1 Comment]PANKcast!
[admin / December 1st, 2009 / News & Young Bright Things ]1. Kudos to the publishing industry, where memoirs are written by people with genuinely awesome stories to tell and not Miss USA contestants whining about their cup size!
2. I would go to Boston just to hit up these bookstores.
3. Oh the little things in life – prostitutes in a fruit and veggie truck on your birthday, computer hackers falling in love with librarians, and monks who entertain people by hanging spoons off their noses.
4. This book should never be erased from your Christmas list.
5. Here’s a wonderful poem by Randall Mann in the Washington Post.
6. We, at PANK, and John Lescroart ask that you buy our magazine and every other book and magazine in print instead of reading it online or on an electronic device.
7. Don’t worry, be happy. Or not.
8. Yummy.
9. Dreading the holidays? You’re not alone.
10. And since Santa doesn’t come around after you’re 10 (well, I was 10), here are the best-sellers (aka gift ideas) from a cute little Seattle bookstore.
[No Comments]Ask the Author: Steve Gibbon
[admin / November 10th, 2009 / Interviews ]In his story, Black Stag, Steve Gibbon tells us of the large gentleman Daniel Barker and in today’s interview, he brings news of Maine, strange interactions with other people and bad writing advice.
1) Is literature about work peculiarly American?
No, I don’t think so. When I think of hard labor and gritty literature, I think of Ireland or Korea or some other place where
they’ve developed a reputation for working harder than us. But to me, logging is peculiarly American, even though I suppose it might also be a pretty Canadian thing. Something about tromping around in the snow at night and wearing a heavy beard seems more tangible and profound than George Washington’s cherry tree.
I can’t say I’ve ever been in danger while working. Not really, at least. Maybe a few sprained wrists or arthritic knees from carrying heavy loads or crawling around on concrete.
[2 Comments]Degrees of Separation
[admin / November 5th, 2009 / Elsewhere & Shiny & Young Bright Things ]Let us begin with ABJECTIVE and Juliet Cook’s “Paper Dolls.” Cook is also featured in DIAGRAM 9.5.
In DIAGRAM 9.5, we also find Ryan Teitman’s “Ode, Elegy, Aubade, Psalm.” Ryan is also in Hayden’s Ferry Review.
Hayden’s Ferry houses Sarah Pape’s “A Rendering” and “Might.” Next, see Watershed.
While at Watershed, note Elizabyth Hiscox’s “Kanemoto: a tale of entreaty for this, a Surname.” Continue onto Fishouse.
Kevin Goodan is at Fishouse, too, with ”(To crave what the light does crave).” Check out Kevin’s interview on I Thought I Was New Here.
ITIWNH features 3 poems by Kristin Hatch, who also pops up in Black Warrior Review.
BWR reviews Nathaniel Mackey’s “Bass Cathedral.” His piece was reviewed by Lewis Robert Colon Jr. Lewis Robert Colon Jr’s work is also over at the Oklahoma Review.
In the Oklahoma Review, John Williams’ “South Texas Shadow.” (page 37) He’s also been in Juked.
Juked has Sean Lovelace’s “To Be Happy.” Sean has a blog where he writes Bambi Tenderloin or Maybe Read New Dogzplot Now.
DOGZPLOT featured Richey Piiparinen, “Memories Are The Compasses That Chase Us Around.” A PANK contributor.
We are one.
[1 Comment]Ask the Author: Jimmy Chen
[admin / November 4th, 2009 / Interviews ]Today, Jimmy Chen, who gives us Of Mimesis in the October issue, talks about strange eateries, robots and clichés about women, crime and war.
1) What is the strangest place you’ve ever eaten in San Francisco?
I’ll spare you a cunnilingus story. I eat normally, so I’ll tell you about the strangest place I’ve ever drinken (my sic, my bad): “Dimples” in Japantown – one of those bars where you have to walk down a flight of stairs. I had a Martini, and the Japanese girls who “work” (let us scrutinize this verb and its full capacity) there took the “Dirty Martini” route a little too far; they basically poured me a glass of salty olive brine with two drops of vodka. The other patrons, all pre-nut busting men, seemed to really enjoy what looked like legitimate cocktails. The Japanese and Chinese have an ambivalent history, which is why, within reason, I thought “it’s because I’m Chinese.”
2) In your review of Woman in the Dunes you invite your reader to “imagine Buddhism at the mall.” Could you briefly imagine Buddhism at the mall for us?
A bald guy in an orange robe goes to Sbarro Pizza and burns the top of his mouth. “Fuck,” he thinks, but mouths nothing. A little girl comes over and asks him if he knows kung fu. “Fuck,” he thinks again, but mounts nothing. Then he goes to Mrs. Fields and eats >3000 calories worth of cookies. He asks a woman if she’d like to do it “doggie style” in a JC Penny fitting-room and is rejected on the account of his footwear. He has another >1000 calories and texts his monastery “bros b4 hos.”
3) Have you ever gone to a reading of an author who was late/ didn’t show up? What was the excuse? What was your response?
Michael Chabon didn’t show up to his reading at the SF Public Library, citing problems with BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), an acronym full of lies. Chabon lives in Berkeley, a wonderful town where over-educated hippies judge the rest of the United States of America while eating expensive food.
