You may not recognize the name Robert Fulghum but you have seen his work. He is the author of seven best-selling books All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It, Uh-Oh, Maybe (Maybe Not), From Beginning to End—The Rituals of Our Lives, True Love and Words I Wish I Wrote. There are currently more than 16 million copies of his books in print, published in 27 languages in 103 countries.
But it’s that first book – and the title essay – which you have most likely seen around. At least once a month I see on an office wall the poster with that essay on it. Fulghum is a wise man who says brilliant things in a concise way, often using charming, witty anecdotes. When I learned that we have similar spiritual beliefs and that he has a new book coming out of essays I jumped at the chance to interview him. He agreed to the interview to promote his new book, What On Earth Have I Done? which comes out September 18.
Reading up on you I saw that critics described your Kindergarten book as “trite and saccharine.” How do you respond to such critics?
This is addressed as if it was a unique issue for writers. But it’s a life question for everyone: What do you do about those people who don’t like you or don’t approve of you or who say negative things about you? Nobody can or should try to please everybody. Many people seem to admire my writing and there are many fine critical commentaries. I’ll settle for that.
I think one of my favorite essays so far in your book is the “Chair man” about the guys eating a chair. When you come across conversations like that do you write them down right away knowing it's solid gold or let them fester/mature a bit first?
I’m glad you like “Chair-man.” I always take notes of good ideas, then, as I explain in my new book, I tell the story to a long-time friend, try the story out in public speaking engagements, and then write it. I’m a storyteller - an oral art, so it’s always “tell then write.”Is this accurate? Its from Wikipedia so you never know: “Residents of his Seattle neighborhood note that he owns four full-body bunny suits and has an inordinate fondness for objects with pictures of bacon printed on them.” Why the bunny suits and the bacon? And were you really a singing cowboy?
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