Atomic Fez Publishing discussion
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Chris Rothe
Atomic Fez Author Interviews
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An interview with Chris Rothe, author of “Dirk Danger Loves Life”
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Is it just me, or does Mr. Rothe seem to have an obsession with eating things (coffee, mice, wine, snails, Robert Munsch...)
Best interview ever. Can't wait to read this book.
A chewy combination of the two that I like to call ‘toffee’. In all seriousness though, coffee for the win.
City mouse or country mouse?
Whichever has leaner meat and cooks up nicer.
Wine or beer?
Wine. It’s way easier to relax with a glass of wine in your hand. And red over white. And Shiraz over every other variety.
Jazz or blues?
Since the slide guitar is the greatest invention that people have yet to come up with (aside from the stethoscope and melon baller of course), blues all the way. If you’ve ever seen vintage footage of Leadbelly playing “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” it will haunt you in the most pleasing way imaginable.
Cats or dogs?
Okay, whoa – hold the phone. What the hell is a dog? Is that like a less calm, less self-reliant, more needy version of a cat? I kid, I kid.
The answer is two-fold: I enjoy cats and catlike dogs, I.E. the mighty Pug, which should always be capitalized. Currently, my cat Majig is curled up next to me whilst I write.
How do you feel about snails?
Snails are delicious and can be easily kept alive and happy in a scummy bucket, making them easier to care for than a pet rock.
How old were you when you got your first library card?
It was issued to me as a child in Airdrie, Alberta upon entering kindergarten. I used it frequently to polish off Robert Munsch’s catalogue.
What's the first book you remember reading on your own?
I suppose that would be one of the million or so ‘Hardy Boys’ novels. I was an early reader and started in on those at around 4. I don’t remember any of the plots except to say that they were all pretty much the same.
What's the book you've reread most often (and why do you keep rereading it)?
A toss up between Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange and Dave Eggers’ You Shall Know Our Velocity. With Burgess, it’s all about the language. I’d love to be able to create my own slang in way that seems as effortless as he does and every time I go back to this book, I’m in awe. With the Eggers book, it’s the smile factor. It never fails to make me laugh when they tape money to a donkey in Africa with a note that says ‘Here I am, rock you like a hurricane’.
Who's the author/what's the book/to whom/with which you'd most like Dirk Danger Loves Life to be compared?
I should like to think Dave Eggers. I’ve always liked the way he weaves comedy in with heavier material and it’s what I aspire to as well (with my own, unique voice of course!).
What's the one thing you'd like to say to say to someone reading Dirk Danger Loves Life?
I would like to say ‘Thank-you and please, no dogears! Especially if you’re reading on an iPad because that is in no way covered by the warranty. Also, that is a lovely hat.’
Why do you write?
I write because I enjoy it quite thoroughly and the idea of making someone else laugh or cry or cower in fear because of my words puts a smile on my face.