from Notes From The Underground
Quickfire with James Frey
James Frey is the author of – in my opinion – some of the best books written in the last decade: A Million Little Pieces, My friend Leonard, Bright Shiny Morning and The Final Testament of The Holy Bible. I am privileged to have been able to ask him a few questions.
Where do you start when you’re writing a book – do you have an outline, or just the germ of an idea and an ending, or something else completely?
I know the beginning, the ending, have the entire book, in some abstract way, in head. All I do when I write a book is get it out of my head.
How much do you rewrite?
I don’t rewrite at all. First books were edited, the second were almost exactly what came out of my printer when I printed the first draft.
Do you have a particular place that you like to write?
I write my books on the couch of my house in Amagansett, NY. There’s either music playing, or the TV is on.
What do you do when you’ve finished. When the final proof has gone off and there is no way back?
Let it go.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud of all the books I’ve written. They were each a different experience, and I’m proud of them for different reasons.