2008 Woodie Awards
Christopher Moore pens new novel
Kate Strycker
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: The Arts
Have you ever wondered what happened to Jesus during those missing teenage years? Do you know what to do if you have a demon as your servant? What would you do if you found out your significant other was a vampire and has turned you into one?
Best-selling author Christopher Moore has set out to humorously answer all of these questions and more. He is the author of 10 novels, including Practical Demonkeeping (1992), Coyote Blue (1994), The Stupidest Angel (2004), A Dirty Job (2006) and the international bestseller Lamb (2002).
Moore was born in Toledo, Ohio, and grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University and Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif. At the age of 19, Moore moved to California, then to Hawaii in 2003. Before becoming an author, he worked many different kinds of jobs, including a hotel night auditor, a photographer and a DJ. He still has many hobbies today: He enjoys kayaking, scuba diving and photography.
Moore's works are often described as absurdist fiction, and his influences include John Steinbeck and Kurt Vonnegut. Christopher currently Moore is touring to promote his most recent novel, You Suck: A Love Story.
Kate Strycker: What is your writing philosophy?
Christopher Moore: I think if you have something to say, you have the obligation of entertaining the reader enough to listen to it. You have to earn the reader's attention. I always set out to entertain the reader first, and then make my point.
KS: You say that some influential authors are Vonnegut and Steinbeck. Are there any specific books of theirs that are inspiring to you?
CM: With Steinbeck, it was Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday because of the beautiful, forgiving narrative voice and the humor. With Vonnegut, it's more the body of work, but I like Slapstick and Galapagos a lot. Vonnegut is never afraid to throw an idea at the page, to explore it and move on. He doesn't hold them to his chest, precious, like baby birds. He splatters those [things] all over the page and reaches into the basket for more. That shows great faith in the muse, and I admire that.
Best-selling author Christopher Moore has set out to humorously answer all of these questions and more. He is the author of 10 novels, including Practical Demonkeeping (1992), Coyote Blue (1994), The Stupidest Angel (2004), A Dirty Job (2006) and the international bestseller Lamb (2002).
Moore was born in Toledo, Ohio, and grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University and Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif. At the age of 19, Moore moved to California, then to Hawaii in 2003. Before becoming an author, he worked many different kinds of jobs, including a hotel night auditor, a photographer and a DJ. He still has many hobbies today: He enjoys kayaking, scuba diving and photography.
Moore's works are often described as absurdist fiction, and his influences include John Steinbeck and Kurt Vonnegut. Christopher currently Moore is touring to promote his most recent novel, You Suck: A Love Story.
Kate Strycker: What is your writing philosophy?
Christopher Moore: I think if you have something to say, you have the obligation of entertaining the reader enough to listen to it. You have to earn the reader's attention. I always set out to entertain the reader first, and then make my point.
KS: You say that some influential authors are Vonnegut and Steinbeck. Are there any specific books of theirs that are inspiring to you?
CM: With Steinbeck, it was Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday because of the beautiful, forgiving narrative voice and the humor. With Vonnegut, it's more the body of work, but I like Slapstick and Galapagos a lot. Vonnegut is never afraid to throw an idea at the page, to explore it and move on. He doesn't hold them to his chest, precious, like baby birds. He splatters those [things] all over the page and reaches into the basket for more. That shows great faith in the muse, and I admire that.
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