4) What is the hottest you have ever been?
I lived in Starkville, Mississippi for a year (long story about a short relationship). Between June and August I stayed within a 15ft. radius of the AC. I placed ice-cubes on my scrotum just to know that “cold” still existed. I unwillingly got into arguments about Jesus Christ, which ironically, led me to think “Jesus Christ.” When it was time to go to Walmart, I cried.
5) Please list three cliches about women, crime, or war that you hate to read.
1) All women are black, 2) all black people commit crimes, and 3) all war is caused by women.
6) Have you ever smoked an electronic cigarette? Does that sound like the first like of a forgettable Phillip K. Dick story?
Never smoked an e-cig, and only smoked 3 cigarette’s in my life. The first two were in college. I was depressed and wanted to have a romantic and self-destructive experience, kind of like a Smashing Pumpkins song. The cigarettes made me feel horrible, nauseous. The last cigarette I smoked was with an artist in her studio while looking at her paintings. When you have to lie, you might as well be smoking.
7) What book should someone read if they have been cheated on by their significant other?
I recommend Getting Past the Affair: A Program to Help You Cope, Heal, and Move On — Together or Apart by Douglas K. Snyder, PhD. It has 6 customer reviews on Amazon so we know those readers didn’t kill themselves. I call that a blurb. For people who cheat, I recommend herpes.
8.) Do you look forward to servant robots?
No, I think the human race really hit its peak with the Real Doll. I could see myself having my way with a Real Doll if I was really lonely or bored. I’d ask a typical misogynist rhetorical question like “you like that huh?” I’d be sure to get some Clorox wipes first though. With a servant robot, I’d probably cut myself, and have to learn Japanese.
[1 Comment]PANKcast!
[admin / November 2nd, 2009 / Young Bright Things ]1. The Seattle Times pours out its best writers.
2. Mmmm… Texas Book Festival is looking spicy!
3. Vampires, hit men, and God – Anne Rice will creep you out.
4. The Washington Post loves “The Man in the Wooden Hat.”
5. Here are three new and wonderful books on chilis, birthcontrol pills, shampoo, and the perfect child.
6. Normal people don’t live like this.
7. Oh, goody!
8. Nick Hornby exposes Shakespeare.
9. Read Katie Ford’s poem: “November Philosophies.”
10. Hold still for a little teenage drama!
11. And lastly, a deeper look (through all our fat) of the American consumer.
[No Comments]Ashley’s Dozen
[admin / October 29th, 2009 / Young Bright Things ]A Cappella Zoo: A review of C.E. Chaffin’s big top, faith, and awesome words found in his collection Unexpected light.
The Ampersand Review: Another Poem about China, a thought provoking piece by J. Bradley, is featured in Volume 3.
Barrelhouse: Mixtape anyone? A new monthly podcast devoted to all the literary stuff we enjoy.
Bicycle Review: A simple, yet evocative style. Image then words, Image then words. Disorganized but organized—featuring the work of Melanie Browne, Harry Calhoun, Adam Henry Carriere, Kristina Marie Darling, and more…
Boston Review: “Sentences that are so sharp they cut the eye.”
Juked: All About You by John Ottey.
Knee-Jerk Magazine: An Interview with Neil Arsenty.
Opium Magazine: A House in Foreclosure by James Kaelan. The part that intrigues me, Opium puts the estimated reading time on each piece. For this one? 7 minutes.
Monkeybicycle: Phone Call About an Email in Reference to a Text About an Incident Which Occurred in Real Life, by Jimmy Chen. ’Nough said.
Mythium Journal: A journal devoted to good literature. Fall issue includes works by Michael Harper, Torie Michelle Anderson, David Keali’i, Ernest Williamson III, Opal Palmer Adisa, and more!
Off Beat Pulp: An interesting tab, “The Ink Hub,” a break down of literary zines, journals, and thoughts about them.
DOGZPLOT: Perusing the site, something I love doing, I came across the Flash Fiction. The Cancer Museum by Brian Le Lay. Good, but I found myself drawn to the comment tab, “chance to say something stupid.” Interesting.
[2 Comments]PANKcast!
[admin / October 26th, 2009 / Young Bright Things ]1. Norma Fox Mazer, an older person who actually understood the ups and down of young adults, passed away. Damn.
2. Plotless, yet laced with something very tasty.
3. Her husband fell in love with a gay man, and she got into a car accident right after he left. The Detroit Free Press has a lovely article on Rhoda Janzen, a Michigan Mennonite.
4. Lots of sex back then, and the baby boom was just ending.
5. Boston Book Festival celebrates the decline of book sales and readership! Hooray?
6. I like reading. Out loud.
7. Beer helps you plan better!
8. Get this for your kids this Christmas: a Ray Nagin coloring book!
9. Ah, nothing like a wonderful poem by Nina Zivancevic at the end of a crappy autumn day.
10. Roar!
11. Tweedledee, tweedledum.
12. And with the upcoming holiday, Stephen Asma claims that monsters are a product of society, not a biological or genetic characteristic. Phew!
[1 Comment]