Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Amazon Prime’s Thriller CHLOE: Talking With Series Stars Erin Doherty, Pippa Bennett-Warner, And Brandon Micheal Hall
    • Jay Aston Of GENE LOVES JEZEBEL’s US TOUR 2022
    • Randy Rhoads: Reflections Of A Guitar Icon: Traciii Guns and Director Andre Relis (Interview)
    • Phil Tippett Talks Stop-Motion Film MAD GOD, Opening June 22nd
    • San Antonio Actor Antonio Raul Corbo On Voicing Lubicchi For POUPELLE OF CHIMNEY TOWN
    • Blumhouse Television & EPIX’s UNHUMAN Interview With Director Marcus Dunstan
    • Tribeca Film Festival World Premiere Of FAMILY DINNER: Writer/Director Peter Hengl and actors Nina Katlein and Alexander Sladek (Interview)
    • DASHCAM: TIFF Award-Winning Livestream Horror from Blumhouse and HOST Director Rob Savage (Interview)
    AMFM Magazine.tv
    • Features
    • Movies
      1. Movies – Indies
      2. Movie Reviews
      3. Movies- Wide Release
      Featured
      May 5, 20220

      THE OFFER: Miles Teller, Juno Temple, Matthew Goode, Burn Gorman, Patrick Gallo, Dan Fogler and Givanni Ribisi Talk About The Fantastic New Series Based On The True Story Of The Making Of The Godfather

      Read More
      Recent
      June 24, 2022

      Amazon Prime’s Thriller CHLOE: Talking With Series Stars Erin Doherty, Pippa Bennett-Warner, And Brandon Micheal Hall

      June 19, 2022

      Phil Tippett Talks Stop-Motion Film MAD GOD, Opening June 22nd

      June 17, 2022

      San Antonio Actor Antonio Raul Corbo On Voicing Lubicchi For POUPELLE OF CHIMNEY TOWN

    • Photography
      1. Event Photos
      Featured
      December 7, 20210

      Nat Geo Photographer Joel Sartore Founds Photo Ark Project To Document All The World’s Species – Before They Disappear

      Read More
      Recent
      February 11, 2022

      NAT GEO EXPLORER Gabby Salazar Documents Conservation Around The Globe

      December 15, 2021

      Nat Geo’s Photographer Gordy Medroz On Ski And Snowboard Illustrated Guide ‘100 Slopes Of A Lifetime’

      December 7, 2021

      Nat Geo Photographer Joel Sartore Founds Photo Ark Project To Document All The World’s Species – Before They Disappear

    • ABOUT US
    • Music
      1. Indies
      2. Majors
      3. Reviews
      Featured
      May 9, 20220

      Paul Humphreys Talks ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK North American Tour Hits Dallas, Houston 5/10 and 5/11

      Read More
      Recent
      June 23, 2022

      Jay Aston Of GENE LOVES JEZEBEL’s US TOUR 2022

      June 23, 2022

      Randy Rhoads: Reflections Of A Guitar Icon: Traciii Guns and Director Andre Relis (Interview)

      June 3, 2022

      Composer Theodore Shapiro Talks Apple TV+ Series SEVERANCE

    • THE WIRE
    • Literarians
    AMFM Magazine.tv
    You are at:Home»Arts»MIKE ALBO ON WRITING AND INSPIRATION

    MIKE ALBO ON WRITING AND INSPIRATION

    0
    By christine on December 4, 2015 Arts, LATEST

    Interview by John Wisniewski

    Mike Albo
    Mike Albo

    Mike Albo is an American writer, comedian, actor and humorist. He is known for his writing and performances that criticize and satirize contemporary celebrity and consumer culture. As a freelance writer, Albo has contributed to magazines, newspapers and websites including the New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, GQ, Elle Décor, Country Living, The Daily Beast, The Village Voice, Details, and many others. He was a Senior Editor and Fashion Writer for Cargo Magazine from 2004-2006. From 2007-2009 he was The Critical Shopper columnist for the New York Times and wrote more than sixty-five articles for the NYT Style section. He also had columns in BlackBook and Surface magazines. He wrote “Torascopes” for Heeb Magazine from 2005-2007. His love advice column in Out Magazine, “What’s Your Problem?” appeared from 1998-2000. He also wrote horoscopes for Word.com (Horoscopes by Randy Lavender), from 1998-2000.

