Interview with Bryan Gruley
October, 2009
Bryan Gruley
SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
BG: Blessed and lucky.
SS: What’s your greatest fear?
BG: Losing a child.
SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
BG: Here.
SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?
BG: Words that can't be written on a family website.
SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
BG: Composing music on a piano.
SS: What is your greatest achievement?
BG: Bringing up our three children.
SS: What’s your greatest flaw?
BG: My pride.
SS: What’s your best quality?
BG: The ability to forgive.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
BG: Huck Finn.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
BG: Darth Vader, of course.
SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
BG: Jesus Christ: Thank you.
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
BG: Apostrophes used to signify plurals.
SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
BG: Ice hockey.
SS: What’s your fantasy profession?
BG: Left wing alongside Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings.
SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
BG: Humor. Empathy. Passion.
SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
BG: My mother's pot roast.
SS: Who are your favorite authors?
BG: JD Salinger. Ernest Hemingway. Flannery O'Connor. Ron Hansen. Brian Doyle. Michael Connelly. Thomas Harris (early). Mark Twain. Alice Munro.
SS: Is there a book you love to reread?
BG: Nine Stories by Salinger.
SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
BG: Ass in chair.
SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
BG: I'm about to find out, I hope.
SS: What is your birthdate?
BG: 11/9
SS: What were your previous occupations?
BG: Caddy. Draftsman. Journalist.
SS: What was/is your favorite job?
BG: Writing fiction.
SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?
BG: Detroit Catholic Central High School, the University of Notre Dame.
SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?
BG: Changes a lot, but at the moment, Alejandro Escovedo.
SS: What is your favorite television show?
BG: The Sopranos
Get more on Bryan Gruley at SimonandSchuster.com
Bryan Gruley
Quick Start
SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
BG: Blessed and lucky.
What Readers want to know...
SS: What’s your greatest fear?
BG: Losing a child.
SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
BG: Here.
SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?
BG: Words that can't be written on a family website.
SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
BG: Composing music on a piano.
SS: What is your greatest achievement?
BG: Bringing up our three children.
SS: What’s your greatest flaw?
BG: My pride.
SS: What’s your best quality?
BG: The ability to forgive.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
BG: Huck Finn.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
BG: Darth Vader, of course.
SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
BG: Jesus Christ: Thank you.
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
BG: Apostrophes used to signify plurals.
SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
BG: Ice hockey.
SS: What’s your fantasy profession?
BG: Left wing alongside Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings.
SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
BG: Humor. Empathy. Passion.
SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
BG: My mother's pot roast.
Questions About Books and Writing
SS: Who are your favorite authors?
BG: JD Salinger. Ernest Hemingway. Flannery O'Connor. Ron Hansen. Brian Doyle. Michael Connelly. Thomas Harris (early). Mark Twain. Alice Munro.
SS: Is there a book you love to reread?
BG: Nine Stories by Salinger.
SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
BG: Ass in chair.
SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
BG: I'm about to find out, I hope.
General Questions
SS: What is your birthdate?
BG: 11/9
SS: What were your previous occupations?
BG: Caddy. Draftsman. Journalist.
SS: What was/is your favorite job?
BG: Writing fiction.
SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?
BG: Detroit Catholic Central High School, the University of Notre Dame.
SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?
BG: Changes a lot, but at the moment, Alejandro Escovedo.
SS: What is your favorite television show?
BG: The Sopranos
Get more on Bryan Gruley at SimonandSchuster.com
