Kimberly Menozzi, Author
Follow me!
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Novels
  • Bio
  • Order Books
  • Contact
  • Reviews
  • Works in Progress
  • Interviews

Thursday Thirteen: 13 Questions for Christopher Allen!

13/9/2012

22 Comments

 
Picture
Four years ago, while I workshopped the original short-story form of Ask Me if I'm Happy on a writing site called URBIS, I read some excerpts from Christopher Allen. We got to be online friends after I rated the excerpts and shared my thoughts on them, and soon we were chatting about things other than books or writing. I thought he was funny and definitely talented - ask other folks, they'll tell you the same! - and I expected to see more of his URBIS project soon.

Well, it took a little longer than expected - these things often do - but now the big day has come! So please, allow me to share with you:

Thursday Thirteen: 
13 Questions for Christopher Allen!

Picture
Picture
1) What one thing would you want readers to know about you?

That I mean them no harm. I want them to laugh until their bellies jiggle. I want their tear ducts to be cleansed through uproarious giggling fits.

2) Is there a genre you'd like to write in, but haven't tried? If so, why not?

I’ve written in just about every genre out there except western. Is that still what they call it? I remember reading several western mysteries as a teenager, and I liked them very much. I wouldn’t want to write a western, though. Although I have dabbled in science fiction, I’ve never finished a story. Definitely science fiction. Something like Stargate. Big fan.

3) Your previous stories have often had a contemplative or bittersweet quality to them. The new book seems to be a departure from that. Was there a reason for this?

I think contemplative and crazy are just two parts of me that come out at different times. Conversations with S. Teri O’Type has been a wild book to write, and I hope it will be just as wild to read. It’s humor and parody and most of all satire. Nothing here is serious except everything.

4) How much of your real life informs your writing?

My inner life—my worries and my dreams—informs my writing a great deal, but if you mean my day-to-day life of teaching and mowing the lawn and making dinner, etc. I try to keep that separate. There are times that certain situations will spark an idea for a story. The oak in the backyard keeps giving me stories. Then the hedge gave me one. I should spend more time out there.

5) Where have you been published previously?

Most of my work has been published at literary ezines, most recently at SmokeLong Quarterly. Others include A-Minor Magazine, Blue Five Notebook Series, Gone Lawn, Referential Magazine, Every Day Fiction, The Legendary, Pure Slush and Metazen (where I’m an editor). I’ve had non-fiction published at Connotation Press and BootsnAll Travel, and several of my creative non-fiction pieces have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul (print, mass market). I’ve also been very fortunate to have landed in cool short story/flash collections like Flash Fiction Fridays and STRIPPED, a collection of anonymous flash fiction.

6) You live in Europe but you're from the US. Does being an expat affect your writing style?

It certainly does, I’m just not sure how. I wish I could go back and forth between parallel universes and see Christopher Allen in Nashville vs. Christopher Allen in Munich. I’m sure I’ve become a different person, so of course my writing style has developed differently. Maybe this is the science fiction novel I’ll end up writing. Or not. I am certainly more secluded her than I would have been if I’d stayed in Nashville. Seclusion is good for writing.

7) What is your typical writing workday like?

I wake up at around 6a.m. I used to get up at 5a.m. but I’ve trained my body to lie there and suck it up for another hour. I turn on my computer and let the old bag boot while I make coffee. I check my e-mails, I check facebook, I check my blog, I sip my coffee, I check Twitter. I chat with people in the US who’ve not gone to bed yet. I sip my coffee. I notice the piles of reminders on my desk. Here are the ones I’m looking at today. March AWP! Indie Author News! Check SmokeLong! Message classes about tomorrow!! Gay Book Club NYC!!! Edit “Furniture”! My notes tend to scream at me. I start checking off the things on the list, which is much longer than this. I haven’t listed the names of people I’m working with on interviews and such. I take a nap because my shoulder is hurting. You get the picture. I should be writing, but I’ve just come back from vacuuming the kitchen.

8) Which writers have influenced/inspired you?

I love writers like Chuck Palahnuik and Daniel Handler and Lucy Ellmann and Julie Innis. One of my favorite writers is Jincy Willett. I love all these people for their sharp wit and exciting prose. I want to be all of them when I get taller. I’ve never lost hope.

9) Do you have a "target audience"?

All people on planet Earth would be nice. Doing the math, I think that would make me the richest man on planet Earth. But let’s say that doesn’t happen. I would hope that people—not just gay men—who love humor and stories that break away from the mold just a bit would love, or at least read, or at least buy, Conversations with S. Teri O’Type. The cover is very pretty, so it would look great on coffeetables and bathroom shelves. It is a story about a man in his mid-forties who has never learned how to be gay, so . . . um . . . I see this is the next question. Moving right along . . .

10) What is this book about?