    When did you begin writing, Mike? What were your first published articles?
    I have always been writing in some way…I have kept a diary since 5th grade (it had a squishy cover and said “PRIVATE!” in big 70s puffy letters)…I have written poetry since I was in 7th grade I think….thanks to the incredible mentoring of my english teacher Ms Hilliard, I entered an essay contest at the Washington Post my junior year of high school (I think?) and won…that was the nudge of encouragement I needed (and every writer needs)…the first thing I ever got published on my own was a response to River Phoenix’s death that was published in The Village Voice way back in 1993! I stayed up all night writing it and then the next day at work I secretly faxed it (remember faxing??) to as many magazines as I could. Lisa Kennedy, an editor at the VV at the time, found it in the so-called ‘slush pile’ and published it.

    Who are some of your favorite authors?
    Favorite authors include: Edith Wharton, George Gissing, Virginia Woolf, Paul Bowles, Guy de Maupassant. I’m reading Bolano’s The Savage Detectives right now and I am enthralled. I loved Ann Patchett’s “State of Wonder.” I always return to Charles Stross’s “Accelerando,” which is so weird and like a hallucination and teaches me something every time i open it up.

    What may have inspired you to write your novel “The Underminer”?
    I had been performing the character for a few years before I wrote the book. But the concept of the Underminer is even older…My friend Virginia Heffernan and I used to live together wayyyy back in the 90’s. We used to come home and stay up and talk about each other’s nights — hers straight girl dating and sex, mine gay guy sex and dating. And in each of our spheres, we came across the type of person who you are friends with but sort of makes you feel suicidal in slight, slightly detectable ways…So we developed the character together 🙂 I wrote the book around 2003, so in a way its also about heartbreak — because I watched our country (and NYC) become insane and hyper materialistic after 9/11. We had such a tiny window of time after That Day to really make the world a more peaceful place. And instead we were given a war and told to go shopping. So that is all in the book…

    What inspired you to write your first novel “Hornito”? What were the reviews like for your first novel?
    “Hornito,” probably like many first novels, is a collection of essays and lines and stories and language that I had from 27 years of living life. The core material was non fiction essays that I wrote in grad school (I went to Columbia School of the Arts for poetry, but while there, I began to write in other genres, including nonfiction and essays etc…) along with diary entries from my first few years living in the East Village in the mid 90s.

    I was VERY lucky to have that book published. Really the only reason it was published was because David Sedaris had paved the way for humor writing by a gay man, and so I got a small window of opportunity. Sort of like when every record label wanted to find their Whitney Houston. I am Des’ree, basically (remember her song??). I was so naive about the publishing industry. I didn’t realize big publishers had such a bottom line like every other industry.

    The reviews for “Hornito” were mostly positive…especially from the LGTB press. It introduced me to people I greatly admire, like Edmund White and Mark Doty. I am very grateful to and proudly a part of the gay literary community. I got a mean review in the New York Times from someone who clearly had a chip on her shoulder. At the time us Gen Xers were loathed and lambasted as much as hipsters and millennials are now. So the reviewer took that as the angle — that I was just another young person who came to the city and raised the rents. But after I got that review (New Years Day, even!) my wonderful friend Virginia said something that has always stuck with me: “a mean review! Now you have a career.” Since then, weathering other positive and negative reviews for my work and solo shows, I remember that….As a writer, you have to keep your eye on the longer arc.

    The best thing about “Hornito” is how it comes back to me from readers. Even now, someone says they read it, that it resonated with them, and I feel a connection to that is hard to describe but feels joyous and meaningful.

