     | september 8, 2010
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| september 8, 2010
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Writers in a Jar: Interview with Peter Hyman Peter Hyman -- 10/04/2004  Peter Hyman, a former Vanity Fair, staffer, has written for The New York Times, The New York Observer, New York magazine and various national publications. The Reluctant Metrosexual: Dispatches from an Almost Hip Life is his first book, and includes an essay Catherine once heard him read called “Menage a Faux Pas” about his experience having a threesome with a couple he met on Craig’s List. Needless to say, she was hooked. Here, in an interview with Catherine for Salt’s “Writers in a Jar” interview series, Peter answers questions about his writing, his life, and his opinion on pleated pants. If the below leaves you begging for more, check out his website and buy his book.When and how did you decide to be a writer? I’m not sure one decides to become a writer, per se. It sort of chooses you, for better or worse. More than anything, I decided against doing other things, leaving only one final alternative: Writing. I am not sure I am a good writer, but, sadly, I’m better at it than most other things that pay one money. You were one of the 8% of people who drop out of law school after your first year. Why did you apply in the first place, and is dropping out a decision you regret? I applied because from the moment I gained any awareness of the world I was trained to be a lawyer. I come from a family of lawyers and, inasmuch as we are products of our initial environments, law was my fated path. However, upon arriving at law school, I realized there were other pursuits I wanted to try. I don’t regret dropping out, but I would not say I’ve ever fully resolved the choice either.  Pleated pants: are they ever acceptable? Yes, but only if one is in prison or being held hostage and there are no other garment choices. A man who wears pleated pants by choice is a man who is not taking full advantage of his liberties. Do you have any advice to give would-be writers? Things you wish you’d known when you were getting your start? Arrange for a large trust fund. Apart from that, make sure your very first job allows you to write and edit, even if it’s only the magazine or newspaper’s table of contents. And, try to lead an original life. You cannot create adventures that will eventually make for good writing, but you can fight against boredom or inertia. What are some things you do to get over writer’s block? I pace in my apartment. I clean up my apartment. I run, long distances. Drinking only makes thing worse for me, so I tend to find more physical solutions. What are you reading now? end of page 1 [ 1 ] read more ... [ 2 ][ 3 ] |
