An Impromptu Q&A with Steve Charnow

Steve Charnow, author of  Charlie Fig and the Lip had some desirable words to say to us upon being asked personal questions. As part of our desire to bring the author and the reader closer together, here is a short interview with Steve!
 
If you could cook dinner for any author, dead or alive, who would it be? What would you make?

Thomas Harris.  Liver, fava beans, and a nice Chianti.
 

What scares you the most about the writing process? How do you combat your fears?

That I’m not good enough.   Get feedback from trusted readers.

  
Who is your biggest literary crush, author or character?

James Joyce
 

What books are on your nightstand?

The Discrete Hero – Mario Vargas Llosa
Fourth of July Creek – Smith Henderson
The Complete Stories – Flannery O’Connor
Skyfaring: A Journey with a Pilot – Mark Vanhoenacker
 

Where do you get your ideas? What inspires you?

Observation.  A person I passed in the street, a mysteriously deserted building, a comment overheard on the subway, a memory.     

Music: Bach; the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim.
 

What book were you supposed to read in high school, but never did?

“On the Road”  
 

Why do you write? The first 5 words that come to mind. Go.

Tell a story, release, joy, to know myself, reveal.
 

If you could write an inspirational quote on the mirrors of aspiring writers, what would you write?

Writing is hard.  Not writing is harder.