Interview with A.J. Jacobs, Author of The Know-It-All (Part One) - Page 4

Have you read Word Freak? In that book author Stephen Fastis (of the WSJ) interviews Scrabble players in an attempt to better his game. They both alternate between serious and humorous, the important and the arcane. 

Yes, I did read and enjoy Word Freak. I’m not nearly at his level of play, but I did memorize all the two-letter words to help my Scrabble game. I just learned that ZA (which means pizza) was added to the Scrabble Dictionary recently. So I hope to use that very soon.  

Have you seen the movie Wordplay? I watched it while reading your book and since both address the crossword puzzle tournament I was just wondering your take on it. In your book you seem dismissive of crossword players but I bet they’d be equally dismissive of you.  

I haven’t seen Wordplay yet. But I’d like to. I hope I wasn’t too dismissive of them. I covet their knowledge of four-letter words with lots of vowels. I tried to make my portrayal of the tournament loving and gentle mocking, much like the chapter about my trip to the Mensa convention. 

Have you read Toby Young's book(s)? Between his adventures in magazines and his talking about his wife's pregnancy in terms most people wouldn't use... well, his book came to mind as I read yours. I interviewed him previously:

I actually haven’t read Toby Young’s books. I’d like to someday. Plus, I hear his book parties are great.  

I want to ask you a question I asked him: How much did you let your wife read what you wrote and how much did you change the book because of that? Because, like him, you make yourself out to be quite an idiot, at times, which I find somewhat charming. 

I let her read the whole thing before submitting it. She did have veto power, but she didn’t exercise it once. She’s startlingly understanding. 

To be continued...

Article Author: Scott Butki

Scott Butki was a newspaper reporter for more than 10 years before making a career change into education... then into special education.

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