So Curt, a dysfagtional man in his mid-forties, enlists the help of a self-proclaimed “gayru” to help him get gay. It’s a farcical jaunt down the Road to Greater Gayness, an absurd tale, a train wreck of sorts between a guy who thinks he knows nothing and a monster who thinks he knows everything.  

11) When did you first get the idea for this particular book?

I wrote the first Conversation on an online workshop in 2008 I believe. Fifteen of the 30 Conversations were born in the online workshop, but the story actually took shape much later. It has been a long process. Deciding what Curt, the narrator, really wants came much later than 2008.

12) Was this book inspired by anyone in your life?

It’s funny you ask that. My partner, who read half of the book on a plane last week, thinks he’s Curt. And maybe there are aspects of Curt in him. I remember once when we were living in London in 1998, he hung all the pictures in the living room very very close to the ceiling. I was shocked, and we had a “little” argument about it. Everyone knows pictures are supposed to be hung at eye-level, don’t they? This may have been the first time I thought, Hmmm not all gay men can hang a picture. And this might have been the germ for the book. Other than that one moment, Teri and Curt represent an elephant-in-the-room dialogic among gay men: To Be or Not to Beyoncè—which became one of the later Conversations.

13) You really are adorable, aren't you?  (readers of Christopher's I Must Be Off blog will get that one...)

Yes! I really really am adorable. It’s true. Some people don’t believe it, but when they meet me in person, they often pinch my fat little cheeks. Just don’t shove past me in a bar. 

If you'd like to purchase Christopher's book, click on the cover above or go to any Amazon site, worldwide!
Christopher Allen is the author of the adult cartoon satire Conversations with S. Teri O'Type. In 2011, Allen was a finalist at Glimmer Train and a Pushcart Prize nominee. He blogs at www.imustbeoff.com.
22 Comments
Penelope Merrin link
13/9/2012 09:11:15 am

Sounds interesting! Love the cover. The phrase "I want their tear ducts to be cleansed" makes me think of some exceptionally upscale spa. "Do you want the tear duct cleansing package?" haha

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:23:03 pm

That's the full treatment for sure - and of course it costs extra. LOL!

Reply
susan tepper link
13/9/2012 09:24:26 am

Christopher is adorable. In every way. He's also a mensch with a big heart. But does he really 'mow the lawn'??? I read this book in previews and adored it!!!

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:24:25 pm

Isn't he, though? So adorable! It's one of the first things I noticed about him. That and his talent of course. :) I can't wait for my copy to get here!

Reply
Jennifer Leeland link
13/9/2012 09:29:52 am

Oooooh this book sounds AWESOME!!!!! Thanks to both of you for giving me a little window into this author!

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:25:47 pm

You're welcome, Jennifer - you won't be disappointed with the book, either. I promise!

Reply
Derek Osborne link
13/9/2012 10:47:23 am

I also met Chris on URBIS and instantly liked him. We finally got to meet this summer at a KGB reading. I wasn’t drunk enough to pinch his cheeks but I thought about it. I've read most of his published work and also a great deal of writing he has not published. I'm still trying to come up with the quintessential quote about Christopher Allen - The Author. It has to do not only with good writing, wit, intellectual clarity, etc., but also a particular accessibility for both Gay and Straight alike. Chris is a good read - period. His hook is subtle, which means he is being discovered one reader at a time. As we all know from quantum physics, one day his audience will reach critical mass, the law of large numbers will take over, and we can all claim to have known him when....

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:27:47 pm

Thank you for your eloquent post, Derek. You're exactly right - Chris is a good read - whether writing long or short. That's just one reason I was so pleased to be able to help him out with a bit of promotion. I hope he reaches critical mass in record time, though - he deserves it.

Reply
Paige Tyler link
13/9/2012 10:53:30 am

Funinterview! Love the cover and the book sounds great!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:28:46 pm

Thanks, Paige! Glad you liked it - check it out when you can, eh?

Reply
Alice Audrey link
13/9/2012 12:17:45 pm

Laughing til you cry sounds good to me.

Hey, long time no see! Good to run into you again.

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:31:05 pm

It does to me, too. I can vouch for laughing a lot while reading it - and that was in the early stages!

It's good to be back, I must say. Looking forward to posting more!

Reply
Heather link
13/9/2012 01:24:10 pm

An interesting interview and cute cover! <a href="http://wordtrix.blogspot.com/">My blog</a>

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:32:07 pm

I know - I love that cover, too! Bright and colorful - and featuring Cary Grant - what could be better?

Reply
CountryDew link
13/9/2012 02:01:07 pm

Great interview! And nice to see you back on Thursday Thirteen!

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:34:13 pm

Well, he did the hard part - giving good answers!

