I’m going to move on to the next question.
I like your description of reality TV. Do you think that's why it's so popular? I think you hit on its success here when you write this on page 156: "I've discovered that if you watch real people on television, you suddenly discover that you and every person around you are the picture of sanity and decency." Do you have any TV series, including reality TV shows, you watch regularly?
I think reality TV is popular because we’re voyeurs and rubbernecks. We love watching train wrecks. To answer your second question: yes.
What's the status of plans to turn your books into a TV series? Are you involved with that at all?
Right now we’re trying to get the Spellmans to film. I’ll be involved in writing the script (no comment about my previous claims on this subject). We’re also hoping to have Heads You Lose adapted. But these movie people take forever just to arrange a phone call, so I might be in a retirement home by the time anything happens.
Impressive on getting a piece about writing published in The Wall Street Journal - how did that come about? Where does that fit on your list of highs and lows in your writing career? What have been the highs and lows so far?
Getting my first book deal was the high. Although every year when I get a book published it seems pretty incredible. The low, as I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions, was my film Plan B.
As for The Wall Street Journal, they’ve wanted me to write a financial column for them for a while, but I just don’t have the time. They settled for a Word Craft piece.
What are you working on next? Your blog posts have mentioned you're working on a new book.
I’m working on a stand-alone novel called You Were Here. It’s not like anything I’ve written before. I expect a great deal of hate mail when it’s published.
Article comments
1 - Laura J
I was favorably impressed last week when I read your column that suggested anyone who likes Lisa Lutz would like Josh Bazell. I had just read "Beat the Reaper' and I already loved Lisa Lutz, but I hadn't put them together. So now I am getting your columns on the RSS, and I am happy.
2 - scott butki
Wow, that's quite a compliment. I made the association first because of her blurb but then when they both use (overuse?) footnotes it seemed a natural fit. I'm not sure about my idea of having them interview each other - that's probably a one time thing. I love her aunt edna line.