I was lucky enough to receive a bunch of interview requests in the run up to Ambition Monster and, over the course of two months, I answered lots of questions. Often over podcast platforms and Zoom; sometimes on the phone; occasionally, on surprise video where I was also lucky I’d remembered to brush my hair. But mostly I filled out email questionnaires.
It’s weird to temporarily become a person who says stuff to strangers like this, at least it is for me. Once you complete an interview, you never know what’s going to happen with it. It could run and seem kind of OK. You could read it and think you sound dumb or like a pretentious asshole and feel a twinge of shame every time you recall it for your remaining days. Or the story might be killed altogether, the publication could go under (happens more often than you’d think!), you could get bumped due to a major news event (in 2024? you don’t say!).
All of which is to say I try not to think too much about interviews and what happens to them. But the other day I realized I’d filled out a questionnaire for a piece that, for whatever reason, didn’t make the cut. But I liked the questions and I like the concept: What are good gifts for writers? what do writers need?
So I’m publishing my answers here.
Happy Friday, everyone. I hope you’re staying emotionally and physically cool within the summer’s horrors. I hope you’re doing OK.
What are your writing essentials for a productive day?
I basically mainline green tea all day, which gives you a caffeine lift without the jitter. Fancier versions are great, but I'm also good with a big box of this Celestial Seasonings Green + White Tea, which I buy in bulk. In the summer I sometimes make a pitcher of it in the morning and drink it all day. I also take low-dose Ritalin for my ADHD. Without the two, my brain just floats around, which is not unpleasant, but also not the best for deadlines.
Are there any gifts you have received that you feel have aided in your writing process?
Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth Pickens is an incredible, inspiring book for artists of all stripes, especially writers. I'm also partial to a good set of soft cover Moleskine notebooks and, I have to say, even though it’s expensive, I’m in love with Sofia Coppola's favorite pen.
What’s the most unusual or memorable gift you have received?
For my birthday last year, a friend bought me a set of books on weaving from the 70s, which are just the coolest and, unrelatedly, this Tiger Salt Cellar which delights me every day.
Not unusual, but very good: My podcast partner, Kim France gifted me a Block Shop robe, which is comfortable and airy and also chic but not in like a capital CH way. It’s still my favorite thing to lounge around in that’s not an old t-shirt and my underwear.
My most memorable gift is a Broksonic TV/VCR combo my mom gave me in 2003. Except she didn’t give it to me, she gave me a cut-out picture of a Sony TV/VCR from a catalog and sent it to me in a card. The next month, the Broksonic arrived. At the time, I was living alone in a run-down apartment with little furniture in Brooklyn next to the BQE. The TV/VCR became a centerpiece of my life (I could tape shows!). I loved it.
Do you have any other advice for fostering a creative and productive writing environment?
Nothing really helps you be more productive besides sitting down and writing every day, but I find little rituals help me get into the headspace when I do. I usually light a specific Japanese incense stick right before I sit down to write. Whenever I smell it, it gives me a sense memory of "Oh, it's time to get to work."
What’s the best gift to give a writer?
Spaciousness, grace for their selfishness, good socks, unconditional love and encouragement. Writers are a mess, especially when they’re writing. I’ve never met a more self-hating, neurotic crew.
Also, if you really want to be kind to a writer, share and review their work positively online and — weirdly, especially — “like” other positive reviews. One or two irrationally-cruel readers have real power on the internet and tend to gas up other irrationally-cruel readers until there’s a sad, irrationally-cruel pile on that you know you should never read, but, in your darkest moments, you do.
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You can buy Ambition Monster now. It is, I’m told, a good book.
I read Ambition Monster! It's great. Salt cellars are IN and my favourite one that I've seen is a little pottery litterbox with a little scoop and a cat inside. I want to find one with my specific cat
On vacation on the Cape and just picked up Ambition Monster at the Brewster Bookstore. So excited to read it!