James’s Comments (group member since May 05, 2012)

James’s comments from the Q&A with James Kunen group.

Cecilia wrote: "Since I am not an author, only a reader, I have no real experience with this issue. I do agree with Jeffrey's comments. There is not much you can do about what other people think of your writing......"

Thanks, Cecilia. Perhaps you're right: I've had only good responses to Diary of a Company Man from my PEOPLE mag and Time Warner colleagues. (Of course, I don't know what the silent ones may be thinking.) Thanks for your vote of confidence. I'll remember your encouraging words as I write in the future.

Thank YOU, for invigorating my Q & A with challenging conversation. Naturally, I would love you to read my book; I think you'll find it interesting, given our shared PEOPLE/Time Inc. experiences. Let me know what you think (kind words preferred).
--Jim

Thanks, Harley, for the link to Steen. Quite a couple, in quite a bedroom!
David, I'm diving right into the center of your paragraph -- about celebrating the folk and mythicizing their travails -- and claim that mantle for Diary of a Company Man, courtesy of my favorite review, by book blogger Philip Turner: "Think Aaron Copland’s 'Fanfare for a Common Man,”' only it’s not set to music, it’s in prose." http://philipsturner.com/
And thank you both very much for populating my Q & A.

Thank you. Yes, I feel like I am helping my own grandparents.

I appreciate your interest and admire your memory, Harley. Yes, The Strawberry Statement was optimistic. Anyone who tries to protest, to struggle with society, is optimistic -- otherwise, why bother? And of course, I remain optimistic now. I teach immigrants English and I am certain that they are going to do wonderful things and found proud American families. If you do read it, I think you will be as inspired by these courageous people as I am.

I'll just correct the record to point out that the cancer patient in question did not want her story to be different; she expressed concern that her story, being so much like other people's stories, would not make a good book. I assured her that if she wrote the truth in her unique voice, it would be a book worth reading. Now, about Jan Steen: very interesting question, David. I'd venture that the answer is both: he made art of the ordinary by elevating its dramatic aspects. But then, I wouldn't know a Jan Steen painting if it fell on me, so I'll eagerly await Harley's response.

David wrote: "I think its a reflection of how hard it is to sell "ordinary," (for money or otherwise) to a reader who isn't a blood relative. When someone writes a popular novel about a normal life, we recognize..."

All true, David, and yet, there is a hunger to know what "normal" looks like, and TV family-sitcoms rush in to fill the vacuum. My generation grew up thinking that behind the doors of other people's houses, Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver were unfolding. And that misconception exacts a price, doesn't it?

Agreed. But on the publication front, have you noticed the heavy tilt toward stories of abuse and addiction? It's hard to find many books about "ordinary" lives, by which I simply mean lives not marked by extraordinary misfortune. It leaves us in the dark about lives lived other than out at the edge.

Well, I earned my cynicism, Harley. Ironically, I was brought on board Time Warner corporate communications specifically to help craft and promulgate its Vision and Values -- you know, Integrity, Teamwork, Diversity, etc. Then I spent 8 years editing the employee magazine and writing attaboy notes from the CEO to outstanding employees, all to persuade the rank and file that they were valued members of the Time Warner team. When 500 (including me) were laid off one day, the CEO told analysts, "We've eliminated the bloat at corporate headquarters." In a heartbeat, I'd gone from valued colleague to gaseous digestive disturbance. Am I cynical? Or just realistic? It would take a whole book to fully explain. Fortunately, I've written it. Diary of a Company Man: Losing a Job, Finding a Life

The very first words of my first book (The Strawberry Statement) were, "Who am I to write a book?" Forty-four years later, I'm still writing (Diary of a Company Man: Losing a Job, Finding a Life), and still asking that question -- and I'm not the only one. Yesterday, an aspiring author in a cancer survivors' writing group told me that she was worried that there was nothing to differentiate her story from a thousand others, and that "the last thing the world needs is another memoir." I reassured her that if you can get the truth onto the page, in your own voice, then you've written something unique, and people will want to read it. Am I right? I have my doubts. Have you ever noticed that most of the memoirs on bookstore shelves are either by famous people or people who've had extraordinary lives -- usually extraordinarily difficult lives of abuse and/or addiction? What do you think? Can an "ordinary" life provide the basis of a compelling memoir?Diary of a Company Man: Losing a Job, Finding a Life

Like I always say, when you can't think of anything to say, quote yourself--and I did that when I found myself sharing a meal with a corporate titan. I threw that quote at him about no one being a true believer at Time Warner corporate communications, and he said he thought I'd find enthusiastic, un-ironic believers-in-what-they're-doing people at dot.com enterprises. Based on your note, Jeff, I guess he was right.

Jeffrey wrote: "That's hard to know, Jim, since I've never published *any* memoirs. But, I do know in my heart that it's pointless to worry about what other people might or might not think, as you have very little..."

Very comforting quote from Bernard Baruch. But what was he talking about?

Is it the Heisenberg Uncertainty Priniciple that says you can't observe something without changing it? Or does that only apply to subatomic particles? Then again, I suppose we are all subatomic particles, aren't we? In any case, I'm all for trying to have more interesting days, but, please, select and reflect before sharing them with the everybody else.

I look forward to engaging with readers. Ask me anything.

What is the impact of running, instantaneous autobiography (Facebook, blogging and tweeting) on the art of the memoir? How do you write a book reflecting upon your experiences when you're publishing your every thought and deed every day? Personally, I don't think I could possibly have written The Strawberry Statement if I'd been tweeting from the occupied buildings at Columbia. What do you say, young authors?

The Strawberry Statement: Notes of a College Revolutionary

The term "memoir" is a little misleading when applied to my books, because I'm writing about my life as I live it. In what ways does knowing your life is going into a book affect the life you choose to live?

I've written three published memoirs, one on my days as a student activist, one on my bried career as a public defender, and just now one on getting laid off and finding meaning teaching immigrants. I take notes on my life as I live it. When the book comes out, I worry that colleagues included in it (they know who they are, even if names are omitted or changed) will feel that I was a spy at work, that I had a hidden agenda, that I wasn't who I seemed to be -- even tho I say nothing bad about anyone. Some people do feel betrayed. Most are thrilled to be in a book and wish me all the best. How do you feel about this issue, and how do you handle it?