I'm glad to be back - It feels good to be home, in so many ways. :)

Reply
harriet link
13/9/2012 02:41:26 pm

I'm so glad you're back with t-13 but, I can' t help but think there is something missing...
:)

Have a great t-13

http://harrietandfriends.com/2012/09/income-poverty-and-health-insurance-coverage-in-the-united-states/

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
13/9/2012 02:43:26 pm

Awww, don't worry, hon - they'll be back next week. I promise. ;) (I didn't want to distract from Christopher's book, is all.)

Reply
M.J. Nicholls
14/9/2012 02:53:30 pm

Chris Allen is Gore Vidal for the Clueless generation. Or Truman Capote for the Will & Grace generation. Or Bill Bryson for the Star Trek: The Next Generation generation. This interview made my bellies jiggle.

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
15/9/2012 07:17:27 am

I'm glad your bellies jiggled. As for the rest - I couldn't have said it better myself. ;-)

Reply
Christopher link
15/9/2012 12:57:00 am

Thank you, everyone, for reading and commenting. And thank you, Kim, for hosting me here. :)

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
15/9/2012 07:18:27 am

I thank you, Christopher, for giving me the chance to spread the word about your work. With luck, we'll be doing this on a regular basis in the future.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Kimberly Menozzi

    Author. Happily Married. Survivor of life with two deranged kitties.

    Please note: Thanks to an increase in spam comments, I'll be approving the comments before they post. Sorry!

    Archives

    April 2022
    October 2020
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009

    Categories

    All
    150th
    15th
    2010
    2012
    27 Stages
    About Me
    Alternate Rialto
    Amazon
    Anniversary
    Ask Me
    Ask Me If I\\
    Ask Me If I'm Happy
    Ask Me If I\'m Happy
    Audio Interview
    Blog
    Blog Hop
    Bologna
    Book After Book
    Book Covers
    Books
    Books I Love
    Busy
    Buy
    Cameron Chapman
    Catch Up
    Catchupe6eedff5b6
    Celebration
    Characters
    Charcoal
    Charity
    Chris Hollis
    Christmas Lights
    Christmas Presents
    Contest
    Coppi
    Cover Art
    Cover Design
    Critique
    Cute
    Cycling
    Cyclists
    Dead Men
    Debut Novel
    Depression
    Diiarts
    Doctor Who
    Donations
    Doodlebug
    Earthquake Relief
    Ebook
    E Book
    E-book
    Emilia Romagna
    Emilia-Romagna
    Evil Unltd
    Excerpts
    Excited
    Excitement
    Eyecandy
    Fabian Cancellara
    Factoids
    Falco
    Family
    Fiction
    Filtered Light
    FREE
    Friday
    Funfacts
    Gift Idea
    Gift Suggestions
    Giro D
    Giro D'Italia
    Giveaway
    Goodreads
    Good Stuff
    Grammar
    Guest
    Guest Blog
    Guest Blogging
    Guest Blogs
    Guest Post
    Happiness
    Happy
    Hawt
    Heikki Heitala
    Holiday
    Hotties
    Inspiration
    Inspiriation
    International Women
    International Women's Day
    Interview
    Italian Life
    Italy
    John Lennon
    Kimberly
    Kimberly Menozzi
    Kindle Books
    Kitty
    Language
    Launch
    Leopard Trek
    Life
    Ljubljana Witch
    London
    Loss
    Love Story
    Martin Riley
    Menozzi
    Misconceptions
    Misused Words
    Nell Dixon
    New Release
    Novel
    Novella
    Novels
    November
    November 2010
    NSFW(?)
    Oli Johns
    Other Sites
    Otherworld Diner
    Packing
    Photography
    Photos
    Plans
    Process
    Professional Cycling
    Profoundly Shallow
    Promotion
    Published
    Purchase
    Purchases
    Random
    Random Thoughts
    Reading
    Re-cap
    Red Cross
    Reggio Emilia
    Remembering
    Research
    Review
    Reviews
    Richard Pierce
    Ridiculous
    Rip
    Road Cycling
    Robert Stermscheg
    Sad
    SAD?
    Samuele Bersani
    Sarah E Melville
    Self-censorship
    Sexy
    Simon Forward
    Smashwords
    Stage Three
    Story Excerpts
    Story Ideas
    Summer
    T13
    Thankful
    Thanksgiving
    The Next Big Thing
    Think Geek
    Thoughts
    Thursday 13
    Thursday Thirteen
    Time Trial Championships
    To Be Read
    Tragic
    Travel
    Trivia
    Tulagi Hotel
    Twitter
    Uk
    Venice
    Visits
    Weather
    Wip
    Women
    Women's Fiction Writers
    Wordless
    Wordless Wednesday
    Work In Progress
    Wouter Weylandt
    Wow
    Write On Wednesday
    Write On Wednesdays
    Writing
    Writing Process
    Yums

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.