    Is writing for the news a different experience than writing your novels or short stories?
    I wouldn’t exactly say I write “news”…I mean, I am not embedded in Nigeria or investigating Argentinian President Kirschner’s secret dealing with Iran. Much of my writing for magazines and websites are opinion pieces, essays, profiles or features….though I do try my best to maintain journalistic ethics of course — in terms of backing sources, fact checking, etc….but if there is a difference between writing fiction/poetry/performance and the writing I did as The Critical Shopper for the New York Times, or the recent travel writing or assignments I have had for places like Refinery29, I would say it is work: an assignment, something I focus on for a short time. I love writing for other people, don’t get me wrong. It’s my one skill that makes money! I have no other skills that make money!

    Could you provide us with an example of thought provoking journalism and name some journalists who may inspire you, Mike?
    I cited the reporters who wrote the recent “Towers of Secrecy” article in the previous question, but others…well i always like everything my friend Virginia Heffernan writes, and now she is back writing a column in the NY Times Magazine, which i am thrilled about. As for non fiction writers in general — I always love of course Joan Didion and Janet Malcolm and Edmund Wilson. I always read everything Elizabeth Kolbert writes as well as Judith Thurman. Hilton Als’ writing is magic disguised as nonfiction. Guy Trebay’s fashion and style coverage is brilliant. I wrote a profile of Daniel Mendelsohn a couple years ago and had the fortune to read everything I could of his, and think he is the bee’s knees. What a mind. And he says he writes from beginning to end! On this bed!

    Are there any fiction authors that you read?
    Actually I read more fiction than non fiction.  I do love to read both classics and contemporary novels…but I rarely read a book right when it comes out. I usually seem to wait a year or so, until I get a sense from people that it’s right for me…because I love asking people what they are reading, what blew them away…I think that’s how I ended up reading “Beautiful Ruins” by Jess Walter, which was totally fantastic.  The language was gorgeous, the story was addictive, and the pace was brisk.  So impressive, that book. And an added bonus is there is a GREAT Q&A with Walter in the end which is so honest about his process. He is funny about how writers who say it took them 7 years to write their book actually mean they were doing 100 other things and obsessing about it and making false starts but that the time they actually worked on it is less than a year…

    Other not-so-recent books I loved: “State of Wonder” by Anne Patchett, “The Vanishers” by Heidi Julavitz, “The Great Night” by Chris Adrian…Marlon James’ “A Brief History of Seven Killings” is on deck…after I finish “The Savage Detectives” by Bolano which is as major as they all tell you it is…

    What are the most important qualities for a good writer to have?
    A sense of drive and commitment to writing that outweighs self doubt and self sabotage. It can even be a milligram more, but it still has to outweigh the soul sucking emotions ..

    Could you tell us about your latest writings?
    Last month I released another Kindle Single, “Spermhood: Diary of a Donor,” which is an account of my year-long adventure donating sperm for my two friends, a lesbian couple. When I began donating, I though it would be an easy procedure (I mean, how hard is it to jerk off in a cup?)…but the process was longer and more emotionally difficult than I expected. A lot of fear and trauma from living under the specter of AIDS as a gay man surfaced — stuff that I thought i had dealt with. Donating ended up becoming a spiritual journey. The ebook is also a look at the strangely efficient, huge, and slightly homophobic reproduction industry, the insanity of dating in the city, and learning how to get over yourself!

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • More
    • Print
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp

    Related

    Hornito Mike Albo interview The Critical Shopper The Underminer
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleBRIE LARSON INTERVIEW FOR 'ROOM' – OSCAR BUZZ
    Next Article EX MACHINA WINS FOUR AWARDS: Moët British Independent Film Awards
    christine

    Related Posts

    Comedian Kate Quigley Talks Upcoming Dallas Gig At Plano House of Comedy March 24-27th

    Read More

    Dave Navarro Talks ‘Duel Diagnosis’ And Art For Mental Health -Exhibit At West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin, TX Through April 17th

    Read More

    Skating Legend Nancy Kerrigan’s Reaction To being Featured As A Superhero For Part of Winter Sports Champions NFT Collection

