Spotlight On…

Today, Scott McClanahan is front and center on Dark Sky’s stage. As always, he’s doing it his way. Lights, camera, action.

Writing wise, where are you now? Where are you going?

I’m working on my literary immortality — forget those bastards who are just trying to produce, “good work.”  What does that even mean?

I understand the immortality thing is futile, but that’s what makes it heroic. It’s like what the Jhett Rink character says in Giant, “There are wells down there Bick. There are wells and bigger wells. I’m going to have more money than you ever thought you could have.”  Of course, we can interpret this money as spiritual cash, and the oil-wells as the oil-wells of my soul.

Other than that, I have a novel and another book of stories ready to go. I also have a great title, “I SOLD MY SOUL TO THE DEVIL BUT HE FORGOT TO ASK FOR A RECIEPT.”  I don’t have anything other than the title right now.

What informs your creative process? How do you keep inspired?

Big K No-Calorie Extreme Citrus Drop Soda. I drink at least 7-10 of them a day. It’s a generic brand they sell at the grocery store Kroger. If anyone from the Kroger Company is reading this — I will be more than happy to become a spokesperson. You produce a wonderful product.

I do think if you’re looking for inspiration then you might be in the wrong game. It’s like those people who are constantly going on about the craft of writing. I want to say, “If you’re so interested in craft, why don’t we go down to K-Mart and I’ll buy you a freaking glue gun.”

Do you struggle with self doubt?  How do you cope with those feelings?

Of course, all of the time.  But I’m also a man of destiny, a thorn in the whirlwind if you will, so I just look past it. As Warren Beatty says, “The greatest gift a man can have is to fall in love with the sound of his own voice.”

But now here comes the doubt again — who calls themselves a person of destiny in an interview, Scott?  I do, so shut-up doubt.

I say your writing can be brutal and breathtaking, you say…

Ms. Rohan, is that my hand on your thigh? Don’t worry your husband will never know.  Oh Ethel, my sweet. I have Irish blood running in my veins as well — you wild lass.

How has the internet impacted your reading and writing? What is the future of print publications?

I love the internet. I wouldn’t be here talking to you without it. I think the whole indie internet lit world is quite wonderful really.

I would like to see bloggers try and turn their blog into an art form rather than just trying to sell their crap, or to notify you about their crap, or point out how totally empty their hearts are. We need an Andre Gide to move from the journal to the blog.

Beyond that, print is perfectly fine as well. It’s not judgment day people, only morning excellent and fair.  People like to get apocalyptic and bitch about how everything print is coming to an end, but really we just talk this way to make ourselves feel unique and smart. We’re not that unique, we’re not that smart. Is anything more conservative than a so-called revolution in anything?

I kind of agree with Harold Bloom who said if bound books never existed and someone handed you one, you would be amazed at what a technological marvel it was.

If you didn’t write, what would life look like?

The same. This is true for all of us really.

Writing is overrated. Oh god, you’ve convinced me to stop writing with this question.

Thank God. Now I can move on with actually living my life.

Please tell us your favorite, and why:

Musical: On the Town or Top Hat, but only the song and dance sections. As Werner Herzog says, Kelly and Astaire are the definitions of “pure cinema.”  Fosse’s All that Jazz is the best modern musical with a few sections of A Woman is a Woman, and Dancer in the Dark thrown in for good measure.

Movie: I’ll give a personal choice rather than a cineaste choice.  Michael Apted’s Loretta Lynn film Coal Miner’s Daughter.   It was the first time I saw my people treated with any dignity on film. By my people I mean country people, rural people.

Sadly, some of our great film artists — John Ford, Anthony Mann, Howard Hawks, etc. were all guilty of creating hillbilly minstrel shows from time to time throughout their careers.

Place: Danese, W.V. in 1985 on Saturday afternoons or on a Sunday around noon, surrounded by poor people food and my Grandma Ruby and Uncle Nathan.  I swear if I try hard enough I can bring them back to life. I close my eyes. I try. I close my eyes, but it doesn’t work. I may be a man of destiny but alas, I can’t travel through time.

I’m actually starting to forget what those days felt like even, but then again — that’s life.

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Scott McClanahan is the author of Stories and Stories II (published by Six Gallery Press). His other works include Hillbilly, Stories V!, The Nightmares and Crapalachia (all forthcoming). His website is www.hollerpresents.com.