I was fortunate recently to be able to sit down with myself and have an intense and off-the-cuff interview with me. At times it was uncomfortable, but as you’ll be able to see, it was well worth the effort. It exposed a side of me that only I could see and it took me to be able to uncover it for you. At times, I tried to avoid the in-depth questioning, but I was able to remain steadfast and not let me stray from the issues presented. At least I tried. Below is a portion of the interview. We hope you enjoy it.
Q: You have received a lot of publicity recently concerning your book, 5IVE SPEED and its sequel, MAKING GOD LAUGH. You were interviewed on Ray Hanania’s Sunday morning radio talk show in Chicago, and of course the famous Bill Leff’s radio talk show on WGN 720 AM that broadcasts to almost thirty states. Why do you need to interview yourself?
A: I’m very insecure.
Q: Do you think that comes out in your writing?
A: Probably not. So far it’s only happened in self-interviews.
Q: Are you uncomfortable being interviewed by me?
A: Come on. You’re the best interviewer in the world. I’d have to be an idiot not to be intimidated at least a little.
Q: Why do you write?
A: Because I have absolutely no musical talent.
Q: It’s not to release the devils and demons deep inside you?
A: Are you kidding? If I could write about devils and demons my book sales would be tripled. Particularly if they were all in high school.
Q: I guess the question that begs to be asked, and all of your readers want to know is…how much of your writing is autobiographical? In other words…are you Donald Roth?
A: I’m Charley Warady. As a matter of fact…so are you.
Q: I think you know what I mean.
A: If you ask any author, he or she will probably tell you the same thing. No matter how a character starts out in my mind, he or she quickly takes on a distinct personality of which I didn’t necessarily plan.
Q: That doesn’t sound normal.
A: Normal people don’t write novels. Normal people don’t do stand-up comedy. Normal people don’t interview themselves.
Q: How much of your novels are autobiographical?
A: Wow. You really are good, aren’t you.
Q: I’m nothing if not persistent.
A: Some of each novel contains experiences that actually happened in my life, or a variance thereof. Some of each character…well…I’m not so sure about that. Never mind.
Q: Are you Donald Roth?
A: Donald Roth is much cooler than I am.
Q: Would you like to be Donald Roth?
A: I’m pretty happy being me…and you.