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    SEARCH BY CATEGORY
    • MOVIES
    • Music ICON
    • AUTHORS
    June 24, 2022

    Amazon Prime’s Thriller CHLOE: Talking With Series Stars Erin Doherty, Pippa Bennett-Warner, And Brandon Micheal Hall

    June 19, 2022

    Phil Tippett Talks Stop-Motion Film MAD GOD, Opening June 22nd

    June 9, 2022

    Composer Lorne Balfe Talks Scoring TOP GUN: MAVERICK

    September 8, 2017

    GLEN CAMPBELL: ICON Pays Tribute With “Glen Campbell Live”

    May 6, 2017

    ICON PRESENTS: The Eagle’s Greatest Hits Volume 1

    March 3, 2017

    ICON SEASON FIVE: Get Ready To Rock And Roll

    June 14, 2022

    Author Angie Thomas on THE HATE U GIVE And CONCRETE ROSE

    June 6, 2022

    CONFESSIONS OF A DORK LORD And Book #2 GRAVE DANGER: Interview With Author Mike Johnston

    May 29, 2022

    SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF: Breakout Debut From Author A.F. Steadman (Interview)

    Hulu

    [instagram-feed]

    Recent Posts
    • Amazon Prime’s Thriller CHLOE: Talking With Series Stars Erin Doherty, Pippa Bennett-Warner, And Brandon Micheal Hall
    • Jay Aston Of GENE LOVES JEZEBEL’s US TOUR 2022
    • Randy Rhoads: Reflections Of A Guitar Icon: Traciii Guns and Director Andre Relis (Interview)
    • Phil Tippett Talks Stop-Motion Film MAD GOD, Opening June 22nd
    • San Antonio Actor Antonio Raul Corbo On Voicing Lubicchi For POUPELLE OF CHIMNEY TOWN
    Archives
    amazon prime
    June 24, 20220

    Amazon Prime’s Thriller CHLOE: Talking With Series Stars Erin Doherty, Pippa Bennett-Warner, And Brandon Micheal Hall

    Interview by Paul Salfen Becky compares herself to the picture-perfect lives on Instagram, compulsively returning to one account: Chloe's. However, when Chloe dies suddenly, Becky's need to find out how and why leads her to assume a new identity. The series has been written by Netflix's Sex Education writer Alice Seabright. She is a writer

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • More
    • Print
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp
    Read More
    Featured Music
    June 23, 20220

    Jay Aston Of GENE LOVES JEZEBEL’s US TOUR 2022

    Interview by Paul Salfen ay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel will be taking their 40th Anniversary Tour over to North America this month. After the two dates at Pasadena’s Cruel World Festival, the band will embark on a 31-date tour of the US, with a date in Canada at Toronto. The dates and ticket links will

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • More
    • Print
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp
    Read More
    Featured Music
    June 23, 20220

    Randy Rhoads: Reflections Of A Guitar Icon: Traciii Guns and Director Andre Relis (Interview)

    Interview by Paul Salfen You can see Tracii Guns on tour now  with his band L.A. Guns.  Austin and Dallas SCHEDULE HERE Randy Rhoads, the legendary guitarist known for his unmatchable guitar riffs, re-shaped rock’n’roll as the lead guitarist for Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne. After forming Quiet Riot with bandmates Kelly Garni, Drew Forsyth, and

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • More
    • Print
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp
    Read More
    Blockbuster Movies
    June 19, 20220

    Phil Tippett Talks Stop-Motion Film MAD GOD, Opening June 22nd

    Interview by Paul Salfen Synopsis: Follow The Assassin through a forbidding world of tortured souls, decrepit bunkers, and wretched monstrosities forged from the most primordial horrors of thesubconscious mind. Every set, creature, and effigy in this macabre masterpiece is hand-crafted and painstakingly animated using traditional stop-motion techniques. MAD GOD is a labor of love, a testament

    Share this:

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • More
    • Print
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp
    Read More
    Copyright AMFMSTUDIOS LLC
    • About
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (US)
    Copyright AMFMSTUDIOS LLC
    • About
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (US)

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.